Professional AIM Angler Joe Okada and his father David, have just accomplished something no other Professional Team has ever accomplished. Not only did they take home first place in the AIM walleye tournament held out of Oconto, WI on July 20-22, 2012; but they also took home the Pro-Team Challenge top honors! Oconto was chosen as the first-time-ever spot for an AIM PRO-TEAM CHALLENGE tournament. Anglers signed up as two person PRO teams that would �team up� with a different co-angler who was drawn for them each day. This meant that every boat would have three anglers instead of two, allowing for six rods instead of four. The pro anglers loved the chance to fish with another pro partner of their own choosing. The co-anglers loved the new format too because instead of drawing three different pros, they were lucky to gain the experience and knowledge from six different pros over a three day period.

You can sense the pride in David�s eyes, but Joe had that same admiration when he faced his father and they embraced in their congratulatory hug.

AIM Pro Joe Okada explained by saying, �I liked it a lot----A: We got to fish an extra 2 lines, and in an open water trolling bite, the process of elimination to the correct pattern speeds up in a hurry. It also allows for more experimentation throughout the day. B: I got to fish with an old teammate of mine....my Dad. Winning my first major with him in the boat is something I'll never forget. Although I really enjoyed this tournament, I feel the Pro-Team Challenge should be a format that supplements the current Pro-Am model. But being the first event of this kind, and having the turnout we did, you can't deny this format hits home with lots of quality fishing teams that we usually don't get a chance to compete against.�

Pro AIM Angler Keith Kavajecz agrees. He has often commented on how he would love to get into a boat with another pro angler from the circuit, but when it boiled down to who he chose as his fellow pro this first time around, he chose his youngest son Mikey. �I asked Mike if he�d like to fish with me in the Pro-Team Challenge at Oconto as part of his 22nd birthday gift. I�ve been fortunate to be able to fish in walleye tournaments with all three of my sons at one time or another over the years. Yet with the demands of our jobs it�s not always as easy anymore. I knew it would be fun to be able to �hook up� again with Mikey since the Oconto tournament was close to home. Mike was able to take the week off to pre-fish and he was excited to be able to fish on the pro-side!� 

Mike and his Dad took to the stage and started Day One out in third place. Though they fell �just outta the money� after Day Three, Keith and Mike both thoroughly enjoyed their father/son time on the water.

Joe and his father David certainly had those same ear to ear grins, but even bigger grins on that final day. In the past, they have also fished different tournaments together and Joe expressed that to take home his �First Major Win with my Dad at an AIM Pro-Team Challenge was very special!� It is heartwarming to witness father/son teams as �high fives� are being smacked up into the air.

Here�s a little update from Joe on how his love for the sport started and how he took it from there: 

�Dad and I would either rent a boat, borrow my Grandpa's, or fish from shore here in Madison, WI when I was young. I became a sponge for fishing information early on. The learning curve was probably the most attractive aspect. Each time I learned something new, and used that knowledge to become more successful on the water, the more I wanted to learn, and the obsession grew out of control. I went through different phases as far as species preference goes, but once I started to understand walleyes, I knew that was the fish for me!� 

�When I was younger, I held mostly fishing related jobs. Anything from working in local bait shops to large fishing retailers and now to the promotional obligations that I have today. I did spend several years working in child care too as I was building my guiding business and finishing up school. Seeing how grown up those kids are now isn't making me feel any younger though. I have the most supportive family that someone in my position could ask for. They understand all the unpaid hours and time on the road required to chase my goals, and this last win was a tiny way for me to thank them for that support. With my current schedule, staying single is probably a good option for me at this point but who knows what will change down the road.�

�My ultimate goal since grade school was to compete in Pro-Ams some day. But I felt the best way to get myself there was to find tough competition while learning about the different bodies of water in walleye country. That's where the MWC fit in. I was able to travel with Dad; he let me call the shots (even when they were the wrong ones) so that I could build the confidence and experience needed to compete against the best in the business someday. We met some lifelong friends, established contacts, learned a lot about the fishing business, and shared bits of success during the 5 years we competed together. In 2008 he told me to give the pro ranks a try and I wasn't able to compete with him until last week's Pro-Team Challenge.�

�Pre-fishing in Oconto, WI went well. We were actually planning on fishing the same area that most of the field ended up on until the cold front brought some big north winds that seemed to break up the schools on the west shore quite a bit. During those heavy winds, we put down JT custom painted husky jerks to cover more water and deal with the higher speeds that the wind was forcing us to troll at. Anything with pink, purple or maroon in it seemed to do the trick. After catching just as many fish on them as we were using harnesses, we decided to really try and dial in a crank bait program so we could be more efficient.�

�Tournament days were actually very challenging. The area we ended up fishing was very small, with lots of local traffic and a handful of other competitors as well. It worked out fine, but sharing a small spot with a bunch of boats will bring productivity down compared to the kind of fishing experienced in practice. Also, the lack of wind on day 3 really seemed to disperse the active fish and we had to stray from the structure and focus on suspended fish hovering on the surrounding mud flats. Floating debris, sheep head, catfish, and changing currents all kept us on our toes and made us work harder to make each trolling pass count. When you�re only getting 1-2 bites an hour, it makes for a long day until the card finally has 7 on it!� 

�This is the second tournament I've fished out of my Yamaha powered Yar-Craft, and I couldn't be any happier with how it's performing on these Great Lakes tournaments. The 209TFX is a fast, dry ride, with a hull that you can actually feel "slicing" through the chop. Everyone that's driven this thing so far is impressed!�

When asked what their best set up was and if they had to adjust their depths, Joe said, �50-75 feet back with an alewife custom husky jerk at 1.5-2mph depending on current. We didn�t really have to adjust our depths, we just tried to fish above the fish all of the time. As long as our baits were running about 10-13 feet down, the fish had no problem swimming up a few feet to eat the cranks.�

The AIM Pro Walleye Series practices a CRR format (Catch, Record, Release) and Joe especially likes this format. �The last tournament I fished on Green Bay, I had to quit fishing before noon because I chose to keep our "limit". Unfortunately, the fish were getting bigger and as I put the last 6 pounder in the live well, I said to myself, "If this was an AIM tournament, I'd still have a couple hours to work this school and come in with a weight that truly reflects the class of fish I ended up finding!" That's one of AIM's biggest advantages in states with strict size/culling restrictions. You catch and release all day, and the best fisherman that day wins, not the one who hopes to get the "right bite" in the right order. Not to take anything away from winners of those tournaments, they're still well deserved victories, but it sure makes you appreciate the CRR approach.�

As anglers crossed the stage, it was easy to see that this format was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Lots of 'high fives and angler-hugs' were shared each day and even those that didn�t fair as well fishing, said they had a blast fishing this Pro-Team Challenge and the CRR format. They hope to see AIM do more of them in the future. Not only did the anglers enjoy themselves, but the community did as well. To see the huge walleye that came out of the Bay of Green Bay, return to the depths of the waters to possibly be caught again someday is so awesome. When asked how the crowds liked it�.all you heard were cheers!

CRR, an AIM Pro-Team Challenge AND a father/son team taking home the win---well it just doesn�t get any better than that! Or can it? Everyone is hopefully the city of Oconto and the AIM Pro Walleye Series can �hook up again!� , If they do-----Team Okada will definetly try to �repeat�, but remember Team Kavajecz? Twenty-one year old Mikey who was fishing this Pro-Team Challenge as part of his 22 year birthday gift from his Dad Keith? Well it�s fairly easy to see that Both Teams; 'Sporting their Father�s Grins' have hooked onto something pretty special. Anglers having fun; Fishing in the AIM Pro Walleye Series! 

Joe Okada�s Sponsors: 

Yamaha Outboards, Yar-Craft, ProMariner, EGO Net Company, EZEE Step Inc., Luck E Strike, Navionics, Smooth Moves Seats, OPTIMA Batteries, JT Custom Tackle

Plymouth, WI - July 25, 2012

Team Yamaha goes 1 and 2 at the first ever Pro Team Challenge in Oconto, WI July 20-22, 2012.

Yamaha Pro Joe Okada and his father David Okada came from behind to take the AIM Pro Team Challenge title on the Bay of Green Bay for their first major win and $23,000 in cash.  

The second place spot and $10,000 in cash is owned by Yamaha Pro Robert Blosser and his brother Josh Blosser.

This AIM event was a 100% payout and paid the top 25% of the field. 57 teams also participated in the Big Fish / Big Basket cash pools that pay out 3 places. Big Fish honors and $713 went to the team of Kevin and Jason Ellman for their 30.5” walleye. Big Basket honors and $713 belongs to the Pro Team of James Peterson and Greg Josephs.

Complete payouts for this event are listed below:

Place    Pro Team    Fish    Weight    Prize
1    Okada, Joe & Okada, David     21    132.52    $23,000.00
2    Blosser, Robert & Blosser, Josh     21    130.61    $10,000.00
3    Kemos, Tom & Kemos, Telly     21    124.48    $7,500.00
4    Dempsey, Ryan & Goecks, Brad     21    120    $6,500.00
5    Keller, Brian & Eaton, Larry     21    118.62    $5,500.00
6    Leanna, Jim & Knowles, Joe     21    117.59    $4,500.00
7    Cardenas, Robert & Mickish, John    21    116.22    $4,000.00
8    Niklasch, Lynn & Besaw, Bart     21    115.93    $3,600.00
9    Schneider, John & Meisner, Dan     21    115.15    $3,200.00
10    Adler, Adam & Schoenwalder, Andy     21    114.93    $3,000.00
11    Neu, Pat & Neu, Adam     21    114.77    $2,800.00
12    Oskey, Jeff & Polzin, Mike     21    111.51    $2,600.00
13    Provost, Nate & Franklin, Rick     21    110.58    $2,500.00
14    Kolinski, John & Hornes, Blaine     21    109.21    $2,400.00
15    Samson, Bruce & Stoegbauer, Rick     21    107.27    $2,300.00
16    Omelina, John & Hogan, Dan     21    104.7    $2,200.00
17    Skarlis, Tommy & Armatti, Neil     16    104.35    $2,100.00
18    Gabriel, Troy & Thomson, Paul     21    102.59    $2,000.00
19    Blanck, Mike & Blanck, Kevin     20    102.16    $1,900.00

Big Fish    Pro Team    Fish    Weight    Prize     

1 Ellman,Kevin & Ellman,Jason  30.5"    11.94   $713.00 
2 Gofron,Mike & Adams,Jaeme    30"      11.33   $238.00   
2 Loeckle, Troy & Loeckle, Wes    30"    11.33    $238.00     
2 Sutton Bill & Vojak, Bill    30"    11.33    $238.00    

Big Basket    Pro Team    Fish    Weight    Prize     
1    Peterson, James & Josephs, Greg    7    53.13    $713.00     
2    Blosser, Robert & Blosser, Josh     7    51.00    $428.00     
3    Loeckle, Troy & Loeckle, Wes    7    50.48    $285.00     
                                   
With the AIM CRR format, AIM officials conduct a final audit and verification of the score cards and fish pictures for all the Pros and Pro Teams cashing a check for all three days.
The AIM pro Challenge format was extremely well received, and reports are AIM may be considering the format for several events in 2013. One sentiment was unanimous; Oconto would be a preferred AIM Pro Team Challenge location again for next year.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the "All Stars" of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d'Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen's Guide Service

Okada and Okada came from behind to take the AIM Pro Team Challenge Title on the Bay of Green Bay out of Oconto for their first major win. The father/son team had fished the MWC for several years, and were reunited at the AIM Pro team Challenge to take home a check for $23,000.00.

Team Okada CRR'd 132.52 pounds to beat a hard charging Blosser/Blosser team by almost 2 pounds. The final weight for today for the Okadas was 53.09, caught trolling custom painted cranks to avoid the perch and other smaller fish prevalent in the area they were fishing by using artificials instead of spinner rigs and crawlers. Most of the teams were fishing along the 23' to 30' contours.

Reports of the fish moving up and down in the water column were common as each day progressed, and success for many depended on realizing the fish had dropped down or came up and making the adjustment to keep the presentation above the fish. Big bladed spinner rigs were the most common presentation, but some successfully moved to crank baits and smaller bladed spinner rigs as the weather, skies, winds and resulting bite changed.

Blosser and Blosser bumped Team Kemos into third, finishing with 130.61. Tommy and Telly Kemos weighed in a virtual CRR weight of 124.48. Josh and Robert Blosser were fishing close to team mates Okada and Okada, and were well ahead of them early on according to reports from the stage. The Okadas 'ground it out' throughout the day, putting enough big fish in the net to force the Blossers out of the win. Team Blosser took home a check for $10,000.00 for the second place finish, and Team Kemos took home $7500.00

Fourth went to Dempsey and Goecks, fifth to Keller and Eaton, sixth to Leanna and Knowles, seventh to Cardenas and Mickish, eighth to Nicklash and Besaw, ninth to Schneider and Meisner, and Adler and Shoenwalder rounded out the top ten.

Watch the Team Okada winning interview.

See the oconto AIM Pro Challenge final standings at the AIM leaderboard here.

The AIM pro Challenge format was extremely well received, and reports are AIM may be considering the format for several events in 2013. One sentiment was unanimous; Oconto would be a preferred AIM Pro Team Challenge location again for next year.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the "All Stars" of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen’s Guide Service

The leader board did indeed scramble today as predicted onstage yesterday by many of the Pro teams, but for quite a few of the teams the bite didn't improve despite the more stable weather. Trolling is still the preferred method, and the key still is finding the right fish. Many of the Teams are on really good fish, and manage to get a couple to bite, but in order to cash a Top Five check in this AIM event, one needs to catch at least 4 big fish a day and fill the 7 fish limit, with one walleye preferably qualified by the Team as a 'kicker'.

Kemos and Kemos did just that. They CRR'd 34.21 yesterday, and pounded 'em today CRRing 50.42 to take the lead by a bit over a pound over second place Dempsey and Goecks, who put two strong and consistent days together.

Third, just 3.5 pounds back, is Kolinski and Hornes, making their move into the top five on Day Two. Blosser and Blosser moved into fourth by virtue of two near 40 pound days. Okada and Okada are in fifth in a near tie with Blosser and Blosser.

Sixth is held by Wertepny and Seidl, seventh is Good and Borstad, eighth is Neu and Neu, ninth is Cardenas and Mickish, Day One leaders, and Omelina and Hogan round out the top ten.

The weather tomorrow looks stable, with a chance of a thundershower and SE winds to 8 MPH.

The Teams will leave tomorrow at 7:30 AM, and will be back in at 3:30 for the AIM virtual live weigh in. Make sure to tune in to http://www.aimfishing.com for the live weigh in tomorrow evening, and join us tomorrow morning for interviews with the leaders, live reports from the water, and much more.

The first AIM pro team event ever has drawn what is also AIM's largest field to date, and the Pro teams and Co Anglers are talking about how enjoyable the format is, hoping for a repeat next year at Oconto because of the teemendous fishing, and becuase of the ability to fish with a family member, friend, or another Pro or Co angler. Keith Kavajecz, while weighing in on the stage, said he hopes to see AIM schedule more of the Pro team Challenge series style of events for 2013.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the "All Stars" of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen’s Guide Service

The morning predictions that the bite would be soft after a major cold front moved through turned out to be fact. There were some impressive weights none the less, but none that met upper expectations from the Bay of Green Bay.

Trolling spinners and cranks are the presentations in play, and it seemed according to a few reports from those who would talk about their day that positioning on a pod of fish and waiting for them to go made the difference between 7 and a lower number of CRRd walleyes today.

Cardenas and Mickish lead with 46.4, slightly less than a 7 pound average. In second are Omelina and Hogan with 43.01, three pounds back. Okada and Okada are in third just a couple hundredths of a pound out of second. Kavajecz and Kavajecz are in fourth, Samson and Stoegbauer are in fifth, Keller and Eaton are in sixth, Ellman and Ellman in seventh, Kolinski and Hornes in eighth, Davis and Woyak in ninth,  and Dempsey and Goecks round out the top ten.

AIM Leader Board: http://www.aimfishing.com/View-Leaderboard/Results/1345/

Expect the entire leader board to scramble tomorrow if predictions from the stage hold. Expectations are high that the bite will improve to pre-fish levels quickly as the weather stabilizes.

Each Pro Team is accompanied by a Co Angler. There was concern that the Co would not have much to do; those concerns proved to not be an issue, as the Teams reported hard work by all three anglers in the rig despite a slower bite.

The field leaves tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM for Day Two competition, and will leave the water at 3:30 PM. The AIM weigh in will begin at 5 PM. Join us at www.aimfishing.com tomorrow throughout the day as live reports come in off the water!

Make sure to tune in tomorrow evening at 5 PM for the live weigh in.

Plymouth, WI � July 11, 2012
AIM is pleased to announce it has partnered with Captain Scott Allen of Allen�s Guide Service. Scott is a U.S.C.G licensed captain and fully insured hunting and fishing guide from Green Bay, Wisconsin.  He is also American Red Cross certified in CPR/AED and First Aid. Scott has been fishing the Bay of Green Bay his whole life.  He has over 20 years of tournament fishing in the AIM Pro Walleye Series, FLW, AYA and Cabelas MWC Tournaments as well as many other local tournaments including the Sturgeon Bay Open.

For the 2012 Season Allen�s Guide Service has donated four full guide trips to be used in the AIM co-angler prize raffle. All guided trips are five hours and for up to two people. In the event that bad weather keeps you off the water, your trip will be rescheduled for a later date. While fishing with Scott you will have the opportunity to fish the Fox River and the Bay of Green Bay for Trophy Walleye, Muskie, or Smallmouth Bass, or Lake Michigan for Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and King Salmon.

Further information about Allen�s Guide Service can be found at www.allensguideservice.com
Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC� (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the "All Stars" of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d�Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen�s Guide Service

There are some awesome things happening on the AIM Professional Walleye Series this year and as the anglers get ready to compete at the Oconto event on July 20-22, 2012 they’ll be in for a very unique and special approach to walleye fishing. 

New this year and exclusively for the Oconto event, AIM is introducing an exciting format called “The Pro Team Challenge”.  Each boat will have three anglers instead of two.  A two person pro team will draw a different co-angler each day, allowing for six rods instead of four.

The "Pro Team Challenge" format will provide many opportunities not previously available for a wide variety of anglers.  In terms of approach and payouts, this new format will fit perfectly into what a Touring Pro/Co looks for and also what Team anglers hope to see.  

Full-Time AIM Angler Chase Parsons is extremely excited for the possibilities of the Pro Team Concept going into the future.  Chase explains by saying, “This format will allow many more anglers to experience the AIM C-R-R weigh-in system, which in my opinion is hands down the best tournament format around.  In this instance, on Green Bay, anglers would previously have to deal with no cull regulations, and with C-R-R there are absolutely no decisions to be made on which fish to keep.  Catch fish all day, put them on the card and check your longest 7 at the end!"

Chase Parsons is from the Green Bay area and he looks forward to seeing a bunch of “new blood” and local anglers enter this event because of the Pro Team Format.  Chase says, "When Brett King brought this format to us last fall, everyone on the AIM Advisory Council agreed that Green Bay needed to be the kickoff for this great idea.  There are an unbelievable amount of phenomenal Team Format anglers from this area, of which we are really trying to appeal to with the Pro Team Format.  These anglers can compete on a body of water familiar to many anglers, alongside their normal partner for other team events.  It's the comfort factor and we're trying to make it as easy as possible for these anglers to choose to fish an AIM event.  C-R-R will catch on, even more so, as we can continue to attract new anglers.”

Chase continues by saying, "Any anglers who are used to fishing regular Pro/Co events will be pleasantly surprised at how many of the anglers are viewing this format.  I'll treat this event as any other Pro/Co tournament I have ever fished.  I'll cover the entry fees and expenses alone and hopefully collect a nice big check at the end!  However, now I'll get to fish this event with a good friend all three days (Mike Vorderstrasse) plus I’ll have a different Co-Angler in the boat each day.  This will all allow for a fantastic time in the boat and the use of 6 lines in a major event. I can't wait!"

By having 6 lines, the pro anglers will do a lot more experimenting during the day with at least 2 lines because they know they can still have their “confidence” lures and set ups working on the other 4 lines. That will make for more work on the part of the entire 3 man team, but should also result in allowing the anglers to more quickly adjust to changes the walleyes make.  As Chase explains, “There will be a lot more reeling in and letting out just to change a lure, color or fishing depth, so all of us in the boat will be staying busy – not to mention all the triple headers I intend to get!”

Co-Anglers will be randomly paired with a new "Team" each day and they will get an experience like never before in a regular Pro/Co event.  Chase mentioned, "As always, Co's will get to fish right with the Pro's; now that there are just three anglers in each boat.  Running six lines on Green Bay during a Tour Level event will be exciting on its own.  However, from a Co's perspective, I fully believe they will get a much better learning and tournament experience because of the Pro Team Concept.  This goes back to comfort level, where each "Team" knows the other member well and will be more talkative in the boat.  The Co's will be able to participate in every aspect (clearing boards, reeling, measuring fish and taking photos) in a more relaxed atmosphere.  I think it's going to be a format that each Co-angler absolutely loves!"

Tournament entry fees are $1,200 for each pro team and $300 for each co-angler.  Pro teams are competing for at least 100% of all pro team entries making it one of the most lucrative “team” events in walleye tournament history. 

Based on the success of this first “Pro Team Challenge” – anglers could very well see more of the AIM Walleye Series events use this format in the future.  Three anglers per boat instead of two, six rods instead of four---Oconto here we come!  

Plymouth, WI – July 6, 2012
AIM announced the payouts for the 2012 Pro Team Challenge hosted by the City of Oconto, WI on the shores of Green Bay. Pro Teams will be competing for cash and prizes July 20 thru 22. The city of Oconto has planned festivities throughout the week leading into the event as well as “Walleye Madness”, a three day festival at the site of the weigh-in show. Yamaha, Navionics and other related companies will also be on hand with promotional give a ways and product samples.

 Pro and Co-Angler spots are still available for this exciting event.
AIM will be paying the top 25% of the field and the total payout for the event will be 100% of all Pro Team entry fees. The payout for a 100 boat field is below:

Place    Payout
1    $30,000.00
2    $15,000.00
3    $10,000.00
4    $8,000.00
5    $7,000.00
6    $6,000.00
7    $5,000.00
8    $4,000.00
9    $3,500.00
10    $3,000.00
11    $2,600.00
12    $2,500.00
13    $2,400.00
14    $2,300.00
15    $2,200.00
16    $2,100.00
17    $2,000.00
18    $1,900.00
19    $1,800.00
20    $1,700.00
21    $1,600.00
22    $1,500.00
23    $1,400.00
24    $1,300.00
25    $1,200.00

Further information about the “Pro Team Challenge” is available at www.aimfishing.com, viewers can also find up-to-the-minute updates about the AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments. The weigh-ins for each day will also be carried live on the AIM website.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen’s Guide Service

Plymouth, WI � June 26, 2012

AIM announced today, that registration for their July 20 � 22 Pro Team Challenge walleye tournament on Green Bay is fast approaching its 100 team capacity. Joe Baron, AIM Pro Walleye Series CEO commented; �AIM is very pleased with the angler response and overall excitement created by this exciting new format. All pro-teams and co-anglers planning on fishing this event should register now to avoid getting shut out of this very special event.�  Pro teams will compete using the �Pro Team Challenge� format. Each pro will fish in the same boat with a team member they select. For this event AIM has lowered the age to fish as a member of the Pro Team to sixteen as long as the other member of the team is the parent or legal guardian. In addition, an AIM co-angler also will be aboard, making three anglers per boat, and allowing the use of up to six rods.

This is currently the only team tournament with a 100% payout at this level. Baron added, �For a 100 boat field AIM will be paying $30,000 for first place and paying the top 25% of the field. A full payout schedule will be released within the next week.�

AIM has also recently learned that their Catch, Record & Release format has allowed this tournament to be the first and only, Wisconsin, �Green Certified� Fishing Tournament to date. The AIM CRR format eliminates the casualties of walleye caught in the tournament as all live fish are returned to the water within seconds after they are caught.

Further information on AIM, It�s Catch Record & Release format as well as their marketing partners can be found at: www.aimfishing.com.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC� (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the All Stars of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d�Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen�s Guide Service