Whats it like fishing the PWT?

[Reels]

I just signed up with iamwalleyeone to fish the Erie PWT as amateurs. Just wondering what to expect? I never fished a tournement with more than 50 people before.

If I understand correctly, we use the pro's gear?

Also, what is proper etiquette when on these tournements? Do I offer to help pay expensis?

Thanks in advance.

Ron

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[Goldpig]

I haven't fished as an am, but two of my brothers have. The times they have gone, the pros always have had all the equipment. I would recommend offering to help pay for gas, bait, ect. Typically this is about thirty bucks or so. Some guys will take it, some won't, but I am sure they appreciate the gesture just the same. When you meet up w/ the pro the day before just ask if there is anything you need to bring. Chances are they'll just tell you food, pop, raingear, your fishing socks, and a rabbits foot:) Good luck and have fun.

[Rods]

Hey, Good decision. The brochure PWT sent with confirmationn explains what an amateur should know. Donn't forget to plan to attend the PWT school; great lessons and free; just before the rules meeting. I heard Lake Erie is almost full, but amateur openings exist in other waters. Remember, you fish all 3 days.

[kirby]

The share for gas and bait is $40. I have fished two of these. You bring no tackle or eqiupment in boat. Most pros are friendly enough, but its their livelyhood, be prepared to fish hard. The quality of pros ranked above 50 is not near as good as below 50. I thought it was a good time and learned how hard it is to put together 3 days of top fishing in a row.

[FROGMAN]

Welcome aboard! As you have probably already learned you will be supplied with all bait, tackle, and equipment needed to fish the tournament. The only thing you need to bring is your lunch, drink, appropriate clothing (including rain gear), life vest and camera. Most of us have life vests, but if you are a larger than average person it be smart to bring your own.

You will have a mandatory class before the tournament begins, just to help you understand what will go on. Tuesday night at the rules meeting/dinner you will meet up with all three of your partners for the tournament(you switch each day), and make plans on where to meet. Most of us will ask that you meet us at our motel, or we will pick you up at yours. Trying to find each other at a busy boat launch in the dark of early morning is frustrating at best! LOL

Hopefully you will have a great time, and learn while you're doing it. Sure there's pressure, but that goes with the territory. Don't hesitate to ask questions, in fact I welcome them as do most all of the competitors.

Port Clinton is probably one of my favorite places on this earth. I'm partial to the whole Erie Island's area. If you decide to show up early you might be able to hook up with a "pro" partner for some pre-fishing action as well.

I hope this gives you some insight as to what to expect. If you have anymore questions feel free to e-mail at the address below, and I'll answer them as best as I can for you.
Good Luck!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260
lillypad@novagate.com

[stevefellegy]

Keith said it all well but I would emphasize one thing in regard to the Erie event. Bring all the winter, water repellant, clothes you own.
Assume it will be a blizzard and you need to walk 20 miles to get home. No, I'm not trying to scare you. lol It can be great weather and most likely will be. BUT, you can always take it off....boots, gloves, snowmobile suits, long underwear (no color code)very good raingear and maybe, if you have any concerns for your back, bring a wrap around back/rib cincher type deal.
Good luck! You'll have a great experience. Lake Erie is the true walleye capital of the world.

[Walizz 1]

Hi Ron, Welcome to the PWT. Steve and Keith gave good advice. I will add to it. If you have ever been seasick or even think that you might, take dramamine or other medication before going out. Big water fishing can bring an angler to his knees. After all these warnings it'll probably be 70 and calm, but don't count on it,lol.
Dale Frank #251

[stevefellegy]

Absolutely, great advice Dale. I, for one, take dramamine at least two hours before I go out on the Great Lakes. And I have never been seasick in my life, before I ever went out on the Great Lakes or since. I insist ALL my partners play that same defense. You never know when you will get a line tangled or a fish caught in the net that takes a few minutes to undo, bent over in the bottem of the boat, in big rollers. Never positon yourself for potential failure if you can help it. Have fun! You'll have a lot of stories when it's all over.

[stevefellegy]

And I combat the drousiness from the dramamine with an early morning caffine loaded pop like Dew or Mello Yello or Kick. Of course, the fish usually keep me awake too. lol

[Gary Gray]

Ron:

I am sure that your first tournament with the PWT on Erie will be one to remember. The guys will fish hard and will do their best to give you sore arms from pulling in big eye's. Lake Erie has a way to make all walleye fishermen feel welcome.

But, like Steve, and Keith said, bring your warm gear. It is easier to take it off, then to say I wish I had it. The weather will probably be great, but just in case! I look forward to fishing Lake Erie, as do all the anglers. In 1998, when I won lake Erie, Dale was my day 1 partner, and I can remember how his hands started shaking when we caught our first 9 lber. I had fun, and I think Dale did too, anyway I hope he did!

See Ya on Erie,
Gary Gray, #10

[FROGMAN]

I must confess to popping dramamine before hitting the water! LOL However I always have so much adrenaline running through my body from being in a tournament it doesn't seem to affect me! LOL
See ya in Port Clinton.

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[brian (fishbld)]

Fished the Erie PWT tournament 2 years ago, the last time it was at Port Clinton, two things you can expect is alot of big fish and the weather being unpredictable, take along some good rain gear, I learned that one the hard way, went out the second day and fished in a thunderstorm with 7-8 footers, fished with pro Mark Brumbaugh, a great pro, we had are limit by 9:00am but it didn't count because the coast gaurd called everyone off the water. But Mark got me back in safe. You can expect mostly a trolling pattern with inline planers boards with cranks and harnesses. I think the average fish weighed in was around 8 pounds. You do fish with all the pro's equipment, all you need to bring is a small lunch, and what you are going to wear, and 40 dollars to help pay for bait and gas. I have fished in a few tournaments and have had good times in all of them.

[GetReel2]

Ron, good choice and good luck! Been to Erie a "few" times. RainGear RainGear, RainGear. Can be 40deg and 6 footers and raining one day and 65 and flat the next. Lots of cloths or plan on doin laundry. Damamine in a good idea: had a Pro tossin cookies while I rigged rods. It is intense! My idea of a Perfect vacation. Fish Fish Fish. No holds barred. I was also in Erie 2 yrs ago when we had to cancel due to weather. Had some great fish with Tommy Scarlis all for naught.

Come early and dont be afraid to look for Pros in Motel parking lots or launch Ramps "Catawba State Park" and ask to pre fish on Mon/Tue. Offer the $40 to Pre fish and during the tournament. Its mentioned in the rules booklet. Make arrangments Sun or Mon nite to pre fish or just bring yourself,lunch, raingear and gas money to the ramp EARLY and just ask anyone launching a boat if they need help launching and if they would mind a partner for the day.

Top name pros may already have Prefishing partners scheduled but it never hurts to ask. You will prob find Prefishing with a lesser known Pro.
Book your room early! NOW. Best Western Port Clinton is close cheap and has laundry. Call around!
No need for tackle unless you bring your own boat to Prefish. Bring a camera! I have a PWT hat I had every Pro I fished with sign. See ya at Erie. The Walleye Capital of the World!

Chris

[Ristorapper]

Wow! Fishing a PWT event last year on Lake Sakakawea was a blast. Unfortunenately we are paying taxes this time of year and my idea of paying taxes (in cash) on PRIZES won at the event aren't good.

BUT I never had that thought when I put in my application. I basically had an idea of learning a part of this lake I have never fished before by paying $575 for three days of guide service(pro fishermen partners). It worked out swell. Day one rookie pro took me north of the launch, day two pro took me to the west boundry and day three rookie pro took me east. Wow, that is all I was hoping for. BONUS: finishing in third place!!

One thing I have not seen mentioned is to STOW the gear you do take along in the pro boat so that it does not end up overboard. In rough water anything can vibrate loose and maybe slide overboard. On day two I wedged my eyeglass case between the dash and the windshield of this pro's boat only to find that they were gone about half way to our destination. Thank God for Glide Ryde seats. It was rough. But missing my glasses wasn't going to be good. When we did stop I was happy to see they were on the floor and that made my day and so did that big walleye we got later on.

Fishing Erie would be a dream of mine. I cannot fathom catching a 6-7 pound walleye and throwing it back in a tourney. I believe from what I hear you will be doing that in all likelihood. Have fun and anymore questions before getting on the water with the pros, this is the best place to ask and several of your responders were pros! Pretty neat huh!

Do not miss the walleye school the night before the tourney. Good pointers/tips by some of the best in the business. Maybe bring some extra cash as these guys like to push their product. Books and more books come to mind. I bought Daryl Christianson's book last year and read it in several nights. I bought one by Mark Martin several years back at the Championship. Speaking of Mark Martin. When you go to put your rods down to help net the pros fish, put your rods in rod holders. Mark is missing a nice series one rod because he laid it down at the Championship last year while we were netting another walleye. Use the rod Holders man!! Have fun, take it all in and enjoy yourself.

BW(ND)

[Reels]

Wow, great resonses guys, thanks! I look forward to seeing you all out there!



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[Walizz 1]

Ya Gary, I'll never forget that one. The pressure of fishing with a big time guy from home was unbearable. When you laughed about my hands shaking it really put me at ease. I fished with Sam Anderson next and was the leader after day 2. Fellegy told me I was going to win because there was no way the weather would let us fish day 3. THAT made me nervous as a shady lady in church. Day 3 was really rotten and I slipped from 1st to 7th but I sure had fun. You did the job and went from 2nd to 1st!! What a memorable intoduction to the PWT. I've made a lot of friends on the PWT that have helped me to become a much better fisherman. Good luck to all this year.
Dale Frank #251

[RandyG]

Trying to understand the etiquette!!

Since you fish with three different Pro's do you offer to pay the gas for each or is this a day one, start up, courtesy.

How much storage space will you get on the Pro's boat??? This controls how much stuff you can bring, don't want stuff overboard,
don't want to abuse space!!

Thanks,

Randy

[GetReel2]

Randy, $40 is for each Pro everyday, Prefishing and tournament days. Bring a small bag you can stuff in a corner. Only bring extra gloves, maybe pair of socks, Warm hat, raingear,camera,lunch. No coolers usually. Sunglasses. Travel lite as the Pros have all the gear. Just need personal items. If your gear bag is not water tight. Maybe ZipLock bag everything inside, Cameras etc.

[iamwalleye1]

Wow! We have alot of information from these very nice gentlemen! We just got back from the masters institute and mark Brumbaugh was one of the speakers, what a nice guy and man does know ERIE! I hope we have a good time because I was the one that talked ron (reels) into this mess. One more question should we has our fishing license ahead of time or can we get them at the meeting on tuesday? Thanks for all the great informations.

[Walizz 1]

I tell my ams not to bring a cooler to save space. They keep their water, lunch etc. with mine. It's also good to have a clean shirt along for wearing on stage. Fold it and put it in a big ziploc. These are big boats guys, there's room. I could put everything in a waterproof nylon bag and it was never a problem.

[Walizz 1]

By all means have your license ahead of time. Bring your camera.

[FROGMAN]

I have to tell you that all this talk of the Erie PWT tourney has me chomping at the bit!!!! LOL Be sure to look me up at the rules meeting to say hello if we are not paired up for the tourney.
By all means GET YOUR LICENSE as soon as you hit town. Most all bait & tackle shops sell them as well as Walmart. That will need to be done and out of the way for your sanity's sake.

Tight lines to all!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260
lillypad@novagate.com

[iamwalleye1]

Thanks keith! Are you one of the pro's running YAMAHA? Thanks for the info. Some times We go as barney and fred! Because I am short and look like barney and ron is big and looks like fred! thanks again you guys are great! P.S. I finally got to meet Mr. Golden in person yesterday. He is a great guy and very funny 2!

[FROGMAN]

Yes, I'm running Yamaha outboards. Hope to see you at the tourney!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260
lillypad@novagate.com

[iamwalleye1]

Great! I also run yamaha's and love them. I do remember some of your posts to questions I had ask! I must say THANK YOU! I hope to see you there for I will thanks you in person!

[Jbob]

For the most part you will have a great time. Hopefully you will have 3 great pros to fish with. I had 1 bad experience a couple of years ago when I was fishing as an AM(now PRO), trhe pro thought and wanted me to be His boat boy. He treated me like crap. but like I said only 1 bad time out of 9 pros. For the most part every one covered what you need. Be ready to catch alot of fish and hopefully you will learn a thing or two.