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Registration Underway for PAA Tournament Series Observer, Pro-Am Opportunities at Lake Norman

Category: press release

 Aug 3rd, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 AM

CORNELIUS, N.C. (July 28, 2010) – Pete Hickey is a new boat owner and figured one of the best ways to learn more about bass fishing would be to experience firsthand the techniques from some of the best anglers on the planet.

So Hickey registered to be an official Observer at Lake Cherokee in the first event of the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix. Hickey was among more than 80 official Observers who participated in the first of four PAA Tournament Series events this season.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and had a great time,” said Hickey, who lives in Morristown, Tenn. “It was well worth my money. I learned a lot of things I had no idea about just watching the guys I was with for two days. It was quite an experience.

	PAA Pro Randy Howell with observer

“I was with Randy Howell of Alabama the first day and some of the things he was doing, there’s no way I’d even think about doing it. For example, he was pitching his bait in the thickest stuff around some willow trees and bushes. I’d never even have considered that, much less be able to do it without getting hung up. But seeing how he did it and learning why, that taught me a lot.”

Observer opportunities are available for the upcoming Tournament Series events on Lake Norman near Charlotte (Aug. 12-14), Tawakoni Lake in Garland, Texas (Sept. 9-11) and the season-finale on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo., (Oct. 14-16).

Observers must be at least a General Member of the PAA. There is a $50 entry fee, which puts you in the boat with some of the nation’s top touring pros. This entry fee is paid one time per event and entitles the observer to participate up to all three days in each event.

The first 30 Observers who register are confirmed for Saturday’s final day with the top 30 Tournament Series finalists. Registered Observers after those are wait-listed for the final day.

In addition to the experience, Observers are registered in a shared-weight competition for Bass Pro Shops gift cards and prizes. To be eligible for this, Observers must participate in both Days 1 and 2.

Observers may sign up Aug. 11, which is Registration Night at Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall, but early registration is requested for planning purposes.

Tournament Series Pro-Am

Although official member Observers cannot fish in the Tournament Series, there will be unique opportunities to fish with the pros.

The PAA Tournament Series Pro-Am will be a small event open to amateur anglers who will be paired with a pro on Saturday. The next Pro-Am will be held on Mountain Island Lake near Charlotte on Aug. 14, going out of Riverbend Access Area on Highway 16.

Pre-registration by Aug. 10 is requested, although anglers may sign up on Aug. 11 at the official Registration Night at Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall.

Pro-Am participants will not be able to observe on Saturday in the Tournament Series final day. Observers who participate on Days 1 and 2 will receive priority entry, but registration as an Observer is not required to participate in the Pro-Am.

Pro-Am teams will use the “Catch, Weigh, Release” paper tournament format popularized by the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Anglers will police themselves and keep track of the weight in their respective boats, using certified/calibrated Boga Grip scales. Tournament finishes will be based on the total weight in pounds and ounces, up to the tournament limit.

Each team will consist of one Pro and one Amateur, who must be at least a General Member of the PAA, paired by random draw. Catches will be recorded on the scorecard and counted toward the tournament limit. Field size will fluctuate between 20 and 36 teams per event, depending on location. The first 20 teams registered per event will be confirmed; additional teams will be placed on a wait list until the week of the event.

The Pro-Am pairing meeting will be held lakeside on Friday at the conclusion of the Tournament Series weigh-in at Blythe Landing. Registration and check-in for Pro-Am participants will be from 3-5:30 p.m. at the PAA lakeside booth and weigh-in site. Amateurs must be present for the Pairing Meeting at approximately 6 p.m.

Entry fee is $300 per amateur, per event. That does not include PAA membership, which is $50 to be a General Member.

Prizes will be Bass Pro Shops gift cards for the Amateur winner ($500) and Pro ($250), with a payout based on 1-in-4 entries. A complimentary lunch will be provided by the PAA at Bass Pro Shops after the tournament Aug. 14. Competition will not exceed six hours and will conclude in time for Pros and Amateurs to attend the final day weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops in Concord, N.C.

Anglers may pre-register to become an Observer or for the Pro-Am by emailing Lisa Bell at [email protected] or by calling the PAA at (270) 527-2032.