Two Championship Tournaments Fishing the Mississippi River this Weekend
October 06, 2020
Quad Cities (October 6, 2020) – The Mississippi River is a great fishery in the fall, and this region’s section of the world-renowned river will be the site of two championship fishing tournaments this weekend.
The 2020 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) is set to wrap up a unique season October 8-10, 2020, along the Mississippi River with the 2020 World Walleye Championship (WWC) in the Quad Cities.
The world championship event is a “qualify only” event, in other words, only the very best of the best will attend. The 58 best walleye anglers anywhere will compete after qualifying for this opportunity by finishing atop the 2019 MWC regular season events held across the country, including events at the Illinois River, IL; Detroit River, MI; Big Stone Lake, MN; Lake McConaughy, NE; Lake Erie, OH; Bay of Green Bay, WI; Devils Lake, ND; and Leech Lake, MN.
The World Championship contenders will have ample opportunity to catch fish with optimum water levels in the river for this time of year. They will launch each morning from Sunset Marina in Rock Island, IL, and will be looking for a maximum five-fish limit of Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye, at least 4 of which must be 15”- 20” long and are allowed only one fish per angler over 27” in their bag to weigh-in as there is a protected 20”-27” inch slot on the river.
Total payout at the World Walleye Championship will push $120,000 in cash and prizes, the bulk of which is cash and includes multiple added funds thanks in part to Ranger Boats and the $1,000 Ranger Cup Bonus, Lowrance and their $500 HDS Live/Elite Ti2 bonus, $500 Airwave Seat Pedestals, T-H Marine Atlas Awards, more than $10,000 in cash and prizes added to the pot by TWF/MWC as well as custom made trophies and the always coveted World Championship custom rings. Every team in attendance will receive a prize check.
The event will be filmed for the Federation Angler TV’s block in primetime network television on the Pursuit Channel which broadcasts to over 40 million households as well as other networks across the nation. Daily live weigh-ins at Sunset Marina in Rock Island, IL, beginning at 3:30 p.m. all three days October 8-10. Everyone can watch online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on their Facebook page facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit.
Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest-running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for 36 years and is open to all avid walleye anglers. For more information visit masterswalleyecircuit.com.
TWF has confirmed Captain Ron Hunter, the field man for Lowrance, will be at the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Lowrance has been leading the marine and fishing electronics industry since 1957 and using innovation to help anglers find and catch more fish. If local Quad Citizens have questions about their own electronics, Captain Ron will be at Sunset Park in the afternoons on Oct. 8-10 before the 3:30 pm weigh-ins to answer questions.
The Walleye Federation was set to host the Cabela's Walleye National Team Championship in May 2018 when the Mississippi River flooded at record levels. Visit Quad Cities, City of Rock Island Parks & Rec, and the QC Walleye Club worked with Sunset Marina to try and adapt to the changing water levels until ultimately the 2018 event was cancelled. Both Robert Cartlidge, President of TWF, and Scott Anderson, tournament director, were impressed by the local host committee’s pro-active work in 2018. Because of the demonstrated attention to service, they awarded the 2020 MWC Championship to the Quad Cities.
“We are thrilled to host these amazing events in the Quad Cities regional destination, said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Activating our global asset, the Mississippi River, in a meaningful way accelerates our brand by bringing and hosting some of the best fishing events in the country to the QC. We look forward to a few exciting days on the river.”
The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail leads to the Quad Cities for the 2020 Berkley Team Series District 11 Championship on October 8-10, 2020. Approximately 30 visiting anglers will launch in Albany, Ill., to seek and catch the most bass. They’ll most likely be in Pools 13 & 14 (Between Albany, IL & LeClaire, IA).
The Fishers of Men Berkley Team Series is designed to give competitive bass fishermen an opportunity to compete for cash, prizes, and recognition. Berkley Team Series Divisions feature a 2-person team competition. Teams compete to qualify and represent their respective Divisions in one of the Championship Events.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, building our authentic brand, telling & selling the Quad Cities story, and enhancing Quad Citizens’ quality of life and quality of place. For more information, visit us online at VisitQuadCities.com and connect with us on social media.
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Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Visit Quad Cities, 309-781-4235 cell or [email protected]