PWT as an Amateur?

[WalleyeRanger]

Just wondering if any of you fished the PWT as an Amateur? What was the experience like? Thinking about entering one, do I just send in the form & show up at the rules meeting? What is expected of me by the Pro?

[Bullfrog]

This is a great experience. Pros take you to their #1 spots and you use their gear and tackle. They are your partners for the day, and the boat-weight tournament means you work together. Questions are expected, and if you don't llearn, you'll be the first. Best bets: pay attention to how the pro controls his boat on a spot or a drift. Find out about electronics. And, the tactics will vary each day as you fish with a new pro. The Detroit River, Red Wing, Sakakawea tournaments are full, Mark Dorn told me at the Mnpls show lawst week. But, some openings are still available at Chamberlain in late April, and the Julyy and August eastern tournaments. The cost versus benefits ratio is excellent. And, you get a chance to look over every boat on the market and ask pros why they prefer their boats. You will get rigging ideas for your boat. Have fun.

[Wallygetter]

If you deceide to fish a PWT event as an amatuer you will have the time of your life. I've fished eyes for over thirty yrs. and always wanted to try the PWT since it came out. My wife put me in one last year at Saginaw Bay, Mi. I just loved it, learned more in three days than I could learn in a season of fishing with myself and my buddies. If you like to fish and want to learn more on how to catch more eyes, than this is it. I'm fishing all three on Eastern side this year, and one RCL, I just can't wait. Hope to see you there. Don Smith NPAA #566

[Rich]

I have been fishing the PWT as an amateur for the last two years.I will be fishing this year as well.It is the best way to learn the finer points.You can pre-fish with the Pros if you get there early enough.So you can really get to see the non competitive side of them.The only thing you have to remember is to KEEP THINGS TO YOURSELF!!!!It will help you in the long run.Espesially if you decide to go to the Pro ranks.Thier practice starts five days before the tournament.You can give in-fish a call at 218-829-0620.They can steer you in the right direction.If you have any other questoins e-mail me at Ihunteyes@aol.com. Hope to see you there.

[Ihunteyes]

I have been fishing the PWT as an amateur for the last two years.I will be fishing this year as well.It is the best way to learn the finer points.You can pre-fish with the Pros if you get there early enough.So you can really get to see the non competitive side of them.The only thing you have to remember is to KEEP THINGS TO YOURSELF!!!!It will help you in the long run.Espesially if you decide to go to the Pro ranks.Thier practice starts five days before the tournament.You can give in-fish a call at 218-829-0620.They can steer you in the right direction.If you have any other questoins e-mail me at Ihunteyes@aol.com. Hope to see you there.

[Fishgut]

How good of a fisherman are you already? Aside from fishing with maybe the top 25 or 30 tournament fisherman entered, you will probably learn nothing. If you are fortunate enough to place in the top 30 (unless you win) be prepared to take home a lot of junk you already own with a 1099 requiring you to claim FULL list price on these items. If you own your own boat my advice to you is to take the thousand bucks (or more)that this would cost and take a ##### nice trip to Canada or somewhere else. Why do you suppose the PWT is still begging for amateurs? Been there and done that!

[cisco]

You will learn more than you ever expected. However, one thing to keep in mind is the fact you MUST be in very good physical shape. It will most likely happen that you will get the ride of your life. Many pros will run an hour or better before setting up to fish -- this will be at open or near open throttle, often in heavy seas. If you cannot take the pounding, don't take the chance. Rare is the tourney on big water when you will not get one or more days of very rough water.

That is really the only down side to the whole affair.

[waterbug]

You may want to consider the RCL tournaments. They have a fantastic payback on the co-angler side (same as amateur), 60 places and it's all cash, $15000 for first place. They open at Erie April 11-14 at Port Clinton . The information is here on WC or thier web site www.operationwalleye.com. I'm in and can't wait, only $500 entry fee.

[tim]

Waterbug,

Do you need to be an RCL owner to fish as an ameture?

[walleye herbie]

You do not need to own RCL to fish as a co-angler in the RCL circuit.

[Mcfish]

I only fished it once, had a great experience with the pros, learned a lot from all of them including some with less experience. I came back feeling good about the whole experience except for the prize structure on the amateur side, especially when I got my 1099 this year. I noticed the RCL gives cash to all participants, looks like a good deal to me.

[Waterbug]

No you don't have to be a owner on the co-angler side this year. You can even qualify for the championship as a non-owner. It's a great program with a tremendous payback .. all CASH