MWC -119 TEAMS at BAY DE NOC

[gonfishn95]

JUST CURIOUS as to what everyone thinks why the tournaments are at there lowest fill rate they have ever been at!!! What can be done to solve this? Before a circuit That is so good shuts it doors. JUST THOUGHT I would get it going on Monday.

Larry Dawson.
NPAA 273

[pwuebker]

As always, we'll be interested in hearing anglers' thoughts. But it seems to me, this should be a much broader question: Why are virtually all walleye circuits having trouble getting full fields at thier various sites?

It really is more than an MWC issue. It's an industry or market issue.

[jerry]

Take a look at industry over the last 12-18 months and that should answer your question. Look at the number of companies in the middle of corporate downsizing. During the stock market and technology boom of the early 90's, the average family had more money available to spend on luxury items like fishing tournaments. It's getting more and more difficult to find the funds needed to fish these circuits. Also, there's more than one game in town. Eventually, I would think you'll see less walleye circuits but they'll be better run.

[Randy Blasczyk]

What a loaded question, especially after this weekend. There are many reasons the MWC is struggling right now to fill its tournaments. One big reason is the abundance of other tournaments available to anglers throughout the midwest. Being from Green Bay, I could pick and choose between 5 to 10 tournaments to fish locally, all in my back yard and on my home waters. To some, I think that makes more sense than traveling to waters you may only see once or twice a year.

Cost is also a prime consideration. My partner and I ended up in ninth place this past weekend at Bay De Noc and received a check for $900. After looking at our expenses for the week, including the entry fee, we may just break even. Granted we certainly don't fish tournaments for a living because we'd both be living in tents, but it's a very costly hobby and it's not getting any cheaper. Gas prices, lodging, entry fees. They all continue to go up. Then you look at the upkeep associated with your rig................ We're in it because we enjoy the competition and we enjoy the people associated with all the tournaments we fish. I for one have met an awful lot of good people while fishing the tournament circuit over the last 17 years.

Finally, for those of you who fished Bay De Noc and sat through the rules meeting on Friday night, you're all going to know what I'm talking about. First of all, the MWC, in my opinion, has always been a class act. The competition is top notch, and winning an MWC event is a huge accomplishment. Many anglers have fished the circuit many more years than myself, and I think you all know what I'm talking about. Fierce competition, good people, and well run events. Just look at how long it took the Keenan brothers to win there first event. These guys are some of the best walleye fisherman in the world, and it took them a long time to get their first victory under their belts. Just goes to show that the competition is tough.

However, the class act went right out the door on Friday. Granted it may be difficult to find people to run events such as the MWC in certain parts of the Midwest, but in no circumstance can you have an event where the tournament director calls the participants a bunch of whiners who just need to go out and have fun and then walks off the stage. Especially when this is done in front of all tournament contestants during the rules meeting. Fisherman love to have fun, but that time is usually saved for time off the water when we're out to dinner with good friends or talking with a fellow fisherman prior to tournament time, or pre-fishing. Once we're on the water and the tournaments under way, it's all business. It's about competition, figuring out something no one else has, presenting just the right presentation, and if all that falls into place, the fun takes care of itself. When we walk into a rules meeting, we expect the tournament director to know all the rules, and to cover those rules which are essential to the overall success of a well run tournament. We do not expect an answer like, "look in your rules". That's unacceptable. I applaud all the volunteers who help out at all tournaments because without them, many of these tournaments would never take place. Almost always they are friendly and they greet you with a smile. If you want to fill the tournaments in the future, the "class act" has to be restored. Many of us have been fishing along time and expect to be treated just like we treat everyone else.

[MWCer]

I think a big part of it is the respect everyone had for Bev and Kaz. They were the MWC and a lot of pros making a living now were able to jump start their careers due to the exposure the MWC gave them. Bev and Kaz put their heart and soul into the MWC and I think everyone will agree because nearly all the tournaments were completely filled. I also believe they had a way of working with the tournament directors and towns we visited that made the tournaments a positive influence for their communities and a positive experience working with them as far as setting up and running the tournament. These days I feel there is some disenchantment on how this may be getting done as opposed to before.
When change occurs some people are set in their ways and not open to working with the changes that occur or at least give it some time to settle down. I like many fisherpersons out there enjoy the whole MWC experience and enjoy visiting bodies of water I would not probably get to visit due to time constraints. I particularly enjoy the people I meet in the communties while on the road and the friendships developed over the years.
Change of guard is certainly one reason numbers at MWC tournaments are down, the other being financial and other exisitng tournaments.
Personally I think one way of regaining interest would be an increased payout of say the first five places, first being $25,000 at all events but I realize to do this you need full tournament fields and maybe increased entry fees. To have full fields again you need more registrations of VIP teams (ones that fish at least 5 of the 7 events. I believe the last year KAZ ran it there were well over 100 teams registered for all events which is more than half the field.
If somehow sponsorship could guaranty at least the payouts like the RCL has done, I believe many people would regain interest and return. There is something special to be able to fish with a relative or good friend and spend time together as opposed to the pro format where you are paired with someone. I also think if the MWC could get back some of the pros to fish it again that also would renew interest. A lot of the guys now have kids that are now old enough to fish and could partner up with their dads, for example like Gary Parsons and his son which would bring a family atmosphere and maybe passing of the guard to the younger generation who we should all actively try to get interested in the sport of fishing. This would require Wildlife Forever to get on the phones and try and win people back as opposed to waiting for numbers to just increase.
One positive influence is the coverage by Walleye Central and I think more coverage should be initiated so guys seeking or keeping their sponsors can have more exposure through print, the web, radio, even local TV. Now that ESPN has bought Bassmasters I think this shows there is interest in the sport and TV is a positive marketing tool that can be used which would definitely draw more people back to the MWC whether local or national coverage. Maybe the North AMerican Fisherman Magazine could not only cover the tournament in the magazine but also in their fishing specials like In-Fisherman use to do before the PWT started. This will also be good for the tournament sites because not only will they realize monies once a year from the tournaments but they will get TV coverage promoting their fishery which means more tourism and dollars for community businesses. Exposure will draw people to fish because deep down everyone wants to see themself up on stage and the just the chance of that happening will draw some individuals and my guess would be a lot. This is one of the best ways to win sponsors or keep them. I believe this has been lost currently. Finally sponsorship outside the fishing industry must be gained like clothing, soft drink, retail, car/truck industry, etc... so these goals may be accomplished. The word must get out. This also would require some legwork by Wildlife Forever. Look at all the monies rolling through the Federal Wallop Bureaux fund, it shows industry that there is alot to be gained by this market. Look at NASCAR and the Golfing industry. It's not just about cars and golf clubs anymore.

[FJH1]

I liked your post. I used to fish several MWC tournaments when Kaz ran the show. When he handed the reins over my partner and I decided to step back and see how everything worked out. When Kaz was running MWC there was a certain aura to the tournament, tough to explain, but Kaz had a great way with people and it all added to the experience. I may fish MWC again, not sure at this time. I really like the format as compared to that of RCL or PWT. However, there are lots of tournaments to choose from and any way you cut it, you're looking at a minimum of $1000 to fish an MWC tourney (with expenses). I can fish lots of local tourneys for that $1000. For now I'm going to wait on the sidelines and see how everything works out.

Best Regards,

FJH

[SUPERTROLLER]

I think you're closer to the real answer for smaller fields than the above poster. The costs are too high already. If they raise entry fees to make bigger payouts, they drive more people away rather than motivate more people to try the tournament experience. A guy I work with fished in a Walmart Bassfishing League tournament this weekend for $75.00. Plus his mandatory fee to join Bassmasters for $20.00. He finished 18th and didn't cash a check but his out of pocket expenses are minimal. When he travels to another city he tacks on room rental, gas, and food but still isn't even close to what entry fees are for MWC. This is why there are declines in walleye entry's and bass fields don't have a problem filling up. Obviously the sponsors involved in the bass tourney's help tremendously. They put their money there because there is more bang for the the buck's expended. They get more exposure to more anglers. More anglers get more coverage. I think we've got to fill the fields before the sponsors will take notice. Build it, then they will come.

[pwuebker]

moving it back to get noticed

[Paul]

Larry....I know Kaz is working for Walleye Central now but I understand that he was showing up at a lot of tournaments last month including the MWC. I know you know him very well. Is he going to do something again with walleye tournaments you think? He's a real talent and sorely missed.

[cheza]

In defense of the tournament director, from what I understand, Mike said that the MWC people were telling him things on stage on Friday that he wasn't aware of. I don't know how true this is, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. You should have all your ducks in a row before the meeting, so that people aren't throwing things at you when you are speaking. Just my thoughts......

[gonfishn95]

If I was Kaz I would go golfing, He did his part, HE was on the chat last night and that question was not asked, But another was and you might want to look up the chat and read it. I believe he was at a couple of tournaments to help promote his part of walleye central magazine, Which I will probably subscribe to because of him. I think if you read all of the above post they all hit to problems but not the real main reason as to some tournaments problems.

[Pro V]

>If I was Kaz I would
>go golfing, He did his
>part, HE was on the
>chat last night and that
>question was not asked, But
>another was and you might
>want to look up the
>chat and read it. I
>believe he was at a
>couple of tournaments to help
>promote his part of walleye
>central magazine, Which I will
>probably subscribe to because of
>him. I think if you
>read all of the above
>post they all hit to
>problems but not the real
>main reason as to some
>tournaments problems.


Gonefishn95

What is the "the real main Reason"????

Pro V