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| It's May, and the PWT tournament anglers are headed to Chamberlain, SD, for some hot Missouri River walleye action during the Trilene/PowerBait Pro-Am.
The professional and amateur anglers are participating in the $280,000 In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) tournament, one of six national events culminating in the Mercury Championship. A total of $1,800,000 will be paid to touring pros and their amateur partners this year.
Angler of the Year leader Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn., and winner of the season opener in Wisconsin two weeks ago heads the field at the May 12-14 Pro-Am. He netted $72,000 at that event, including the special Artificial Challenge bonus award of $7,000. Constructed to honor the winning pro angler if Gulp! or PowerBait was instrumental in half or more of the fish brought to the scales, Skarlis' three amateur partners also won $1,000 each.
The Trilene/PowerBait Pro-Am in Chamberlain will again offer a $10,000 Artificial Challenge bonus. Following the tournament, a special Saturday event for a dozen pro anglers paired with outdoor writers will take place. Only artificials (Gulp!, PowerBait or Frenzy lures) will be allowed.
The MotorGuide West Division will be headed by pro Ross Grothe, Northfield, Minn., who won that division last year. Also fishing are touring pro anglers with prior PWT victories in Chamberlain, Mark Martin, Twin Lake, Mich. (2001), and Tom Backer, Fargo, ND (2002).
A handful of amateur spots remain. Amateur Anglers experience the thrill of tournament fishing with top-ranked professionals. They use the pro's tackle, bait, boats and go to the pro's top spots. To take advantage of this opportunity, contact the PWT at 218-824-2542, or at the PWT web
site: www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. Amateur Joel Doepke, Conover, Wis. said after the recent PWT tournament, "Thank you for a great experience at the Winneconne tourney. It was my first time entering a PWT event (it will not be my last) and I didn't know what to expect. Your team has a first class operation. I was kind of shocked to place that high (second place) and even more shocked to find out my prize package ($4,500 plus $1,500 Mercury outboard rebate certificate). I hope to enter another event this summer." Pro-am partners weigh their fish together and they count for both. The top 40 amateurs win merchandise and gift certificate prizes, including a $17,000 Lund/Mercury walleye boat package for first place.
During the Chamberlain event, daily stage festivities free to the public, take place 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 12-14 (Wednesday-Thursday-Friday) on the Cedar Shore Resort lawn adjacent to the marina.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund, Berkley Gulp!, The Outdoor Channel, Trilene, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Mr. Clean, PowerBait, Lowrance, MinnKota, Frenzy, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, Beckman, Rejuvenade, Eagle Trailers, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net. and Chamberlain/Oacoma Chamber (605-734-4416). |
