pro - am PWT event who has fished the amateur part

[howler]

considering to enter a pro am PWT event in the amateur class, anybody fish this and what were your experances

[Oahe MrL - unlogged]

I fished my first one this past week on Lake Oahe. It was a good overall experience. As with anything else, there are gonna be goods and bads. The level of experience of the pros in the tourneys seems highly varied. The first two days I fished with two gentlemen from Iowa and Bloominton, who were both very professional. My 3rd day angler needs some time to develop professionally - let's say a work in progress. But I don't doubt his desire.

If the PWT comes back to Mobridge in the future, I believe that I'll do it again. A well run tourney and the opportunity to learn from the best.

Oahe MrL

[Eric Schuelke]

Glad you enjoyed your experience MRL.

I fish the pro side, just with anything else, you will have the guys with 20 years of experience and the rookies. You have to remember everyone started out as a rookie.

I don't doubt that you will learn from everyone you fish with, some of the pro's will sit there and talk to you, joke around with you. Some of the pro's will not talk until they have their 5 fish in the box. Each person handle's it differently.

I have come across some co-anglers that have not liked the actions by some of the pro's, but those guys are in the minority.

I made a good friend in Mobridge. If you ask the pro's that have been around for awhile, they will tell you that they have friends all across the country. They met at the tournaments.

[mnjimcarp]

Eric,
Couldn't agree more. I have met some great friends fishing these tournaments and look forward to events in their areas so we can spend some great time in and out of the boat!

[Oahe MrL]

I also made some friends at the tourney. I didn't intend to discredit any of the touring pros. The original post asked of experiences fishing as an amature. I was stating that I had 2 good days and 1 not-so-good day. I didn't mean anything more than that. With all the different bodies of water that the pros have to fish it would be impossible for them to be experts on all of them. There has to be a huge learning curve.

Even after having a not-so-good day, I'm sure I'll fish it again the next time the PWT comes to town. The +s far outweigh the -s.

Oahe MrL

crank....crank....crank!!

[Dale Weeks]

I will be entering my 5th. PWT event as a amateur next week and I have enjoyed all my partners. Yes, some were not as experienced as some, but I caught my largest walleye with one of the less experienced pros,and cashed a check, for largest fish. I respected them all in their style of programs and learned something new every time out, and I bring this knowledge back home to my grandsons, to teach them to be better anglers in the near future.
I would recomed this experience to anyone who desires to up their skills, and make wonderful friends.
I know I have.

Dale Weeks

[howler]

Thanks for the responces guys, I am going to do it now instead of just thinking about it.

[howler]

one more queston, the co angler uses all the pro equipment and tackle right ? So is the pro equipment up to snuff, I would guess yes but ???

[Dale Weeks]

Yes, you use their equipment, good stuff. All you bring into the boat is rain gear and a lunch if you need to eat or drink and lots of GOOD LUCK.

Dale Weeks

[howler]

Thanks Dale

[Eric Schuelke]

MRL,

You didn't discredit any of the touring pro's, what you did was tell the truth. You shouldn't have had to go through what you did on day 3. If a co-angler would have acted that way, I can guarantee you that the pro would have said something to Charlie and J.K..

The co-anglers sign up to not only learn but to also have an enjoyable time.

The PWT strives on the anglers being professional, and if one of the pro's doesn't act professional that reflects on the rest of us, and gives us a bad name. Look at it this way, if you were a teacher, would you talk to your students like that?

So you don't need to aplogize for your comments, someone asked about experiences, and you told them.

[Oahe MrL]

Thank you Eric. I know that I wasn't discrediting anyone, I just didn't want anyone to take it that way; hence the apology.

As I look back at the whole PWT experience, I think what I gained most from it, besides the friends as already mentioned, is a realization of how much more there is to know. A person should never stop learning. I can almost guarantee that anyone who fishes this as a co-angler the first time will feel the same.

Oahe MrL

[missedsomething]

Did I miss something or what? I took MrL's post to mean that the day 3 pro didn't get them on fish that day. What is meant with the reference to language and behavior? Maybe I missed something or am not reading the post right.. Thanks...

[Oahe MrL]

Missedsomething,
Let's just leave it at, "It wasn't a very pleasant day." However, I visited with many of the other co-anglers and they all said positive things. So my experience was definitely in the minority. As I said before, I wouldn't hesitate to fish as a co-angler again. Time very well spent.

Oahe MrL

[howler]

What was the payout for the co angler at Oahe

[Mark Komo]

nice thread. I too am thinking about co angling next year. had my hand full as a co angler on the FLW league this year. Was a blast. Learned a ton, and fished waters I never would have if not for this.

[Oahe MrL]

Howler,
Here you go.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/pwt/tournaments/IFP_06PWTPurse.pdf

Oahe MrL

[Look closely]

Keep in mind that thw PWT doen't award any cash, just a cooler full of stuff for everyone but the winner. Oh yea, and you will be 1099'd for the stated value of the cooler content!

3 days,no chance at prize money, educational experience, no chance to make a championship

vs

3 days maybe 4, prize money, educational experience,chance to reach the championship

might want to look at some other options...

[howler]

that is something to consider, what are the the options, FLW- Dose the Cabela's events have a co angler also

[Juls_OH]

Cabelas doesn't have a circuit other than the Team Championship, which is a tournament you need to qualify for through other team events throughout the previous year.

The only Pro/Co walleye events are the FLW and PWT.

You can check both out at the following sites:
http://www.flwoutdoors.com (click on the Walleye tab up top)
http://www.in-fisherman.com (click on Professional Walleye Trail on left side)

Juls

[RDJ unlogged]

Geez Juls, I'm suprised you referenced the PWT in your last sentence!! Just kidding you...seriously, I know your impartial and not biased..(most of the time)... :-)

RJ in Montana..

[howler]

RJ in MT.

e mail me
schinto@nemont.net

might be a few days getting back I'm leaving town for a few days

Steve Schindler
Glasgow,

[Eric Schuelke]

Why did this have to turn into a PWT versus FLW thing again. That subject has been beaten to death. Just like it will be again this winter.

[howler]

I don't see any them vs they, just want to know about the various tournaments available to a amateur angler, I guess if I am lucky enough to get into the winners circle I'd rather win the money than some prizes. I don't know enough about them yet but thats just what it looks like on the surface.

[fisherman15]

I will be fishing my 5th event next week. It's a great experience. Just this season I've fished with Mark Martin (twice), Barry Walker, Chief Papineau, Gary Roach, Jay Janney, Bob Propst Jr., Rick Franklin and Ron Seelhof! If I didn't sign up, who would I have been fishing with? I didn't have a great time with every guy, but there is a lot of pressure involved in the Super-Pro division, and everyone handles it a little differently. If you are looking for a relaxing day out fishing, chatting with the pro, then you will be dissapointed some days. It is high stress tournament fishing at it's best. The next bite could be a "money" fish. Sign up and enjoy yourself. I hope you have a heavy basket (just a little lighter than mine!)

[Ristorapper]

I entered a PWT tourney in '01 as an amatuer. I basically looked at it as a 3 day guided event. I wanted to get to know this specific part of the lake a little better and maybe pick up some tips and tricks along the way. Those were my only goals.

Some of the bonuses I didn't think about when I signed up are:

Meeting some very swell people; mostly fishermen.

Having a very hard time getting to sleep the night before each fish day due to all the anticipation and excitement.

Basically testing three different brands of boats.

Getting the crap pounded out of me on one of the rough days!! But boy did we catch fish when we got there!!

Watching the pro in the bow put on a jig pitching clinic like i've never seen before, and 3 pound walleye, no net needed. He was like the bass pros lifting them in. I duplicated some of his tips in a work tourney and had a blast: White bass and walleye, about a 11:1 ratio but the walleye were nice. 2nd place :)

And I'm sure I'm forgetting other things but did I say you get to meet and greet some very nice people!

Here are a few recommendations however.

Don't enter a tournament on your home waters. If you are successful there and you get out and struggle with a pro on one or two or three days I'm thinking that won't be much of a learning experience. On the other hand if they do well ALL three days you may not be disappointed.

Pick your worst or weakest presentation and contact PWT and ask them where there might be a tourney that will probably have this type of bite. Three days of probable valuable learning experience. There are tournies out there that will be predominantly trolling, predominantly jigging/rigging, ect. Pick your weakest presentation and learn how to become more proficient in it by attending a tourney that will showcase that presentation. Folks at PWT can greatly help you on this one.


Most of all expect to go out there and have fun.

Some pros are pretty serious and if that sandwich you are eating during the tourney interupts your participation in the tourney he may want you to eat that on the run back to the dock.

I was all fishing the whole time. You pay good money for this so why not fish!! You have time to eat before and after. Some will be linient though. Most of all at the pre tourney meeting the night before the tourney you will/should meet with each of the three pros you will be fishing with. Ask each of them what is expected, what you can bring onboard.....anything that can better help you prepare for a great day on the water.

Oh! one more thing. Bring your truck and put the hitch on her. YA never know what you might have to haul home!! It took 4 people to load the gear I won into the back of my truck/topper.

OK so I was one of the lucky winners (3rd Place). You may have forgot what my goals were at the beginning of this. Yes I did get to know the middle of Lake Sakakawea that year. One pro took me across the water to the north, one explored the eastern edge of boundry and one took me all the way to the far west boundry. Goal one done!! Tips and tricks- Keep your eyes wide open. Just watching them will teach you something. Look at their gear, how they handle reeling in fish/big fish. How they hook a leech, crawler or minner. Why they hold their left eye partially closed when they have one going, ect, ect, ect.... I could go on and on and on. Most of all enjoy the days, have fun, communicate if you are not sure on something in the boat and obey the pro, he's/she's in charge.

It was a lifetime memory for me. I vividly remember how many hundreths of a pound we missed 3rd largest fish (.02), how I couldn't stack up with this pro at pitching jigs with that nasty northwest wind beating upon the nearby shoreline. How my prescription sunglasses disappered off the dash while taking a beating running wide open into the northwest wind to the west boundry(they were on the floor when we got to our first spot thank goodness). How to successfully switch up from pulling spinners to pulling cranks and doing it in big swells, with boards. Alot of it was new to me, but catching fish never gets old. Get out there and do it.

I used virtually all the equipment I won and was very happy to have added the prizes to my arsenal. Only bad thing that I didn't expect out of this tournament was filing a 1099 (IRS). Keep your receipts!! Just in case.

[Ristorapper]

I entered a PWT tourney in '01 as an amatuer. I basically looked at it as a 3 day guided event. I wanted to get to know this specific part of the lake a little better and maybe pick up some tips and tricks along the way. Those were my only goals.

Some of the bonuses I didn't think about when I signed up are:

Meeting some very swell people; mostly fishermen.

Having a very hard time getting to sleep the night before each fish day due to all the anticipation and excitement.

Basically testing three different brands of boats.

Getting the crap pounded out of me on one of the rough days!! But boy did we catch fish when we got there!!

Watching the pro in the bow put on a jig pitching clinic like i've never seen before, and 3 pound walleye, no net needed. He was like the bass pros lifting them in. I duplicated some of his tips in a work tourney and had a blast: White bass and walleye, about a 11:1 ratio but the walleye were nice. 2nd place :)

And I'm sure I'm forgetting other things but did I say you get to meet and greet some very nice people!

Here are a few recommendations however.

Don't enter a tournament on your home waters. If you are successful there and you get out and struggle with a pro on one or two or three days I'm thinking that won't be much of a learning experience. On the other hand if they do well ALL three days you may not be disappointed.

Pick your worst or weakest presentation and contact PWT and ask them where there might be a tourney that will probably have this type of bite. Three days of probable valuable learning experience. There are tournies out there that will be predominantly trolling, predominantly jigging/rigging, ect. Pick your weakest presentation and learn how to become more proficient in it by attending a tourney that will showcase that presentation. Folks at PWT can greatly help you on this one.


Most of all expect to go out there and have fun.

Some pros are pretty serious and if that sandwich you are eating during the tourney interupts your participation in the tourney he may want you to eat that on the run back to the dock.

I was all fishing the whole time. You pay good money for this so why not fish!! You have time to eat before and after. Some will be linient though. Most of all at the pre tourney meeting the night before the tourney you will/should meet with each of the three pros you will be fishing with. Ask each of them what is expected, what you can bring onboard.....anything that can better help you prepare for a great day on the water.

Oh! one more thing. Bring your truck and put the hitch on her. YA never know what you might have to haul home!! It took 4 people to load the gear I won into the back of my truck/topper.

OK so I was one of the lucky winners (3rd Place). You may have forgot what my goals were at the beginning of this. Yes I did get to know the middle of Lake Sakakawea that year. One pro took me across the water to the north, one explored the eastern edge of boundry and one took me all the way to the far west boundry. Goal one done!! Tips and tricks- Keep your eyes wide open. Just watching them will teach you something. Look at their gear, how they handle reeling in fish/big fish. How they hook a leech, crawler or minner. Why they hold their left eye partially closed when they have one going, ect, ect, ect.... I could go on and on and on. Most of all enjoy the days, have fun, communicate if you are not sure on something in the boat and obey the pro, he's/she's in charge.

It was a lifetime memory for me. I vividly remember how many hundreths of a pound we missed 3rd largest fish (.02), how I couldn't stack up with this pro at pitching jigs with that nasty northwest wind beating upon the nearby shoreline. How my prescription sunglasses disappered off the dash while taking a beating running wide open into the northwest wind to the west boundry(they were on the floor when we got to our first spot thank goodness). How to successfully switch up from pulling spinners to pulling cranks and doing it in big swells, with boards. Alot of it was new to me, but catching fish never gets old. Get out there and do it.

I used virtually all the equipment I won and was very happy to have added the prizes to my arsenal. Only bad thing that I didn't expect out of this tournament was filing a 1099 (IRS). Keep your receipts!! Just in case.