WU-201: What Amateurs/Co-Anglers Need to Know - Part 1

by Dave Truett

RCL's Mark Dorn, and Pro Walleye Team member, Mark Martin, Lake Winnebago PWT's Jim Kalkofen and Pro Walleye Team member, Dan Stier, Lake Erie

Well, it's January, the time when Pros and Amateurs/Co-anglers send in their applications to participate in one or more professional Walleye Tournaments . In my opinion, the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit are the two premier professional walleye tournaments in the United States. Below are the two stages used at these tournaments. I hope to see you walk across one or both during this exciting, upcoming season.

At this point I am sure that you are starting to ask yourself some questions. Perhaps a few doubts, a little fear or intimidation might be starting to set in. STOP! Listen to what I am about to say to you. Don't let anything that I've said so far frighten you, and by all means don't let the word "Professional" intimidate you. Some of us have been fishing for walleyes a little longer than others, and some of us just happened to turn Pro. It's really no big deal. Just see yourself as fishing with another angler who loves the sport as much as you. Let's start to view this fishing outing as a team: one angler working with another angler. Remember what I am about to say. Walleye tournaments are exciting, but in order for a team to be successful that team must be in balance. You may be wondering what I mean by "balance". Balance means physical and mental stability. It means working hard as a team to catch the biggest limit/weight of walleyes on tournament day and being able to make critical decisions such as when to stay at a spot or move on to another. These are all part of a team being in balance.

OK, enough of this mind-setting stuff. Let's start from the beginning. When I first started fishing as an amateur, before I turned pro, these were the areas that I concentrated on before I arrived at each tournament:

1. Filling out the application form for the tournament(s) that I selected to participate in for that season. NOTE: Go to www.walleyeu.com to download the applications by clicking on the PWT or RCL logo.
2. Keeping myself in good physical and mental condition throughout the long winter months.
3. Reading the tournament rules and interpretations until I fully understood what was expected of me by the tournament directors and the pros that I would be assigned to fish with.
4. Gathering information about the areas that I would be traveling to such as: overnight accommodations, local bait shops, and maps of the lake or river that I would be fishing. I wanted a good feel of the area before I arrived.
5. Buying the necessary fishing clothing for the different types of weather changes that I might encounter while on tournament. One of the most important pieces of clothing is good quality rain gear, and shoes that will keep your feet dry and warm.
6. Ordering fishing licenses on-line, if possible, or purchasing one on arrival. At some tournaments you may be required to purchase a Canadian fishing license. It is important to check into this before you leave home.

The following are areas that I concentrate on when arriving for a tournament:

Upon arrival look for the tournament's main trailer, sign-in tent or designated area for amateurs/ co-anglers to sign in.

1. I always try to get to the tournament a few days before it starts, in order to pre-fish with different pros who just may be looking for a partner. NOTE: go to www.walleyeu.com and sign up to pre-fish with a member of our Pro Walleye Team staff prior to each tournament. You can do this, even if you are not participating as an amateur/co-angler in a tournament. Just click on the Pre-Fish box to apply.
2. I immediately try to find out where and when to sign in for the tournament to complete my registration requirements, and fill out the tournament questionnaire. If you see tournament staff members, it is certainly fine to introduce yourself to them. They encourage this and appreciate any input that you might have. Here is where you start building relationships with the tournament staff.
3. The rules meeting attendance is mandatory. Socialize and introduce yourself to other amateurs/co-anglers and to the Pros. Listen carefully to the tournament director's guidelines and rules for the tournament.

4. Remember your pro's name, meeting times and location, your first step to a successful day.

   Pairings ( pros and amateurs/co-anglers) is the final part of the rules meeting. Here you will be assigned to a different pro for each day of the tournament. Partners will be paired by a drawing. Partners should advise each other of their respective lodging, exchange phone numbers and establish a meeting time and place for the following morning's take-off. It is very important for amateurs/co-anglers to be prompt when meeting the pros at the designated meeting time the morning of the tournament days. Once the teams are chosen you may ask yourself what you will be expected to contribute to this team format. Here is the point where WU-201 officially begins to concentrate on the four stages of preparation to help ensure a successful tournament days.

Team Pairing on Tournament Days - Now that you know the pros that you are fishing with on each of the tournament days, it is important that you make note of the meeting times and locations on each day of the tournament and the kind of vehicle and boat that your pro will be using. Amateurs/Co-Anglers should meet their assigned partner at least 30 minutes prior to the official take-off/flight time. The tournament director, at their discretion, may assign an alternate partner to a pro, if the assigned partner is late or is a no-show. Whenever in doubt, find the tournament director at the launch site and I guarantee that you will be hooked-up with your assigned pro by radio contact.

Pros Mark Martin and Jeff Manz, members of the Pro Walleye Team, are happy when amateurs are on time and ready to fish.

Launching at a typical boat ramp on tournament day.

The partners have now hooked-up and are waiting in line to launch the boat. Now is the time to put your rain gear, lunch, etc. into the boat and dismantle the hold-down straps enabling the boat to slip off of the trailer. It is up to the Pro as to whether he will back his rig into the water, or board the boat and let you back it in. Make sure to inform your pro if you are uncomfortable driving their vehicle and trailer. There are usually people at the ramp to help out, so don't panic!

The public and the media call these "professional" tournaments. All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, conservation and to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Remember that the cameras are rolling and the eyes of the world are upon you.

Staging area before launch time

The staging area before official flight times each morning is the time and place where pros review with their partner the basic operation of their boat, tackle, netting procedures, general safety requirements (life vests). It is at this time that the team starts to organize themselves for a great, cooperative day of catching their limit of walleyes. Another step toward being in balance for your team..

Questions and Answers

1. What are the names of the top-two premier professional walleye tournaments in the United states? The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit are the top-two professional walleye tournaments in the United States.
2. On tournament days, what one thing really helps the team become successful? In order for a team to be successful, that team must be in balance.
3. At the rules meeting after teams have been paired, what should partners advise each other of? Partners should advise each other of their respective lodging, phone numbers, establish a meeting time and place for the following morning's take-off.
4. What are all contestants required to follow? All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Each contestant should conduct themselves in a Professional manner.