PWT Pros Return to Bay de Noc, Michigan
Category: Tournament
Aug 8th, 2007 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 8th, 2007 at 12:00 AM
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.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.