MWC/Cabela's - Mille Lacs Question

[GlassHalfFull]

Wondering if anyone knows how the MWC/Cabela's people are going to handle the weigh in. I've heard that the take-offs are from Eddys (Cabela's fisherman) & Izatys (MWC). But both weigh-in's are at Eddys.
I've been in a few tourneys at Eddys which have had 100-150 boats and
there has been a long wait to weigh fish because of limited space. I don't see how 400+ boats can be handled.

[Karl]

Why don't you click onto the MWC website. All of your questions will be answered.

[Bad Finger]

I'm told there will be three scales. I believe your concerns are valid. The math is frightening....

If you can run fish baskets over the scales at one minute per team, that is a 6.6 hour weigh in.

Of course, I'm assuming all boats will have a fish to weigh!

Good luck to all in the tourney.

[Adman]

Howdy Bad Finger

I was keeping loose track of the weigh in times at Spring Valley. I spent a hair over a minute on stage, that included jawing with Kaz. with there being several sclaes it should be kept to well below one minute per angler. I for one am curious to see how lang this will end up taking.

As to people looking for answers. the MWC web site has some details, but we have a couple of chats archived on the chat schedule page. A couple from Kristine Houtman and one from Kaz where I know at least one chat from each of them has info about the Mille Lacs tourneys.

Have fun............R

[Chris Bahl]

Anglers

I am just returning home after three days at Mille Lacs going over for a final time this very issue. Valid concern that we have completely analyzed. We are using three scales, all will be run through one cpu. Our weigh system is just like that used by packing plants whereby one weigh system is used with many platforms, therefore weigh identical.

Something to consider; 1/3 of the field will weigh a limit, 1/3 of the field will weigh a partial limit, and 1/3 of the field will 0. I too watch and timed the weigh-ins at the RCL on the Detroit River. They did a fabulous job of moving 150 anglers quickly. Utilizing three scales will even speed up our process more. The only baskets that will go the main stage are going to be limits and "contenders." On Sunday, all place winners and potential place winners will weigh on stage.

As for receiving boats. Eddy's "harbor" and outskirts have been devided into three receiving units. Only mainstage baskets will enter the main harbor. All other boats will be directed to scales 2 and 3 on the jeddies. Our friends at Decca (sp) Docks are supplying portal docking all around the jeddies at Eddys for this tournament. We shouldn't have any problem receiving all boats with everyones cooperation.

I am very pleased with the cooperation of the community, anglers and sponsors for this event. This is shaping up to be a terrific event for our sport. Our Communications department has received committments from major media sources to cover the event which is good for everyone. EMC2 Stadium is going to be a first in our sport and worth seeing in itself. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family, so don't leave anyone at home. It is our goal to provide all anglers a very memorable experience.

As it is almost "gameday" please don't hesitate to contact my office at (308) 254-8675, or e-mail cbahl@cabelas.com, with any questions. As tournament director for the entire event I have had sleepless nights thinking of ways to make this the best event possible. I am confident you will enjoy the event and hopefully you will continue to support it as it is your National Championship.

Thank You!!

Chris Bahl
Tournament Director

[GlassHalfFull]

Thanks Chris. Sounds well organized! Can't wait, (lets hope for a west wind)

[eye eye matey!]

Anyone have any idea of the prize money for the MWC tourney? I have seen Cabela's payout but not the MWC.

[Kristine Houtman]

We've been working through the logistics -- allow me to draw out what Chris was saying for the three scales and the logistics of getting everyone through.

We have to work with some assumptions -- although we know that we will not be 100% correct on the assumptions, but you have to start somewhere. Out of the 460 in the two tournaments -- over 60 are fishing both tournaments -- so we will net UNDER 400 unique boats on the water. We¡¦ll use 400 now for easier math! ƒº

We have to assume that with the "no-cull" on this tournament -- and that after the sixth fish is in your possession you must come in, we will have about 30% -- or 120 boats that will weigh in prior to 3 o'clock. That leaves 280 to weigh in.

Having FIVE fish in the 14¡¨-16" slot -- or, having one or two over 28" will probably be another 25% of the teams. That means 100 teams would have the opportunity to go up on stage during the busiest times -- 3:00 to 5:00 pm. With 120 minutes in two hours, that means there would be over one minute for each team on stage. That's time enough to get the weight calculated and show off the big fish. By the way, big fish will be weighed on a separate scale prior to getting on-stage to save time. That leaves 180 teams to weigh in.

Of those 180 that will need to weigh in between 3:00 and 5:00 -- we have two bump tables and two weigh stations. If we keep the movement between those two areas steady, that means 240 minutes to weigh 180 teams -- or more than one minute per team. Since there's no microphone and no stage for those two stations, it should go fairly quickly. It can certainly be done in the two hours.

Does this mean that anglers won't queue up? Of course not. Everyone who comes in after 3:00 will have to queue and therefore wait. It's the nature of weighing in a big tournament. We'll have plenty of aerated tanks for keeping the fish healthy during the wait out of the live well. We will ask the anglers for their adherence to coming in during the 1/2 hour their flight is directed in (unless coming in prior to 2:30).

We have three scale systems computer linked and three back up scale systems in case anything goes wrong with the main system. We have additional dockage at Eddy's. We have several dozens of volunteer staff to assist.

Does that mean that as soon as a team arrives at Eddy's they will see an open area to tie up and weigh in? Maybe not. But if they wait patiently, a spot will open in the next few minutes and they will queue up like everyone else. It will work with the cooperation of the anglers. And we will all be a part of something really big and really exciting. Cabela's has done an outstanding job in the lion's share of this preparation.

This is going to be awesome.

Kristine Houtman
Events Director
MWC

p.s. By the way -- the MWC payout is $101,875 -- with $25,000 for first place and paying down 35 places.

[fishless]

Are crawler harness's legal in Minnesota and can they be used in the tournament? After reading the rules, it would seem they would NOT be allowed. Am I correct?

[Bad Finger]

Crawler harneses are legal (1,2 or 3 hooks are ok) as long as there is a blade on the rig. You can't just drag a line around with more than one hook on it without a spinner blade on it.

[fishless]

How about with a single bead or float and no spinner?

[Answer Man]

One hook then. A floater with a stinger molden in is also legal.

[jjk]

I know I am a little behind on this topic but why are these tournaments even being held at the same time on the same lake doesnt it seem like you are taking two great events and combining them for the benefit of few while making the tournaments less enjoyable as a whole. Everyone is already posting on this site how crowded Mille Lacs is early in the season???

[Jerry]

You're right. You're beating a dead horse as this topic has been run through the mill. Both tournament fields are filled, so the troops are okay with the event and happy, like myself, to be entered.

[john mannerino]

.Also I have a boat slip rented at Eddy`s do I pull in there for the weigh in? Also boat insp on day of tourneys,where would I check in on the water. A couple areas I did not find covered. Thanks in advance, John Mannerino

[Kristine Houtman]

Everyone will weigh in at Eddy's -- but which scale you will weigh in at will depend on what you've got in the live well. So time will tell -- and we will be directing boats accordingly.

You may have a slip rental -- but those will be open during the weigh in for all the boats we have to get through. After a designated time you could put your boat in the slip, but not during the main weigh-in time. We'll need all the space for the traffic in & out for the weigh in. We'll be mailing some correspondence, with boat numbers to all MWC anglers very soon -- and it will have more logistical details for everyone.

See you in May!

Kristine Houtman
Events Director
MWC

[john mannerino]

Thank you. Just wondering what I do with my boat for 3-4 hours.John