2025 - 15 th Anniversary TOURNAMENT PACKAGE
2024 SUNSET BAY WALLEYE SHOOT OUT
“The Great Lakes Premier Walleye Tournament”
11359 Southwestern Blvd Irving, NY 14081 EXIT 58 - From NYS Thruway I-90
Official Fuel Provider of the Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out
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Welcome Anglers!
2 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
15 th Anniversary Tournament
Hello Tournament Teams,
The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out is a major benchmark event as it is our 15 th anniversary! We are extremely excited to share several incredible announcements for next summer’s tournament. Inside you will find the tournament dates and event schedule so you can begin planning your 2025 strategy. With our new early bird drawing, massive prize packs, larger payouts, expanded Calcutta options, increased bonus cash opportunities, motor madness giveaway and so much more, we are once again providing unmatched value for your tournament team and individual anglers. Our next issue (February 2025) will unveil some truly epic announcements from all our sponsors, making our 15 th anniversary an incredible event in total cash and payout opportunities, levels never seen before in professional walleye fishing. Should you have any questions or comments on any of the enclosed information, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you again, stay safe & we look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Capt. Don Ruppert
President – Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out
Direct: 716.435.4137 / Email: donaldjruppert1970@outlook.com / www.walleyeshootout.com
3 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Table of Contents (Issue -1of5)
General Information
Welcome Introduction Schedule of Events
3 5 7
Tournament Payout Structure
Captains Meeting Details & Giveaways Marina / Boat Launch / Location Map Early Bird Registration / Drawing
9 & 10 13 & 14
17
Big Fish Friday / Prizes / Cash Bonuses / Calcutta’s Thursday Fish Donkey 18 Big Fish Friday 19 Friday Night Prize Pack Giveaway - Expanded 20, 21, 22 Calcutta (5) Options - New Addition 25 Calcutta “BIG WAVE” Option 26 Motor Madness - Expanded 31 Restaurant Sign Up Bonus - Expanded 34 & 35
Specialty Bonus Prizes
Coleman Coolers Cool Cash Team Captain Bonus Award
42 43 45 46
Major Boat Manufacture Bonus Money
Native Pride Bonus Cash
Important Documents
2025 Registration Form & Team Waiver
51 & 52
• Registration and Waiver is a 1- page tear-out form for your convenience
4 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
2025 Tournament Schedule
Captains Meeting: Thursday – July 17 th Located at the Beach Club - New expanded, comfortable Captains meeting /Meet the fleet party) Doors close at 7:00 pm (Sharp) Mandatory that at least one team member is in attendance (the entire team is encouraged to attend) Big Fish Friday: Friday – July 18 th Please reference rules specific to BFF on page 19 Weigh in Show 5:00pm (main stage) Expanded Prize Pack Giveaway – 50 Prize Packs will be drawn after live weigh in Main Event Saturday: Saturday – July 19 th Shot Gun Start at 7:00 am / Return Time 3:30 pm, Cooler drop by 4:30 pm NEW Expanded “Motor Madness Drawing” – Ten (10) Outboard motors will be drawn (starts at 5:00 pm) Weigh In Show 5:30pm (main stage) Breakfast of Champions: Sunday – July 20 th It is from 10:30am till 11:45am Easy Awards and Presentation 11:45 am to Noon (Champions, Largest Eye ,’ Big Fish Friday) Payouts, Photos, Video Complete
5 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
6 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
2025 Payout Structure
Main Event
Largest Eye’
1 st Place - $25,000.00 2 nd Place - $15,000.00 3 rd Place - $10,000.00 4 th Place - $5,000.00 5 th Place - $4,000.00 6 th Place - $3,000.00 7 th Place - $2,000.00 8 th Place - $1,500.00 9 th Place - $1,400.00 10 th Place - $1,300.00 11 th Place - $1,200.00 12 th Place - $1,100.00 13 th Place - $1,000.00 14 th Place - $750.00 15 th Place - $500.00
1 st Place - $7,500.00 2 nd Place - $2,500.00 3 rd Place - $1,000.00 4 th Place - $750.00 5 th Place - $500.00
Big Fish Friday
1 st Place - $5,000.00 2 nd Place - $4,000.00 3 rd Place - $3,000.00 4 th Place - $2,000.00 5 th Place - $1,000.00
7 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
8 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Captains Meeting Details
The captain’s meeting and meet the fleet party will be held Thursday, July 17 th , 2025. All Captains must be registered by 7:00pm and report to the captains’ meeting tent. The entire team is welcome and encouraged to attend and enjoy the meet the fleet party. Here the teams will register for Calcutta’s , 50/50, FeedMore WNY drawings; each angler will get his motor madness ticket and enjoy the camaraderie with the other teams. Once the meeting has concluded, the captains will meet with their teams and we will have the drawings, announce the winners of the Thursday Pre- Fish Donkey side pot and other notes for the weekend. Come early, come all!
Meeting Location:
1028 South Shore Drive, Irving, NY 14081
The captain’s meeting starts at 7:00 pm sharp!
9 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Captains Meeting Giveaways
We are immensely proud to continue our support of both the Sunset Bay Voluntary Fire Department and the FeedMore WNY Group.
We will be providing our annual 50/50 drawing for the SBV Fire department, helping to raise funds for their critical services. They are so much appreciated.
As we are celebrating our 15 th Tournament Anniversary, we are expanding our FeedMore WNY prize pack drawing to an amazing 10 prizes for 2025. We are so proud of the work this group has done for all our local communities.
Both drawings will take place after the formal meeting at the Sunset Bay Beach Club concluded. Thank you for supporting both great organizations.
10 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
11 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
12 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Marina / Boat Launches
Please find the following information regarding key contacts for your marina, launching and dockage requirements.
➢ Hidden Harbor Marina
916 Exchange Street, Irving, NY 14081 / hiddenharbormarina.com
- Wet slips, dry docks, fuel, marine store, launch ramp. 716.934.4315
➢ Town of Hanover Launch
1083 Erie Street, Irving, NY 14081
- Great launch, plenty of parking, fish clean station, bathrooms, ice, vending 716.934.2273
➢ Sunset Bay State Marina Park
12952 Allegany Rd., Irving, NY 14081
- Two launch ramps, transient slips, restaurant, and general stores onsite 716.934.2375
➢ Snows Marina
12920 Ontario Street, Irving, NY 14081
– Wet slips, boat launch 716.801.1802
We would recommend making reservations now for the 2025 tournament.
13 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Sunset Bay - Key Locations
Legend
Cabana Sam’s & The Sunset Bay Beach Club
2025 Tournament Stage
Camping World – OFFICIAL Cooler Drop Off Station
Main Parking Lot
Sportsman’s Restaurant
Sunset Bay State Marina
Hidden Harbor Marina
Town of Hanover Boat Launch
Snows Marina and Boat Launch
14 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
2024 Team Champions
Congratulations to Don Skellie and his team ‘Knee Deep Sportfishing’ with their 2024 Championship WIN! The team weighed in an impressive 40.14 lbs. box for six walleyes to secure their title victory and a $47,405.00 payday.
15 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
16 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Early Bird Registration The efforts and participation of all of our partnering sponsors truly make our tournament a world class event. That holds especially true for Lakeshore Hardware & Tool Rental. Their extra efforts allow our live venue on the beach to grow and expand every summer. We couldn’t do it without them.
For the 2025 tournament we are proud to offer an incredible early bird prize opportunity for those team registered by 12:00 pm (noon)- Sunday, February 16 th .
All teams registered by the early bird cut off will be entered in a team chip drawing for a brand new, complete Ariens Snow Blower Package, proudly provided by Lakeshore Hardware and Tool Rental. This is at no additional cost and all apart of your tournament entry. THANK YOU to everyone at Lakeshore!
We will be doing the ‘live’ drawing at (12:00pm/noon) at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo @ The Garmin booth. You do not need to be present to win. If your team is registered, you are in and have a chance to win!
17 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Pre-Fish Thursday
This is a fun, interactive way to compete for a side pot that is a simple and easy weigh in process, right from your boat. The FISHDONKEY APP will measure your fish, winner determined by length, and it catalog’s the current leaders as the day progresses. You can see where you stand on their live leader board as each fish is weighed in during the day.
7-17-25 - Team/Boat Entry: $100 with 100% payout / Top Three (3) Positions Paid (50/30/20)
This year’s FISH DONKEY is offically sponsorded by DOCS TACKLE
Registration Is now Open / Register on Fish Donkey App !
18 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Big Fish Friday
Top 5 Places Paid / $100 Entry Per Team
Big Fish Friday – July 18 th , 2025
• Boats can depart from any port/marina but must return to the Cattaraugus Creek by water • You can depart at anytime that morning but lines cannot be in the water until 6:00 am • Your cooler must be in the Official Tournament line by 4:30 pm - front of beach club • Tournament staff will transport your cooler from drop off location to the weigh in stage. • Only one (1) walleye can be presented in the cooler. No other species allowed in cooler • Walleyes must be at least 26” to qualify for Big Fish Friday • No loose ice or water baths allowed in cooler or live well. Bagged or block/jug ice is acceptable • A maximum of nine (9) rods are allowed in the water at any given time. • New York waters of Lake Erie and upper Niagara River are legal fishing waters • All New York State laws apply • All walleyes weighed for Big Fish Friday will be gill clipped & can not be used for Main event • Any/all fish can be subject to further inspection • No fish can be altered in any manner to increase its weight • Winners will be subject to polygraph • All BFF cash & prizes will be paid out at the Breakfast of Champions
19 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Friday Prize Pack Giveaway
The Friday evening prize pack is once again expanding in size and value.
For 2025 we are pleased to announce the Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out we will be giving away Fifty (50) incredible prize packs to the fishing fleet.
This is unmatched value anywhere in professional fishing, it is at no additional cost to you and your team, it is all part of your tournament entry!
Please visit and thank our parntering sponsors, they truly are a major part in growing our event every season.
20 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Friday Prize Pack Giveaway cont.
21 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
22 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
23 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
24 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
2025 Calcutta’s NEW We will again be offering our four (4) primary Calcutta options for each team to consider. All Calcutta’s are optional and not required. You can fish 1, 2, 3, 4 or none of the side bets listed. Completely optional for each team to decide.
We are proud to add a fifth Calcutta to honor our Veterans fishing the 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out.
Four (4) Calcutta Options
1.) $250.00 2.) $100.00 3.) $50.00 4.) $100.00
Captains Choice Calcutta
Main Calcutta
Rookies Calcutta
Big Eye Calcutta NEW 5.) $100.00 Veterans Victory Calcutta
Calcutta’s 1 through 4 will payout three places (50%, 30%, 20%)
The Veterans Victory Calcutta will pay 1 st place - winner take all !
(To participate in the veterans calcutta, the team must have at least one veteran on board for the main event)
25 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
The BIG WAVE Calcutta
The popularity of the Big Wave Calcutta has exceeded our expectations and provides each team with a fantastic opportunity to maximize on their weekend. We are excited to continue to this for the 2025 tournament anniversary tournament. $1,000.00 per team 40 Teams Maximum / Two groups of 20
The Big Wave Calcutta’s will pay out the Top 3 places of each group. 1 st Place = $10,000.00 2 nd Place = $6,000.00 3 rd Place = $4,000.00
This Big Wave Calcutta is open to the first 40 boats paid and securing their position – Registration Now Open
We will host a live-fleet drawing at KAZ’S PUB Friday, February 21 st – 7:00pm NEW - BONUS: The highest weight between the two fleets will also win an entry into the 2026 tournament ($500.00 Bonus.)
26 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
27 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Visit the Okuma booth and see the new line of trolling rods and reels that are out for 2025, such as the next generation Coldwater reels and the NEW Coldwater Trolling Rods series. Also on display will be the New Dead Eye Walleye Classics.
28 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
29 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
30 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Motor Madness Drawing The fifth annual Motor Madness Giveaway not only returns but expands for 2025. This year we will be giving away Ten (10) amazing motor packages. Each individual angler fishing the tournament can enter the drawing for the ten motors being given away. Each angler will receive his/her ticket at the captain’s meeting/meet the fleet party. A special NEW ticket table will be conveniently located on the beach for this.
31 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
32 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
33 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Restaurant BONUS Cash We are proud to have partnered with some of the finest restaurants in the Western New York Region and continue to expand our Restaurant Bonus Cash opportunities. For the 2025 tournament we have expanded to twelve local restauarants and increase the bonus money to and incredible $24,000.00 in cash. $24,000.00
Visit them today and register
OUR RESTARAUNTS
34 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Simply visit each of our 12 partnering restaurants, spend a minimum of $50.00 during your visit; and sign the Officeal Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out Tournament Book located at each location. REGISTRATION is now open ! Should you catch the largest walleye over 11.0 lbs for the Main event. You will be paid $2,000.00 for each restaurant visited. Visit one – win $2,000.00, visit four – win $8,000.00. Visit all 12 and WIN - $24,000.00
Visit them today and register ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR RESTAURANTS
35 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
36 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
37 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
38 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
39 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
WWW.GARMIN.COM
40 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
41 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Win the tournament using the NEW Coleman 316 Cooler on stage and the tournament will pay you $500.00 in Cool-Cash (Stay tuned for more great announcements from Coleman Coolers)
42 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Captains Bonus Award The extra effort that goes into organizing a championship team is far often overlooked, either above deck or behind the scenes. We are proud to provide the winning Captain of the 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out with a pair of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and Cutco Fillet Knife.
43 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
44 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
Bonus Cash Opportunities
Skeeter Boats
= $10,000.00
(Paid to the team winning the Championship in a Skeeter Boat)
Vexus
= $10,000.00
(Matching winnings of highest finishing team in a Vexus Boat, up to $10,000 )
Skeeter Boats
= $7,500.00
(Paid to the team with the heaviest fish over 11 lbs. fishing from a Skeeter Boat)
Ranger Cup Series
= $7,000.00
(Paid to the highest weight team fishing with a Ranger, Triton, Nitro)
Warrior Cash
= $2,000.00
(Paid to the highest weight team fishing with a Warrior Boat)
Yamaha Pro Pay Series
= $2,000.00
(Paid for the highest weight team fishing with a Yamaha motor)
Vic’s Sports Center = $1,000.00 (Paid to the highest weight team with any boat purchased from Vic’s Sports Center)
45 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes! * Please check with all mfg. terms, registration requirements, their payout structures, and other details to participate in these promotions, these are paid directly by manufacturer and/or boat dealers. Lime Lake Marine = $1,000.00 ($500.00 Paid to the highest weight team with a Vexus Boat and AlumaCraft Boat)
Bonus Cash Opportunities Cont. Another great addition for the 2025 tournament is the new Trophy Bonus Award. For the Team presenting the largest walleye over 11.0 lbs for the main event they will receive a $1,000.00 CASH Bonus From Native Pride “ The official fuel provider of the Sunset Bay walleye Shoot Out ”
46 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
47 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
48 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
49 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
2025 Registration Mail In Form Enclosed -or- New Online Registration We are pleased to not only provide unmatched value to your tournament entry, we are pleased to also provide the convenience of registering your tournament entry online. Enclosed, please find our standard registration form with self-addressed return envelope. For Online registrations, please visit www.walleyeshootout.com 2025 Team Waiver Also enclosed is our tournament team waiver, we have advanced this section to again provide more convenience for you and your team. The only signature required will be the team Captain, as this waiver will include and cover his/her entire team during tournament fishing and tournament activities. This will eliminate that process of organizing/acquiring individual signatures for your entire team.
This form is also attached to the online registration form if utilized.
• All anglers fishing any portion of the Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out for a team must be on-file with tournament headquarters.
50 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
51 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
52 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
53 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
. Rodney's On the Lake, 4179 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, NY 14075
.
TOURCHAUTAUQUA.com www.walleyeshootout.com
54 The 2025 Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out – The Premier Walleye Tournament of the Great Lakes!
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