FLW Walleye Leage Format Change

Charlie Evans made an announcement during the rules meeting for the FLW Walleye League championship that the league will be changed from a pro-am format to a team format next year. All of the boaters and co-anglers that I spoke with up in Escanaba are opposed to this change. Most in fact said they will not fish the League next year if FLW follows through with the change. I would encourage everyone to get in touch with Charlie Evans and voice your opinion, whether you’re in favor or not in favor, of the proposed change. We also need to spread the word to all of those who were not involved in the championship so everyone is aware of the proposed change.

I think it will definitely increase tournout for the events. There are a lot of fisherman who would fish teams but are not comfortable fishing the pro-am format

I guess I have mixed feelings on the change. I was planning on fishing this next year for the first time. For someone just starting to fish the League, the pro-am is a better fit. When you start going to a team format, that leaves a lot of the beginners out in the cold.
WIth the pro-am format, a guy can learn techniques from a veteren and not need to have all the equipment necessary. Just like in bass fishing, finding a dedicated partner is next to impossible anymore.

I agree 100% with Wats! I think that is a huge mistake to take this out of the mix! There are a ton of other options for team events across the Midwest. The League Pro/Am format was highly successful! Why in the world would you want to change it if it works?
You have a bunch of people that come into this sport as a direct result of a Pro Am format! They will now compete with MTT, WWA, MWC and others.
Big mistake in my opinion.

How can we get in touch with Charlie Evans? if there is an e-mail let us know.

Thanx

paul

Here’s Sonny’s email address. I seem to have misplaced Charlie’s email address.

[email protected]

Based on what I heard up in Escananba, Sonny and Charlie will be receiving a ton of negative feedback…

I have sent Sonny a message, and offered him an open forum to field questions here on IDA.

I will keep everyone posted as to what I hear. Sonny has always been great at getting back to me in the past.

Here’s a copy of the email I sent to Sonny in case anyone is interested…..

Hello Sonny,

I first want to say that I have really enjoyed fishing the FLW Walley League events the last two years. I fished as a co-angler last year, and as a boater this year. I have had a great time fishing new waters and have become a much better angler as a result of fishing the league events.

I also want to express my concern about the proposed change to a team format. I spoke with many of the boaters and co-anglers from all three divisions who were at the championship, and the general consenus was that very few people will fish the events next year if you do indeed make this change. We have many team tournament opportunities here in Minnesota, and I have devoted my time and money to fishing the League events mainly because of the pro-am format. I enjoy the networking opportunities that are created by the pro-am format. These same networking opportunities have resulted in tremendous improvements in my angling ability. I also enjoy the “professional” feel of the events. I aspire to fish the FLW Walleye Tour as a professional some day, and the walleye league events have that same “professional” feel. The pro-am format is what separates the FLW Walleye League from the other team tourmament circuits here in Minnesota. I will probably not fish the Walleye League next year if the format does indeed change. I will likely fish the team tournaments I have normally fished in the past, or possibly jump in the PWT as a co-angler.

I brought four co-anglers into the League this year, and have two more interested in fishing the league next year. Three of the co-anglers intend to step up as boaters within a year or two, and two intend to purchase Ranger boats in the near future solely due to their involvement in the Walleye League. How did they hear about the League? Only by my involvement. They had never heard of the League from anyone else. I think the main reason the FLW League is struggling to fill tournament fields is that not enough people even know the League exists. Accordingly, the payouts aren’t high enough to entice additional boaters to jump over to the league events. FLW needs to do a much better job of promoting the League events. You can’t fill fields if people don’t even know about the tournaments. I would also personally like to see much better payouts at the Championship events. I would gladly pay $100 or more to enter the championship to increase the cash prize payouts. I spent well over $1,500 preparing for and fishing the championship in Escanaba, so it’s a bit frustrating to know that I couldn’t even break even unless I had a top five performance.

I hope you will reconsider changing the pro-am format. I was looking forward to hearing next year’s schedule at the rules meeting, but am instead left pondering what I will do next year….

Regards,

Chad Nissen

Chad I need to correct you on one thing this change is not “set in stone” yet and those were Charlie’s exact words. They are looking at the format change but have not made a decision yet. I also talked to Charlie, Sonny, and Mark Dorn about it this weekend and they all said the same thing that no decision has been made yet.

I do not like the idea of going to a team format, for me the Pro / Co angler format is the only way to go. I could not afford the cost of fishing these events in a team format or be able to get the extra time off from work to be able to pre fish. With a team format it would also be more time away from my family which would not go over good with my wife. I enjoy meeting and fishing with new guys at each event, I learn something new from every new person I fish with, and have made some great new friends along the way.

IMHO if the FLW does go to the new format they would lose most of the guys that participate as Co-anglers now and that would be a shame. If they do go to the new formant I will more that likely just fish one Tour event or one PWT event.

I’m not a tournament fisherman, but have a few comments from an “outsider’s view”.

1) Co-angler. I think it is a GREAT tool and selling point to both the FLW and PWT. It takes your average, or above average, or even a newbie to fishing and teaches them: 1) fishing skills 2) fishing ethics 3) Makes new friends 4) Gives a “good name” to how tournaments are ran in care of the fish and sportsmanship.

2) Evens out the playing field. The pro doesn’t know what kind of rookie they are getting. The rookies could be a good stick, or someone who never “rigged walleyes” before.

3) Equal playing field: This is something that I might be stepping on some toes with, and I’m not attacking anyone here by anymeans, NOR the FLW. However, there is such a “network” in place already on the FLW, where pros are sharing info and sharing prize money, that it really doesn’t seem to be much of a competetion or tournament amongst the mass of anglers. “MY” perception of the FLW is not how much of a competetive tournament it is. “MY” perception of the FLW is “how many good sticks can you network with and share prize money and points.”

Now, I’m not saying that is a good thing or a bad thing. However my opinion of a tournament is where a fisherman goes out and does the best of his ability to catch fish. I’m not “impressed” with how 5 boaters on the FLW team up, fish for 3 days, and meet for dinner to share techniques and waypoints. Yep, it helps cashing checks, but it is not my “perception” of a touranment. I’m quite positive the PWT is ran this way too. Am I alone on this?

Now, from what I understand, the FLW is going to remove this “hat draw”, open invite of a co-angler. This, in my opinion is going to increase this net-working, deter new-comers, and make it a high-stakes game.

Knowing that this net-working is the way to compete, I’ll never be able to “walk in the door” and feel that I’m fishing against one angler. I’m fishing against 5 anglers, who have teamed up to eliminate me from the competetion.

I’m not slamming the net-working or insulting the way they do it. It just isn’t for me.

The feedback I got from the FLW is that they are losing money the way the league format is set up now.

Steve is right, the change is not set in stone yet. My feeling is that the FLW powers want to switch over to teams.

Charlie is the one that wants feedback on this. I am not 100% sure but I think his e-mail is [email protected]

I hope they dont go to the team event. I think team events is a bad idea. If it goes to a team event I will fish some place else next year. They just need to make a few minor changes in the league to get more boaters.

Good points both way’s Gary!

As for changing the format…..
I agree that it does open the door to cheating but people that are going to cheat are going to figure out how to do it even with a co-angler they don’t know, not to mention some co-anglers would be just as willing or more willing to cheat than the boaters are….in a combined weight situation it is to their benefit just as much as the boater to get more weight in the boat.

There are a lot of partners tournaments out there but (just speculating here) if they are seriously looking at getting big sponsors and making them big money tournaments they won’t be competing with the GNWC, MTT, WWA and other small tournaments they will be going after the MWC and trying to steal some of that market.

If what they are saying is true and the league is a losing venture for FLW they need to change something or at some point the league will just cease to exist all together and that would be a bummer because it is a lot of fun…you get the big tournament feel in smaller weekend tournaments which makes them really fun.

I was originally for the team format, but have changed my mind. I feel the pro/co format should stay the same for the following reasons.

1.) The biggest boat sponsors involved bank on the amatures fishing out of the “Sponsor” boats for advertisement. You’ll never get a new angler who’s looking for a new boat fishing out of a Ranger and deciding that they need to buy that brand.

2.) It’s awful hard to convince sponsors of your credentials in team events. How do they know you are a big reason for your teams success? (This makes stepping up to the next level even harder)

3.) If your partner does something stupid, you’re going to be remembered for that forever. (I fortunately have a partner that I could trust).

4.) The bad eggs do tend to come in pairs. I remember some low down teams from my days in the GNWC. (Not the GNWC’s fault)

5.) In states like WI, there are only 3 bodies of water fished, and three events are within an hour of each other. That’s going to make a few teams of local boaters have a huge advantage. I would have to spend an extra 2-3 days prefishing each event to compensate for this. (those guys could each take a boat out and fish different parts of the lake every single event, every day for a month).

I think I would have to concentrate on guiding for the season instead of continuing with the tournament fishing if this happens. Hopefully the FLW can come up with a way to make things work.

This is disappointing news for me. I fished the PWT as a co-angler and it was a great experience for someone to learn from some of the best. I was planning on fishing the FLW league next year, but this changes everything.

If the PWT can do this (co-angler) and make money, why can’t the FLW?

i SECOND A LOT OF THE OPINIONS ON HERE CAUSE I MORE THAN LIKLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND A FULL TIME PARTNER SO MORE THAN LIKLY WILL BE HEADING TOWARDS THE PWT NOW INSTEAD…WHICH IS A BUMMBER I MEET AND FISHED WITH A LOT OF GREAT GUYS THIS YEAR AND LEARNED A TON!!!

The PWT is a Pro format with $$ coming to anglers for entry fees, and boat/motor/electronics packages. Prize money is huge due to large entry fees.
The FLW League contestants are paying their own way for the most part.

strongly agree with everything you guys are saying… I like the way this format is set up… I have made some very good friends this year Boater/Co format… I trully belive this helps a boater prepare for the FLW Tour. I also think the co’s learn so much…there is other ways of getting more boaters and co’s instead of changing to a team format…

I am still in the air for what I will do if this happens…

hope they reconsider…

Dusty Minke

I personally would like too see the FLW League go to Team. If they get rid of all the leagues from each division and pool all that money in to team the payout would be that much greater. Then if they increase the entry fees up they could reach or go beyond what the MWC will pay out. I think this a great step in the walleye world having the FLW do this. They have all the great sponsors with the money to do it. I think people will really open there eye if they have a $1000 entry fee and chance for a team to win 100,000. Team tournaments are some of best and most competitive sports out there. I would even think of not doing the FLW Tour next year to compete at a Team level that payed 100,000 for first.

According to the bruchure,this last years total purse for the events could of been up to $480,380 plus 141,950 for the championship, with full fields. If they would make 4 big Team tournaments I think they would pull a huge crowd of competitors in. They could have a championship as well for the top 50 Teams. The biggest think is having a big first prize like what the Tour has.

Jarrad, how many “Normal” every day Joes out here would be able to fish the FLW Tour? Probably about none. The Pro’s that are fishing this now have it locked up as soon as it opens. (Entry-wise)
If the FLW League goes to a team format, what is left for a Pro Am trail?
Where does that leave the Co-anglers that fished it for the past few years? Where does someone go who has not fished a tournament before go for the experience? How do we recruit new members into this type of fishing?
I think by adding a new “Team” format, all of the other trails will suffer as well by splitting the available pool of “Team” fishermen and women.
I think the FLW would be wise to advertise on sites like IDA who can get the word out to a lot of folks really fast! And who has the staff to field questions and give answers from people who have a lot of experience in doing so. If you are really serious about creating a groundswell of support, that is what “Should” happen.
My $.02.

I really like the pro-am format but if they went to a team format I believe it would also be a class act.In my opion for the average Joe its exspence.You look at the red wing feilds big because lodging is reasonable and is centered reasonable for alot of anglers.Now you go to Cass and there isn,t alot of blue light lodging specials and its a drive for most of us.I might add there were as many people fishing Red Wing as there was at the free championship why COST.If they figured in what it cost most anglers to fish a certain lake and kept things say mid state and had a state final instead of traveling 100,s of miles I think there fields would grow.Due to inflation my 3 cents worth

Quote:

---

I personally would like too see the FLW League go to Team. If they get rid of all the leagues from each division and pool all that money in to team the payout would be that much greater. Then if they increase the entry fees up they could reach or go beyond what the MWC will pay out. I think this a great step in the walleye world having the FLW do this. They have all the great sponsors with the money to do it. I think people will really open there eye if they have a $1000 entry fee and chance for a team to win 100,000. Team tournaments are some of best and most competitive sports out there. I would even think of not doing the FLW Tour next year to compete at a Team level that payed 100,000 for first.

According to the bruchure,this last years total purse for the events could of been up to $480,380 plus 141,950 for the championship, with full fields. If they would make 4 big Team tournaments I think they would pull a huge crowd of competitors in. They could have a championship as well for the top 50 Teams. The biggest think is having a big first prize like what the Tour has.

---

I concur with Jarrad Fluekiger in regards too teams, I do like Pro-Am style, however, with costs rising (fuel/lodging/equipment) it would be nice to split that with a Team-Mate to make fishing more affordable. I also believe that a 100 Team field would fill each and everytime. The league format, albeit fun and inexpensive from an entry standpoint, is undesirable due to the ability to fill. Try “Teams” for a year, if it doesn’t work, go back. I think you’ll be surprised.

The FLW needs something to compete with the MTT,MWC,WAT etc

Concerning what Tuck said about getting the word out. Advertising here would get the word out. IDA covers alot of area of anglers. I’m sure I could get James and Tuck to give me a hand on promoting their ads on not only on the regular site areas but also in the tournament Forum. Sonnys a great guy and cares about fishermen. It would be a pleasure to help him advertise here no matter which way the Leaque Circuit chooses to go.
Thanks, Bill

I am dissapointed to hear about this possible rule change. I have been saving some money all summer, so I can enter all the events as a co-anlger next year. I have also talked to my Dad and brother and we were considering doing it as a family thing. The co-angler side is a great way to learn about many different bodies of water at an affordable price. I agree that there are already plenty of team circuits.

I was possibly thinking of fishing the FLW League under the past years format. But if it goes to a team format, I know postiviely I will not enter. I wish they would leave it as a Boater/Co Angler fomrat and tweak that as needed to keep things going.

I agree with you Tuck. I think the “league” needs to remain the pro/co-angler format to allow guys that can’t afford either the time or the money to fish the “tour” events, to fish this type of organized tourney. Plus it’s a great way to get people started. No offense, but I think Jarrad’s response is exactly why they SHOULD NOT change this format. If 50 other pros thought the same way, the everyday anger like the rest of us would never have a competitive chance.
That’s not whining, it’s fact.

Mike

Quote:

---

They are indeed changing their format to a “Team” format, they are also removing the 16 year old age limitation also.

---

I wanted to carry Jami’s comment over from the General Discussion.

Think it’s a good idea to try to open it up to younger anglers, but is it going to happen?

Is a father going to take out his 14 year old son/daughter?

There may be a few cases, but I would think very few.

I didn’t see many that were in their teens the way it is.

I’m just curious if other see an opportunity here that I don’t see.

Sully

The real question is would you even want a 14 year old fishing an event like we had last weekend? No way would I take a 14-year old kid out in those seas. A father would have to be absolutely crazy, or just plain stupid.

There are some good ideas being thrown around on the “other” website. One of those is adding an automatic berth to the FLW Tour Championship for the winner of the League Championship. I think this would be a great idea.