RCL Walleye Circuit

[Just Fishin]

Just got back from Port Clinton and from fishing the RCL What a BLAST. I'm sorry the wind blew and dirtied up the Lake but it was worth it. I was only going to fish the Lake Erie event and some of the PWT'S but after what I saw there I'm going to sign up for the rest of them. Another plus is they don't charge you $40.00 a day expense money like PWT.It is great to get a check after the tourney and not a bunch of prizes. My hats of to Operation Walleye and Charlie Hoover and the rest of them for investing in the future of Walleye fishingand running a class act.

[Wishin]

I just got a new boat,I'm ready to trade it off on a new Ranger! Even though I really don't care for the 620,I'm really thinkin of getting one just to fish the RCL! 77 boats with a FULL payout!Man I like those odds,my home waters are coming up an that money is fantastic!HOW can they do this very long,OH thats right,the 620 is $40,000.00 loaded!Well maybe I'll have to get the big Crestliner instead!

[Bass Rube]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to lake Erie to fish the RCL tournament. But I have to make a comment about your crack about the PWT charging you $40.00 a day. First off, you are not charged a fee by the PWT, this is a contribution for YOUR share of the expenses, towards a day of fishing. Don't you share expenses when you go out for the day with your friends? Why should anyone eles have to pay your share. It really doesn't matter if your fishing in a tournament or a day with your friends, we all have expenses for the day.
Bass Rube

[Sherlock]

Hmmmmm,
Beeee careful, inside height is pretty low on those R. C. and L. boats up in the bow !!!!!! And WET, too !

;-) (is you "Just Fishin", or "wishin" or, doin some "fishin"??)

[Go Figure]

Now I know why your a bass rube, Say at Detroit, do you thinkthey spent $80.00 a day expences. And the Am. had to pay $40.00. I don't think so. The winner I don't think spent $10.00 a day in fuel where he fished.

[Better Hurry]

If anyone wants to get in on that "Good Odds" RCL payout money they had better make it soon. If 77 boats is all they could coax into getting on the water this will be a short lived venture. I'm no accoutant, but it seems like a risky business decision to pay as much or more money than you take in for entry fees?? Just a thought, get while its hot, it won't be here long..

[EAGLE EYES]

Yeah right! Walmart is really hurting for money. They spend more than the entire RCL purse everyday on advertising! The RCL will be around for a long time!

[$$$$$$]

Even Walmarts large pockets won't stay around long for a 77 boat field!This is not the regular MADE IN TIAWAN products they are use to! It's real hard to roll back those PAYOUTS!

[800proX]

i for one can see the RCL being around for a long time. they said the same thing about WSA (snocross) racing in the snowmobile ranks when it first started. granted the PWT is a great tournament as well, but Wal Mart will be in this for more than Erie, and i believe that 77 boats will be the low of the season. i might be wrong but only time will tell i guess.

jeff

[Phil]

In Ohio it is illegal to pay for tour partners gas. they consider this chartering. If I take someone out in my boat an they pay for my gas I can be arrested for charting. I don't think this is right but its the law.

[Dunn]

Well I for one think the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Series will be around for a while atleast.

It is very well ran, and well executed. Which are keys in a Tournament circuit.

Now, the low number of entries doesn't say anything. With the seperation of the PWT being the only exclusive Pro circuit, it will open up spots on both sides. With trying to fill the RCL, and making up for open spots in the PWT the fields will be expanded with new upcoming anglers. Once these upcoming anglers get their feet dug in, watch for full fields in both I guarantee.

Look at the PWT. All the rookies that fished that. And did well to boot. Same thing with the RCL.

The RCL opened up another door, and at the same time opened a door that had been almost closed for a few years now.
----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
Bluewater Research, Inc.
(OffShore Release)
N.P.A.A. # 701

[Juls_WI]

There were only 77 boats in the Erie event, because of the short notice. The two weeks before the event wasn't enough time for some of the pros and co-anglers, who didn't think it would be pulled off in time, to make arrangements. Those of us that believed in the people behind the scenes, got to fish a great event. You can bet your bottom dollar there are going to be more than 77 boats in the other three events this season!

Juls

[maybe saginaw]

You are right that there was very short notice. Do you really think that going to a record flood in LaCrosse with no lodging to be found for 30 miles in any direction is likely to coax a lot more anglers than Erie? Saginaw will have a large field because of all the anglers who feel comfortable there. My guess is that all but a few anglers won't have the money or desire for Devils lake by the time that one rolls around.

Truth is it was pretty short notice for Erie, but the potential pros have known it was going to be at erie on those dates since September. Maybe the RCL folks will realize that tournament walleye fishing is not yet, in number of potential players, equal to the bass world.

The press releases are saying its the most lucrative payout in tournament walleye fishing -- heck it may well be the most lucrative tournament period if they can only get 77 boats and guarantee the purse.

Congrats to Jimmy Klick. Are you really going to retire? I think that would be cool.

[800proX]

what do you mean no lodging for 30 miles, i had my pick of 4 hotels and just booked for the week of the tourney. i hope the levels do come into somewhat safe conditions (should by then) and hope they succeed, not just cuz i'm fishing in it, but anyone who puts forth the effort deserves a couple of breaks along the way.

we will see how it all plays out, but in the mean time, i think it is about the first tourney that paid out what they said (of that magnitude) when things were less than ideal for them. and that alone puts a feather in their cap in my book. i have yet to hear of one competitor of the 154 say anything but the best about the crew so heres hoping it goes well from here on out.

jeff

[Nodakker]

I heard Devil's was almost full a week ago?
No idea if that is a fact or not?

[Juls_WI]

Yes I do think there will be more than 77 at LaCrosse. The waters should be down a bit by then, don't you think? It's four weeks away. The river should crest sometime this week. How long does it usually take the water levels to go down after a crest? I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I think if we get lucky and there isn't a lot of rain between now and then, it should be ok.

As for a room, I don't know what your talking about. I just found one this afternoon. I went to the Wisconsin.com website, and clicked on the travel page..found the chamber of commerce page, and then the accommodations page, and found a phone number...called and got a room for that whole week at only 40 bucks a night. Split between two of us, 20 bucks a night sounds pretty good! Oh, and it's right in LaCrosse by the way. ;-)

Juls

[Juls_WI]

I didn't have to pay my pro at the RCL, but I gave him an incentive...
I told him I would pay him a buck-o-pound for gas that day. He ended up getting 35 bucks. The second time we fished together we zeroed, but I handed him 40 bucks for the fun FAST ride that day anyway, and he refused it, saying we had a "deal". I thought that was pretty cool of him..;-)

Juls

[Swat1]

Phill: The way the law reads you can not make a profit from taking someone out fishing unless you are a charter captain.

This in no way precludes them from chipping in for gas, bait, or food. It does however preclude you from charging a set fee to take them fishing.

Hope this clears this up for you.

Dan
Swat 1

[Al]

It'll catch on. 77 boats isn't a lot, but for a first go around it isn't bad either. The stakes are pretty high. If you want to admit it or not, this isn't as popular as bass fishing or tournaments. You just don't throw the switch and it goes. Obviously the potential is there. With the marketing system and information , wouldn't you think that Wal mart knows the potential better than a bunch of guys punching keys on the internet second guessing. You can bet the numbers are there to support it. Success is not a destination but a journey. This time next year I predict there will be more guys in it, more money in it, and more guys *****ing because they don't run the boat to get in it. It's the same thing that happend with FLW and Everstart. They said it'd never go.

[Thinking]

You are right that it is not bass tournaments or bass fishing. The size of the core group of anglers is smaller.

You mentioned that it will become more successful as years go by and that no one thought that FLW would succeed. On this you are wrong. I remember being at the BASS tournament years ago on Minnetonka when the word about FLW came out. The pros were ecstatic. Almost to a man they thought it was going to be great for them. Even the ones not running ranger boats (they do allow non ranger owners to fish FLW -- hmm). It didn't take long for the BASS pros to learn that FLW is both good and bad. Good in that there is more money around bass tournaments bad because if you hadn't already made your name in fishing it is now too late. FLW doesn't want to create or promote any heroes (ask Roland). Proof of this can be shown by a simple question "Who are the FLW superstars?". Tough to answer, and at the very least no one new.

On another note. It would appear that Irwin is make a play to monopolize tournament walleye fishing. He couldn't do it in bass -- too big -- but he could monopolize top end walleye tournaments with enough money. I know that those big companies like Walmart don't like to hear the words "monopoly" or "antitrust" floated around.

Just Thinking Silently

[CL]

I'm assuming the Pro field for LaCrosse is full since I'm on the waiting list.

[Tom (Mich)]

Boat payment, insurance, boat gas, truck gas, tackle, etc. $40 a day is a bargain. Detroit PWT was an exception. Suppose the winner was fishing the Sturgeon Hole - 32 miles from the launch?

Unbelievable - you've made the committment to fish as an Amateur, paid the fee, made travel arrangements, and then whine about $120 bucks over three days to cover expenses. Where else can you fish with some of the best for that kind of money?

[Co-Angler]

I think the PWT should pass a rule to stop "some" of you so called Pros from ripping off the Co-Angler/Am. It looks like the Co-Angler/Am is just a sucker being used by the pwt system to feed $$$$s into the system by all parties and the pwt should also start paying out some $$$$ instead of trinkets to the Co-Angler/Am.

[MIFISH]

HEY Better Hurry,
I said the same thing and Scott dusted my post. 77 pros and not first tier either. These promoters are NOT going to spend that kind of money for those type of people or numbers. You are most CORRECT.

[Ice]

WSA just fired everybody,how long do you think they'll be around.

[The Facts]

There you go again Jeff, talking with out thinking. Let's see, not the top tier, Seelhoff, Gofron, Brumbaugh, Olson, LaCourse, Gilman, Good, Wallock, Anderson, Tauge, Eric Olson, Jason (MWC Champions), Campbell, Klick, and on and on. I think you should start adding up their title's and winning's. I think some of the best were here. I'm glad to see you haven't changed, everything is negative to you. By the way, what happened to the MWT when you ran it.

[LOL]

Ya and more guys *****in about fishing during the Spawn- Right Al??

[800proX]

they fired them because of no work in the summer months, and they will be around as long as they choose. snomo racing is on another level when it comes to WSA. the only thing that will come in the way is someone with more $$$$ to buy them out, which i am sure will happen soon enuff.

jeff

[800proX]

obviously you aint talking to me - right?!?!

jeff

[bob oh]

You're right Swat, the law says you can help "share" the expenses. Anyone who is too cheap to help with expenses should quit fishing. Why would anyone think that gas is all it takes to run a boat. What about insurance, payments, maintenance, repairs, trailers, etc. etc.
Wow, how cheap can you get ???

Bob

[Ice]

Theres plenty of work in the summer preparing for next year, if there is one.They fired everybody because they have no money left and can't afford to pay anybody.Its called poor management,budget your funds to last 12 months,you cant run around spending dollar bills like it was tiolet paper all winter and expect there to be some left over in the offseason.This was the best winter in ten years if they cant make it now,they never will.RCL has big title sponsors,WSA do'es not.RCL will survive!!! WSA and the XFL,probably not.Save this stuff for Sled City!

[800proX]

well since i am not one of the children that post on that complete bash site, i would not know. i will lay pretty good odds on the fact that WSA will be running next season. and by the way, we are cross country racers and could care less about WSA, just seemed like a fair enuff reference since they are seeing an explosion in snocross racing as we are in walleye tourneys.

wanna rip my post apart - fine. it was meant for a generality not to offend anyone.

jeff

[Ice]

Sorry Jeff I was out of line.Must be the cabin fever!Just tired of a long winter,wishing I was fishing.Sled City is the worst.No more about sleds lets fish.Good luck to you!

[curt quesnell]

glad you guy settled it...i thought i was gonna have to get up

curt quesnell

[Ice]

I think RCL will do very well,they have the sponsorship to back them as well as good people.It sounds like everyone who participated had a good time.I think a little friendly competition is good for the sport.Maybe entry fees will come down a little as both PWT and RCL compete for anglers or purse money go'es higher.Plus theres now more locations to fish from.This could get interesting.I hope it works out for everyone.

[800proX]

you and me both - i am so sick of winter that when it was snowing yesterday i almost drove south just to get out of it.

it is WALLEYE time!

jeff

[WHO YOU KIDDIN PAL]

THE RCL IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. THE PWT IS THE PREMIER WALLEYE CIRCUIT AND DON'T FORGET IT......

[RCL]

They will make it! They will just raise the prices on those Lunds & Rangers again!Plus add as many PWT guy's as they can get into Rangers,for a huge discount that the average angler will pay for on there new boats.I'm sure if it gets real bad they will open the last few tournies to anyone with a boat!Good luck at the river all,watch out for all the hazards!

[CBahl]

I am puzzled by some of the negative post on this site? Do any of you, who post negatively, care about our sport? Do you really want someone to fail? Come on people, be sensible and refined. You can hide behind rediculous code names, but you are the one who sees what kind of person is in the mirror. This sport is filled with honesty, integrity and character. If you don't fit in, move on.

[Sportsman]

AMEN!

[MIFISH]

77 PROS DONT GET IT ......the numbers just aren't there. HOW many in top 10????. NOT MANY. THIS is a dollars and cents thing to the people putting up the dough. THIS IS NOT A GOOD USE OF THE ADVERTISEMENT DOLLAR. IT COULD BE BETTER SPENT THAN ON 77 PROS and Amateurs being let in for FREE.

[800proX]

Ams for free???

jeff

[MIFISH]

OK....enlighten me MR SMART GUY?...What happened to the MWT when I ran it....WHEN I left it was going great. I heard it had trouble after they started paying people to run it. I created it and WORKED IT FOR FREE. Thank you very much for the effort.

[800proX]

thanx for the smart aleck remark. just what we need more of.

i simply thought that you implied the amateurs (co anglers) fished for free at the RCL in erie. if you misunderstood me or if i offended you - my apology.

but on the other hand if you wanted to insult me, then i guess you have your own motives that i choose not to deal with.

jeff

[MIFISH]

Wasn't talking to you 800proX. I was responding to "THE FACTS". Sorry buddy.

[CL]

The field is not full and I am confirmed. They're expecting a few more boats than Erie.

[CL]

I agree. Why would anyone who wants to see the tournament aspect of our sport grow hope that the RCL fails? RCL success will just raise the bar. All tournament fishermen will benefit. It seems to me I remember earlier posts by Gary Gray and Gary Parsons emphasizing that point even though they can't fish the RCL. I for one hope the RCL is a great success and will do what I can to support it.

[Dunn]

I usually avoid these type of posts, but I feel a need to point out a few things.

1) How can new upcoming anglers be given a chance if only the normal "top" guys only fish the "top" circuits, and only finish in the top spots? They can't. That means fishing with die off with the "top" guys when they start throwing discs in their backs, and getting to the point they can't fish anymore. Sure might be a while, but why not broaden the horizon? Those typical usual "top" Pro's will still be there, and some new guys will fill in also. All that does is bring more money, and more competition. Simple as that.

2) The MWT failing? It seems to be filling with record speed. Last I checked there were wait lists for most of the Tournaments. That doesn't sound like a failing Tournament trail to me. Now, sometimes the tournament officials and the fisherman haven't got along on issues. Like last years Championship at Indian River. However, things still go on, and fishing continues in the good manner a state circuit should continue in. Competitive, not PWT competitive, but still competitive. Good earnings, that go up with the years. More and more of those "top" Pro's I mentioned earlier either "teaming" up with MWT state Pro's or Am's for Prefishing, or as a team on the MWT. Heck, I saw a MAJOR PWT Pro lend his boat to a MWT fisherman becuase he had boat damage during heavy seas on Saginaw Bay. Now if there is something wrong with that. I'm sorry I still support it.

and finally,

3) I don't understand this exclusive ritual everyone thinks the PWT represents. Sure, it is the first, probably best, and most prestigious walleye tournament trail in the Country right now. However, I heard some things about Monopolies mentioned in earlier posts. I fully support the PWT and In-Fisherman, but when you talk of monopolies, what exactly do you think In-Fisherman has? A monopoly of sorts on Professional Tournament Fishing in alot of ways. Why not support a new circuit that will spread about that base, and expand the culture of fishing Professionally? I see no reason not to, and honestly I don't see the points some of you are making on bashing it, willing it to writher and die, and persisting to say it will never make it for whatever other reasons.

Well that's enough of my babbling, just wanted to say something.
Good fishing,
-----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
Bluewater Research, Inc.
(OffShore Release)
N.P.A.A. # 701