Fishing as a amateur FLW, PWT, FLW League etc.

[eyes247]

Tour Pros,

I have been following all the circuits for years. I can't think of anything I would rather do, besides spend time with my family, than walleye fishing. I am a student of the sport, and hope to some day fish competitively. My question is, at what level do you need to be to fish as an amateur. I have been fishing for years, and have fished many different lakes, but have had limited exposure to alot of the techniques, and larger lakes on these tours. I currently have limited time and money to invest in a large boat and fish local tourneys, but I am anxious to learn. I guess, to make a long story short, until I get a larger boat, I would like to either spend some money on guides to get different experiences, or fish as an amateur. Could anyone give me their opinion on what level an amateur should be to fish in a pro-am, and would fishing with a guide or fishing with a pro be a better learning experience, and better investment.

Thanks for your help!

[Eric Schuelke]

It doesn't really matter your level of how good a fisherman you are.

I have had every level in my boat, from the beginner to the guy that fishes tournaments

Fishing with a guide is good, you should catch fish. A guide is targeting a different size of fish than a pro in a tournament is. the guides are out there to have you catch fish. In a tournament you may not catch that many fish, but you should catch larger fish. I believe you will learn more fishing a pro-am. If you only fish one tournament in a circuit, you will most likely only learn one technique. Example, I just got back from the pwt at mobridge. All three co-anglers that I had, made the statement, the reason they got in this tournament was to learn how to troll with leadcore.

When you go out with a guide, you are only going out for one day. Fishing the PWT or FLW tour, you will be going out with three different pro's on three different days, possibly 4 in the FLW.

I would say, go with the pro-ams. It will be a good learning experience. You will also find out how long the days are .

Good luck

[eyes247]

Eric,

Thanks for your quick response. I am considering trying one next year, as it seems to be a better value than 1 day with 1 guide, but am debating if I should wait and sign up for all of the tourneys in a either the PWT or FLW. Is their any advantage or discount for signing up for all of the tourneys? I am not to worried about payout, as I dont expect anything more than a learning experience, but on the other hand, in order to afford this, or justify it, I would like to maximize my time and money. Any advice here? Also, do many of the amateurs do any prefishing with the pros and, if so, how is this set up? Thanks again!

[eyes247]

Eric,

Thanks for your quick response. I am considering trying one next year, as it seems to be a better value than 1 day with 1 guide, but am debating if I should wait and sign up for all of the tourneys in a either the PWT or FLW. Is their any advantage or discount for signing up for all of the tourneys? I am not to worried about payout, as I dont expect anything more than a learning experience, but on the other hand, in order to afford this, or justify it, I would like to maximize my time and money. Any advice here? Also, do many of the amateurs do any prefishing with the pros and, if so, how is this set up? Thanks again!

[Juls_OH]

1. There is no discount for signing up to fish all the events in one circuit or the other.

2. If you choose the FLW, it's best to sign up with a Pro as your "counterpart", so that you get priority entry into the events. You can find a pro simply by posting here that you are looking for someone to sign up with, and you will find one easily. (The PWT you don't need to). Why do you have to in the FLW? Because, the field fills quickly and those that sign up with counterparts are prioritized.

3. The "learning experience" can be gained by fishing either circuit.

4. To maximize your efforts (cash back), your best bet is the FLW, in my opinion. As has been stated before, the PWT pays back the Co's in prizes, and the FLW pays back in cash. (Prizes can't pay your expenses don'tcha know). The entry fee for Co Anglers is cheaper in the FLW, and you can earn a chance to make it to the "no-entry fee" championship, where you could win even more money, learn more, and have a heck of a lot of fun! The FLW puts on a fantastic show at the end of the season!

5. You can find pros to prefish with by posting here, but more than likely you will be able to prefish with the pro that you signed up with (of course that applies to the FLW only). Most pros offer that. Or, you can simply show up at the main launch at the tournament sites in the morning (get there early) and find a pro who is launching his boat alone. They are usually more than happy to have someone else in the boat, so they can fish more lines.

Oh yeah, there's one more thing you can do to minimize cost, and this goes for either circuit...find another Co Angler that is fishing them and see if you two can split costs by rooming together. Since you don't need any gear for either, you will have the room space to do so. ;)


Juls

[Juls_OH]

1. There is no discount for signing up to fish all the events in one circuit or the other.

2. If you choose the FLW, it's best to sign up with a Pro as your "counterpart", so that you get priority entry into the events. You can find a pro simply by posting here that you are looking for someone to sign up with, and you will find one easily. (The PWT you don't need to). Why do you have to in the FLW? Because, the field fills quickly and those that sign up with counterparts are prioritized.

3. The "learning experience" can be gained by fishing either circuit.

4. To maximize your efforts (cash back), your best bet is the FLW, in my opinion. As has been stated before, the PWT pays back the Co's in prizes, and the FLW pays back in cash. (Prizes can't pay your expenses don'tcha know). The entry fee for Co Anglers is cheaper in the FLW, and you can earn a chance to make it to the "no-entry fee" championship, where you could win even more money, learn more, and have a heck of a lot of fun! The FLW puts on a fantastic show at the end of the season!

5. You can find pros to prefish with by posting here, but more than likely you will be able to prefish with the pro that you signed up with (of course that applies to the FLW only). Most pros offer that. Or, you can simply show up at the main launch at the tournament sites in the morning (get there early) and find a pro who is launching his boat alone. They are usually more than happy to have someone else in the boat, so they can fish more lines.

Oh yeah, there's one more thing you can do to minimize cost, and this goes for either circuit...find another Co Angler that is fishing them and see if you two can split costs by rooming together. Since you don't need any gear for either, you will have the room space to do so. ;)


Juls

[smoker craft]

eyes247 you hit it perfect on what I was thinking. Perfect post good luck on wich ever route you go... Bret

[smoker craft]

eyes247 you hit it perfect on what I was thinking. Perfect post good luck on wich ever route you go... Bret

[Eric Schuelke]

There are no advantages price wise signing up for the whole circuit.

The advantages to signing up for the whole circuit are the techniques you will learn, or brush up on. For example, Winneconne was verticle jigging, devil's lake was slip bobbering, Oahe was trolling leadcore, and bay de noc will be trolling with crawler harnesses. This is on the PWT. On the PWT you can sign up by yourself and don't need a pro to sign up with to guarantee your entrance, like the FLW.

As Jul's said, if you want to win money as a co-angler, the FLW is the way to go, if you don't care about the money and just want experience, I would say the PWT is the way to go.

As you can see, I fish the PWT and Jul's fishes the FLW Tour. They are both excellent tours, whichever one you choose to fish.

For pre-fishing, you can post on here to try to find someone to go with, or just show up early at the launch during pre-fish (usually 4-6 days before the tournament) find someone by themselves and ask if they would want someone in the boat for the day.

[Eric Schuelke]

There are no advantages price wise signing up for the whole circuit.

The advantages to signing up for the whole circuit are the techniques you will learn, or brush up on. For example, Winneconne was verticle jigging, devil's lake was slip bobbering, Oahe was trolling leadcore, and bay de noc will be trolling with crawler harnesses. This is on the PWT. On the PWT you can sign up by yourself and don't need a pro to sign up with to guarantee your entrance, like the FLW.

As Jul's said, if you want to win money as a co-angler, the FLW is the way to go, if you don't care about the money and just want experience, I would say the PWT is the way to go.

As you can see, I fish the PWT and Jul's fishes the FLW Tour. They are both excellent tours, whichever one you choose to fish.

For pre-fishing, you can post on here to try to find someone to go with, or just show up early at the launch during pre-fish (usually 4-6 days before the tournament) find someone by themselves and ask if they would want someone in the boat for the day.

[Curious]

You said the same thing Juls said but you added this statement

>As Jul's said, if you want to win money as a co-angler, the
>FLW is the way to go, if you don't care about the money and
>just want experience, I would say the PWT is the way to go.

You must think the PWT is better than the FLW? Why?

[Curious]

You said the same thing Juls said but you added this statement

>As Jul's said, if you want to win money as a co-angler, the
>FLW is the way to go, if you don't care about the money and
>just want experience, I would say the PWT is the way to go.

You must think the PWT is better than the FLW? Why?

[DUDE 2]

eyes,
I have done both circuits on the pro side, and did one PWT on the AM side. You will get alot better learning experience from doing a pro-am event then from a guide. IMHO. You will get 7 or 8 days on the lake fishing for walleye in a pro-am event. While if you hire a guide for the same cost you will only get 2 days worth of learning. You will learn tactics from anglers who are trying to figure things out how to catch walleyes during different times of the year. You will learn the movenments that walleye's make during different times of the year... For the co-angler side I recomend the FLW, do to the ability to make some money and points to make the championship on the co-angler side. DO IT

[DUDE 2]

eyes,
I have done both circuits on the pro side, and did one PWT on the AM side. You will get alot better learning experience from doing a pro-am event then from a guide. IMHO. You will get 7 or 8 days on the lake fishing for walleye in a pro-am event. While if you hire a guide for the same cost you will only get 2 days worth of learning. You will learn tactics from anglers who are trying to figure things out how to catch walleyes during different times of the year. You will learn the movenments that walleye's make during different times of the year... For the co-angler side I recomend the FLW, do to the ability to make some money and points to make the championship on the co-angler side. DO IT

[ebijack]

like mentioned in previous postings, fishing in a pro-am you'll learn more than just technique's... you should be able to learn how and why each person you fish with both prefishing and tourney days is doing what and where... with reasons to back up what they tell you..catching fish. you'll need everything you can learn if you eventually want to fish tourney's. also look at everyone's boat rigging to help you decide how you think you'll end up rigging your boat. everyone is different in little ways.
i'm not knocking guides as they also teach but not in the way a tourney person should. i've fish both sides over the years and have alot of great friends and gained lots of knowledge..and given it back. there are good and bad persons on both sides of a pro-am, we've all had them. as long as you tell your pro what you CAN do and not a line of what you think you know you should get along great! no matter your ability. and that goes for any of the pro-am tourney's.

[ebijack]

like mentioned in previous postings, fishing in a pro-am you'll learn more than just technique's... you should be able to learn how and why each person you fish with both prefishing and tourney days is doing what and where... with reasons to back up what they tell you..catching fish. you'll need everything you can learn if you eventually want to fish tourney's. also look at everyone's boat rigging to help you decide how you think you'll end up rigging your boat. everyone is different in little ways.
i'm not knocking guides as they also teach but not in the way a tourney person should. i've fish both sides over the years and have alot of great friends and gained lots of knowledge..and given it back. there are good and bad persons on both sides of a pro-am, we've all had them. as long as you tell your pro what you CAN do and not a line of what you think you know you should get along great! no matter your ability. and that goes for any of the pro-am tourney's.

[Eric Schuelke]

Both tours have great anglers, I feel the PWT is better for a couple reasons. I feel the quality of anglers are better on the PWT. I'm talking overall. On the PWT you have to be selected,,on the FLW, if you have the money, you can fish.

It's how I feel, I'm not trying to discredit the FLW. There are alot of guys that fish both circuits. I wish there were more. In fact some that strictly fish the FLW, used to fish the PWT. I don't know the exact reason, but I would assume it had to do with money.

The FLW rewards the anglers that have the right boats and motors. I'm not saying that is wrong. That is how they choose to run their tour. On the PWT you get paid the same no matter what you drive.

Now again, this is how I feel.

I didn't want this to turn into a PWT versus FLW argument. We will have all winter to do that.

I am just giving my opinion, just like Juls did.

I did say earlier, no matter which tour you do decide to fish on, you will learn.

[Eric Schuelke]

Both tours have great anglers, I feel the PWT is better for a couple reasons. I feel the quality of anglers are better on the PWT. I'm talking overall. On the PWT you have to be selected,,on the FLW, if you have the money, you can fish.

It's how I feel, I'm not trying to discredit the FLW. There are alot of guys that fish both circuits. I wish there were more. In fact some that strictly fish the FLW, used to fish the PWT. I don't know the exact reason, but I would assume it had to do with money.

The FLW rewards the anglers that have the right boats and motors. I'm not saying that is wrong. That is how they choose to run their tour. On the PWT you get paid the same no matter what you drive.

Now again, this is how I feel.

I didn't want this to turn into a PWT versus FLW argument. We will have all winter to do that.

I am just giving my opinion, just like Juls did.

I did say earlier, no matter which tour you do decide to fish on, you will learn.

[Juls_OH]

Big sigh...oh Eric, Eric, Eric....lol

I'm not going to bother other than to say that the PWT Regional anglers do NOT go through a selection process. Only the "Super Pros" were "selected". Don't mislead people with a generalized statement like that.
Besides, I'll be albe to have more fun with threads like this later in the year. ;)

Juls

[Juls_OH]

Big sigh...oh Eric, Eric, Eric....lol

I'm not going to bother other than to say that the PWT Regional anglers do NOT go through a selection process. Only the "Super Pros" were "selected". Don't mislead people with a generalized statement like that.
Besides, I'll be albe to have more fun with threads like this later in the year. ;)

Juls

[eyes247]

All,

Thank you for your quick responses. I think it is great how everyone with strong opinions can get along on this site. I have seen alot of message boards that constantly turn into battles. Everybody in the world has bias, and people who dont understand that tend to be combative. I realy appreciate the input and the encouragement given at this site. I had been leaning towards using a guide for a lake this spring. Just this spring I tried setting up a day with a guide, and he double booked. After I made arrangements, I caught him in a lie and, and all I heard was excuses from him, and no apology. This really turned me off to going out with a guide, so I am now convinced the pro-ams are the way to go. Thanks again!

[eyes247]

All,

Thank you for your quick responses. I think it is great how everyone with strong opinions can get along on this site. I have seen alot of message boards that constantly turn into battles. Everybody in the world has bias, and people who dont understand that tend to be combative. I realy appreciate the input and the encouragement given at this site. I had been leaning towards using a guide for a lake this spring. Just this spring I tried setting up a day with a guide, and he double booked. After I made arrangements, I caught him in a lie and, and all I heard was excuses from him, and no apology. This really turned me off to going out with a guide, so I am now convinced the pro-ams are the way to go. Thanks again!

[Eric Schuelke]

Juls,

The regionals do have a selection process. Everyone had to fill out an application, and had to have references.

I will be able to argue all winter with you, I'm having back surgery the beginning of SEpt., will be laid up for at least 6 months.

I will welcome the arguments, it will give me something to do. As the last poster said, we can disagree and still keep it nice.

[Eric Schuelke]

Juls,

The regionals do have a selection process. Everyone had to fill out an application, and had to have references.

I will be able to argue all winter with you, I'm having back surgery the beginning of SEpt., will be laid up for at least 6 months.

I will welcome the arguments, it will give me something to do. As the last poster said, we can disagree and still keep it nice.

[Juls_OH]

Sorry to hear you are having problems with your back. :( I can only guess what you are going through since both Rick and his son have had to have a couple surgeries in the past year or two. Both are doing great now though, so I hope you will have the same success too. Good luck with your surgery!
I'll give you a break, and wait until you are bored with nothing to do (when you are layed up), so we can "discuss" it all then. ;)

Best wishes,
Juls

[Juls_OH]

Sorry to hear you are having problems with your back. :( I can only guess what you are going through since both Rick and his son have had to have a couple surgeries in the past year or two. Both are doing great now though, so I hope you will have the same success too. Good luck with your surgery!
I'll give you a break, and wait until you are bored with nothing to do (when you are layed up), so we can "discuss" it all then. ;)

Best wishes,
Juls

[Check Again]

>Juls,
>
>The regionals do have a selection process. Everyone had to
>fill out an application, and had to have references.
>
>I will be able to argue all winter with you, I'm having back
>surgery the beginning of SEpt., will be laid up for at least 6
>months.
>
>I will welcome the arguments, it will give me something to do.
>As the last poster said, we can disagree and still keep it
>nice.

The PWT has not filled the field or paid back a full payout yet! The last event only had 104 fisherman and even less co- anglers. So how do they have a selection process? I don't think they will have 100 at the last tourney. It sounds good but not true!

[Check Again]

>Juls,
>
>The regionals do have a selection process. Everyone had to
>fill out an application, and had to have references.
>
>I will be able to argue all winter with you, I'm having back
>surgery the beginning of SEpt., will be laid up for at least 6
>months.
>
>I will welcome the arguments, it will give me something to do.
>As the last poster said, we can disagree and still keep it
>nice.

The PWT has not filled the field or paid back a full payout yet! The last event only had 104 fisherman and even less co- anglers. So how do they have a selection process? I don't think they will have 100 at the last tourney. It sounds good but not true!

[Eric Schuelke]

They filled the first two events. They had 11 anglers withdraw at Mobridge. The FLW went through the same thing at G.b., just Juls. I'm sure with the gas prices the way they are, and some anglers not being able to make the championship, they probably figured, why spend the extra money.

I do know that one of the anglers withdrew at Mobridge because of the birth of a baby.

[Eric Schuelke]

They filled the first two events. They had 11 anglers withdraw at Mobridge. The FLW went through the same thing at G.b., just Juls. I'm sure with the gas prices the way they are, and some anglers not being able to make the championship, they probably figured, why spend the extra money.

I do know that one of the anglers withdrew at Mobridge because of the birth of a baby.

[Juls_OH]

The FLW went through the same thing at
>G.b., just Juls.

Huh??? What do you mean, "just Juls"???? I don't understand your sentence, or why I'm even mentioned in your reply to the last poster.

BTW: The FLW Green Bay event still had a full field of 150 anglers, because even though some dropped out, for whatever reason, there were still enough on the waiting list to cover those spots. All their events this season were full with waiting a waiting list.

Juls

[Juls_OH]

The FLW went through the same thing at
>G.b., just Juls.

Huh??? What do you mean, "just Juls"???? I don't understand your sentence, or why I'm even mentioned in your reply to the last poster.

BTW: The FLW Green Bay event still had a full field of 150 anglers, because even though some dropped out, for whatever reason, there were still enough on the waiting list to cover those spots. All their events this season were full with waiting a waiting list.

Juls

[Eric Schuelke]

Juls, the only reason I mentioned your name, was because you know what goes on in the FLW. I wasn't putting down the FLW, just stating that they had anglers drop out before the last tournament.

If you have the right boat and motor, anybody would be stupid not to fish the FLW, with the contingency money.

I'm with Tracker and Mercury, I wouldn't get any contingency money. I think you can understand that

You pretty much are the spokesperson on here for the FLW, didn't mena anything by posting your name.

Sorry if you took it that way.

[Eric Schuelke]

Juls, the only reason I mentioned your name, was because you know what goes on in the FLW. I wasn't putting down the FLW, just stating that they had anglers drop out before the last tournament.

If you have the right boat and motor, anybody would be stupid not to fish the FLW, with the contingency money.

I'm with Tracker and Mercury, I wouldn't get any contingency money. I think you can understand that

You pretty much are the spokesperson on here for the FLW, didn't mena anything by posting your name.

Sorry if you took it that way.

[Checked Again]

>They filled the first two events. They had 11 anglers
>withdraw at Mobridge. The FLW went through the same thing at
>G.b., just Juls. I'm sure with the gas prices the way they
>are, and some anglers not being able to make the championship,
>they probably figured, why spend the extra money.
>
>I do know that one of the anglers withdrew at Mobridge because
>of the birth of a baby.


You do the math! 104 + 11 does not make a full field to begin with.
The point I'm trying to make is they only have 85 listed on their AOY list. Thats a longway from filling and having a selection process to make the field. If you pay the entry you get in. Look at who's fishing and tell me the one timers have to apply.

[Checked Again]

>They filled the first two events. They had 11 anglers
>withdraw at Mobridge. The FLW went through the same thing at
>G.b., just Juls. I'm sure with the gas prices the way they
>are, and some anglers not being able to make the championship,
>they probably figured, why spend the extra money.
>
>I do know that one of the anglers withdrew at Mobridge because
>of the birth of a baby.


You do the math! 104 + 11 does not make a full field to begin with.
The point I'm trying to make is they only have 85 listed on their AOY list. Thats a longway from filling and having a selection process to make the field. If you pay the entry you get in. Look at who's fishing and tell me the one timers have to apply.

[Juls_OH]

Ok, you're cheating...we were supposed to wait until you were laid up after your surgery to have these discussions. LOL BUT, since you started it...;)

Talking about the Regionals only...not the Super Pros since they only fish 60 guys and are basically a separate entity over there. Since the Regionals allow 120 anglers and the FLW allows 150 anglers, they are more comparable, and will be the focus to this conversation...OK?

Even without the contingency money, the first place prize is/was 60K CASH (with an entry fee of 1360.00...10.00 of that went to a conservation fund). That's more than the PWT paid out to the winners of their Regional events (with an entry fee of 1400.00 and prize paid out split between cash and boat), so it's incorrect to say that it doesn't pay to fish the FLW if you don't run the right boat and motor.

You WILL see an increase in the FLW base payouts for next year too. Will the PWT do the same after struggling to fill the fields this year?

Juls

[Juls_OH]

Ok, you're cheating...we were supposed to wait until you were laid up after your surgery to have these discussions. LOL BUT, since you started it...;)

Talking about the Regionals only...not the Super Pros since they only fish 60 guys and are basically a separate entity over there. Since the Regionals allow 120 anglers and the FLW allows 150 anglers, they are more comparable, and will be the focus to this conversation...OK?

Even without the contingency money, the first place prize is/was 60K CASH (with an entry fee of 1360.00...10.00 of that went to a conservation fund). That's more than the PWT paid out to the winners of their Regional events (with an entry fee of 1400.00 and prize paid out split between cash and boat), so it's incorrect to say that it doesn't pay to fish the FLW if you don't run the right boat and motor.

You WILL see an increase in the FLW base payouts for next year too. Will the PWT do the same after struggling to fill the fields this year?

Juls

[Eric Schuelke]

The 85 that they have on the AOY standings are the ones that signed up to do all 4 regionals. I can't give you the numbers of the guys fishing 1,2, or 3 tournaments. I don't have the numbers. I'm not disputing that they didn't fill the field at Mobridge.I realize that 104 + 11 equals 115. Yes everyone that fishes the PWT had to send in an application, whether it was one or all 4. That I know for a fact.

Juls the FLW did pay out more and more places, i can't dispute that. I hope the PWT does up their payout next year. They have to do something.

Showcasing sponsors is a big thing also, we have had that discussion.

I said let's wait until the fall and winter, but i didn't do what I said. Now let's wait until the off season.

Eric

[Eric Schuelke]

The 85 that they have on the AOY standings are the ones that signed up to do all 4 regionals. I can't give you the numbers of the guys fishing 1,2, or 3 tournaments. I don't have the numbers. I'm not disputing that they didn't fill the field at Mobridge.I realize that 104 + 11 equals 115. Yes everyone that fishes the PWT had to send in an application, whether it was one or all 4. That I know for a fact.

Juls the FLW did pay out more and more places, i can't dispute that. I hope the PWT does up their payout next year. They have to do something.

Showcasing sponsors is a big thing also, we have had that discussion.

I said let's wait until the fall and winter, but i didn't do what I said. Now let's wait until the off season.

Eric

[Juls_OH]

LOL...ok, deal! I'm big enough to let you have the last word here...;)

Take good care of yourself, so you can come back next year to fish!

Juls

[Juls_OH]

LOL...ok, deal! I'm big enough to let you have the last word here...;)

Take good care of yourself, so you can come back next year to fish!

Juls

[D M]

Eyes, Go for it! I did two league events last year and placed in both. This year I went for broke and entered all 4 FLW MN. League events. Also did all 4 Pro Tour events. I had a great time at all of them. I qualified for the league finals and the tour finals and met some of the greatest people in the world. (Where else are you going to get to fish with Ted Tagasaki or Dustin Kjeldan?) I learned so much about walleye fishing it made me feel really stupid.
As far as FLW versus PWT, I'm not going there. I just did the math. You can either hope to win enough to pay some of your expenses or not. FLW entry fees are a lot cheaper 2 to 1 over PWT. I'm sure both have fine fishermen to learn from. (I realized I didn't say I fish as a co-angler.) It has been a great experience for me and it is so much fun for friends and family to follow your fishing career.
You can never take a bath if you don't get your feet wet! Hope to see you at an event next summer!

[D M]

Eyes, Go for it! I did two league events last year and placed in both. This year I went for broke and entered all 4 FLW MN. League events. Also did all 4 Pro Tour events. I had a great time at all of them. I qualified for the league finals and the tour finals and met some of the greatest people in the world. (Where else are you going to get to fish with Ted Tagasaki or Dustin Kjeldan?) I learned so much about walleye fishing it made me feel really stupid.
As far as FLW versus PWT, I'm not going there. I just did the math. You can either hope to win enough to pay some of your expenses or not. FLW entry fees are a lot cheaper 2 to 1 over PWT. I'm sure both have fine fishermen to learn from. (I realized I didn't say I fish as a co-angler.) It has been a great experience for me and it is so much fun for friends and family to follow your fishing career.
You can never take a bath if you don't get your feet wet! Hope to see you at an event next summer!

[run the numbers]

Eric -

Put the pencil to paper. Seems to me like the FLW has better payouts across the board than either version of the PWT - before you add in the sponsor contingency dollars.

If you look at the final angler of the year standings on the FLW, pay particular attention to the anglers in positions 51-75. There are some excellent anglers that did not make the championships (prior tournament winners, guys w/ wrapped boats, etc.) so I don't think the FLW is just a walk in the park like some make it out to be.

Until you have fished both circuits as a pro, it seem appropriate to reserve you opinion on one circuit vs. the other.

If you want to discuss the exposure opportunity on each circuit then I believe that valid points can be made for why certain pro's are fishing one or the other circuit.

Good luck at your final event at Bay de Noc - you have some ground to make-up in the ROY race!



...someone who has fished both circuits

[run the numbers]

Eric -

Put the pencil to paper. Seems to me like the FLW has better payouts across the board than either version of the PWT - before you add in the sponsor contingency dollars.

If you look at the final angler of the year standings on the FLW, pay particular attention to the anglers in positions 51-75. There are some excellent anglers that did not make the championships (prior tournament winners, guys w/ wrapped boats, etc.) so I don't think the FLW is just a walk in the park like some make it out to be.

Until you have fished both circuits as a pro, it seem appropriate to reserve you opinion on one circuit vs. the other.

If you want to discuss the exposure opportunity on each circuit then I believe that valid points can be made for why certain pro's are fishing one or the other circuit.

Good luck at your final event at Bay de Noc - you have some ground to make-up in the ROY race!



...someone who has fished both circuits

[stepping stones]

I fished ~ 13 events as an am/co-angler before I turned pro. Did the entire PWT and NAWA one year and then selected events based on the presentations that would be used. Specifically, I entered events that were utilizing techniques that I either wanted to learn or become better with.

Review the schedules and see which events interest you the most or you think you could learn the most regardless of which circuit.

One thing to keep in mind is that on the FLW you have the opportunity to fish an additional day for your investment of time and $$. If you are truly there to learn then an extra day on the water would be a deciding factor for me.

My $.02 - this is what I would recommend.

[stepping stones]

I fished ~ 13 events as an am/co-angler before I turned pro. Did the entire PWT and NAWA one year and then selected events based on the presentations that would be used. Specifically, I entered events that were utilizing techniques that I either wanted to learn or become better with.

Review the schedules and see which events interest you the most or you think you could learn the most regardless of which circuit.

One thing to keep in mind is that on the FLW you have the opportunity to fish an additional day for your investment of time and $$. If you are truly there to learn then an extra day on the water would be a deciding factor for me.

My $.02 - this is what I would recommend.

[good point]

Hey, if your really feeling lucky, and you don't care about payouts...you could probably just "show up" to an event and be able to pre-fish as a co with out having to pay. Some events (depending on the lake)end up being short on the co's and you can jump in a boat without paying...but no chance at prizes either.

[good point]

Hey, if your really feeling lucky, and you don't care about payouts...you could probably just "show up" to an event and be able to pre-fish as a co with out having to pay. Some events (depending on the lake)end up being short on the co's and you can jump in a boat without paying...but no chance at prizes either.