rcl or pwt

[just learnin]

Just getting started in walleye fishing and thought the pro/ams might be a good place to learn. The RCL offers better pay back but are the best pros really going to be there. I want to learn. Some help and opinions(none of those lacking here i've noticed) would be appreciated. thanks

[Tournament Angler]

I can tell you that the NPAA (National Proffesional Anglers Accosiation) has 100 members on the Professional Walleye side. Of those 100 anglers only 30% can fish in the RCL. That leaves 70% of the nations top pro's not able to fish.

If you truely want to learn from the nations best PROFESSIONAL anglers PWT would be the answer.

[Juls_WI]

Which waters do I want to fish? Which techniques do I want to learn? That is the question you should be asking yourself. Both circuits have talented pros fishing them, and you will learn a lot from either circuit. Since winning cash is not as important to you as learning from a pro, which I understood you to mean in your post, then maybe the PWT is the right one for you. The PWT guarantees you three days of fishing, with a chance to win some prizes. The RCL guarantees two days, and if you make the cut for the third day, as a co-angler, you get to fish for the money. Only the top 60 pros and co anglers go on to fish the third day, and the top 6 (i think)pros go on to fish a fourth day. There could be a chance that you don't make that cut the third day. It's all out of your control. In either circuit, you are there to help the pro, and it is his/her decisions and skill that make or break you.
I guess if I were you, and didn't care about the money, then I would choose my events by what waters were going to be fished. Different locations dictate different techniques...From trolling Lake Erie, handlining the mighty Mississippi (oh wait, the PWT is still outlawing handlining, so you could only learn that one in the RCL), to bottom bouncing Lake Sakakawea. They all vary. Which do you want to learn? Then go fish it! ;-)

Just my rambling thoughts...

Juls

[Dunn]

Well I would think the decision somewhat easy for someone new coming in to the field.

For pure learning on just the fishing side, and perhaps not so much the commercial side of the Professional Fishing industry, I would suggest the PWT.

I have not fished it, but that's based on what I have been told, read about, and know from some personal experience at some of the Tournaments.

For perhaps a less diverse pure fishing learning experience, but an experience that will excel with the commercial side of things as well. I would go for the RCL.

By commercial I mean the Nation Wide, not just fishing industry, side of things. Such as the Large non fishing related companies the FLW Tour brings in for Bass Fishing, and will for Walleye. Also I mean by that the Television coverage.

Also Juls makes a great point.
Locations and techniques you like should be the base also.
I was once told by Andy Kuffer, "Only fish the one's you know you have a chance to do well in." And I base my Tournament Selections on that now. Fish what you know, but might not know that well. It's always better to have a few extremely strong points, then alot of not so strong points. There is always time to pick up on the rest another time.

Well this is my input, good luck in the future.
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Marshall J. Dunn

[Mobydick]

Juls & Dunn, excellent posts!! You've illustrated both circuits in clear, plain language and identified the choices one has available. To Just Learning, you are about to enter a very exciting chapter in your life. Enjoy it and I wish you well. Happy New Year all!!! Richard

[Cap'n Ahab]

Great point too Moby! Juls and Dunn hit it on the head. As for post #1, you too have a point, more of the nations top NPAA pros cant fish, but then nothing stays on top forever. I see a whole new crop of people as good comin on strong and the RCL format will quickly make these guys more money in less time. And, they may one day be sittin right in that top 100. Aint competition grand? Now, I gotta go chase me a whale!!