PWT Tour Offers Walleye Anglers a Challenging 2005

The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail, sponsored by Lund Boats, announced a challenging 2005 season for the world’ top-ranked walleye anglers.

The PWT is a Pro-Am format.  Pro anglers are fishing ambassadors who share their boats, tackle and tactics with amateurs/co-anglers at each tournament. Partners learn from their pros who know where to look and how to find fish.  Local anglers and those who’ve always wanted to fish a special lake can do it as amateurs/co-anglers.

Mike Gofron, Lund pro, and the PWT walleye angler with the most top-10 place finishes, said, "After winning at Bull Shoals last year, and seeing how many walleyes live there, I know I only started to learn the system. I’m glad the PWT scheduled a May tournament this year."

The 2005 tournaments include the Fox Chain of Lakes in Antioch and Fox Lake, IL.  Bull Shoals, AR hosts the tour in May, and another "southern" site follows in June on Lake Cumberland near Russell Springs, KY.  The PWT will honor the Kentucky resident who places highest with the PWT Kentucky State Walleye Champion’ award.  This consists of an attractive plaque for the wall and a rod and reel from last year’ Mercury Championship winner, and Lund pro team member, Scott Glorvigen. 

Saginaw Bay’ big walleyes will be the quarry a month later with headquarters in downtown Bay City, MI.  Lake Oahe at Mobridge, SD follows with the Missouri River on the schedule for the 15th time in 16 years.  The final Pro-Am qualifier occurs on the St. Mary’ River border waters of Ontario and Michigan in Sault Ste. Marie.  The spectacular Mercury Championship will be on new water for all contestants, Milford Lake near Junction City, Kansas. 
 
Call PWT headquarters at 218-824-2542, for entry blanks, or go to www.professionalwalleyetrail.com.  The top 40 pros and top 40 amateurs/co-anglers win cash and merchandise prizes, including  Lund/Mercury boat packages for first place.  You can meet and even fish with the pros.  They will surely learn about boats, electronics and gear.  The more they know, the more they "must-have."  Which means more sales of bigger boats for you.

The PWT Credentials Committee reviews applicants and extends invitations to the top-ranked pros based on fishing skills, ethics and character.  For the 2005 season, the most prestigious walleye circuit in all of North America has twice the Lund boats on the water than the second-ranked brand.  The PWT offers a competitive format for pro anglers to showcase their skills. The PWT field is limited to 120 pro anglers.

A wide array of special youth events will be conducted at PWT tournaments, including some "Big Plans" in Illinois, courtesy of the State Bank Group, and at Bay City thanks to DOW Chemical.

The action from the 2004 season is now being featured on the PWT television series on the Outdoor Channel.  Shows are being aired Monday (7 p.m.), Tuesday (7 a.m.), Wednesday (3:30 p.m.) and Thursday (11 p.m.) central times, through March.