m.w.c. tourney at dubuque,Iowa

[really concerned]

What do we do? I've been fishing the mwc off and on for the past 10 years. How can I justify traveling 500 miles to fish a tournament with only 53 anglers. Is this the last year for the mwc? I hope not, but something needs to be done now. Any suggestions??????

[rd]

First thing I would do is call Wildlife Forever and get an updated number of boats. I believe the total of 53 is from a month ago. I am sure there have been new entries recieved since then.

[pwuebker]

Keep these points in mind:

1. The payout is 83% to 17.5% of the field. Thus, a tournament with 55 boats will payout to 10 places, with first place at around $5,000. Certainly not the $15,000 at Spring Valley but still respectable. Additionally, your odds of reaching a tops spont on the payout should be that much better (I'm not into statistics but there are fewer teams to beat).

2. I think it's important to keep the new sites in historical perspective. I've reviewed all the records Kaz provided and there were frequent instances of unfilled tournaments in the past. Mostly at new sites. It's part of the growth process and attracting new anglers to the sport.

3. By taking the top 5 of 7 tournaments for points, those fishing for the championship are signing up for one tournament at a time rather than 5 upfront. Last year, if you were fishing for points, you really needed to sign up in advance to be sure to get into Spring Valley. This year, Spring Valley is less critical towards points as there are two other tournaments to help fill out points.

4. Similar to last year, entries really start coming in just prior to the tournament. Right now Dubuque and Big Stone are seeing all the entry action and virtually all the calls right now are about getting into Dubuque. Seems most anglers prefer to hang on to their $400 as long as they can. I'd do the same.

5. If I were fishing for points, Dubuque and Erie would be my tournaments because the minimum amount of points will be higher than in filled tournaments. If only 55 teams participate, the least amount of points you could get would be 110 - 55 = 55. I believe that is a strong incentive for those shooting to reach the championship.

6. I've been impressed with the efforts of the Mississippi Walleye Club. They're going to do a great job and put on a good show. Participating teams will be well taken care of.

7. You'll have to make your own decision. I'm confident there will a good increase in the numbers of boats over then next couple of weeks. And regardless, it will be a great tournament. Even better next year.

[MWC Angler]

I think you can scratch a few teams from Dubuque that have signed up, the river is a mud hole, I know we are not going to risk fishing a tournament with bad conditions, we can't afford too!Tournament fishing is getting to expensive, why fish a tournament when you don't know if you will catch fish or not because of the conditions?

[rd]

No matter what the conditions, it is an even playing field. Everyone has the same weather and water conditions to deal with.

[MWC Angler]

So what if everyone has to deal with the same conditions. The conditions are not good for catching fish. If there is 50 teams, maybe 10 of them may catch a fish or two over the two day tournament. The rest zero, who wants to take a risk on it for the kind of money it will cost you to fish the tournament. The PWT had a tournament there with the same conditions and it sucked for number of fish caught. If you want to blow 800 dollars or more and take a chance you will get lucky and catch a fish or two go ahead, we will not, 800 bucks can buy lots of tackle.

[Juls_WI]

Did someone say "mudhole" again? Too cool! We'll be there! heheh ;-)

Juls

["COMA]

There are plenty of nice walleye in pool 12. If you look hard enough you will find a area with clearer water and hungry walleyes. I agree it will not be a throw a bait in the water, catch a fish affair. Those who know walleyes will catch walleyes. Those who don't , Won't. Good luck, "COMA"

[Former Me]

I agree with you Coma. What tournament ever is a toss a bait in the water and catch a fish affair. As to MWC anglers points, quit whining. That is tournament fishing. Add to that, if only 53 teams end up fishing, zero will mean a heck of a lot of needed points. Think about it. Can you handle fishing and maybe not catching a fish to get over 50 points?

[cure for a whiner]

Yeah, you're right.Don't come.Not worth the trip.Save your bucks.The river is a mudhole.No fish to be caught.It's tough fishing.You won't know where to go or what to do.Stay home.And especially don't come down a couple of pools where an 8, 11, and 14lbers have been caught in the last two weeks.You're right.Stay home.

[Easy points]

Yeah I bet your the kind of guy's who would love to get 50 points for zero fish caught in the tournament. Give me a break, what the ##### kind of tournament fisherman would want points for doing nothing, (only one's that can't get the points any other way.) It sounds like you two are from Iowa, I am not cutting down your fishery, but conditions on your river are not what tournament fisherman spending big bucks want to fish in. Typically tournaments are held on exceptional walleye water at prime bites, that won't be the case in this one because of all the run off.Like it or not that is the way it is, enjoy the tournament this year, because I doubt it will be back if fishing sucks.

[Former Me]

Okay, let's see here. You want to only compete in a tourney, at the prime time, and perfect conditions, when any IDIOT can catch a fish? Hmm, that really separates the men from the boys. NOT!! I say bring on the tough bite, take the good with the bad. I too can travel all over the country, fish the prime sites at their best bite, haul in one pig after another and wrack up some huge numbers. But, does that make me a better fisherman? Does it enable me to learn how to catch fish in less then perfect conditions? On less than perfect sites? NO! If you wanna catch one fish after another and call yourself a Pro or a good fisherman, the only one you are fooling is yourself. Dubuque is a good place to fish, as are the pools above and below. there are many quality fish to be caught, and the people are fantastic. I have enjoyed every trip there and will do so in the future. Boo hoo ya big baby! No shut up and go drink your juice box.

[concerned toooooooo]

I'm not only concerned about dubuque,but I'm concerned about the entire m.w.c. circuit. I've been fishing the mwc part-time for the past 13years, It doesn't look good guys. 1st of all there's nobody at walleyes forever that knows anything about walleye fishing.I know it's going to be hard to find another KAZ, but they have to and quickly. Most of the top pro's in the country got there start on the mwc,and they will all tell you how much they loved kaz and what he did for walleye tourneys. I don't know the answer for the MWC but i hope someone does. If anyone has any idea's please send the MWC a e-mail soon before it's to late. We can't afford to wait till the end of the year they need to get steered in the right direction now. please e-mail them today.

[Bayside]

Unfortunately things do not look good at the MWC. First there is a $35 conservation fee, that goes to Wildlife Forever, to spend on their various projects (I believe if there is a conservation fee it should all go the local tournament site for fisheries improvements, as was the case in the past). Second the payout is advertised at 83%, has anyone done the math. I did and arrived at a payout of 78%. I have e-mailed them several times asking for clarification, with no response. I took 200(teams) x $365(entry fee) = $73000, the total entry fee collected. Now take the $57000 that they are paying back and divide it by the $73,000 and you come up with .78 or 78%, a 83% payback would have a purse of $60590, a difference of 5% and $3,590 dollars. I could be wrong, but I am just asking a question about the payout and not recieving an answer. Third it doesn't seem to bother anyone that the point system is totally out of wack. It is conceivable that a team could qualify for the championship without catching a fish!!! Points should be based on your performance as well as the number of boats in the tournament.
Don't get me wrong I DO NOT want to see the MWC fail but I do think that some changes need to take place, it is very clear they are not going in the right direction.

[pwuebker]

Clearly some clarification is needed.

1. Payout

Your math overlooks the $20 championship fee which has been a standard part of the MWC formula long before Wildlife Forever.
$400-$35-$20 = $345. At Spring Valley there were 204 teams.
204 x $345 = $70,380. Payout was $58,140. $58,140/$70,380 = 82.6%.

We use the same formula for all sites.

2. Conservation Fees

Conservation fees were raised the first year Wildlife Forever was directly involved with the MWC, currently $35/team. The additional $25/team is put into the Bob and Bev Kazkowski Conservation Fund. These funds are available for aquatic conservation projects anywhere in states where the MWC has a tournament. The remaining $10/team is used to fund aquatic conservation projects on the waters where the tournaments are held. Always has, always will.

3. Tournament waters

The fishery in Dubuque is quite good with plenty of quality walleyes. It may be a challenge at this time of year, but that's the point. Why do you think it's called The Masters?

4. Walleye experience

You'd be surprised what it takes to effectively and efficiently run a tournament ciruit. Knowledge of walleyes is really a small part of it. Negotiation, organization, coordination, ability to adjust to last minute changes, salesmanship, marketing, administration. Wildlife Forever has done a pretty good job in bringing these things to the MWC. How Kaz and Bev did it all is beyond me.

Walleye knowledge is certainly a plus. And while I don't know squat comparted to the pros we serve, 35 years of fishin' 'eyes helps.

5. Suggestions/thoughts/ideas are always welcome

We really do appreciate constructive critism and suggestions. But to merely say "It doesn't look good" and "get steered in the right direction" is really no help at all. Merely alarmist.

Please feel free to email me directly with any specific suggestions anyone might have. pwuebker@wildlifeforever.org.

[Crew]

Well said!

[just fishin]

Could someone tell me why nobodys entering the mwc tourneys this year? I hope it's not the end for the mwc,but it looks that way. I really enjoyed fishing them over the years.

[Cantcha Read?]

did you or did you not read the above threads?

[Kevin Oyen]

The Mississippi Walleye Club is looking forward to hosting the MWC in Dubuque. Water conditions at Dubuque right now are looking very good for the Tournament. I can personally guarantee a first class Tournament for everyone. I have enjoyed working with the people at Wild Life Forever Masters Walleye Circuit and I can assure you they are working very hard to maintain the highest standards for Walleye Tournaments.
To criticize a Tournament before it happens is very unfair, however if you fish the Tournament and still have concerns then I will address them accordingly. Pools 11,12,&13 are some of the best walleye fishing waters around and I hope you will sign up for the Tournament and find out just how great they can be.
I look forward to meeting you and wish all the anglers the best of luck.

Regards,
Kevin Oyen
Tournament Director

[Juls_WI]

Thanks for posting Kevin. I have heard nothing but good things about your area (fishing and people), and I am personally looking forward to the opportunity to visit there! I have never been there before, so part of the excitement is being able to learn the new water. I'm positive it is going to be a good tournament, despite the doomsayers predictions.

See ya there!

Juls
NPAA #231

[O.A.]

Juls, please catch 2 big limits at the tourney then post afterwards that your glad you didn't cancel the tourney either! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck and have fun exploring new waters!

[Kevin Oyen]

Thanks for the nice response Juls, Its great anglers and people like yourself that makes a quality Tournament. Keep your wonderful attitude, the Red Carpet will be out and waiting for you and the rest of the anglers.

See ya in Dubuque,
Kevin Oyen
Tournament Director
NPAA #568