February 16, 2010 Minnetonka, MN – Early registrations kicked off at a brisk pace for the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit new season. The Cabela’s MWC will hold nine qualifying tournaments across three divisions plus a Championship in 2010. For 26 years, the MWC has been the premier team-format circuit in the walleye world and is positioned for another successful year. The growing enthusiasm can be attributed to three key factors:
An event schedule on great walleye fisheries with three easy-access divisions (East, Central and West)

Manageable entry fee of $650 per team and elite no-fee Championship with $100,000-plus payout

Solid line up of returning sponsors as well as several new sponsors including Berkley, Northland Fishing Tackle, Abu Garcia and Fishouflage
“The MWC is in a strategically strong place in the industry,” said Chris Sprangers, Brand Manager at Cabela’s, entering their ninth consecutive season as Title Sponsor. “The professionalism of the circuit and the unique qualities of high-level competition with grass roots appeal are two of the MWC’s strengths.”

According to Kristine Houtman, Director of the Cabela’s MWC, the circuit is in a position for growth. “We brought our entry fee more in-line with the current economy,” shared Houtman. “And we have added a number of new programs to the circuit that give more of a ‘reason’ for the anglers on the fence about which tournaments to fish this year.” The additional new programs include:

Sponsor Contingency Bonuses: Cabela’s is offering a new bonus program entitled Cabela’s Angler Cash of $500 to $1,000 at each tournament to Cabela’s MWC anglers in 2010. Chris Sprangers is heading up the initiative at Cabela’s. “We are excited to be able to offer additional payout to anglers in many circuits in 2010 – including the MWC,” shared Sprangers. “This is a new program from Cabela’s and we are excited to be a part of keeping the payout up in tournament fishing.” Full details can be found at www.cabelas.com/anglercash.

Ranger Boats will continue to offer $1,000 in Ranger Cup for the top finishing Ranger Cup qualifier for all ten MWC tournaments in 2010. The Oxygenator/U2 will offer a $200 bonus for product loyal users. Complete details pending. Lowrance is offering a $500 per tournament for all ten tournaments for top finishing Lowrance HDS unit owner/user. While the ink is not dry on all the sponsors’ plans for 2010, we can say that several contingency bonus programs are in place for 2010, with news to come on more in the weeks ahead.

West Division Makes 9 Qualifying Tournaments: Building on a new West division that started last year, the circuit is expecting continued success with the new anglers in the Dakotas and surrounding states. “This year, West division anglers will compete in the 2010 Championship and will feel truly a part of the entire season as it unfolds,” shared Houtman. Sponsors are happy with the geographic expansion. “The West is an important area for our company,” shared George Liddle of long time MWC sponsor, Ranger Boats. “We continue to grow our market share in the Western states and this becomes important in expanding our customer base and supporting our dealers.”

New Sponsors: Strong sponsorship means a strong circuit with a lot of benefits to the anglers -- and the Cabela’s MWC has enjoyed tremendous support from its sponsors heading into 2010. “Northland Fishing Tackle is excited to be a new sponsor on board with the Cabela’s MWC,” shared Eric Naig, Senior Marketing Manager of Northland Fishing Tackle. “We love the strength of the circuit in the team format and the strong support of families fishing together. We have some great new products that we look forward to introducing to these avid anglers during the 2010 season.”
Kids and Family Focus: The Cabela’s MWC has always encouraged families to fish together, whether in a tournament setting or just for fun. Support and encouragement of the next generation of anglers as well as using fishing for quality family time continues to be a strong part of the 2010 season. “We host a youth and family fishing clinic in partnership with the NPAA each tournament,” shared Houtman. “The tradition will be continued. We love putting a rod and reel in a kid’s hand for the first time and teaching the basics. We also honor our top finishing families in each division (husband/wife; parent/child; siblings) with plaques to acknowledge their special accomplishment during the year.”

Team of the Year Bonuses and World Walleye Championship: The MWC paid over $33,000 in Team of the Year bonuses last year and over $105,000 in their no-fee elite-field Championship purse, and expects similar, if not higher, payouts in 2010. The Team of the Year purse is set at $20,000, plus each division Team of the Year bonus accumulates at a rate of $30 per unique team. “We should see even more teams this year which could bring our Team of the Year payout to over $35,000 or even higher,” shared Houtman. “And we have already announced our Championship purse and it has not gone down a penny, even with last year’s entries down in numbers.

Berkley Premier Team: Teams that signed up for a full division in the “early bird” window of the year receive benefits including $1,000 payout in Cabela’s gift cards at each of the nine tournaments for the top three Berkley Premier Teams. All Berkley Premier Teams are seeded into a no-fee 64-team bracket with the bracket winner receiving an entry to the 2011 MWC World Walleye Championship, $500 in Cabela’s gift cards and a Berkley Pro Team Sponsorship valued at $3,500 in product. “We are proud to have both Berkley and Abu Garcia join the sponsor line-up of the MWC once again,” shared Andrew Marks, senior marketing manager at Pure Fishing. “We love working with the team at North American Media Group and this is just a further extension of that relationship.” Registrations for the Berkley Premier Team grew to 119 teams in 2010, up 116% over last year.

“We are proud to announce that Dan Palmer has been promoted to tournament director,” shared Houtman. Palmer was bumpmaster for the last three seasons. “Dan brings a great deal of expertise to our staff and we are pleased to have him step up to this important role and we welcome him in a new position on the team.”

The 2010 schedule is as follows:

Central
March 27 & 28 – Spring Valley, Illinois (Illinois River)
June 5 & 6 – Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Lake Winnebago) combined with Cabela’s NTC
September 11 & 12 – Escanaba, Michigan (Bays de Noc)

East
April 17 & 18 – Trenton, Michigan (Detroit River / Lake Erie)
June 18 – 20 – Sandusky, Ohio (Lake Erie)
August 6 – 8 – Au Gres, Michigan (Saginaw Bay)

West
May 8 & 9 – Mobridge, South Dakota (Lake Oahe)
August 21 & 22 – Devils Lake, North Dakota (Devils Lake)
September 18 & 19 – Webster, South Dakota, (Waubay Lake)

Championship
October 14 – 16 – Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (Mississippi River – Pools 9 & 10) Invitation Only

The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is the longest running professional walleye tournament circuit in the United States and entering their 26th year in 2010. For more information on the Cabela’s MWC, visit: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com. Questions – email: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call: 877-893-7947 extension 4.

Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their ninth season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors of the MWC include: Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Berkley, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate Sponsors include: Abu Garcia, Fin-tech, O2 Marine Technologies, Northland Fishing Tackle, 3-IN-ONE No Rust Shield, Ryjus and Reflections Printing