AIM-Lake Erie "Great Time"

[Loganty1]

I’m not one to post much on web sites, but I wanted to make it a point to share my experience. I wanted to tell everyone what a blast AIM was to fish these last couple of days. This was my first time fishing an AIM event and my third year of fishing on the Pro side. I have fished the other events and this by far is the best format. We had two days over 95 degrees and we would have had a very hard time keeping the fish alive. Over six hundred walleye were returned to Lake Erie to be caught another day.

I was nervous at first about the Catch Record Release (CRR) and fishing against these big named guys and girl, but after two hours of taking the photos and recording our numbers, it was so simple. I can’t say enough about the professionalism and approachability of these anglers, Huskey, Brumbaugh, Duncan, and Gofron, in addition to all the other anglers. As I was leaving Kavajecz made it a point to say, “It was a pleasure fishing with you”. I would highly recommend if you get a chance to fish as a Pro or Co angler, it is well worth the experience!

Thanks

Shawn Ritchie

[Dave S]

Shawn,

It was great visiting with you the morning of Day 3 before the lauch. You are a "Class Act" and my son had an absolute blast fishing with you on Day 3. Sometime we are going to have to try fishing around Lorain in October when the big fish start migrating back west. Have a great 4th of July !

[TAH]

I had fun BS'n with you Shawn. Nice to see some new guys trying the AIM out and yes it was great not having to worry about dead fish. In those temps we would have had issues.

Maybe next time when I invite you into my area you'll accept !! lol

[Jim Carroll]

Nice talking to you and your family Shawn at the weigh-in. I'm glad you had a great experience, I know I did.

I'd drive back to Lorain tomorrow if I had the chance. The fishing was nothing short of awesome, it was the best open water fishing I've ever experienced. I hope we can get back there sometime soon.

Thanks to all the Pro's and Co's who participated. Special thanks to my outstanding Co's- Rich, Tom, and Jerry- You guys were great!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

[jcfishing]

I have to admit that I was very interested in the AIM Lorain event but personal difficulties prevented my participation. Such is life and fishing!

I have had the opportunity to speak with several participants who shared nothing but enthusiastic reports about AIM, CRR, and the support and involvement of the Lorain community.

Hindsight being 20/20, I wish I would have been able to participate in what was described to me by trusted friends who have fished many events as their best walleye tournament fishing experience!

The AIM Oconto event with it's team/co format appears to be really taking off. As someone who missed out and that would really like to see AIM come back to Lorain I'd like to start a campaign to have them bring the team format or the pro/co format back to Lake Erie in 2013!

All in favor please post your interest and lets lobby for more quality events to come our way!

That would be a great event.

[Double A]

Like Shawn, this was my first AIM event. The whole experience was very rewarding. From the professionalism of the anglers to Kurt's enthusiasm. They have what it takes in place for it to be a great success.

I too have fished the other circuits. And not to take away from any of them, but if I could only fish one, AIM would hands down be my choice.

I hope they are able to come back to Erie next year. Team or not....

Thanks AIM,

AAron Humbert

I was lucky enough to fish the AIM Erie event. The bite was great, hot weather notwithstanding. The CRR format is easy to do, and helps keep fish in the system, not to mention skipping the fish babysitting, fizzing, dead fish DQ's etc. A very well-run circuit, would do it again. Don Loch exemplified the qualities of professionalism when he showed up on day 3 wit a huge bag after a late check-in on day 2. His onstage tribute to his support system was refreshingly moving, a nice departure with some genuine emotion. Nice job, Don!! It was an honor to fish in the same arena as you... hope to draw you as a pro sometime.

[chainwall]

Aaron and Shawn, we are all glad you had a great experience. The format has been a blast since day 1. I sure wish we could draw in more boats.
Getting guy's like you and Shawn behind us will sure help....especially when you bring in Sears as our title sponsor

BTW thanks for the big fish/basket $$

Scott Duncan

[Dan oh]

I didn't fish the event but was at the AIM weigh in all 3 days. I was interested to see a weigh in with no fish present. I thought the weigh in went very well and Kurt did a great job keeping the excitement going and the anglers did their part also. I think the CRR format and the pictures of the fish was better than seeing a bunch of dead, white looking fish come across the stage, and all the fish were returned to the lake. All the new anglers commented on how easy it was and didn't have to worry about the fish.

There was also a good turn out for the NPAA kids fishing event on day 3. Good job!

Dan Gies