PWT as a AM.?

[Northlander]

Has anyone ever fished the PWT either as a Pro or a AM? Im looking to fish it as a AM this year and would love some info and feedback on your experiences. [email protected]

[PerchJerker]

For years I was going to do it. My wife even got me the entry forms and all the info I needed for a birthday present one year, but it never worked out. Mostly because the tournaments I wanted to fish conflicted other things we had planned, like vacation at Lac Seul, etc. I've had friends do it and they had a blast.

Seems to me there'd be 3 really good reasons to do it. One is for the fun. Two is to fish with pros that are generally really nice guys and really good at teaching you some good tips and techniques. And three is if there's a tournament on a lake that you really want to learn.

I haven't paid attention to this lately but you should look at the RCL Co-Anlger spots as well as the PWT Amateur spots, unless there's a PWT tournament on a specific lake that you want. A lot of PWT Pros have jumped ship for the RCL, I think due to things like scheduling and payouts. I don't know for sure but I think the RCL has better / deeper payouts. The RCL may start eliminating the bottom of their field after the first day or two or three so you may be guaranteed more fishing time on the PWT. I really don't know the details, but those are things I would look into. I would think each tour would have good info on their websites. Good luck.

[Northlander]

I checked their HSOforum and really no info that I could find on joining as a AM. I did the RCL for half a summer and it was ok but I didnt learn all that much from the "Pros" I fished with. The guys I pulled just seemed like guys with enough money to buy a big boat and pay a big entry fee. Although 1 guy I had was great and knew his stuff we just couldnt get any legal fish on Mil Lacs.

RCL is a inexpensive way to wet your feet though and most people would really enjoy it I think.

Im hoping to do the PWT and a 3 day tourney at least once this summer.

If anyone knows cost etc let me know. Im not sure but I wouldnt think they have their schedule worked out for 06 yet.

Also thanks to whoever moved my post here where it belongs. I dont know why I posted it in the open water forum earlier.

[musky hunter]

Steve:

I haven't fished as an AM but have a good friend who has. It is something that I'd love to do once just for the experience, but with 3 kids in college it's been a little hard to justify. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to share some of his experiences with you. Email me at [email protected] if you'd like the inside scoop.

[Jim Hudson]

Steve

The dates are tentatively set for next year, but the waters are not set yet. And I think the entry fee for an amateur is around $600.00 per tourney.

When they announce the waters they should have a 2006 Rules/Regulations book on their HSOforum where it will have the price to enter a tournament.

[Northlander]

Wow $600? I was thinking maybe $300 or so. If thats correct I think I will just keep fishing local tourneys. I will call your buddy Musky Hunter and thanks.

[PerchJerker]

When I was looking at fishing the PWT it was $425, and that was over 5 years ago.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I have not fished the PWT as an Amatuer but have talked to several people that have. Overall, I think most folks enjoy the experience but it depends who you get paired with. Some of the guys are jerks from what I hear but most are really nice. The cost is probably close to $600 total not $600 a day plus you need to split gas and bait with the pro.

One last thing, one of the posts above mentioned that a lot of guys are switching from the PWT to the RCL. Most guys are fishing both circuits, they are not quitting the PWT to go the the RCL. A few guys probably have quit the PWT to go to RCL but not many and it mainly due to major sponsorships from Ranger Boats, Evinrude and Yamaha that people may have left the PWT. The bonuses you get for running the above mentioned products and placing in the tournament are quite lucrative.

[Chris Haley]

I fished it for Two years thinking it was the logical step to becoming a pro. The first year was only one tournament and I did alright and got to fish with Shannon Kiel and John Kolinski. Both GREAT anglers and I learned a lot from them. The seocond year I fished the whole west division. This time I found out that half the field was there because they had the boat and the money. I asked my partner at Oahe how he became a pro and was told that he had a good career and just retired so he thought he would give this a try. I knew I was in trouble for this tournament. After one of the worst boat rides I've ever been on(because he "normally didn't fish in this kind of wind") he decides to give up. This was three hours into the tournament. The next tournament I took 11th. Thinking I'm in the money I go accross the stage and am handed a cooler full of stuff i already had or would never use. I asked them where the check was? Mark Dorn rather abruptly says "want a check go pro" I can hardly wait to cash a check as a pro so I can ask Mark where is the check again. Amateures only get "product" prizes. Read the fine print.

I do think the PWT has made some good changes to increase the quality of pros though. Of the names I see, I feel that 80-90% do belong there. So if you're after a learning experience, the PWT is the one. The FLW is working on weeding out the bums. I think if they survive they will be quality in the next two years also.

[Northlander]

Thanks for that info Chris. Maybe Im better off just going and watching for a few days. I dont need anymore tackle or coolers.

Ya I fished the RCL and there were a lot of "Bums" fishing that as pros too.

[Vickie]

I fished as an Am in 2002 at Leech Lake and had a GREAT time. The entry fee for the three days was close to $600. I did it because I thought it would be fun and it was. The 1st day I was paired with the only female Pro (Emily Jenniges), so that was fantastic - two females together. Second day I was paired with Doc Samson, and the final day with Jim Muzynoski (he ended up in 7th place.) Wonderful experience!

I didn't go in expecting to get anything - only to have a fun time. Anything more than that would have been a bonus. Northlander - sounds like you fished the RCL League tournament if you fished Mille Lacs. This is different than fishing the RCL(FLW Now) Touring tournament. The am or co-angler fee for that is probably about the same. You have to decided why you want to do it - and then make a decision as to what circuit to fish. I fish team tournaments with my other half now - that takes up our open water. That may be another option for you. Give the MTT - Minnesota Tournament Trail , a thought.

Vickie

[Northlander]

I think thats way too much money for 3 days even if it is with "Pros". I can fish at least 4 tourneys locally for that price and make some actual cash instead of prizes that I probably already have. Now $300 for a 3 day tourney I would do. Too bad because I could probably learn a lot if I got in the right guys boats.

[wildirishrose]

Northlander, I was looking into fishing as an am too and talked to a few PWT pros, it sounds like alot of them are going to go to the FLW. I'm now checking on the FLW, cheaper entry fees and money payouts instead of "prizes". For local tourneys the MTT puts on a good tournament ($200 per boat)

[joe joe]

i have fished a tourny in the last three years with the pwt theres alot for great guys out there and theres some bad ones its not 600 anymore they broke it up there is 8 tounry now ones called super pro only the top 50 pros get to fish there are 4 of those and for an am its 750 but there is regional one and they are 450 there are 4 of those too yea prizes that you have to clam on your taxxes sucks but you just have to look at like this what is a day guided trip 500 a day and you may or maynot catch fish its all in the learning curve i like it fishin with the BIG names in the walleye world i'll be fishin one a year till i try to make the big step up

[IrishZit]

I've fished the FLW League for two years. Last year I qualified for the finals as a Co. Good times!

I know a lot of this has been covered, but I think I can help you out here.

It sounds like you the prize is important for you. You will want to stay away from the PWT to avoid the cooler for of "goodies". A guy in my walleye club also agreed there was nothing of value in it. The reason to fish the PWT, IMO, is to fish with the best. The new Super Pro you know you won't get a dud. These are the best walleye anglers in the world. The PWT is the most pure because they don't have the sponsorship lure that the FLW does.

On the FLW side you have two levels. The top level is the Tour. Generally better fisherman, but you still have the guys that bought their way in. You get cash which makes it much more appealing for Co's. The FLW League is nice because it's a cheap entry fee $75 or $100 and it's local. I fished the MN division and didn't need to travel across the country to do a whole circuit. I have been very lucky to get paired with some good sticks. I have learned from every partner.

As a previous poster mentioned it's all about what brings you to tournament fishing.

I remember you from the MMTS and you are for sure a good enough stick to fish the FLW League as a boater, if you are willing to pre-fish.

Good luck!

Sully

[Northlander]

Sully thats my problem I dont have a lot of time to pre-fish and my boat probably isnt enough to handle Big Water on ruff days. Thats why Im thinking AM side. Can you send me info or contact info on the FLW? I want something that I can learn at but I dont need anymore tackle. LOL! Some $ won would also be cool but really a bonus.

By the way you ran the White Lund didnt ya? [email protected]

[Crankin619]

Another option for you is look into Pre-fishing the PWT with a Pro. They are always looking for an extra line while Pre-fishing. Another National Walleye site...this pops up frequently on the Tourney forum. I currently fish the MTT and this circuit is run very well. I have fished the local tourneys in Duluth and let me tell you there is a huge difference between those and the MTT. I learned more fishing that circuit last year then in 10years prior. Most all the folks that compete on the MTT are very friendly and helpful.

[bucks-n-ducks]

Prefishing is a great way to learn things! I pre-fished with Johnnie Candle at Leech Lake and with a amauter last summer at Devils Lake. It is a great way to get your foot in the door if you want get to know some pros. Johnnie was nothing but a A+ guy. I knew going into the day we would be doing alot of running around, but that was just as fun as fishing, he was very helpfull with me, not jsut telling me everything he was doing, but also taking the time to show me. If you have an oppurtunity, definitly hook-up with a pro and pre-fish a day or two.

Bucks-n-ducks

[Rost]

I fished as an FLW AM out at Erie last year. Overall, I had a good experience. I learned a lot about open water trolling and the Erie system. Ended up with 5th place- $2100, so I can't complain.

Would I do it again? Doubt it. Although all three of my pros were nice guys, I had issues with being an AM. I hated the fact that I didn't have a say in anything. I also did not really feel like I accomplished anything after getting 5th. It was plain and simple luck, I got lucky and drew 3 guys that had the program figured out.

My tournament fishing is for pride. I would much rather fish a tourney where I make the decisions (win or lose) than to have someone else dictate my success.

So, with that said, I believe it just depends on what you want out of the experience.

[IrishZit]

From a competitive side it is hard to get over the "luck" factor. What I have seen though, is over a whole year the folks that were the top CO's were darn good fisherman. Taking a snapshot of one tournament, I think there can be some luck involved.

There are CO's that cash checks that contributed by netting fish.

I do it to learn.

Sully