Tournament Fishing

[Confused]

I have been considering getting involved in tournament
fishing, but after doing a little research I have a
question that someone at this site can hopefully answer.

WHY DO BASS TOURNAMENTS PAYBACK SO MUCH BETTER THAN WALLEYE???

Examples: B.A.S.S. Top 150 Total payout $431,450.00 Total entries $285,000.00 that excedes entries by $146,450.00

Megabucks Bass Tournament total payout $667,000.00 Total
entries $450,000.00 that excedes entries by $217,000.00

But in WALLEYE world the P.W.T. total payout is $236,000.00 as per the 2001 entry form, but total entries is $222,750.00 if you use 135 entries...so that excedes entries by only $13,250.00

The same thing happens on the M.W.C. the payout at Spring Valley last year was $58,500.00 but they collected $84,375.00 in entries... HOW DOES THAT WORK??? Why is so much more money available to bass fisherman???

[Chairman]

I think it is because Walleye tournaments are profitmakers for the organizers and the Bass tournaments get big bucks from sponsors, most of which are outside the fishing industry and much larger than any of the fishing tackle mfgs. Walleye anglers payouts are getting better and better each year and when we get the TV coverage the Bass guys do we will get the money.
Many bass tournaments do not pay back what you see in megabucks and classic tournaments, they are low entry and winning anglers qualify for the big tournaments through them.
When walleye tournaments are formated that way I think you will see walleye anglers in the big bucks like the RCL this fall at Green Bay, WI. It is coming.

[concerned]

I did some more looking around on the internet
and the new Skeeter Pro Team Walleye Tournaments
have $65,000.00 in payback with only $55,000.00
in entry fees based on a 100 man field...

The Western Invitational has a $190,000.00 in payouts
and entry fees of $150,000.00...

It does seem that the walleye circuits are taking advantage
of the fisherman...

I am not sure what the appropriate action at this point
should be...

[TRAP]

I think you should fish for bass! Us walleye guys and gals fish for the fun not the $$$! Plus anyone can catch a stupid bass.

[confused]

Trap
I think you are really missing the point
Tournament fishing is much more "fun" when you
are fishing for more than a percentage of your
entry fee. Otherwise just go fishing and don't give
anyone your money...

[Unky Mer]

It's more than just payback schedule that you have to watch. I'm not taking sides here, and honestly I fish both walleye and bass events, so I have some insight here. Payback percentage is one thing, but payback percentage in cash is another. It is easier to hit higher paybacks when you give prizes that carry higher values. There is a margin there for the tournament organiziers just like there is for stores. They get it at a discount (not free as is often thought) and give it out at retail. That helps them get up to or over 100 percent paybacks. Cash paybacks will probably never be 100 percent because it costs money to run an event. That money has to come from somewhere, and as much as angler's sometimes think that money comes from sponsors, it doesn't always. Plus the organizers should make something for their time. It takes a ton of time to run a quality event (I don't currently run any tournaments, but have in the past so I'm not humping for a raise here). That limits straight cash payback events to a number below 100 percent, usually in the 80 percent bracket. If you look at megabucks and B.A.S.S. events the payouts are heavy with boat/motor combinations that they margin. That can drive up the prize paybacks. It's all relative to comfort factor. If you're comfortable with the payback, and it's right up front, then fish the event. If not, don't. Market decisions made by anglers ultimately decide which events will survive, and then what paybacks are acceptable to the marketplace. Sorry this is so long.

[popia]

I believe in some walleye circuits that the difference between the entry fees and the payback are used in the championship for that tournament trail. The qualifying anglers for the championship do not pay and entry fee and the the payback is often greater than one of the qualifying tournaments.

[Concerned]

Does the P.W.T. pay only $20,000.00 plus a Lund Boat
with a Mercury 200 H.P. I am not sure because on the
application all it says is 1st place $50,000.00 including
a boat, but it doesn't give a breakout.

[guideman]

I have fished the MWC for many years and the
cost and time to put on these events is enormus.
With a relitivly low entry fee of $375.00 I think the payout is fine. They pay down 35 spots
and if you fish tournaments just for the money
you may be in for a big let down.
I also sponsor a tournament on Lake Vermilion
and the pay back is listed at 80% to cover my cost of putting on this event. If there is money
left after all expences are paid, I put it back into the prize money. We are going into our ninth year, so I think most anglers are happy with that.

Guideman.
9th annual Vermilion Walleye Classic.

[TRAP]

I didn't miss the point, most tournys are fished for entry fees. I hope this will change soon!

[TRAP]

You can take the boat or take cash!

[TBO/MN]

I fish the MWC, first year last year. I fish this for one reason, experience!! The competition of the tourneys is well worth the entry fee, and I didn't fish it for the payback in money. Yes, I am a rookie at age 54, but we finished in the middle of the pack all year long, and I couldn't be happier. I figure if I can be average in that crowd of great anglers, that makes me pretty ##### good. I am proud to fish in those tourneys, it makes me feel good, thats worth the entry fees by itself.

If you fish in that competition for the money, you will need more than good luck. Like the old saying says "To get a million dollars out of professional fishing, you have to start with two million"

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[tstick]

bass torunaments are paying more because bass are found every where. the exposure to bass fishing is far greater than what the limited range of walleyes can provide( although aggresive stocking campaigns are chganging that. Also, walleye fishing isn't nationally organized, being relatively young, and hasn't attracted the money that bass fishing does, another reason is that walleye fishermen use live bait a lot.- prohibited in bass fishing, thereby making the bass guys a better target for lure mfg companies.just some of my observations.

[Jim Corey]

I agree that Walleye tournament fishermen,in general,are lagging behing the Bass anglers as far as payout percentages but here's some news that might interest you. The NAWA is coming out with a new format in 2001. Cabela's/NAWA is forming partnerships with Walleye clubs across the country.They are sponsoring one event for each club.The winners of each of those events, plus each clubs' point winning team for the year, will get to go to a 200 boat invitational with a total cash payout of $125,000. First Place will be $25,000. These qualifying teams will not have to pay entry fees at all. The hosting clubs will pick up the tab for the entry fees. Cabela's/NAWA is only asking $100 per team from the clubs. That's only $20,000 in entry fees with a payout of six and a quarter times that amount. The difference will be made up by sponsors. The list of sponsors is impressive. I am a member of one such club in Ohio and I know of two others here in the same state, at least two in Pennsylvania, and one in New York. I'm sure that the traditional Walleye States in the Northern Tier will have many clubs involved. This is a way for the "average" fisherman to compete in the type of tournament that they have only dreamt about while watching ESPN2. Sorry this was so long. Just wanted to share it with all of you. It's got me excited.LOL

[JETHRO]

Worrying about bass tournaments is like worrying about your neighbours money. Stay focused think walleye. If you are at the "just considering tournaments" stage, the prize money is not the thing you should be considering. First get your feet wet. Try going as an amateur at a pro/am tournament. Beating the big guns is everyones dream. If it was easy,everyone would be doing it. If you are like the rest of us... you'll get a lot of lumps before you get any checks. It's called...paying for your education. good luck. I'm on your side. i always pull for the under dog.

[Chairman]

Did some checking on bass tournaments and found that in the redman the entry is 45,000 and payback is only 32,4oo for around 75% and their supertournament pays back 85%. We are in line with walleye tournament payouts of the level of redman and such in the bass world.