PWT Chamblerain payouts

[curious ?]

When the PWT decided to increase the payback to (40) "pro" positions at Chamblerain, why were the "amateurs" not extended to (40) ?? Not enough "donated" prizes ?? Last time I checked, the amateurs also paid an entry fee. Is this payback going to be the same for all the west tournaments ??

[AM]

You will learn that the PWT is all about the "Pros". Although it can
still be a great experience as an AM you are pretty much there as a
means to boost the cash winnings of the "pros". Still,yYou would think the
PWT could come up with 10 more coolers of crap for the AMs to pay full tax at inflated retial rates on.

[Iowa Am.]

I fished the tournament at Chamberlain as an amateur. At the Tuesday night rules meeting they made the announcement to all that they were going to go down to 40 places. Finishing in at 30-40 range I would have been happy to take home a cooler full of junk. On the flip side I still had a great time and learned a lot.

[Hawk Eye MIke]

Why such cynicism? I have fished the PWT as an amateur several times, and the treatment of amateurs is first-rate by the PWT and the pros themselves. Fishing in the PWT advanced my learning by several years. I didn't care about the prizes per se. I would guess the majority of amateurs join to learn, and not win prizes. I've called several pros I have fished with after the tournament to ask questions, and they all been very gracious. Much more gracious than your uninformed response.

Mike Podracky

[eye crosser]

Last time I checked,Guides don't give you anything in return!If you want to cash checks buy your own $40,000.00 Rig PAY your $1,250.00 entry,SPEND thousands on meals-motels-gas-equipment!!

You guys kill me,you cant hire a guide for three days of fishin for $500.00!!! If you want better prizes or money BUY some lottery tickets,if you want to learn more about fishin FISH PWT as an AM!!!!

[Raybob]

eye crosser .. It seems that the RCL Co-Angler format could be used or updated by the PWT .. at least it looks fair to me! "Quite a few" of what the PWT call "Amateurs" are equal to or better than the Pros they fish with & do not need a Guide, as in the term "Co-Angler".

Food for Thought,
Ray

[curious]

First of all, I do have my own "rig". I do the amateur side to learn more about fishing, meet up with previous fishing partners to pre-fish, and learn about the system being fished. I do not do them for the prizes. I do not need another cooler full of crap that I get a 1099 for and have to pay taxes on full retail.

I usually pre-fish with a couple of touring "pros" (sharing costs), so as far as the expenses go, I know what is involved. As far as spending "thousands" for meals-motels-gas-equipment, I don't know where you stay or what you eat, but obviously you are not taking advantage of your surroundings. Equipment wise, most "pros" get substantial discounts for equipment, unless you are new and are trying to get into the business. When you do your taxes, do you write off the expenses ? Looks to me like you just saved "thousands".

As far as $500 for a guide (3 days), most guides I know charge about 100-150/day.

[eye crosser]

WHAT?

ANY Guide that only charges $100.00 for a day of fishin is crazy,or just BAD!

PWT TOURNEY=
(1)$250-300 Lodging-7 days @ $35-43 a night
(2)$140.00 Food@$20.00 a day!
(3)$350.00 Fuel for boat for the week!
(4)$1250.00 entry fee
(5)$200.00 fuel for truck to an from!
(6)???-Bait&Tackle $150.00 avg.

Just this alone is $2350.00 per tourney Times (6)=$14,100.00 for the year!AND I know this is on the low side!

Now I can as you say write this off my taxes,the fact is I already PAYED out this money so I receive a tax credit!WHOPPIE I get my taxable income down but I just lost 6 weeks of pay an if i cash a check it goes to my taxable income!NOW you don't hear me complaining about the prizes because I do it because I love it!SO YOU run your boat Pay your PRO entry & FISH then ask the good old LORD for a way to stay a float & cash a few checks to keep you comin back for more!

[curt quesnell]

raybob,

the "pwt" "amateur" signs up to learn from the pros they fish
with. maybe they learn lots, maybe not. if they want to fish
as "pros" the opportunity is there for them.

as far as the "rcl" "co-anglers", i dont know if the designation
is the same.

if a "pwt" "amateur" competitor decides they are better than the pros, he or she doesnt have to do it again.

im sure some "amateur" contestants come away feeling short changed, most that i have talked to really enjoyed the experiance and are eager to do it again. there are waiting lists on the amateur side for most events.

if "quite a few" of what the pwt calls amateurs are that much
better than the pros they fish with they could join the pro ranks
themselves or just let someone who still has a thing or two to learn take the spot.

curt quesnell

[Besides]

You know the rules going in to it. Take it for what it is. I would gladly fish as an am and be the perfect non boater. If you want big money and total control of the boat, the answer is simple. Fish as a pro. Peace and Love and all that hippy stuff!

[JBL]

I would think it would be worth the money to fish with a pro, and probably learn quite a bit. Do the Ams fish one day or three with a pro for the $500? Is there a long waiting list to fish Erie with the RCL or PWT next year? Thanks.

[Phil T.]

All the previous arguements are the reason the most versatile angler I know won't have anything to do with tournament fishing. Yes, he's good enough. When all of us are trolling the reservoirs for walleye, he's taking his sons smallmouth fishing (he stocked his freezer with walleye from the river earlier in the season).
As he says, "There isn't a happy tournament fisherman five minutes after he leaves the podium. By then they're all worrying about the next contest or their bank account."

[Raybob]

LAST EDITED ON May-06-01 AT 11:02AM (CST)[p]Hi Curt .. Yes, I might have come on a little strong in my reply to eye crosser .. Guess the Guide thing did it.
It seems quite a few WC posters have been or will shortly be PWT Ams & they seem to be good Eye-Chasers, that would just like the "tourney experience" for the Am $ amount vs the Pro $ amount. I thought the "Guide thing" was a little strong to be placed on skilled Anglers.

Just my Opinion,
Ray

PS .. I might try it someday so that I can have a front row seat, instead of reading about it or watching it .. I'm a good Eye-chaser that has no desire to fish tourneys, but it would be like going to a F-ball game vs watchin' it on TV .. Please give the Ams a little respect eye crosser.

[FROGMAN]

The excitement of placing well, and "cashing a check" lingers for a while longer than five minutes, but that's not the only reason I fish tournaments. Humans tend to be competitive by nature, and at different levels. Mankind has almost always rewarded the best "Hunter/Gatherer" in each culture, therefore creating competition amongst each other for the title. We see it in Sports, Business, Education, and Recreation. That's why there are organized groups, clubs, and sporting events all over the world. It just so happens that Walleye tournament fishing is what turns my wheels. As I happened to have been born in Florida many years ago it could have been Bass fishing that my interest's were piqued by, but instead the white tipped "Gravel Lizard" as my Bassin friends refer to it is my downfall. Competing against Nature, Time, Weather, and the whims of a fish all while in the company of many fine anglers, well "It don't get any better than this!"
Ask a Cowboy why he rides Bull's, or a Driver why he race's, and their answers will probably be very similar. Good Luck in your pursuits, and tight lines!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

PS There is also the theory (which is shared by most of the members of my family) that Walleye Tournament anglers are just plain CRAZY!

[GORD]

We all know that tournaments are expensive for the pros. Many times I've spent big bucks and came away with nothing , knowing full well my buddies would be waiting to tease me when I got home. As far as the amateurs go, what would it cost to hand out a few more cheap trophies or rods/ reels etc? It would give them a thrill and momento to take home. The amateurs after all are the ones who bring the money that the pros take home as prize money. Furthermore... The pros. should reward the amateur in some way if he puts in an outstanding performance. I'll never forget the guys years ago who gave me stuff after I put fish in their boat that helped them win prize money. Today, I do the same for my amateurs. I keep "give away stuff" on board. They also think it's great when you buy them a beer a year or two later and tell their buddies how they helped you win.

[JasonMN]

Gord Wrote:
"We all know that tournaments are expensive for the pros."

They are not exactly cheap for the ams either. They also pay entry fees, travel, lodging, gas/bait "fees" etc.

[Trapper]

Great way to say it, FROGMAN. I'm just getting started tournament fishing and it's already breaking my piggy bank. My wife is the one that makes fun of me when I spend all her money and come home half ornery but, by God, I'm going back for more becuase it's a gas. Some day I might even throw in with a pro on the PWT. I don't care if I get any "stuff". I have enough of that. I just don't have enough walleye "savy".

[Raybob]

curious ? .. I think your post might have started/spawned this excellent thread:
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dcf/generaldiscussion/8949.html

Anyhow .. Thanks for bringing it up!
Ray

PS I hope both the PWT & RCL grow with the times & wish them both success!