Seeking Input on Tournament

[PutinBay]

The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau is considering adding an annual Walleye Tournament to be held the last weekend in April beginning in 2022. We are actively seeking input and feedback on what would make this an attractive tournament for you to attend.

This would be money and prizes tournament with funds raised from the visitor's bureau as well as local Put-in-Bay Hotels. Ideally, we would like to have a "Pro" class and a Semi-Pro" class if we could identify how to make this distinction.

We would be working with the local ferry boat operators to transport contestants rigs to the island as well as staging areas and parking, security, and electricity needs at various locations on the island. We are seeking input on things NOT to do and things that you would like to see.

They could be suggestions for evening activities that make the event fun all the way to rules and class suggestions. Some of you old times may remember the tournament we held in the '80s and early 90's that was quite successful.

Please post your thoughts and ideas and we will keep you posted on the progress of this event.

[That Minnesota guy]

Happy New Year!!

If you had successful tourneys back then, just do the same things. Never leave fish to find fish.

[PutinBay]

Unfortunately, many of the people who put that tournament on are no longer around. We have some basic information but any input would be helpful.

[Juls]

First, I would make sure that the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament isn't the same weekend...(It usually is). I don't think their 2021 schedule has been announced yet.

Second, figure out what the entry fee is going to be, and what percentage you're going to payout. If you make it a good payout, you'll get the entries, no problem. Especially, in April.

But, check on the other tournament schedules first, or you won't get the numbers you need to fill it.

We have tons of guys and gals on Lake Erie that love to fish tournaments, so just make it on a weekend that isn't already being held by another circuit.

Wish I had known earlier, I would have scheduled time off from guiding to do it, but I'm already booked up for April.

Sounds like a fun event. Good luck!

If you are on Facebook....post this on the "Fish Huron" page. Everyone that fishes this lake is on that page, and they will give you their advice.

[PutinBay]

Thanks I will reach out to them to see if they have an idea when their tournament will be. We would look at doing it the weekend before or after so those coming from far away might be able to enjoy back to back

[Juls]

Originally Posted by PutinBay

Thanks I will reach out to them to see if they have an idea when their tournament will be. We would look at doing it the weekend before or after so those coming from far away might be able to enjoy back to back

The LEWT is made up of more local teams than those that travel long distances to compete...like the NWT competitors.

To get the bigger names in the walleye game here, it would have to be a big payout and it couldn't interfere with the NWT, MWT, or MWC schedules. April is a hot fishing month, so good luck with that.

Do you want the tournaments so you can attract people? Or do you just want to have a tournament? Why not just reach out to one of the established trails or leagues and offer the location for them and let them do all the work?