PWT v. RCL for Amateurs

[Tourney Angler]

After the PWT debacle on this board I have reconsidered my decision to fish the PWT as an amateur. Upon further investigation I found there really is no decision.

PWT $500 entry "Prizes" thru 25 places

RCL $500 entry "Cash" thru 60 places!!!

This isn't even close. You can bet you are going to get a 1099 from both, it might as well be for cold hard cash!

[JBL]

Where do I sign up?

[Juls_WI]

There is a link on the Tournaments page here at Walleye Central. Just click on the RCL logo. Or, you can go to www.operationwalleye.com.

I fished the first one at Lake Erie back in April, and all I can say is, it's a great time and well worth every penny. The RCL people really know what they are doing, and put on a great event.
I can't wait to fish another one!

Juls

[eyecatcher]

that's the route i am going. i placed in a pwt event last year and had to pay taxes on $1,500 worth of junk i wouldn't have bought and was not even close to $1,500. what a rip. besides, the pwt i thought treated all us amateurs like second class citizens.

i am fishing the rcl at saginaw bay.

[hawgboy]

I got 1500.00 worth of stuff from the pwt last year and gave most of it away because I already had everything I won. If they would pay cash I would fish it again but for now I'll go the RCL route.

[wormdunker]

RCL is the way to go. I fished the Lake Erie tournament and it was really fun, even with the bad weather. They treat you great and run a super event. If anyone is hesitating on fishing the RCL, you shouldn't be, it's a great organization to fish with.

[Eric Olson]

Looking forward to seeing you folks at Saginaw!
I think you'll really enjoy the format!

I think the term "Co-Angler" for the RCL is appropriate. I think there are a lot of people out there that just don't have the time or maybe the liquidity to fish as a pro. My Co angler at Erie was great. Carl had tourney experience and was a great guy to go fishin' with. We got a free "E" ticket ride without the wait in line (kind of rough on day 1), and caught some fish. But we had FUN!
I do think it's important to remember though that either circuit allows inexperienced anglers to learn many different things in a hurry! You don't have to be a semi pro or a pro to fish on the co-angler side. Let your pro know where you're at on skill level; what you know, what you don't know and what you are uncomfortable with. That will set everyone out on the right foot. This is a team event, we all need to keep that in mind.
Be open minded to new and innovative techniques, this is a great way to pick the brain of the best walleye anglers in the world!
I know I get a chance to meet some super people from all over the US and Can and talk different techniques, preferences and why they like Garth and not the Dixie Chicks.

Remember, The money is good, competition is second to none, the
quality of the people tremendous, and the bottom line- you will enjoy yourself...that's why we all started to fish... right?

Tight Lines
Big Fish
Eric Olson

[T-Stick]

I have fished both. The difference is night and day. The RCL is very professional and treats everyone with the type of professionalism that is expected for such a big tournament. The PWT is a "small" time tournament operation with big names and a big trailer. The RCL operation is "big" time. The RCL is committed to "professional" tournament walleye angling and its advancement. The PWT is milking a bunch of fisherman hungry for the competition. I will make anyone a bet. As soon as the PWT feels decline, they are gone. They will disappear and go count all the money we have thrown at them. The RCL has already demonstrated that they are investing into the future.

Jimmy Klick got $50,000 cash + a $30,000 Lund

Tommy Skarlis got $20,000 cash + a $25,000 Lund

Ceceil Newman (A) got $15,000 cash

Alvin Lossman (A) got a Fishing Rod, Cooler, some skin care products and a toaster.

[sinker]

I fished one PWT event and that was enough for me. I would be interested in knowing how many people have fished just one PWT event and said "never again" like me. Not a class organization.
I am looking into the RCL, have heard good things.

[800proX]

There is no doubt in my mind that the RCl will be raising the "bar" to a new level for all events. Pro and Co alike. As mentioned before, I believe there are many "pro" fisherpeople out there, jusst no time or resources to do it, or only adept at a particular water, but this format at the RCL allows for those to gain knowledge from all and the ability that if you do well you get rewarded justly.

I would love to fish the PWT just for the info, but I feel I will get that in the RCL along with a better chance for something I want if I get a decent draw and all work out. I guesss that is why I am fishing LaCrosse and Devils Lake.

jeff

[Fish-on]

It's funny how no one complained about the PWT before, and I have never heard a negative word about all the products the ams get at a PWT event before the RCL came on the scene. You do get some nice products, and don't forget, you get the opportunity to fish for three days with some of the biggest names in the walleye world. Until the RCL came along, no one complained much about what was considered a great opportunity. Why should we now berate the organization that started it all, and made those big names into who they are, or at least gave them the playing field on which to excel? I believe the PWT is here for a long time, they've got a lot of good things going for them. I also believe the RCL is going to make it, and they are going to provide another angle for people who want to fish for different reasons. The cash payback for ams is a great feature, but it's only one of many reasons you fish as an amatuer.

The RCL is a first class operation and offers some things the PWT doesn't. But that doesn't mean the PWT is going down the tubes. I think some of you might be victims of the grass-is-always-greener mentality.

My sincere hope is that the competition between them will make it better for everyone.

[Hans]

Hey, if they like Garth but not the Dixie Chicks, then I'm in the *wrong* boat! :o :7

Hans

[Eric Olson]

You are correct! Seems the fish prefer the Chicks as well!

Some days more than others;-)

Tight lines
Big Fish
Eric

[Tommy Skarlis]

I believe it all comes down to choices.

Both circuits are professional circuits. Both provide an opportunity to fish with some of the sports top pro's. Both are going to keep growing the sport of walleye fishing, and they will both keep drawing attention to the resource that we all hold dearly.

As far as which one is best for who? That is an individual choice. One of the sharpest comments I have ever heard from one of my PWT "partners" was; "I live on Oahe but I opted to fish Winnebago to learn a new body of water and new techniques" Another great statement from a "Day 3 Draw" of mine stated; "If I win something, it's a small bonus compared to what I've learned in the first two days of this tournament from my Pro partners, but you better show me something too"

Go PWT, Go RCL, Go MWC, Go WWA, Go Team Walleye, GO GO GO all the other walleye tourneys. IT'S ALL GOOD.

Have fun, and take a kid or a senior fishing soon!

A friend,

Tommy Skarlis - NPAA #11

[Jeff Berg]

If you're fishing for prizes you're doing it for the wrong reason. Both are great ways to get an education and have fun competing. Personally, I miss the NAWA curcuit. With its small field and pre-tourney dinner it had an atmosphere that has not been duplicated by either of these.

I'll agree that it hurts when you get a 1099 for a cooler full of promotional items.

[Sunshine]

Fish-on,

I don't really think that anyone is berating the PWT. But like everything else, things change. Before RCL, the PWT was really the only kid on the block. Now they have good competition with good ideas. In the long run, I think that the consumer will be the one that benefits. In this case the consumer will be those fishing the tourneys as either Am's or Pro's. You're right that the PWT has great things to offer but in my eyes the RCL offers all of those same things with a little more added incentive. Competition is good and I hope that we can get even more of the other tourneys to step up and offer new ideas on how to attract more people to the excitement.

[Raybob]

Tommy Skarlis .. Great Pro with a Great Post & Attitude!

I'm just a Old Eye-Chaser & I don't have great posts or the proper attitude at times .. I'd never make it as a Real Pro!

Keep up the good work &
Go Pro Tourneys!
Ray

[Al]

Actually my best bud has placed as an amateur twice in PWT. Both times I couldn't believe the junk he got and neither could he. Then to add gas to the fire, they 1099'd him for so much...even a crooked tackle dealer would've blushed. The last one he fished was two years before RCL fired up. I know others that complained too, but there was no other gig in town. RCL is no joke. From FLW, to Walmart, to Everstart.....they've got a handle on what it takes. PWT is getting a case of the BASS rash....they were the only ones for too long and are too fat and sassy to respond quickly. But, in the long run...PWT will pony up...and it will be better for all you pros. BASS never offered the payouts they do until FLW came along. Hang on ...you're about to see the tournament business in Walleye world step up quantumly compared to what would happen if it was just PWT> That's my observation and opinion based on BASS/FLW.

[FreeByrd]

I fished the Erie RCL on the Co-Angler side and it was a great experience. Thanks again Red Ranger - Mark Presta. I've wanted to fish a PWT on the amateuer side for a couple years but it never worked out with my schedule. I will make the Erie RCL an annual event now that I have done it. I would agree that the CASH payback on the RCL makes it more attractive in general, although the chance to fish and learn with some great fishermen is the primary reason I would fish either event. I fish 3-4 days a week on Erie so it was fun to have a shot at some big $ fishing "at home" but I am also interested in doing another one to learn different techniques on a different body of water. Will have to see what works when planning next year's vacation time. I don't see any reason to bash the PWT because they have not offered large CASH prizes in the past. Anyone that signed up for the PWT should have known what they were signing up for. The RCL does indeed seem to be raising the bar in terms of incentives. As others have stated, I suspect the PWT will need to follow suit in order to remain competitive. A little healthy competition should be a good thing.

Whichever events you end up fishing, I'd just advise you to approach it from the perspective that you are there to learn as much as you can and to have some fun doing it. Let your partner(s) know your experience level and what you are hoping to get out of the experience and you should have a good time. Ask questions, etc. If trolling - discuss who will do what - before you get that first fish on. If you are familiar with the area you are fishing and techniques - offer your knowledge but realize that the Pro is the one with the big bucks and all the pressure on the line so be prepared to do what they want to do. You are a guest on their boat for the day. And don't be a cheapskate when it comes to some bucks for Gas, etc. Bring an extra sandwich / snacks and something to drink just like you would if you were a guest on your buddies boat. Of course you'll want to do well, but if your primary reason for fishing these events is what you can win, you should probably enter them on the Pro side, or look to another circuit. There is just too much out of your control with a blind draw situation - and when you are not making the decisions about where to fish and the techniques. Other than the normal pressure of not doing something to lose / knockoff a fish - there is NO pressure on the Co-Angler or Amateur so HAVE A GOOD TIME!

Steve Carlson
socarlson@att.com

[Dave in Mpls]

As others have stated, if your in it for the $$, your MUCH better off heading over to the nearest casino and bellying up to a Black Jack table. Probably better scenery, too! You won't learn too much about walleye fishing, though...

The last PWT tourament I fished as an AM, I passed on the goodies coming to me. Fool me twice....not this cat!!

The RCL does have my attention, though!!

Regards

[Ric]

At least report the right information. Alvin Lossman won a boat worth $12,500.

[pop-eye]

I believe the fisherman made the PWT not vice-versa. They are the guys working their tails off for very little. If the PWT was working their tails off for the fisherman they would have had us in the USA Today long before the RCL did it in their first year. I believe we have all had our eyes opened to the PWT these past couple of weeks. For some of us they are flash backs.

[ezmarc]

The RCL is looking to be a great circuit, with big payouts, and there are lots of big names fishing it. I'm tempted just like a lot of you are.

Then I stop and think of all the top pro's who aren't able to fish it because of boat brand, and the possibility of only fishing 2 days or just 1 day if there is bad weather, with someone who's never been in a tournament before, that is only in it because they have 1,000+ bucks to spend and a Ranger, Lund, or Crestliner to enter.

I'd like to increase my odds of fishing with the very best rather than my odds of winning some cash. If you're in it for the money go with the RCL, if you want your best shot at fishing with the top names then fish the PWT and yes I know, there are lots of great fishermen who aren't top name pro's. Come to Erie sometime and try to fish with 3 of the top charters for 3-8 hour days, 1 on 1, and see what it will cost you. $500 + plus gas money and a chance to win something, would then be a bargain.

Now for some ezmarc philosophy [:-)

I've been watching Wal-Mart put Mom and Pop stores out of business for years and it looks to me like now they are going after the bait and tackle stores of the world. I shop at Walmart just like everyone else but I'd sure rather give my fishing money to Den in Vermilion, or Don at HiWay bait, or to Fisherman's Wharf in Port Clinton than to the giants of retail(Cabela's and Bass Pro included, how much do you think we are paying for those giant bear statues and all the taxidermy, while they undercut all your local bait and tackle stores).

There is just no way that the smaller tournament circuits can compete with this kind of capital, but if anyone can it will be the PWT and it will open to all fishermen regardless of what they fish out of.


Whew!!! Got windy didn't I.