AIM Championship Payout [Archive] - Walleye Message Central

mnjimcarp

09-07-2009, 10:54 AM

That Pay out is a joke for a Championship. You would think if the Linders thought it was so great they could kick in some of their Millions and make this a great event. But I see better pay out at tons of other tournaments. Its kinda a joke when BASS tournaments Pay a Million for the final. Walleye will always pay second fiddle to Bass tournaments. Sad but true.

No one is kidding here. watch this circuit build from the ground up and watch the success. these guys have put together the best format in the business. this circuit isn't for the whiners and dudes without staying power. these guys will continue to be loyal to their sport, continue to work hard overcoming the naysayers and these guys will build the most successful circuit that ever existed. if the anglers didn't see the potential, they wouldn't be stepping up to the plate and making it happen. as AIM is proving, a great idea takes time - resources - commitment to bring to fruition.
I am blown away with the AIM circuit. These guys have put their money to work and they obviously don't mind having a few naysayers take shots at them while they are building a sweet circuit amid a really tough economy. Keep reeling AIM anglers and keep working hard. This circuit is super fun and the CRR is super cool. The winnie championship is just a small taste of what can be done when you have loyalty and commitment. Nothing short of awesome.

Ouch

09-07-2009, 12:18 PM

stevefellegy

09-07-2009, 01:37 PM

"understand that what was promised and what was delivered are no where near the same."

So, being that you're making accusations that I take exception to, please explain, with factual examples, your words noted above.

northern walleye

09-07-2009, 02:31 PM

Awesome? Best format?

How about most boring, dull and poorly run. How about lets be real and understand that what was promised and what was delivered are no where near the same.

AIM OVER promised and UNDER delivered for sure.

Well Guest, what was promised? and how do u know what was delivered? When you make a comment like you have in your posting, and don't give examples or references to back up your statement, not to mention to put your name to the posting, kinda lacks credibility for a good discussion and debate, but I dont think that was your intent was it?

Skeeter2050

09-07-2009, 07:19 PM

One thing that sucks is no press for the amateurs that are fishing why is this also what is the prize payout for the Am's?

j unlogged

09-08-2009, 06:58 AM

My take: If you're an amateur/Co-Angler and you're in it for the cash fish the FLW Tour. If you're in it for the best learning experience possible then fish AIM. I see advantages to both circuits, depending on what you're looking to accomplish.

stacker2

09-08-2009, 09:02 AM

For gods sake skeeter, do some reading and see what the aim is all about before making such a statement. The co anglers are not fishing for anything so there scores are not kept. whether you like it or not, that is how it works.:fishhit:

yeah

09-08-2009, 09:08 AM

Awesome? Best format?

How about most boring, dull and poorly run. How about lets be real and understand that what was promised and what was delivered are no where near the same.

AIM OVER promised and UNDER delivered for sure.

your response reminds me of a kid on the playground that got his feelings hurt and couldn't defend himself with anything of any substance. go find a smaller, safer playground as to ensure your safety.

Tim Ellis

09-08-2009, 09:38 AM

It's really unfortunate that this board allows posts from unregistered guests who can take shots without being named but then again the quality of posts is only as good as the source giving them. Some people will never see the positive in anything since they are wallowing in the negative all the time too bad this board gives them a voice. Hat's off to AIM for their sucessful first year and looking forward to many more in the future. Keep up the good work and hold your heads high!!

Winniefshrmn

09-08-2009, 10:10 AM

I really don't understand why there is so much negativity about AIM. As one of the key organizers of the Winnie Championship, I can honestly say that AIM not only delivered what was promised, they went above and beyond what our contract with them called for. Not only were the AIM organizers/technitions etc. friendly, energetic and accommodating, the Pro Anglers were some of the most professional and friendliest people I have met in a long time. The anglers went out of their way to talk with everyone and I can honestly say that I have made some new friends this past week.

As a representative of the Lake Winnie Resort Association who was the main sponsor of this event, our preliminary look at the results of the marketing package we purchased from AIM tells us we made a great investment. That's just our group. It doesn't take into account the benefits felt by the area businesses. We have heard not a single negative comment from the local business owners or for that matter the local population. This is by far one of the greatest things to come to this area in a long time. Anyone who disagrees, is welcome to their opinion, but don't spread your negativity on this board or any other for that matter without facts to back it up. If you didn't benefit from the opportunities that were here, it's your own fault, not AIM's.

AIM did an awesome job with this tournament and we would welcome them back to our community anytime. They have a great thing going and I'm sure they will have great success into the future.

Thank you AIM for giving us the opportunity to be part of your success! We look forward to working with you again.

Jeff Starck
Tournament Organizer
Lake Winnie Resort Association

Are you serious?

09-08-2009, 12:29 PM

The best learning experience.... fish AIM????

Come on... I take complete offence to that statement. why? I fish the FLW tour and know what goes into a day on the water with my co's as well as many many other pro/ Co teams.
By AIM not keeping any tally of co's weight or placing any merit on the co's contribution only lends the exact opposite to your statement. Aren't we all competitive in some way?
I'll counter your statement with the pro is less concerned about teaching the co in this format than others where the co has a performance incentive.
The Am format is all about the pro's, not the Co. That's a statement and a view that's been echoed here, in the field and by many of the former PWT anglers now touting AIM as the BEST format out there. To say that the Co benefits/ learns more in AIM is untrue by virtue of all the facts and the format.

As far as the Co' side of this,having a Co be competitve helps the pro by keepig his intensity (the Co) up and striving to the last minute WITH the pro, to achieve the best bag possible. Having a "no dog in the hunt" Co is counter productive to what this Pro/Am fishing is all about.
The true stement would be fishing with the pro's that are concerned about teaching the co, regardless of the circuit , are the ones you as a Co hope to draw, not which circuit.

I also feel increasing angler participation and keeping tourney angling alive are the the 2 main questions facing all anglers hoping to fish a national level Pro/Am circuit. That goes hand in hand with national exposure, solid promotion, solid venues and recognition to all participants.
An so with that I ask...

Which format and circuit provides those things and the legs to carry the Pro/Am events to the future??

Skeeter2050

09-08-2009, 12:53 PM

Are you serious, perfect post, what incentive does the Co angler have to put in a 100% effort, if I just wanted to go fishing I would hire a guide.

sws

09-08-2009, 12:55 PM

I think that AIM did a great job on thier inaugaral season. Hopefully they will get bigger and better as time goes on. I didnt think that I would like the CRR thing but it seemed to work great. The GPS tracking and on water visits were cool too. I do however think that the co thing should be revisited. I totally understand that they (co's) are there, in this format to be an observer and to make sure that everything is done on the up and up. However I must agree with the last poster in that most co's are very competitive and are not there just to fish with a pro. Im not sure if there has been any shortage of co's this year, but if there ever was, a little competition amongst the co's with a cash award would remedy it. If the Co's are paying 250.00 to fish now, make it 300.00 with 100% payback of the extra $50.00. This would only work for the first 2 days of the event as not all get to fish the 3rd day, but it would be a start. Maybe another side pot for the co's that get to fish the third day.
I know this post will be followed by "if you wanna be a pro, go pro". I will save you typing that line. More excitement is what the sport needs and competition for co's as well as pros will help add to it. IMO.
sws

stacker2

09-08-2009, 12:58 PM

:funnypost::badidea:

Read what you wrote and then read why they do the co anglers the way they do.

13579

09-08-2009, 01:32 PM

I as a am that will go unnamed Sorry. But Me and several other Am notices the stretch of the Tail just a little to much. And what did we have to loose. Nothing if I had been fishing for something I would have said Hey hold on there a 1/4 to 1/2 inch made a big difference. So really we did not have to agree either way. This will in turn when the Difference in onces comes up. Come and bite the guy who can stretch his fish just that much more. So would I do it again. Not in a million years. And as a Am I felt like a Joe Boy because I got Nothing out of it. Was near the top and went home with ZERO. That's Just Stupid. Wake up Boys Treat us Right Or you will have trouble ever filling again. I also heard there were not enough Am's for the Championship that is why the # of pros allowed was down.

Wayne S.D.

KTurner UL

09-08-2009, 01:47 PM

Dear Amateurs, Co-anglers or whatever title you prefer,

I'd like to suggest a better method to interject change.... First let's drop all the bashing, name calling and other unprofessional, childish behaviors. I have yet to see where that type of behavior successfully promotes change except maybe on the school playground....

Instead start professionally documenting and describing ideas that could be incorporated into tomorrow's world of tournament fishing. Let's face it nothing that has been done in the past has been overly successful or we wouldn't be having these conversations. (Unless of course you are a blaming person and all shortcomings can be lumped on today's economic woes. Then you can log off and go away now.)

If you prefer hiring a guide then please do. There are many to choose from. But why bore avid tournament anglers that care with your completely worthless rants about why you feel AIM missed the mark....

Now let's hear some constructive dialogue or better yet start a new thread....

PS - I applaud AIM investors for taking the risk and trying something new. Very bold, innovative and can't wait to see where you go next year.

Kurt

MN_Mallard

09-08-2009, 01:48 PM

Doesn't that payout look a little odd?
What were the Pro's paying in, $1500? Then the CO's $250?
That boat was donated from Lund/Mercury...

Who ran off with the $$$$$$????

Gutterball

09-08-2009, 01:54 PM

I also heard there were not enough Am's for the Championship that is why the # of pros allowed was down.

Wayne S.D.

Hey "Wayne", what's your source??? I was told the Am side has a waiting list from people that were actually there.

Terroreyes

09-08-2009, 05:45 PM

This is amusing. Why do you care what the payout is? That should only matter to the anglers who entered, and I don't hear any of them complaining! They knew what the top prize was, and if someone doesn't like the payout, they don't enter. Simple as that. Sounds like a case(s) of spite to me. Congrats to AIM on a successful first season and wishes of even more success in the future! It's good for all of walleye fishing! :cheers:

stevefellegy

09-08-2009, 05:56 PM

Wayne S.D., lol I need your help. Please call me at the number below. I need you to teach me how one can "stretch" the tail of a fish. If I would have only heard from you earlier, (last week) I would have the won the MTT event on Mille Lacs instead of placing 2nd. I needed another 1/8 inch.....PLEEEEASE show me how to stretch a walleyes tail. lol

Sorry everyone...I just can't stand the pain of biting my tongue, I guess.

I just wish we could all get lucky and have all the "experts" on here, in developing successfull, money making, fan base growing tournaments, apply for a job at AIM and the FLW. Or heck, better yet, just use all your skills and obvious knowledge to start up, finally, the ultimate walleye tournament circuit. Show me the money, honey, and I'll be there.

Help me Wayne....please? I need to make those 27 7/8 inchers 28"!

stevefellegy

09-08-2009, 06:18 PM

Okay, now I feel bad. I forgot to say one thing that I truly think is key.

To all the negative posters, critics and the like, for the past few months on this and other message boards, of how AIM and other aspects of competitive walleye fishing operate etc., I say THANK YOU!! I say thank you because unlike years ago, when talk was mostly positive about walleye tournament circuits, you now finally bring us to major league levels. Finally, we are seeing the signs of interest in our sport that all other major league sports comment sections/message boards are dominated with. 90 percent of all the fans that comment on major league teams, players, games and all aspects of the sport are very negative and always know better than the people that run things and play the game.

So, thank you! And please tell all your friends to join in! Major league sports thrive on you'all. So, let'er rip! I for one want millions of you talking anyway you want to about our sport!

Now my tongue feels better...I'll shut up. lol

GiddyGills

09-08-2009, 08:33 PM

It is threads like this that help the money in the industry disappear.

Calling someone washed up, and have it come from someone who has never been in the wash to begin with is classic.

This comment was in responce to a distastful one posted by a deleted guest comment.

Guest

09-09-2009, 05:18 AM

WOW , I thought this thread was about the poor payout,, AND THAT IT IS, they must be kidding, all that time and money invested.....kinda like running out in traffic to pick up a nickel... Y would you do that,,, But you hafta remember it's all about Parsons and Kavajecz they need to make a living and they are

bradley894

09-09-2009, 09:08 AM

Whats wrong with all you guys? Im one of the most skeptical individuals on here and bashing this cercuit is wrong! Before you Bash i want folks to go threw the vidio's on the aim sight. one at a time from the pre-fish to the final weigh-in! Im not a poster child for anything but I WILL TELL YOU THIS! by the green bay tournament and now after following the championship one vidio at a time from start to finnish i have come to ONE CONCLUSION! Hours of the BEST coverage of a walleye tournament i have EVER EVER SEEN! I see a great format that the anglers love for a bunch of reasons! this is not to down grade any other tour! This is My opinion and after going threw one vidio at a time from pre-fish to the end It was the most incredible coverage i have ever seen! ya i would like to know the payout also but i understand Aim is dealing with about 50 boats an event for 2009! I would also like to add that i noticed that the local pro's were offering up there homes to others from further away to help keep costs down i have seen a few comments on stage in poor form yet sometimes people slip up and nobody is perfect. (im sure it will be braught up... Fish Stretching? if the nose is to the bump board and a part of the tail is touching your good! dont hurt the fish or alter it and your fine! From my perspective This format ROCKS and there will be 100 boats in every event next year. Look if you have a few grand an event to spend and you love tournament fishing i would say this is attractive. There are good anglers out there with the time and money to play the game , flw, aim and whatever... sometimes both... there are those who must chose one or the other or stay in team events or leagues on the state level due to time and budget restraints! and those who can only afford to get away for a few or half dozen local events a year like me... (for now) My point is that we are blessed to have the options we have at this time from a bar tournament to a big 300 or 400 boat field or a large entry large payout tour for those who can chase the walleyes for 6 full weeks or more a year. Thank you Aim for the coverage and the good hard work! Thank you to the anglers fishing with there own money and i would say thats 99% of them i dont care what anyone says! Thank you Gary , And Kieth and the others and forgive some of our fellow walleye anglers who think you guys are spoiled and undeserving!!!!!!! Ya your spoiled! Ya your Big shots! ya your living the dream but im sure there are Grey hairs showing up every day as all of the anglers invested and fishing deal with the time away from home and budget issues, commitments and the such... Ill sit in the boat , hold the net or clear a line and take a picture for you guys any time! Any real walleye fisherman has done plenty of LINE GRINDING and Walleye catching to know that grinding a fish in one after the other is not a big deal and though id love nothing better than to have a jiggin rod in my hand and contribute on a big day somtimes its also nice to go for a boat ride and stay out of the way! keep the floor clear of clutter and enjoy the experiance. thats why you get to fish with a different pro each day! Incredible SHOW AIM! Take all comments good and bad with a grain of salt and remember there real money and future is similar to golf! find a corperate sponsor and a chairity and you will have plenty of corperate amitors to take fishing who have a real check book and some pull with the media and get you some great coverage! In time you will have all celebs and big shooters as amitors and you wont havta put up with the cry babys and the folks on here talking about how much money can be made on tour! Rock and roll! its going to be a long winter without another event to watch for the year!!! Bashers BRing It!!!!!!!! and point out the low points so we all can learn but My goodness i think we have a winner here! Outstanding!
Brad Maurer

bradley894

09-09-2009, 09:19 AM

My point above for those who didnt wanna read threw the rambling! Watch the Aim championship from pre fishing interviews to on the water and all the weigh-ins IN ORDER! after like the entire day this will take you you will the best picture of What happend in this event than ever before! I think i could spend a week fishing a body of water and might not pick up as much as i have learned watching the field over those days and hearing there thaughts and comments!!!!!!!! INCREDIBLE! BEST COVEREGE OF A WALLEYE TOURNEMNT I HAVE EVER SEEN! NO QUESTION About it! Blew me Away!

bbbbbbbbbbbb

09-09-2009, 09:54 AM

Aim is a good format and I enjoyed watching the coverage. But I still am curious why you didn't fish? It probably is like you said in your own words show me the money!

KEVLAR

09-09-2009, 09:57 AM

Kevin Goligowski wrote:

I was at the Gosh **** Place Day 1 weight-in, because I wanted to see this new format for myself.
Having fished many different circuits in the past, I can see what all the buzz has been about.
It has always bothered me, that at conventional weight -ins, I would see all those giant walleyes going belly up in the bump tanks/holding tanks. I don't care how well the tournament staff prepares, the walleyes are fragile. You subject them to all that abuse via water temp. variables/80 mile boat rides/fissing/dropped on stage etc... There is going to be a fish mortality ratio.
AIM has removed most of that stress we put on our valuable resources, and I applaud them for it.

As far as the payouts go, Give it a rest! Its their own money their are competing for. All the Pros are there of their own free will. If you don't like it, don't participate. The Participating Pros really seam to like the new format, and that's what matters. I am sure there may be a rule or two that will need to be improved upon when a problem arises, but who better to police those changes than the participating Pros themselves? If AIM can make it through these tough economic times, they will have definitely secured a place in the tournament world.

One last thought, How many of us have lost the Win because of a dead fish penalty?

I forgot to stir the pot, here ya go..... We got Brett Farve.

bbbbbbbbbbbb

09-09-2009, 10:13 AM

RDJ

09-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Are you serious, perfect post, what incentive does the Co angler have to put in a 100% effort, if I just wanted to go fishing I would hire a guide.

One day with a guide of any level of credibility will cost you more than 2 days (and possibly 3 if your drawn) with the AIM pro's..If you "just want to go fishing", why not get two days for the price of one guided??

RDJ

09-09-2009, 10:35 AM

bradley894

09-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Aim is a good format and I enjoyed watching the coverage. But I still am curious why you didn't fish? It probably is like you said in your own words show me the money!

i cant speak for Steve but it wasnt that long ago a hand full of months the Aim schedual was still up in the air.... i would guess that budget and time issues were a big part of the low turn out for 2009 and without a massive increase almost unrealistic available cash from sponsors i would not think much more could have been done in 2009 to increase participation. For many tournament anglers (and all have some sort of budget and time restrictions) the late anouncement and tentitive information did not allow many to plan for the events. with a single day test run in the river system of lake winnibaggo i think in april many chose to hold out for the first year and see. I also would think that an investor in aim would participate in there first season and show support but face it ... just because a guy is a seasoned walleye pro doesnt mean he has a spare 20 grand around or available weeks away from home on late notice. bbbbbbbbbbb i have a question for you... What makes you think that all these guys are made of money or have the abuility to call there personal asistants to re-arange there scheduals to pull something like this off? we are not talking about individuals who have a jet waiting for them and a driver waiting when they land! **** i think the all time money winner in the walleye world may retire this year due to affordbuility and the guy had to work his other job when he got home to his family... bbbbbbbb get your head out of the clowds , most do this out of love for the game and the Sport of competive fishing not because they can get rich! guys are just trying to make a living and put there kids threw school just like the rest of the world! others are enjoying the competion feeding there competitive nature because they cant golf for crap and yet others are trying like heck to build it into something Big!
Before you Call out someone like Mr Fellogy or any other seasoned vet... consider this....These guys were fishing walleyes competively before some of the pro's you see now were born!!!! **** i think Steve himself won the first Pwt event ever i think? gotta go look now lol... but hey Take a step back and look at January of 2009 when a good part of the pro's were looking over there checkbooks and trying to figure out what cercuit will be where at what time! looking at there guiding commitments often booked in advance from the previus year! Then they find out there program with there life long boat manufacurer is up in the air and there may be no program this year! hmmm so they hafta buy a boat and rig it taking a heck of a chunk out of the checkbook! Add to the fact that the world Market , 401k's and investments are all in the toilot!!!! then look at smaller sponsors budgets up in the air at the time looking for cutbacks along with bookings for guide trips down due to other folks with less available spending money or unstable available houshold income to spend on a trip out with a pro a couple times a season! ARE you kidding me bbbbbbbb? take a step back and put yourself in there shoes. some young guns without a young family or with may make the jump and throw it all on the line to fish... some have a consistant income at home even when they are gone fishing for a week or so several times a year and some may just be gambling it all for a few years to try and pull it off! But one thing is for sure... sitting out the 2009 season by an experianced pro may not have been a bad idia after seeing the hundreads who put it all on the line and didnt live to fish another day!

bradley894

09-09-2009, 10:56 AM

I could be wrong but the only way your going to see 100 boats in every tournament next year is if FLW goes away or Aim signs on bigger sponsors to put up more gauranteed money. Heck there are guys talking about hanging it up on the FLW side and the payouts are bigger. The Cold Hard Truth is Money!

Your right! it is about the money but if you think there arent 100 torunament anglers who cant dig up 20 grand to fish a tour for the season i think time will tell.... though i cant afford it there are plenty who can and for many over the last hand full of years something has been missing just like in the smaller tournaments... the fun and freindships have been replaced with big shooter pro attitudes and folks dependant on the check creating a lot of stress and not much fun.... ya you wont have all of the best of the best in the world fishing but you will have a group of individuals fishing that will be there to not only compete but also be there to enjoy there time away from home doing something they love! this is where i think Aim has an edge! take the Flw (a great tour) lotsa boats lotsa pressure and lotsa money spent along with a cut line of the top ten! tournaments have tourned into an all or nothing deal when it comes to money! and too many are going home devestated because it is too spendy and the return is minimal... Top 5 or bust from a bar tournament to the big show it doesnt matter now days.... so attracting a field of people that can afford to lose with a good time had by all is the future of walleye tournament fishing weather we like it or not..... just like racing cars, or any other spendy hobbie out there like powerboating , gambling, spending the winters in florida as a snowbird, traveling the country shooting competitivly, showing and owning horses, racing dirt bikes you name it!! for those with extra income to play ball.... Reality until a day comes where a living can be made and the dream these guys share can be turned into something of a good living.... until then its going to hafta be done by those risking it all , those who can afford to risk it all and those who are good enough to market themselves and pay the bills .100 boats next year no problem in my eyes... pleny of guys with a checkbook

bbbbbbbbbbbbb

09-09-2009, 10:56 AM

I am not trying to bash anybody just asking questions. You yourself need to take a step back and read what you said why some guys sat out. I hope I'm wrong and both FLW and AIM have 100 plus boats at every tournament because that would mean our economy turned around. But I think your head may be in the clouds, It will be hard to get a 100 boats in every tournament unless my above statements come true.

bradley894

09-09-2009, 11:04 AM

Again if its Fun and a destination they can lookforward to and there are freinds waiting there for them , some good competion! there will be participation and there will be checkbooks that can handle the game! the entire thing revolves around can a guy feal like a big shot? Yes.. Can a guy make a bunch of freinds go on a road trip fish like heck for a week and look good doing it? Yes... are there shoulders to cry on and somone to eat a steak with from night to night Yes! is there a code to break to fullfill the dream of the big win? yes! then the check will be written! all your talking about is 100 guys or so and if its as good of a time as it looks to be im not thinkin there should be a problem in 2010

bradley894

09-09-2009, 11:34 AM

another thing i see with reguards to this is the FLW on one hand with contingency money up in the air and with the expence of the tour im thinkin it will become about 75 boats fishing the entire season with the rest of the field made up of local entries taking a wack at the purse and throwing there money in the hat.
with AIM i see more participation in the future based on the club mentality at a higher entry than the best of the best can afford. still i see at least 75 boats in both plus local entries depending on locations that offer a large group of tournament minded local entries to fill out the fields... guys who stay around home do to financial and time restrictions... this may be more of a realistic idia and it again becomes interesting as freindships will get formed on tour and it may become as much of a battle between local heavy hitters and hometown favorites as much as a team effort by the traveling pro's to find new paterns and share info to grab there share of the limmited available payout... all interesting stuff to consider. either way the aim format looks great and the Flw is sweet also... the MWC and other cercuits all all attractive and i think locations become huge in attracting participation when it comes to filling field over and above the full season entries. i think im drinking the cool aid but its kinda a rainbow flavor as i dont tend to tip one way or the other its more of a when the show comes to town i would love to play! ill keep buying a lottery ticket for my chance at the pro tour someday but i so look forward to following all of the tornaments from work lol on the internet... congrats again to Aim for putting on a great show! to me it seemed like a slow year without the pwt , and limmited tours to follow from week to week on the live leaderboard... thanks Aim for picking up the slack and i cant wait to see the scheduals for next year! looking forward to something going on almost everyweekend and if its a 50 boat field in both all year than so be it and i look forward to following some freinds on tour and the big names who can keep up the pace.

TrollerMan

09-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Tommy Kemos

09-09-2009, 03:25 PM

Guest, or no name, or never had a name, or afraid of your own shadow, whatever you call yourself in the little cave you live in.
I would like to remind you that 77 ANGLERS invested in AIM. Everything, that you have been sitting back in your armchair picking apart, is a reflection of the above listed. The board was voted in by the investors!
The amount of time and effort that the board members have invested is unbelievable. I thank everyone of them. In case you have not figured it out yet, P and K are ambassadors of our sport. As an angler and an investor, I can tell you this, AIM is about the sport.
I ask of you skeptics and critics to go the AIM site, educate yourself, if you still have questions or doubts, talk to someone who is actually part of the organization.
Get a grip,
Tommy Kemos

fishbuster

09-09-2009, 10:15 PM

I fished as a Co for the AIM Green Bay Tournament and I would like to share my insights on my first Pro-Am tournament. First, the registration process was smooth, I was on a waiting list for two weeks, AIM didn't charge my card until they called me to confirm I still wanted to fish. The rules meeting was friendly, professional, but still fun and I was lucky enough to be picked to fish day three also. I heard all the pro's comment on how the pre-fishing was great until the BIG cold front rolled through before the tournament.

Day 1: I learned right away that the pro's were friendly, helpful, and down to earth, even Gary P. and Keith K. I also learned that their are teams, some are locals, others are big name pro's, and others are touring independents. They help each other out in their own little groups whether it be a GPS way point, a tip on how they caught fish, but still vague enough that the other guy will have to still figure it out for himself. The pro I fished with on day one was motivated, focused, but friendly and helpful to me. We ran far and fished spots that had produced in pre-fishing, but he showed me a professional positive attitude. We ended our day fishing the shallow "Sewer Area" and getting our limit. He showed me how to run multiple boards and keep them going in frenzy times, measuring/photoing the fish, and recording the info.

Before weigh-in we hung out with other "team" pro's and it was all about sharing stories about the day, tactics, and razzing each other like I do with my other fishing friends. They even let me share my stories about the day and razz my pro. The weigh-in was awesome and I felt a great sense of pride when they showed our fish on the big screens.

Days 2 and 3: Both were very similar to the first day, with no fish in pre-fish areas and all fish coming from the "Sewer Area". Both pro's showed me new techniques and were a lot of fun both on and off the water and when under the pressure to put fish in the boat. The CRR format is fun and good for the fishery.

Things I took away from this expierience: New fishing techniques, best $250 spent on fishing, new found friends, a certificate for a 2009 Navionics map chipset, the pride my family had in me while attending the weigh-ins, the fireworks show on the 4th, fun and professional circuit, knowing that I didn't kill one walleye all 3 days, excitement about the format, and the possibility that I may fish as a pro next year in one event, just so I can see how I measure up, have fun with this format, and to say I was a part of this innovative and futuristic format before it was cool to fish it...PRICELESS!

bradley894

09-10-2009, 09:00 AM

Hi Bradley and thanks for your comments and discussion!
Any chance you can fish an AIM event or two next season as Pro or Co? I'm not certain where in the process AIM is re: lake/river selections but hopefully you can get to an event near you or on a favorite body of water.
TrollerMan

we will see what the Aim schedual looks like for next year and the rest of the tournaments. Like many i am unable to do the entire cercuit and am in no shape financialy to do it ill be one to admit. On the other hand if Aim makes a stop on one of the two very poplular tournament locations that i have spent a bunch of time on over the years i will take it into major consideration along with any other major tour event on those waters. I would love to fish the pro-side and would think that even with a slow bite on tournament week i could compete and have as good a chance as anyone to win. I would also love to fish as an amitor late in the year at any location when work slows, expenses are a factor but the bulk of the hold up for me when i go threw the scheduals from year to year is that the line of work im in requires me to be on post at work durring key walleye fishing months... april may june and july are when i make 75% of my income for the year so a week off doing a tournament i have 2500 invested in will turn out to be about a 5000 dollar week for me if i take off of work and fish something like an aim or Flw event. im not afraid to jump in localy with two days of pre-fishing on these bodies of water so its still possible to pull off... the 3 days fishing and 7 fish unlimmited upgrades makes me a player at home, I know there is a lot of negitive talk these days as expenses over the last ten years have given many a hopeless attitude about tournaments and payout much out of bitterness... I go off too often myself out of frustraition in these times.... like i have stated before, Aim is not only living up to my first year expectations but each event is being covered better and better... it was scrambled togather late and with many issues up in the air and i know there was a crazy amount of hard work involved and glitches but over all the fact that it was put togather and supported to the extent it was within such a short time amaized me! 2010 can get nothing but better for AIM. also thank goodness the FLW is also around and The MWC something of the longest running cercuit ever is still though bumpy at time finding a way to servive... i guess im just happy that i can still dream and the future though going to be hard looks ok for walleye fishing thanks to the new idia's! Looks like someday with a little hard work a guy will at least have a tournament option to put all of his life long experiance on the water to the test... until then keep the vidio running and the interviews from day to day ! going threw the green bay event and the championship in order from pre-fish to final day way in was incredible and I am a Walleye tournament fan and I enjoy the coverage! I will always Tune in to learn and follow what is happening and i agian have seen nothing even close to the overall coverage of an event like Aim has put togather by the final events of the year! Outstanding and somthing that could not be put togather in an 1 hour tv show on the event get those vidio's editid and sting them all togather and you will have a 4 hour dvd of the best single tournament coverage ever! Aim keep the faith and sift threw the negitive commments as well as the possitive for idias! Am results would be cool to add but on the other hand if you watch the weigh in vidios the ams did get some time in the spotlight . im sure things will go smoother next year on stage as you have good MC's and with a bit smoother Q Cards so to speak these guys will make a great show.. keep it comming and i cant wait for next year! i think you guys will have double the participation and the payouts will go up. build it and they will come!

bradley894

09-10-2009, 09:39 AM

I know this is a bold move but i think Aim should look into taking an aproach like is done in golf!
Im dead serous! Each event should have a corperate sponsor! A major insurance company or local major corperation! each event should be well planned in advance and include a major charity of this sponsors choice... your not talking about raising ten grand for charity your talkin hundreads of thousands possible.. Your talking about a well planned event and fishing with the Pro's and sending corperate representives in a charitable format will also put piles of money into the payout and tour. even small scale golf events using local celebs and atholets and the such along with local corperate big shooters generate piles of cash for a good cause and there will also be a considerate amount of financial support to go into payout! im talking real CASH! sponsors that may not be fishing related but love fishing and are starved for an excuse to get good coverage on the news and a good time in return for skipping out of work for a few days to fish! let alone being able to give a massive check to something near and dear to there hearts in a charity! Im just saying you want to blow the world away with a good image and triple your payouts using more than entry fees you need to look into how these things are put togather! There is a demand for this type of thing and its an option of something other than the same old same old walkathon or golf outing! all you need to do is sell a corperate sponsor on the idia and the secret is to find one that the guy or gal calling the shots loves fishing! an easy Sale! and in most cases these large companies already have a person that coordinates these events along with another outside support network. Im 15 min from the AIM world headquarters and corperate offices as we speak and i think you guys need to consider something like this to create something bigger than you yourselves even immagined... SELL IT! Sell what you have and thats experiance fun and a product that your potential sponsors (unfishin related) can use! You have a good product and the money is waiting for you guys in the form of guided experiance to those who can potentaily pick up your tab and at the same time raise a pile for a good cause and sneak out of the office for a hand full of days. Sell it!

slow down

09-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Brad,
I can see you've got a lot of stuff to say but slow down for a minute and really look at the situation tourney angling is in and how circuits are affecting it, positive or negative.

This is a polarized issue, period! there are those that love the Aim format and circuit and those that don't like it at all.

Let's look at the things that are fact, not emotional subjective topics but fact.

-the overall available pool of anglers than can either afford the event and/or the time is limited and has dropped in the last 2 yrs due to the economic conditions. As the economy turned south so did the entrants in the professional level events- pro side

-Pro's need to be able to make enough money to "fight another day". That means combined with sponsors and placement, at least break even at each event hoping for a bigger payout at the next event.

-Attendance at an event is a subjective arguement and I won't get into it because it can be stretched or shrunk either way. suffice to say in person attendance is nice but is only somewhat of a indicator of the popularity of the event. Not what will drive a sponsor but will give some insight to how the event is run and local interest

-Sponsors need to get something for the money. This means promotional value measured in exposure/ $ spent. This is a measured evaluation and can be sone before the sponsors commits to a promotion or event by evaluating all media outlets. Mass media such as TV, magazine are the largest directed types out there. Internet is nice but little to no value, labled "value added" to a "promotional package"
No exposure, no value, no money.

- The fact that the Aim events had no increase or decrease in participation through the season, indicates that although we here some that are very "juiced " about the circuit, its mainly Co's and pro investors. That makes sense as the Co's get a 2 day guide trip for $250. The pro investors have vested interest as $5000 of their money is at risk if things don't grow.

-When the investors were recruited there were no indications of how where or who as far as the circuit format, sponsors etc. The people invested in the idea of an angler owned circuit, there were 77 of them in the mix.

-Payouts at the championship were on the weak side considering the boat was part of first and the normal $ to that place removed from the payout. Especially weak from 2nd to 5th

-The participation in the Aim events ranged from 45 to 51 which included some local participation.

What can we gleen from these facts

- the angler pool is limited so to expect a huge increase in participation as the economy is not "recovered" and money is still tight.

-Anglers that have fished an event that prevents them from at least breaking even with an ok performance may not be back in the game, regardless of the investment. This means that you may see even less participation in events that don't provide some payout for a middle of the road performance.

-Sponsors and the media, as stated, the internet is nice but value added only. Aim media exposure is limited and therefore looked at by sponsors the same way as an outlet or opportunity with limited reach. Which means the non endemic sponsor hope is limited as well.

-the "its the best event ever folks" vs the "questioning the concept and timing" battle. Those Pro's with vested interest in the event have an emotional and financial stake and need to believe. The Co's that liked it and are vocal which skews the actual question of are more Pro's going to play. Many commenting here are the same group that in many cases base statements on emotional views not facts. The interesting group becomes those that invested but aren't particpating. As I undrstand most have looked at the event, payout and expenditure and realized it would be a loss for them to pursue all, most or even just one event. A rather telling tail, unfortunately for Aim. Now I also realize the some of the 77 are just wanting to "support the sport " and not participate but they are in thye miniority.

- By looking at the season roster for the events, there were no " angler growth" factors based on sucess or lack of from the Aim circuit. This means those anglers in the "I'll let the first event happen and see how it goes" group with intention to play the game if it looked good, never changed the needle with them or in the on the fence group that had time and money but put the pencil on paper and it didn't work.

- Payouts for the championship list the boat as $65,000, Why? Other circuits don't value the boat package just to show a high "payout" and the removal of the "MSRP value" from the dollars paid out to the anglers is probably the basis though not really following the intent of the 100% payout statements.

Lastly- participation. the signal that is sent to the potential sponsors from a less than half full field is not good. If those that invested $5000 still aren't fishing the event and more former full time anglers are just fishing one or none why should a sponsor put $ and effort into something with (from a participation standpoint) little potential upside or support.

The question still is, does the running the Aim 4 event circuit help or hurt the sport of tournament walleye angling in the world we're in right now???
Supporters say absolutley, without question! But are all the factors weighed in and the emotions removed before making that conclusion?

Would it be better to slow down and wait for the market to recover before pushing a bad position and letting Aim fail from lack of participants and funds?

Will sponsors look at the fact that no pro/am circuits are full as a negative to walleye tournaments in general?

- Among those that will again fish tournaments nest year but were on the fence consider Aim with the payouts as they are?

-How long can Aim exist with little operating income and finite investor funds?

- Have we permanantly polarized the walleye tournament anglers so much so that it never recovers?

Looks like I've said all I need, I'm tired now and must get reinspired to just go have some fun!!

Later... Much

bradley894

09-10-2009, 03:55 PM

lets look at a few more things we have learned. It was built and built quick! there are many walleye fisherman around that do have the checkbook to fish at a loss on this large of a level. In fact take any walleye tournament fisherman out there big or small and without a major win they are already running at a loss for the year with reguards to tournament expenses in tournaments alone. not reputation for guiding speaking or sponsorship.
Lets look at Aim pulling off a darn kick ars format change and making it work to the point that the anglers are enjoying the day catching as many anywhere anytime as they can...
amitors are happy! cool some who have the checkbook may take there shot just like the pwt ams did in the day.
Point taken on the downturn in our economy but sad to say i dont see a change... when it comes to available take home or spending income for the average joe in this country im thinking glass half empty but it doesnt look good and im included in the average joe batch. im having a hard enough time getting threw live with a daughter at UW Madison and a son in high school yet.. No shot for me for a wile! and the way the middle class is being hit we have an entir new discussion about that!
What aim will be attractive to are the upper middle class and buisness owners or sharp investors or who ever has some CASH in the bank! Real cash! It is receptive and enviting and though like you said most of todays or yesterdays pro's cant swing it! unfortunatly they will be replaced with new faces who can swing it and long term. your quality of angler will go down though everyone learns fast. 15-20 years ago most of the pro's were so one dimentional and now look at them... those guys after 15-25 years are insaine yet still some dont adapt quick enough or have the drive anymore. my point here is look around and there is still plenty of money out there for some anyway to spend.
In responce to your facts on no growth partaining to noumbers of entries for the 09 season. remember again a jumbled togather schedual and not much preperation time. there will be fence jumpers in 2010 as guys go over dates and there season plan this winter. Payouts reflect participation and all cercuits are down no question and its not the first time a boat was given away in a tournament to the winner or any gear for that matter and always valued at a retail price allthough i hope like heck that the tax man doesnt look at that yet based on my experiance who knows maybe you also have an aditional tax because its a prize.. (that would suck!) its not like you were putting money in a slot machine but well spose it is to any tax collection agency.. i guess what im trying to say is that based on noumber of entries the percentages payed back and down seem to be inline with everything else offerd out there at this time. so for 09 i guess your odds of winning go up on the Aim tour due to half the boats of another tour so i guess it depends how you look at things. yet expenses still keep going up so comming out ahead in any tournament takes you to the top 5 percent at any level or tour you want to fish partaining to walleyes.
That brings me to the future and if you think supportive companies like toyota , merc , omc, ranger , lund , or any other company that offers contingency money's will also take aim into consideration to support there pro's and one thing is proven! Contingencys sell product! do they build enough return on investment to do it agian for another year or expand to new cercuits? dont know? but they sell packages!
So with that said i would think companies like Toyota will jump onboard if Aim permits that kind of support... Not sure?
another plus is with the Remote Weigh in a comunity can bring a tournament weigh in down town to blend with an existing fistival or venue to enhance the envirement and feed off each other.. With no dead fish and lots of vidio offered durring the day and i hope less dead down time on stage all afternoon until the anglers show up a big show can be presented to spectators passing using interviews from days leading up to and on the water updates from the day I would think this would fly as an addition to somthing else goin on in the park or Mall or whereever they want the tour to set up there remote if thats the case.
I see growth here even in hard times and yes the trick is to figure out some way for todays pro to make a living based on there competitive finnish and yes i would say that to have a true best fisherman wins environment and good representation from the best a living needs to be made by the little guy or at least a very limmitd loss... time will tell but it hasnt been achieved yet to most of the field other than maybe the old days when costs were a fraction of what they are today to compete.
never be quick to assume there wont be a migration to this tour if it is made up if individuals who are getting by ok and having a good time. dont be quick to think that this may not offer more fun to guys not fishing many tournaments because they arent enjoyable anymore and they may have the Cash! I know a few people like this and there tired of staying at a hotel having 10 boats in the parking lot lined up from all over the country and nobody takes the time to say high or sit around a picnic table order a pizza and tell story's wile they rig.... there are good fisherman out there that due to financial stresses of others and there cut throat attitudes and teams for the sake of one thing...Servival good guys with hot sticks that stay away because of the attitudes... Aim has a shot to offer more here! No slots and no second guessing a keeper! good locations ... lets see what 2010 brings cant wait to see the FLW schedual for 2010 also im not one to pick one or the other but i think it will be interesting to see how new sponsor deals and old ones pan out!
it will also be interesting to see how many anglers go back to the team formats to share expenses and good times.. hope the best for all always but i think Aim will be just fine in 2010 what is there to lose for now they are all fishing for there own money! What else is new! always been that way i dont care how many tours that have come and go have done things. and maybe with some hard work there may be change in the tours offerd today and maybe the dream of gobbs of money being paid to pro walleye anglers will come true! hasnt happend yet but its only been like what? 40 years?

TravisC

09-11-2009, 02:17 PM

I think the aim format is awesome and well run. i can't wait to hopefully be able to fish one of these events as a pro sometime in the future.

GiddyGills

09-12-2009, 03:23 PM

Juls

09-12-2009, 04:22 PM

Amazing, people can bash others, call names etc on the threads but when someone raises a question or situation about a pro, that person's thread gets zapped. Then some wonder why the sport is fizzing out and can’t gain any traction. I have seen many pros and I have yet to see any of them walk on water, so please stop trying to present it that way.

What was so wrong with Karmas statement or question?

He does exactly what you're talking about and his post gets deleted...now we're the bad guy for doing our job? You can't have it both ways. I sent you a PM when your post was deleted...explaining why it was. Maybe you didn't see that before posting that last response.If you would like further assistance please feel free to PM me. Thanks

GiddyGills

09-12-2009, 04:39 PM

I apologize Juls, I did not see that you sent a PM. I stand corrected.

Questionable

09-14-2009, 02:02 AM

Guest (not guess)

09-14-2009, 06:41 AM

What makes you think any of these lurkers have the answer to your question? If you really want to know why not just call the AIM office instead of throwing mud?

Raybob

09-14-2009, 07:18 AM

54 participants

$1500 per PRO if they were "owners" for a minimum of $81,000
($1750 for non owners)
+
$250 per Co for $13,500
That's minimum of $93,500.

Boat/Motor donated by Lund/Mercury

Where did the MONEY go?

I put my money in as a Pro. I would like to know.

By my choice, I will remain Anonymous .

-throwing mud? It looks like he/she is asking a good question to the aim pro owners on a open msg board rather than a behind the scenes land-line to the owned aim work crew ;)

Sun-lite is good for the truth and should be answered out in the open for those that might be interested in aim 2010 after a total evaluation of the 2009 operation :)

Be nice not rude to honest questions Guest (not guess), don't you want aim to grow in 2010?

well put

09-14-2009, 08:18 AM

Nice job Ray-Bob!!!

(Guest not guess) This same type of "don't bring it up here" thing replied to Questionable is what has been done to most everyone asking questions (primarily) about aim in many (not all) other legitimate posts!!

I agree with you Ray Bob, ask in questions in an open forum and let everyone see what might or might not be new math, maybe there is a reason for a certain payout and structure that we as potential pro/am anglers would like to understand.

Nothing in Questionables post should be held "under wraps" and not brought up in a public forum. Keep asking questions about the circuits regardless of the brand, don't be a "shouted down" victim, keep asking and we can learn and change things as others see what may or may not be "questionable" tactics or operations.

Nuff said from me...

thompsonr

09-14-2009, 08:40 AM

I see the point on the asking questions. Questions are good way to get info for everybody, but who ever asks a question should if they want to be taken serious put there name and be reckonized. Instead of hiding behind Guest, I'm guessing that who ever asks a question and puts there name to stand behind it will be looked at a whole lot different. It sure seems to me but that is just lurker on the tread looking in.

Ryan Thompson

disagree

09-14-2009, 10:01 AM

Why should placing a name on a post have any less validity than another if it is an honest, forthright, and legitimate post???

Maybe the gentleman asking the question above would rather not get thumbed by those in the circuit as a naysayer and blackballed.

This venue offers him an opportunity to ask a legitimate question. Are all questions legitimate, no, was this one? YES

A lurker?? if ANYONE askes a legitiamate question, have at it. This "need to post your name " thing is a way for (aim circuit supporters in this case) those the question is directed to a)invalidate the source and to b) shrug off the comments as bogus

That is one of the primary reasons many of the questions that were asked before this circuit starting were never really answered or were delayed or skewed away form the answer requested.

Have a legit question, ask it regardless of posting your name or not and don't feel bad about it!!!!

This is a n open forum use it!!!

Gary Parsons

09-14-2009, 10:11 AM

Questionable and others,
If you paid your entry fee and fished as a pro, thank you, and I hope you had a good time. If you have questions you should talk to the AIM office. I do not have the exact particulars about the payouts, but in another post Jim Carrol broke it down properly. Here is his break down.

"AIM says that we will pay back 100% or more of the professional entry fees.

53 Anglers X $1500 = $79,500

In this case AIM replaced the winners share (which would have been $31,800 cash) with a very nice boat that was worth $65,000 at retail. A boat that Todd can sell in his sleep for at least 50K- which would be an absolute steal if somebody gets it that cheap.

So AIM added a conservative $18,200 to the payout, for a total pro payback of $97,700. Which is 122% of the pro entry fees...get it now?

And don't start in about the boat either, because I can tell you that I and everyone else who fished this event would love to have that Lund to sell- It's the baddest looking Lund I've ever seen- and its going to sell fast."

Now, that's how it breaks. None of the other stuff that's written here even makes sense. As far as the boat being donated and shouldn't be counted? Come on, be real and a bit responsible. That boat is part of those companies sponsorship and is treated just as cash would be treated. It's a really nice boat and we felt that it would be quite easy to get $50,000 for it. And don't give me the taxes and have to market the sales stuff. A few ads on various websites isn't very expensive and that boat is so cool that it will sell easily. Taxes are taxes and have to be paid whether on cash or boat value. Now would we all like to see cash only? Certainly! And maybe as AIM grows we will be able to. This was a first year endeavor that many posters on this site repeatedly stated wouldn't work, and was actually run with very little money. We hoped to make more fun tournaments that were fairer, more exciting to fish, and at great locations with a format that was new, easy on the resource, and fun to watch on the internet... and yes with 100 percent payback of pro entries. And all without limiting the anglers on what they can wear and what press can be shown. All pretty lofty expectations considering the uphill battle of the economy and state of the marine industry. Very few circuits that have been in existence for years achieve that goal. I believe that AIM did. If you actually went to an event you would see the excitement, laughter, fun and good will. It's the way tournaments should be.

And for those that want to scream "where is the co angler money? and any pro member fees? All put toward surviving in this economy and keeping this circuit running. Trailer rental, salaries, legal fees and insurance are not free... fact of life.

This is an angler owned tour, working with sponsors who all feel that they got more than their money's worth. Heck even some of the anglers are donating very expensive hunts from their own guide services as sponsor prizes! All over and above the 100 percent I might add. I've said all along that we are not the enemy and I'll say it again.

Next year we are having a Bay Mills event that will be well over 100 percent as a significant part of the payout is being directly dedicated to the paybacks. It will be safe to say that the anglers who supported AIM this year in a fashion that meets the requirements of the Bay Mills event will have a great event to fish. As we grow, and can generate sponsor support you'll see payouts increase whenever it is possible.

I have to add, that I really don't see much of a division and "my circuit is better than yours" mentality when talking to the anglers that actually participate in fishing these events. I talk to guys that fish the FLW all the time and they are fellow anglers, in many cases great friends, and have offered great suggestions to help make the AIM tour better. However, that being said, the conversational topics ALWAYS come back to this site, and not in a good way. The topic is always about how all of the bickering and fighting actually hurts the walleye tournament world and walleye fishing in general. Questions are fine to ask, but when someone answers as honestly as possible and uses his/her real name and gets totally tore down? Come on. It hurts everything. Especially when people talk like they know everything as facts and in reality aren't really even close. I know that I've taken shots many times and may take a few for this post, but the latest one that said that AIM is only for P/K to make money and they are... its unbelievable. I have always worked hard in this industry and have made a living in it for years, long before AIM, or for that matter the PWT. For those that want to make a statement or believe an unnamed poster that blurts something like that out is what is killing this sport, not AIM. Like it or not, many here need to look in the mirror. And yes it's this site. I watch all of the walleye sites and very little of this bashing and bickering occurs anywhere else.
Gary Parsons

busta

09-14-2009, 10:12 AM

yeah, what he said!!!

busta

09-14-2009, 10:17 AM

Gary Parsons

09-14-2009, 10:31 AM

Mr. Busta,
You're a perfect example of what I'm talking about. No name, no credibility, expect people to take your statements as fact just because you stated them. I can't speak for other web sites because I don't have the facts, but I can about TNB. Our site has grown 80% in less than a year, we get great traffic from people who want to learn about fishing and our videos get viewed at over 1000 views a day with all sponsors totally happy about what they are getting for the money. I didn't need AIM to give legitimacy to my sponsors and in fact only have a couple that sponsor AIM. Any more FACTs that you may want to throw out? In my opinion, it's the sponsors of this site that are, and should be looking pretty hard at where they spend their dollars, and not because of the many great people that come here, but because of the few Jerry Springer types like yourself.

busta

09-14-2009, 10:56 AM

KTurner UL

09-14-2009, 11:31 AM

Busta - are you having fun taking shots at one of the biggest ambassadors the walleye tournament world has?

So tell us what have you done to improve the sport of tournament walleye fishing?

Most days/threads it is quite obvious to see why a majority of the great anglers (both pro and co) don't bother with this site..... Nothing but ridiculous, garbage rants from people that appear to have dropped out of school in the 3rd grade.

I'll be anxious to hear what you've done to move this sport in the right direction.

Kurt

bradley894

09-14-2009, 11:44 AM

Questionable and others,
If you paid your entry fee and fished as a pro, thank you, and I hope you had a good time. If you have questions you should talk to the AIM office. I do not have the exact particulars about the payouts, but in another post Jim Carrol broke it down properly. Here is his break down.

"AIM says that we will pay back 100% or more of the professional entry fees.

53 Anglers X $1500 = $79,500

In this case AIM replaced the winners share (which would have been $31,800 cash) with a very nice boat that was worth $65,000 at retail. A boat that Todd can sell in his sleep for at least 50K- which would be an absolute steal if somebody gets it that cheap.

So AIM added a conservative $18,200 to the payout, for a total pro payback of $97,700. Which is 122% of the pro entry fees...get it now?

And don't start in about the boat either, because I can tell you that I and everyone else who fished this event would love to have that Lund to sell- It's the baddest looking Lund I've ever seen- and its going to sell fast."

Now, that's how it breaks. None of the other stuff that's written here even makes sense. As far as the boat being donated and shouldn't be counted? Come on, be real and a bit responsible. That boat is part of those companies sponsorship and is treated just as cash would be treated. It's a **** nice boat and we felt that it would be quite easy to get $50,000 for it. And don't give me the taxes and have to market the sales stuff. A few ads on various websites isn't very expensive and that boat is so cool that it will sell easily. Taxes are taxes and have to be paid whether on cash or boat value. Now would we all like to see cash only? Certainly! And maybe as AIM grows we will be able to. This was a first year endevour that many posters on this site repeatedly stated wouldn't work, and was actually run with very little money. We hoped to make more fun tournaments that were fairer, more exciting to fish, and at great locations with a format that was new, easy on the resource, and fun to watch on the internet... and yes with 100 percent payback of pro entries. And all without limiting the anglers on what they can wear and what press can be shown. All pretty lofty expectations considering the uphill battle of the economy and state of the marine industry. Very few circuits that have been in existence for years acheive that goal. I beleive that AIM did. If you actually went to an event you would see the excitement, laughter, fun and good will. It's the way tournaments should be.

And for those that want to scream "where is the co angler money? and any pro member fees? All put toward surviving in this economy and keeping this circuit running. Trailer rental, salaries, legal fees and insurance are not free... fact of life.

This is an angler owned tour, working with sponsors who all feel that they got more than their money's worth. Heck even some of the anglers are donating very expensive hunts from their own guide services as sponsor prizes! All over and above the 100 percent I might add. I've said all along that we are not the enemy and I'll say it again.

Next year we are having a Bay Mills event that will be well over 100 percent as a significant part of the payout is being directly dedicated to the paybacks. It will be safe to say that the anglers who supported AIM this year in a fashion that meets the requirements of the Bay Mills event will have a **** of an event to fish. As we grow, and can generate sponsor support you'll see payouts increase whenever it is possible.

I have to add, that I really don't see much of a division and "my circuit is better than yours" mentality when talking to the anglers that actually participate in fishing these events. I talk to guys that fish the FLW all the time and they are fellow anglers, in many cases great friends, and have offered great suggestions to help make the AIM tour better. However, that being said, the conversational topics ALWAYS come back to this site, and not in a good way. The topic is always about how all of the bickering and fighting actually hurts the walleye tournament world and walleye fishing in general. Questions are fine to ask, but when someone answers as honestly as possible and uses his/her real name and gets totally tore down? Come on. It hurts everything. Especially when people talk like they know everything as facts and in reality aren't really even close. I know that I've taken shots many times and may take a few for this post, but the latest one that said that AIM is only for P/K to make money and they are... its unbelievable. I have always worked hard in this industry and have made a living in it for years, long before AIM, or for that matter the PWT. For those that want to make a statement or believe an unnamed poster that blurts something like that out is what is killing this sport, not AIM. Like it or not, many here need to look in the mirror. And yes it's this site. I watch all of the walleye sites and very little of this bashing and bickering occurs anywhere else.
Gary Parsons

there you go... tournaments often turn prizes into cash flow.. The lund was sweet! and thanks Mr.parsons for your responce... to many times questions go too long without answers and there are new people that visit all the time and dont know how tournments are run or funded. thay just think free stuff is given to the tour all the time and underestimate the cost of production and support all of the time.. But im thankfull for skeptical minds also as some good quesitons and red flags go up! this is a good site, and i enjoy even the heated exchange yet sometimes folks can be a little cold or less respectfull of others when thy arent face to face.. sad but i have also put my foot in my mouth a few times here and often we dont stop to re-think our word selection before we hit the send button.. i also think too much gets sent to the trash bin but again i enjoy the exchange of idias without the personal attacks anyway.. but then there kinda fun to read also... Thanks again MR Parsons for checking in on here and to others who take the time to defend the tours they love or have interest in and offer up another side of the coin...

bradley894

09-14-2009, 12:13 PM

Okay, okay. Sorry to get your dander up Parsons.

I'm sure that the money you guys dumped into that "media" group was really worthwhile. I'm sure you truly feel that way about them. You really loved them at the first PWT championship last year.

Secondly, sorry about not acknowledging the growth of TNB. 80 percent is terrific. Congrats. How does it feel to grow from 10 visitors to 18?

Busta! starts to soften up a bit then 10-18? just brutal! lol.. anyway back to AIM i think i hit that sight a few times but with the vidio's of those last two events or three I was on for hours at a time watching at the edge of my seat! Keep up the good coverage! the format is a winner and the coverage put togather i enjoyed and will go threw the season entirly this winter on that Aim archives to re-play the 2009 season.. it was cool.

GiddyGills

09-14-2009, 03:37 PM

Un-named posts are not hurting the industry. Heck, most that do not use their real names probably knows the most. Pros add to the sport of fishing...and they also hurt it. Other sites delete anything negative about pros or anything close to heart...is that a good thing? No. Am I a no-name? To some yes...to a couple million others no. Does that make me irrelevant or what I say is not correct? Let's just say my best friend is Gary Snyder who happened to employ a few of the top pros, I was there, pros are just as much trouble on the industry image as no-names.

People have questions about AIM, good questions. Making it seem like they are less important because they are not in the top tier of fishing hurts the sport the most.

Randy Reek

09-14-2009, 07:26 PM

My job is to make continual improvements in the AIM Pro Walleye Series. I poll the participants in EVERY event for their suggestions. The AIM Board of Directors (100% unpaid, including Mr. Parsons) also seek constructive suggestions.
I have freely given my phone number and email address in previous posts here. In over a year I have NEVER had one contact from anyone asking a SINGLE question about AIM operations.
Maybe that's because AIM is a business. Ask any business the kinds of questions posted anonymously here and see what your response would be.
Likewise, I seldom post here because the threads have a nasty tendancy to devolve into bashing on any topic regarding AIM. Not an AIM competitor? Have no intention of ever participating in an AIM event? (You really should try one - the participants had fun this year!) I have to spend my time working for our "customers" (sorry if that's harsh.)
Here's how to contact me:
Randy Reek
AIM Operations Director
501-984-0953 cell
rreek@aimfishing.com

GiddyGills

09-14-2009, 07:59 PM

With all due respect, not only are you working for your current customers but you are also actively seeking new customers. For that you have to appeal to the general public, but if you are going to be easily bruised by criticism you might as well give up now. The vast majority of people could care less about tournament fishing and having reps. from the field getting their undies in a bundle every time someone asks an unpopular question just shows what it is all about...egos. Every other "sport" has to put up with and answer to criticism...why tournament fishing should be exempt from that is beyond me. Why don't you hear from people? Why are they not calling? Because they choose to show how they feel by not showing up...the same with any other business. It's great that you started AIM...now start acting like businessmen and answer the public questions without insulting the general public. You are the ones trying to gather public support for your field of tournament fishing...if you want to be in the public eye then respectively answer the questions in a professional manner no matter how rude you think the question may be...the field needs thicker skin.

Unlogged Unknown

09-14-2009, 08:28 PM

I agree with Giddy Gills and I have a few things to add to his comment.
EVERY sport has criticism, every actor gets criticism, everyone in the public eye is subjected to criticism.
Why does AIM feel they are exempt from the same treatment every other sport gets?
I'm almost willing to bet Parsons and Reek both are Monday morning quarterbacks when it comes to their favorite football team.
I also bet they discuss football with others and they critique the game, have comments both pro and con and voice those comments to others. Possibly at a bar, maybe even to total strangers, maybe without introducing themselves properly so the people they are talking to don't even know who they are. Think?
Isn't that what is going on here?
This is the most popular walleye website on the internet and probably because they don't sugar coat things, they allow frank and sometimes controversial conversations from both sides. That is great in my opinion.
Mr. Parsons, shame on your comments about the sponsors of this website.
Mr. Reek, if you don't have time for us, we don't have time for you.
The future of walleye fishing lies in the hands of walleye anglers, not you or AIM.
This is the largest collection of walleye anglers on the internet.
And you come here and talk down to us?
How is that helping your cause?
How can that be good for "your" sport?
Maybe you need to consider these things before bad mouthing possible future anglers.
I'm sure you have already talked some out of participating in your arena but there are still others that you have the opportunity to convince to give your product a try.
Wouldn't you be better off trying to answer questions instead of discounting those that ask questions?
Wouldn't this be the best place since it has the most people?
What am I missing here?
I've been in the industry for years (and yet I'm not using my real name either) and from what I can tell AIM does pretty good on this website.
You take a few lumps but there are always more people pushing for you than against you.
You always come out on top, and yet you come here and shake your fingers at those that don't tell you how great your product is.
Not everybody loves your product.
That is America, that is choice, that is up to the individual.
To demand everyone speak only good about your product is to live in make believe.
You really need to pay attention to the voice of the industry that is spoken here.
See and hear BOTH sides of the argument and allow others to disagree without condemnation.
Or, keep putting your nose in the air, keep telling us that we don't mean anything and see how that works for you.

Unlogged Unknown

09-14-2009, 08:36 PM

I personally know a lot of "Pro" anglers that post here every day under false names, unlogged and unknown.
Then they go out in public and put their nose in the air and try to discount this website for allowing Guest posters. And yet they themselves are guilty of exactly that. Like I said, I personally know a lot of these people. Plenty of "Pros" post here regularly, they just don't have the onions to admit it. And those that don't post visit. Everyday.

Gator Guy

09-15-2009, 05:51 AM

It's funny how things get twisted around and change. People that like the AIM format come here and defend their feelings. Mr. Parsons may not like it but he knows this the only site that gets any post about his curcuit. Go to the other sites and what do you find about pre-tournament or post tournament info. NADDA, Nothing like it don't even happen. If you don't like it here why is it Jim Carroll is always posting the latest Aim info. I read his post and then go to the other places and "NOTHING" can be found.
When Aim first was being started, Mr. Parsons got up and stated at the NPAA meeting I beleive and said this is not like the PWT and there will not be any prizes "ONLY" cash will be payed out. "OPP"S" not true. If you go and watch the AIM video's (I Have) when Gary boasts that this is his baby and all his idea. Watch when Richy Boggs says on stage that for guys that haven't fished Aim yet they will be shut out because this is the "OLD BOYS CLUB". I thought Tommy was going to choke trying to stop him from saying that.
Like it or not, this is the place to come and read about all walleye fishing and lets face it guys, This is the only place AIM gets any posts good or bad. Now lets all go fishing.

Fishing Insider 2

09-15-2009, 07:30 AM

Good replies! Frank, open and yes, sometimes spirited discussion is why Walleye Central rocks. These discussions might not take place even here without the option of relative anonymity. Many pros do frequent this site and post anonymously for a variety of reasons. Whether you are for or against, agree or disagree to a particular topic, Walleye Central is where the topics pertinent to the walleye world get hashed out. That fact is why we all keep coming back to W/C. Even the individuals who don't admit it. No other walleye website comes even remotely close to what Walleye Central provides.

Walleye Central provides a venue that allows both sides of the story to get told!

Proof of that, is the fact you you just read this reply.

unlogged known

09-15-2009, 08:48 AM

Unknown,

You make some interesting points. Now, calling people out on this board is pretty easy when you don't post your name. By the way, you are not the voice of the industry. If you had such great ideas to help out the industry, wouldn't you post your name? With such an ego, you could enjoy all the credit you deserve. You might even be the hero that you dream to be.

You are also right, lots of us are FLW tour anglers who think it's disgraceful to bash others working hard to promote the industry. The best thing that could happen is that both circuits survive. Competition gives the fans, advertisers and anglers a better product.

A monopoly in this free market is a disaster. Look how our biggest monopoly is doing, the government.

This is from a perspective of fishing both circuits(seven years with FLW). I've seen the pros and cons of both circuits. Neither is perfect when it comes to angler ethics, but I saw very little tail piping in the AIM events and the leaders were usually given the respect to fish water that put them in the top 5 or 10. Was it perfect, no it will never be.....but it was close. I know of one guy that got his *** chewed and he had it coming.

Earlier this year, a signed complaint for unethical tail piping was filedafter a circuit event. Until we decide to DQ a couple guys, the tail piping will continue. This is just one area where competition among circuits will make the other better.

So the next time you let your fingers do the talking, just Shut Up and Fish! If you posted your name, I would have been more respectful. Making derogatory remarks and calling people out by name, really sets the tournament industy back a few steps. You have made no remarks that will benefit the industry.

Not Unknown,

Lynn Jurrens

PS- What a great win Mr. Riley. Everyone was wishing they could have pulled home a new Lund/Merc.

watt

09-15-2009, 09:23 AM

huh?

Unlogged CM

09-15-2009, 09:51 AM

I'm a Charter Member, but I guess that I'll just start posting anonymously. What does it matter, right? If WC can let some of this stuff stand for unregistered members then why bother.

Frankly, I don't care whose "side" you are on in this argument (and it seems as though some folks have picked "sides", and don't try to tell me otherwise). This thread is a complete embarassment. We have one of the greatest anglers of all time on here trying to respond to negativism perpetuated by nameless faces in the crowd. And when he responds, he continues to get bashed. I mean what's up with that? Like Lynn said, it is the best thing in the world to have two circuits and GUYS WHO WANT TO FISH THEM. If somebody wants to fish AIM, they know what they are getting into just like the guys that fish FLW. Who cares? Like Jim C said earlier or in another thread, FLW payouts are of no consequence to him since he doesn't fish that circuit. Well, so be it. Why keep this stuff up?

I gotta admit that I've lost some faith in this website after reading this. I can now clearly see why "registration" is not a bad idea.

bradley894

09-15-2009, 10:10 AM

huh? ok sound out the words slowly...... get someone to read it for you! whatever..
UnloggedCM charter member? it is sad as you state the fact that its a shame that somone who offers up a direct responce would be bashed on a personal level... brave unlogged guests post things... I would think that a charter member would jump on and copy the comment and state his or her dis-taist for the comment then! ok im a guest and since nobody knows who i am... ill do it then!

MWC guy

09-15-2009, 10:12 AM

bradley894

09-15-2009, 10:43 AM

Of course, Mr. Parsons, the other sites don't have any AIM bashing because they are all in league with AIM!!!

The only reason WF/Outdoors First is still open for biz is because they are draining money from AIM. It sure ain't due to their debacle that was the MAC muskie tournaments.

TNB doesn't count because it gets no traffic!!! Oh yeah, you and Keith own it and are two of the guys who needed to start AIM to have legitimacy to your sponsors.

Here we have an expample of somones personal fealings and though may well be someting this individual believes to be true should have been writen with a little more thaught or not writen at all! Poor form! Although i am sure a connection can be made that Keith and Gary do benifit from (having another tour choice to fish!!!!!!!!) as do many other pro anglers and many have made the choice to put money on the line to invest in this idia. For crying out loud of course folks have an interest in this thing and will use it to pro-mote there future!!!!!!!! DA! these are all Pro-walleye fisherman who will look to all options of promotion and will take advantage of any oportunity in the market to further there cause!!!!! as long as folks do this without stepping on other people toes along the way they should be treated with a bit more respect than the above post! There is resentment and hard fealings by many who are having a hard time serviving on tour or in the industry. Face it! some have invested and LOSt EVERYTHING!, Frustrations are running ramped and there will be some off the cuff comments.. not everything needs to be sugar coated either but if toe's were stepped on then i would think a reason for bitterness and skepticism would be more credible with a better example of why someone feals this way. presenting a question that can be responded too WOULD BE NICE! There may be another side of the story or a good expaination we all could grow from reading about. The end result here is that the people involved in this little exchange that was done without any new iformation exchanged other than gary's informative responce to a good question was abosolutly a waist of energy. and now we have a couple more individuals with a sour taist in there mouths and do not wanna contribute on forum anymore! Just dandy! I am not a charter member of this site or any other i just enjoy the content and visit this site to share in what it has to offer partaining to Walleye fishing an tournament stuff! New products and new idias, keep up with old freinds on tour and there days on the water... thats all,, just a guy not a charter member and not a pro fisherman! not a tour pro or a writer with even close to perfect grammer and spelling! Im not logged in because i cant remember my stinken passward!!!!!!!!! OK... Im a Guest Ok! fished lotsa tournmaments in my day and hope to fish more! love catching walleyes! IM A GUEST! no big deal! my comments have no validity because of that so disreguard everyting i have ever written.. thanks

WAZ

09-15-2009, 10:45 AM

I know you are but what am I?

bradley894

09-15-2009, 10:52 AM

Hello busta

I'm trying to figure out what your all uptight about!! Is it just human nature looking at what other people have and you don't have??? Are you just ignorant?? I haven't figured it out yet but I will say there are some items I don't like about how AIM is run but I don't go and just totally trash them!! You need to learn how to voice your opinion in a political way. Maybe theres some things i don't know like Parsons stole your girlfriend while you were in high school. Then again she probably left you cuz you weren't going to graduate! But seriously can't you voice your opinion in a political way? Your more likely to get the response your looking for!!!!!!

MWC guy! Outstanding Question! as someone who has gotten his girlfreind stolen (Maybe by Gary not sure) but yes to hold this kind of resentment does kinda make you wonder what the real issue is?
MWC guy i wish i could respond to Bustas comments with souch a simple funny post like yours.. lol thanks for making me giggle and wonder why also?

braley894

09-15-2009, 11:02 AM

I know you are but what am I?

I dont know Waz but since your on Goul your safe! and I called quits so im out! and Gary took his Toys and went home and told his mom and well i guess we dont have enough kids left in the neighborhood to play kick the can when it gets dark out this winter! brad Maurer

bradley

09-15-2009, 11:29 AM

Ok so now what? Busta went and joined up with the kids from over the tracks who busta'd our last 3 forts we built! Gary took home his new FBI spy and stealth kit with the bionic ear and infra red vidio pack!
now how are we gonna all sit around in the walleyecentral tree house and spy on busta's hot older sister?
this sucks! crap is that my mother calling? crap! see you guys later... i hafta go pick up dog poop.

unlogged Jurrens

09-15-2009, 11:50 AM

Watt,

What part don't you understand? Personal attacks against Parsons or Reek will not help the industry or tournament circuits. Many individuals and companies have invested time, money, sweat and effort to see a future for tournament angling. There's a short list of people trying to undermine a successful first year for AIM. They don't want to help, just destroy.

They feel that someone else's success, is the demise of their own interests (e.i.-sponsor, circuit, business interest). So the hidden agenda is a real issue here and those on the inside know who you are. This is why we need both top circuits to survive. Were there mistakes by AIM? Do they need to improve? Yes. Mistakes are they we learn, unless we live in the perfect, "unlogged" world.

During the AIM Championship, there was a cautious, yet energenic feeling of success in the air. An overwhelming majority involved and attending were very hopeful for the future. It's the start of a successful business model.

An example of one success would be this. A large sum of money was raised from an auction and donated to a great organization, Angler- Young Angler(AYA). My first day partner, Dave, bought an autographed jersey for over $1000. There were two sold.

Another example, after the tournment I had a good discussion with a Lake Winnie resort owner. Most resort owners see 'kill' tournaments come to town and are not fans, to put it lightly. They were happy that 98 to 100 percent of the fish caught by AIM participants are stilling swimming. He said, "the previous tournament just killed 700 fish".

It's always easier to bash than it is to praise. Everytime someone bashes, it's a negative reflection on the sponsors, participants and the whole industry.

Respectfully,

Lynn Jurrens

GiddyGills

09-15-2009, 01:42 PM

Wow, this is getting out of hand. First off, the only person that personally bashed anyone was Busta to Parsons…and then Parsons to Busta, second where was Reek personally bashed? I responded to his comment but did not personally attack him. Now there are people coming from another website who are complaining about bashing…but bashing everyone on this site on their site. How about a little reality people.

We have a website that has gathers .0001% of the fishing population blaming a website that gathers .0007% of the fishing population for ruining the sport of fishing and tournaments. Let’s get back to earth.

1) Guest’s questions and comments are just as important as anyone else when it comes to fishing and their perception on what is going on. Should it be more civil…sure but that is not how life works. There are people who post without names that are full of information and ideas, and that makes them no less valuable than the top pros.
2) If you are going to start a business you need to take all criticism with a grain of salt. Not only that but if you are going to try to become the top (or demand it) you had better be prepared for it. Stop jumping up and down asking for attention if you are not willing to accept all the attention you get.
3) AIM was started by a bunch of fishermen that wanted to improve the sport, that is commendable in itself. They are doing something most people would not even take the risk at.

For everyone who offended others, or are offended on what happened or are offended for others it happened to, get thicker skin. How in the world do some make it in life is beyond me. This whole episode (including what is going on with the other site) is going to hurt tournaments…not because someone’s ego was bruised but because of the total immaturity and actions when there is a conflict of ideas within the sport.

Raybob

09-15-2009, 01:55 PM

GiddyGills ...Great reply! :)

Golden

09-15-2009, 08:41 PM

Sigh.....I usually try not to intervene or post my personal views because I believe the website belongs to the public and it's not a place for me to push my personal agenda.

But, at times I'm forced to comment and this seems one of those times.

I read through all the posts in this thread and I'm not seeing anything that I would consider bashing, derogatory or a personal vendetta.

I see some strong opinions, detailed questions, comments and I see some push and shove but all in all it seems a fair and balanced thread.

I know it has been trimmed by the moderators and I applaud them for that.

The moderators of this website do an outstanding job, albeit a thankless job, and I rely soley on them because I believe acting as a group is better than acting as an individual. As an individual a forum can take the personality of that individual, as a group that cannot happen.

All posts are monitored, all questionable posts are voted upon by the moderators and majority vote decides the fate of each questionable post.

All that being said and it has already been mentioned a couple time within this thread, Walleye Central allows discussion.

When I say we allow discussion, I mean we allow both sides to present their case (argument).

I don't consider it a conversation or a debate unless both sides are allowed to be presented.....if it's only one side I consider that a commercial or advertisement.

People should be allowed to voice their opinion either pro or con.

As for "guest" posters ...... I always get a kick out of that when it comes from "other sites" because I can go to those sites and visit the message boards and the vast majority of posters on both of "those sites" are not using their real names......they register under a false name so they post under a false name......frankly I don't see the difference because nobody knows who they are.....isn't that the same as being a "guest" ????

I can go to either site, register under a false name with a hotmail or gmail address and post to my hearts content........registration isn't a cure, only moderation works in the long run.

I believe all opinions are valid. They might not be the same as yours....but that doesn't make yours right and everyone else wrong.

The moderators of this website spend hours and hours a day keeping it civil.

Not sterile.....but civil.

Now......to the point at hand right now.

Walleye Central is pro walleye tournament, pro walleye everything and anything.

We want AIM to survive, we want FLW to survive and we want MWC to survive.

We support all the major walleye circuits and we are the ONLY website that does.

No other walleye website in the world spends as much money as I do to promote and provide coverage of every major walleye tournament in the world.

To consider us the enemy hurts me deeply......mainly because it's obviously not true and anyone that follows WC knows that.

We do more for the walleye tournament industry than any other website does...period...hands down....at no cost to them....at my expense.

We do not play favorites, we provide what I consider the best tournament coverage on the internet for ALL major walleye tournaments.

I fish tournaments as do most of the moderators.......it bothers me that some people boycott us or think we are the enemy when we are obviously the largest supporter of walleye tournaments in cyberspace. In fact, we are the only online supporter of every major walleye tournament.

Walleye Central isn't posting these threads, we are not participating in these threads.....we are monitoring them and we are allowing discussion (heated discussion at times) but we are not the enemy.

We are media, we are the largest online walleye media in the world, we have the largest online walleye audience in the world and it's a lot of work keeping it under control.

We are not perfect, we make mistakes, we depend on help from our visitors and we do our best.

We are here to help the industry, we are here to support the industry and anyone that thinks differently is wrong....plain and simple....wrong.

Don't kill the messenger........

If you see something that is out of line, click the little red triangle (alert) and the moderators will look at it, vote on it and take proper action. I have full faith in my moderators and depend on them hourly, daily, monthly and yearly.

If you want a sterile forum where everything is one sided, nobody is allowed to speak their piece if it's not the same opinion as theirs.....this isn't the place for you.

If you want to have debates, conversation and discussion with people that agree and disagree with your point of view......welcome to Walleye Central.

Keep it civil, or the moderators will nuke it.....

walleyedmike

09-15-2009, 09:15 PM

I know you are but what am I?
Waz, you still slay me! Thanks for lightening things up!

Fact of the matter is, folks, if you don't like it, don't fish it. I just don't understand what all of the fuss is about. AIM is what it is, whether you think it's good or bad. There are lots of good circuits around to fish, pick one and hush.

maxxum

09-15-2009, 11:57 PM

I am with Walleyedmike. Don't complain.

TrollerMan

09-16-2009, 08:17 AM

Hey Scott! Thanks for your note regarding the free and open exchange of many points of view; for many key subjects there can be many more perspectives than simply "both sides" of an issue.

Now if we can just get you to be in charge of the New york Times, LA Times and CNN we'll get somewhere:-)

Thanks for your time and $$ helping to grow this sport!

TrollerMan
Michael Scott Dosch
Waconia MN USA

Go Vikes!

Chris K

09-16-2009, 08:53 AM

I fished the innagural AIM Championship, and although I didn't place well I had a great time. It was very refreshing to participate in the catch, record and release weigh in system, and to see how well it worked on the water. Not having to take care of fish all day, not having to fizz, or worry about surface water temps to take care of fish all day long was a nice change of pace. Not having to transport fish in the livewell, and getting them back into the lake as soon as possible, right back where they came from was the best part. AIM has created a system that caters to the resource and to tournament fishing, and this cutting edge system will make a lot of events possible in the future that couldn't of taken place even a year ago. This conservation effort of sorts is appreciated greatly by locals, local guides, and resorts, as there is such a low mortality and the tournament doesn't get the perception that when it came to town the anglers "killed a bunch of fish". The different mc's each day gave the weigh in a different feel, and it kept things interesting for all spectators. I also had a friend who traveled with me to fish as a co, and he was very pleased with the value and he got to fish with three great pros. He shot some streaming video of Dave A Anderson on day two with a video phone that AIM gave him to use during the day, and he was very impressed with the show that was put on at the event, and afterwards we checked out the website, and the level of coverage and the information was more than enough to satisfy the appetite of any serious walleye addict. The Pro anglers participating in AIM are the best of the best in my opinion, and are working hard to make it successful. Seeing owners of AIM helping with setup and teardown really showed me how passionate they are about competative fishing, and how far they are willing to go to make progress in competative walleye fishing. The biggest thing that I came away from while at the event is that with AIM being angler owned and run, their approach is to grow the sport and to revolutionize walleye tournaments with a proactive approach. Big changes usually start at the top, and usually trickle down from there...

Chris K

Buzz

09-16-2009, 03:48 PM

As a long time WC follower and one that posts only occasionally (under 100 posts), I normally don't chime in on these kinds of threads, but I feel the need to defend WC, the way it is ran and the job the mods do. WC is the best place to find information regarding all aspects of walleye fishing. Few threads I've read in recent years have digressed to this petty level. That speaks volumes for the WC community.

Log on to some of the bowhunting and archery sites if you want to loss faith in humanity. The quality of interaction between posters is no where as civil as here on WC.

I've never fished a tournament in my life but am thankful for all the innovation, techniques and products they have spawned that has made me a better walleye fisherman. That has made all of us better fisherman (and fisherwomen, sorry Juls).

As far as AIM goes, I only wish them the best. I've enjoyed following their tournaments, the coverage they've offered with the on-water video clips, GPS tracking of the leaders, weigh-ins and the CRR format. I thought the coverage improved considerably from the first tournament to the championship on Winnie.

Do they have obstacles to overcome? Of course. Was it a risky venture? Maybe, maybe not. The industry is not healthy right now. Marketing dollars are tight. Ultimately if they have a product that benefits sponsors, they will survive and prosper. If not? Time will tell. Let's let them work it out and wish them the best.

Buzz