Professional walleye circuit gearing up for the first tournament of the 2017 season
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (April 5, 2017) – Competitive walleye anglers will converge on Lake Erie at Huron, Ohio, April 12-13, for the season-opening event of the 2017 Cabela’s National Walleye Tour. The tournament circuit features a pro-am style format and guarantees over 100 percent payback.
The Lake Erie event begins Tuesday, April 11, with tournament registration from 2-4 p.m. at Sawmill Creek Resort (400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron, OH 44839) with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting set to start at 5:00 p.m. Pro and co-angler pairings will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting.
Anglers will launch Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. from the Huron River Boat Ramp (41 Cleveland Rd East, Huron). Weigh in location will be announced at the meeting on Tuesday evening and posted then for the general public.
Registration for the Lake Erie event is already underway. To register, please go online and click on register. All anglers that register online will be entered in to a drawing for a $100 Cabela’s gift card.
Anglers that were born after Jan. 1, 1982, are required to take the Boaters Education course through the Ohio Watercraft Department (614-265-6485). All co-anglers and anyone planning to cross into Canadian waters to fish must obtain a Canadian fishing license.
During each day of competition, Triton Boats and Mercury Marine are offering free demo rides in the acclaimed 216 Fishhunter. The demo rides will take off from the boat launch.
The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) will also host a “Future Angler” program for children after Friday’s weigh-in, approximately at 4:30 p.m., featuring an educational seminar and training for youth from top-notch NPAA members. The youth-orientated event will include a free rod/reel combo or “Future Pro” t-shirt for the first 150 children who attend the educational program.
Anglers who are participating in any of the numerous contingency prize programs are encouraged to submit all pertinent information at registration to remain eligible for any potential bonus money.
The NWT would like to thank the Huron Chamber of Commerce, City of Huron Parks & Recreation and Sawmill Creek Resort for their assistance with putting together this event.
As always, all NWT events will deliver 100 percent payback. A fully rigged Ranger 1880, plus cash, is guaranteed for first place at each event – a minimum total value of $61,000. First-place also offers potential boat and motor upgrades. Anglers that fish all three regular-season events, in addition to the top points leaders, will qualify for the three-day, entry-fee championship.
New for 2017 – the first-place Co-Angler at the NWT championship event will win a new Ranger 1682 with 115 horsepower Evinrude outboard, valued at $26,500.
The tournament circuit also includes unprecedented television and media coverage, allowing a national audience to watch the action unfold from each event throughout the season. Airing on multiple networks, the National Walleye Tour will be seen on FOX Sports, World Fishing Network and Pursuit Channel, as well as the NBC Sports Network.
For more details, anglers are encouraged to call 612-424-0708 or 501-317-7548 or check out the new website at www.nationalwalleyetour.com. From here, site visitors can register for events, view the contingency programs and TV schedule and learn more about what’s in-store for 2016.
National Walleye Tour events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Lucas Oil, Evinrude, RAM, Mercury, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Evinrude, Arctic Ice, Stratos Boats, Lowrance, MotorGiude, Protect the Harvest, Raymarine, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.
2017 NWT scheduled events:
April 12-13 – Lake Erie (Huron, Ohio)
May 11-12 – Lake Sakakawea (Garrison, N.D.)
June 15-16 – Mississippi River (Prairie du Chien, Wis.)
Championship – Aug. 16-18 – Green Bay (Marinette, Wis.)