PWT OR FLW ? as an amateur.

[OlympiaMann]

Im thinking on trying the PWT or FLW as an amateur next year.Its a pretty big commitment,time and money,so im looking for a little advice.Which would be a better place to get started.The tourneys sure look fun and the effort that Walleye Central puts out for this sight and all the tourney photos is great. Thanx. OlympiaMann

[Chad M]

If your reason for fishing them is to learn the pick the one that has the waters you most want to fish. If you want to learn trolling pick one's with the great lakes or reservoirs.

If you are doing it and are more concerned with what you could win the FLW pays cash and the PWT pays prizes which you may or may not want.

Most amateures are fishing because they are there to learn so either circuit would be great for that as they both have Legends, Good Pros and Rookies.

I have fished one of each as a co angler and had a great time at both.

[Sunshine]

This question has been asked many times in the past.

If you do a search you will find many valuable responses. Here are a few. Just click on the threads below for ideas from others:

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=132658&mode=full

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=13&topic_id=26224&mesg_id=26224&listing_type=search

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=13&topic_id=13397&mesg_id=13397&listing_type=search

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=13&topic_id=12220&mode=full

[rabbit]

FLW

[Unlogged Eric Olson]

PWT 3 days fishing
PWT amateurs don't qualify for a championship
PWT prizes to the top 30

FLW possible 4 days if your in the top ten
FLW co's can qualify for the championship if in the top 50
FLW payout to the top 50

Both circuits have great anglers and a high level of competition.

Look on the websites for both and you make the call.

Tight Lines
EO

[hgmeyer]

First, Hi Eric... I still have good memories of a great day of handlining at Red Wing. Thanks again.

Next, I have to qualify my answer by saying that have not fished any PWT events. So, I am not comparing the two circuits, I can't. But, I have fished FLW Tour events. So, with that said. I can assure you that the level of Pro Fishermen that you will be paired with is excellent. Anyone who says anything different just does not know what they are talking about or they are "blowing smoke"... Next, as far as the Tournament Organization, the FLW, I cannot say enough things positive about the way things are run. If we could get bad weather to stop following SOnny Reynolds around everything would be perfect (LOL). The cost is very reasonable, the payouts are very good on the C0-angler side.

So, if you pick the FLW you will enjoy the experience.

[Fishing Insider 2]

Both the PWT or FLW circuits will give you a good learning experience as a co-angler for your money.

Eric Olson pretty much summed my thoughts up in his reply. Here are a few additional thoughts I had.

The FLW pays co-anglers in $$$$$. The bonus of winning cash helps to cover expenses if you fish an entire circuit. From the co-angler comments I have received, after a while, winning overvalued prizes gets a little old and mundane for most veteran co-anglers.

50 FLW co-anglers do qualify for the no entry fee, FLW Championship with a co-angler payout stouter than the payouts for many team tournaments around the country. The top PWT co-angler fishes against the pros at the PWT championship. The other PWT 49 co-anglers in the top 50 get to stay home or attend as a spectator.

As for the quality of the pro talent you fish with, I believe parity has finally been reached between the pros in both competing circuits. There are some very talented, experienced and fun to fish with pros competing on either circuit. Both circuits also have inexperienced individuals fishing as pros who probably have more money than ability. The "Luck of the draw" will determine who you fish with on either circuit.

The co-angler experience can be a rewarding one. The PWT or FLW have the potential to provide you with that experience. In the end the location, timing, quality of the fishery and type of fishing should weigh in on what decision you make.

[Ristorapper]

<The top PWT co-angler fishes against the pros at the PWT championship.>

Don't believe that the above is true anymore.

see rule X. Mercury Championship at PWT web site. Basically states top 30 from AOY, then top 20 from regional (minus 30 names from AOY) and the Champion (tom kemos) from the previous year. Nothing about top amatuer this year being involved in the championship next spring.

[brad b unlogged]

PWT SuperPro. The FLW and PWT regionals both have a lot of great anglers, but if I'm going to pay to fish with somebody, the PWT SuperPro would give you the best chance to fish with an angler each day that KNOWS his stuff.

If I was just looking to learn about a particular body of water, then it would be which ever circuit was going to be there.

[catfishkiller]

Good point on the prize vs. cash deal...

I have a good friend who fininshed as a top 10 amatuer in a PWT event!

His prize included a huge (like really huge - $50 of ice would be needed) cooler (he's never used it because its too big) full of fishing stuff; you know - swim wizzes, buzz baits, 4 oz bucktails, Kentucky Fried Chichen Daredevils, rope stringers, etc. - all things that you'd never buy and sit on bait store shelves for years on end... Value, $1200.

The Irony... He gets a 1099 for the full $1200. The net result is that, at his tax bracket, it costs him an additional $325 in tax for the winnings.

Needless to say, the shtuff still sits on a shelf in his garage.

Hee Hee Hee.

catfish

[Burr]

Catfish, in 07 PWT started giving away mostly gift certificates, so you can order things that will be used from the maker. I think it worked pretty well.

I've fished the pwt am side, but not the FLW side yet. I'll fish the PWT again, and probably an FLW as well. My choice will be more geared to when I know I can fit it in my schedule, and what body of water. Both are a worthwhile experience. In my opinion, the opportunity I was most excited about during and since the tournament is fishing with the different pro's each day. Everything, and I mean everything else was secondary.

Too bad we had cancelled days, I ALMOST got to fish a day with Braumbaugh, I was looking forward to that. I did talk to him, at some future tourney I will call him and see if we can fish together during prefishing time - he said he'd be open to that. Didn't happen this season, maybe next year we'll hook up.

Another angler I almost got to fish with was a local angler, Brad Schipper. After that tourney, he went on to 2 top 5 finishes within the next month or so on the same body of water. Again, some day, we will spend a day in the boat together. We got in the boat and were preparing for our day prior to the cancellation. I was really looking forward to fishing with Brad for the day too - and I had not heard of him before. We both knew some common people, so that helped open the communication.

I guess the message is, it's the people you fish with that make the event, not prizes or money. JMHO.

[KB]

Having fished many PWT & FWL events as an am, it is all about your experience & what you take away from that time. Good or bad, most PRO's offer some new way to do the most basic thing or offer some insite into a new way to catch fish. You can take that & apply it on your home waters or next time you vist a body of water similar to what you fished. It is a possitive.

As far as the prizes vs cash. If that's what your in it for, good luck. Some of the best learning experiences have been finishing toward the bottom & getting nothing. It would be great to get something everytime but, not going to happen.

In response to Burr's comment on "gift certificates", they have a negative also. I have also recieved some of those which you have to spend $$$ to get the $ discount, doesn't seem like an even trade. If you did not use them by a certain date, they expired, then come tax time, you get a 1099 for full retail, that was/is a joke. Come on, how many Johnson silver minnows can one use in a lifetime or what's point on giving a filler spool of 4# line (110 yd) ?

All that said, it was/is rewarding. I have several new pro/am friends which I most likely would never have met (Burr one of them, I think) Prizes or cash, up to the individual. Fish the circuit you think will help you learn.

By the way Burr, the PWT has funded some of the famous Fargo rummage sale events for me.

[Reno]

I have only fished one PWT (spring 2007), and was fortunate enough to place. Yes, I did receive the cooler, which was filled with some rod holders and gift certificates. I have used all the gift certificates and received the merchandise back in short order. While it is nice to receive merchandise, I put that secondary to the expierence. Like Burr stated, we only got to fish one day because of the weather, but still got to meet some of the top pro's in the business. I will also fish the pwt again and would certainly take part in FLW if opportunity permits.

Steve

[heybrad]

brad, have you looked at the statistics of the local regional pro that jumps in for an event on his body of water. They are doing pretty well at taking the money out of the pockets of the big boys. I personally know many of the locals that jump in to the regionals that kick some serious rear ends at each event. All i am sying is, don't discount the value of the local pro that hops into the regional event. There are some great local fisherman that do not tour as pros.
Hence, if you are looking to learn a certain water or lake, the regional PWT can be a great way to go. Think of it - probably get a local and a great seasoned touring pro or two per event. I like the PWT and the anglers that fish it. The FLW in my opinion has a little less emphasis on the good old fashioned ethics of honoring other pro spots. My choice is the PWT; either Regional or SUper.

[MNwalleyehunter]

I will start off by saying that I have only fished one PWT event (2006 Devils Lake) and 4 FLW tour events(2007 season).
I was lucky enough to finish in the prizes (tied for 17th on the PWT) Like mentioned before, I did win a cooler, but my prizes were definitly usable. I recieved 2 RAM rod holders, a lowrance H20C, and $50 Gift Certificates to: Northland, Reef Runner, & Lindy/Beckman. None of these were buy X amount of stuff get 50 dollars free. So overall I was pretty happy with that I guess.
I finished in the money once on the FLW. The check was nice to cover some expense, but now that the money is gone...it is gone.
The 2 main reason I choosed to fish the FLW in 2007 as a co-angler were (1) A chance to qualify for the championship, (2) I looked over both schedules and the FLW just seemed to work better for me.
On both circuits you will find them very well run and the people at both the FLW and PWT are top notch. Also on the FLW Tour and the PWT regionals, you will find some people that just seem to have too much money, and decided to fish tournaments. But I will say that my "good" pro's definitly outwiegh the "bad" pro's.

Over-all both circuits have been great experiences. If you do good great, if not I still gurantee the information you learn is priceless, or at least cheaper then hiring a guide for 3/4 days:)


MNwalleyehunter

[Burr]

By the way Burr, the PWT has funded some of the famous Fargo
>rummage sale events for me.

Yeah on the rummage sales. I think I'm gonna start saving now for next springs sale!

[kb]

Start ?

I'm thinking "free" for some of the items this time around just so I don't have to lug em home again.

[Ristorapper]

Not sure what you are looking to get out of your experience as a co-angler or amatuer. I went into it in '01 looking to gain some experience and a bunch of information on different styles of fishing along with getting to know different areas of the lake I wished to fish more in the future.

So basically I was looking at paying for a 3 day guided trip. It began by getting paired with two rookie pros and a veteran. My first goal in the whole deal was met when all three pro anglers took me to three different parts of the lake that I have never fished before.

First day I picked up some tips on crankbaiting in medium/large waves. Day two again some more crankbait tips, two inside 'shorties' rods and then some live bait tips I use religiously to this day. Oh! and by the way my largest walleye to date was caught on day two. Missed big fish money by .03 pounds@!! Day three pitching jigs 'till I turned blue in the face and watching a rookie pro do it with great success. I finally caught on. So my second goal was accomplished all three days; simply by learning on the 'job' and having lots of fun.

The bonus was cashing in on all the prizes that came with a third place finish. I will also comment on the prizes. Most of the prizes I did have uses for as I was fairly new to the walleye game. Some of the prizes I still use today are that BIG cooler, hand held gps, underwater camera, three rod/reel combos, another rod, some of the crankbaits and gift certificates to Bass Pro and Ocean Wave sunglasses. Sure I had to pay taxes on the prizes. But then keep your track of your expenses and talk to your tax man when it is all over with and see where he can help you with that end of the experience, if you are so fortunate.

Overall the PWT experience for me was perfect. Guided tour of the lake close to me but of which covered an area I haven't fished much, some fun, some expert pointers and a bunch of bonus prizes. And I haven't said much about the three pros I fished with. All were fun to be with, some pretty intense fishermen, but willing to help or answer questions if need be. Overall great experience and well worth the entry fee and expenses to partake.

Couple comments. I wouldn't fish PWT or FLW at a local lake that you are familiar with. You may not be happy with an area your pro may be fishing or may wish to suggest to your pro where to go to find fish (illegal).

Look at your fishing and try to see where you need to improve. If you need to learn more about crankbait fishing pick a venue where crankbait fishing will probably dominate that specific body of water whether it be in a FLW or PWT tourney. If you are an established walleye fisherman and have all the tools, maybe more prizes aren't for you BUT that shouldn't be your main concern. If there is a body of water somewhat close to you that you would like to learn and may be able to fish that water in the future a few times a year, pick that body of water whether PWT or FLW.

Keep asking questions here and I hope you get involved in one or more of the tournies and have fun doing it. Another thing I did was got another friend involved and we split expenses at the tourney. He enjoyed the tourney also and came away with one of the big fish prizes on one of the days.

[AllenW]

Its my understanding that for both of these, the Am is picked at random?

Or can a Pro pick his partner?

Al

[Juls]

Pairings are a 'computer draw' for both circuits.

Juls

[NDr]

I've fished both as an amateur. The money instead of prizes in the FLW was nice, but I'd never fish one of these as an amateur to win money or prizes. You have to look at it as a guided fishing trip. And, for the money, three days with these guys is WELL WORTH IT!!!

Your chance of getting one of the big names isn't the greatest. Typically you'll get one day of the three with a more well known person and the other two with rookie pros or those not so well known. Keep in mind, these guys can win too and often use new techniques you haven't tried. Every time I fish with one of these guys no matter who they are I learn something.

It's tough to say which is better, but I've found the PWT to tend to have a little more experienced pros. I say that reluctantly because it may just be the luck of my draws over the years. I would say though that if you really want to fish with a bigger name pro, fish the PWT's Super Pros. It's their top competitors and that's helped weed out some of the rookies and poor producers.

The main thing is to not look at it as a tournament. Instead look at it as a guided fishing trip with an experienced fisherman who's going to take you to his BEST spots, use his BEST producing techniques, and work his butt off to weigh the BEST basket of fish he can. I know of no guide that will ever work that hard or take you to their BEST spots no matter who you are. These tourneys are about the only time that will ever happen. I even fish these on my home lake as an amateur. I fish my home lake close to 200 days a year and have for over 30 years. But every single time I fish one of these I still learn something new.

Good Luck