The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail anglers are in Escanaba,
Michigan. They’re searching both Little and Big Bay de Noc
and the nearby Michigan waters for the monster walleyes living
in the Bays.
The Outdoor Channel/Optima Batteries Pro-Am gets underway
Wednesday, Aug. 8, with daily weigh-in and stage shows at 5
p.m. each day through Friday Aug. 10. On Friday, during the
awards ceremony, the top anglers in the regional series presented
by Motor Guide will be announced, with the top 20 qualifying
for the prestigious Mercury Championship.
All activities, including opening ceremonies, weigh-ins and
the PWT Outdoor Festival presented by the Outdoor Channel, occur
at the Escanaba Municipal Marina. The Festival with a free rock
climbing wall and a free fishing pond for youngsters opens daily
at 2 p.m. Walleye fans learn from the pros as they cross the
stage and talk about their experiences on the Bays. On Friday,
pros share their winning tactics and secrets.
Previous Regional series tournaments were held on the Missouri
River in Chamberlain, SD, with pro Bob Propst, Jr., Bode, Iowa,
winning for the second year in a row. Then, the tour moved to
central Wisconsin, out of Winneconne, on the fabled Lake Winnebago
system and the Fox and Wolf Rivers, where pro Gary Parsons,
Glidden, Wis., won. The third leg of the Motor Guide Regional
series occurred on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs with rookie
pro Steve Bradt, Hudson, Wis., claiming the $66,000 victory.
The Regional pro wins a Mercury-powered Lund boat worth $41,000,
plus $25,000 cash. The top 30 places win cash.
The Pro-Am format allows amateurs/co-anglers to fish with
the pros (a different pro each day) and use the pro’s
gear, tackle boat, and knowledge. The pros make all decisions
on where to fish, how to fish and when to change directions
or spots. Amateurs learn by being within 20 feet of them all
day. The top amateur wins a Lund/Mercury boat valued at $19,000.
The top 30 amateurs all win merchandise prizes provided by PWT
sponsor-partners.
Pro Pat Neu, Forestville, Wis., last year’s PWT Rookie
of the Year, will defend his Bay de Noc title, knowing that
a system as dynamic as Bay de Noc does not guarantee anything,
even to a past winner. “It will take more work this year,
and you can bet I’ll be looking for more of the big fish
that gave me the victory last season,” Neu said.
As the anglers weigh their fish, scores are posted on the
PWT website, HYPERLINK "http://www.professionalwalleyetrail.com"
www.professionalwalleyetrail.com, at the Mercury Real-Time scoreboard.
Photos of each day’s action and news stories are also
posted on the site.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications
Network headquartered in Baxter, Minnesota, and InterMedia,
America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional
partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund Boats, Berkley, Lowrance
Electronics, Optima Batteries, Minn Kota, Realtree, MotorGuide,
Johnsonville Brats, Outdoor Channel, Coleman, Northland Fishing
Tackle, The Dow Chemical Company, StowMaster, Reef Runner, Yo-Zuri
Quality Lures, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt Mud Flaps,
Yellow Bird Planer Boards, Allstar Graphics, Ram Mounts, Element
Edge, Pflueger, Plano Tackle Systems, Aikens Lake Wilderness
Lodge, E-Cell, Cannon, Fin-Tech Tackle, Do-It Molds, Delta Chamber
of Commerce, 888.335.8264 and Bays de Noc Convention & Visitors
Bureau, 800.533.4386. |