Brainerd, Minnesota......When asked their opinions, In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) anglers voted. Recently, walleye competitors named those “best at” trolling, jigging, boat control, and many other categories.

Versatility is one of the necessities for success on tour. PWT pro anglers must be ready to troll, jig, rig, slip-bobber, bottom-bounce and know when to switch. The top 10 pro anglers judged to be the best all-around anglers under all conditions and all waters follow:

1. Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL
2. Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI
3. Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, MN
4. Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, WI
5. Gary Gray, Oshkosh, WI
6. Tommy Skarlis, Walker, MN
7. John Kolinski, Greenville, WI
8. Mark Martin, Twin Lake, MI
9. Rick Olson, Mina Lake, SD
10. Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, OH
10. Ron Seelhoff, Burlington, CO

Walleye fishing is often done under adverse situations (and occasionally calm waters), but usually the boat is a major factor in lure/bait presentations. Maintaining position over exact spots or controlling speed can mean the difference between a paycheck and finishing out of the money. The Top 10 most successful anglers at boat control, follow:

1. Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, MN
2. Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL
3. Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI
4. Bruce Samson, Minnetrista, MN
5. Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, WI
6. Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, OH
6. Mark Martin, Twin Lake, MI
8. Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI
8. Rick Olson, Mina Lake, SD
10. Tommy Skarlis, Walker, MN
10. Ron Seelhoff, Burlington, CO

It should come as no surprise that the anglers listed in these two surveys are also on the Top 10 list of those who best represent the pro angler image. In addition to the anglers above, PWT pros also named Scott and Marty Glorvigen, Grand Rapids, MN, and Ted Takasaki, East Gull Lake, MN, to those who uphold the pro “image.” Parsons and Kavajecz were numbers one and two on this list.

The walleye fishing ranks include rookies to 20-year veterans. The Top 10 list of walleye pro anglers who have had the most influence on the pros who fish for a living includes most anglers listed in the two surveys above. The Top two were Parsons (1st) and Gofron (2nd).

Amazing as it seems, Parsons and Gofron traded similar positions for most lists. Gofron received the most votes as the pro they would most enjoy fishing with. Harsh was second, Parsons third. The best trollers were Seelhoff (1st) and Parsons (2nd). Gofron was first at jigging, with Christensen second. And, Gofron was just behind Harsh in the live bait rigger’s Top 10 list.

These anglers represent the best of the best among the pro anglers who fish the PWT tour. Each season, hundreds of amateur partners fish with these fishermen and the other pros to learn all they can. Some fish the Great Lakes to learn tactics for catching open water, suspended walleyes. Others elect to fish rivers to find out about vertical jigging, or jump into a western reservoir tournament to discover key spots that hold walleyes.

Gofron said, “I really like working with my amateur partners and teaching them. Once in awhile, my partners have told me they just want to watch. After a couple fish, they start asking questions, and the seminar begins.” Parsons echoed those sentiments, “Fishing every day with a new person is challenging, but forces me to communicate exactly what we’re doing and why. From the hook set to the net, I coach my new partners every step of the way. They probably would rather I keep quiet, but each bite is critical to winning Angler of the Year or making it to the Championship. With so much riding on the special awards and incentives from my sponsors, I want to catch everything that bites.”

The PWT schedule is posted along with many other details about competitive walleye fishing and the top 10 lists at www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. Opportunities exist for amateurs to ride along and fish as partners (boat-weight format) in one or as many as six qualifying tournaments in 2004.

2004 PWT Schedule

April 21-23: Lakes Winneconne, Poygan, Butte des Morts, Winnebago and the Fox & Wolf Rivers, Winneconne, Wisconsin

May 12-14: Missouri River & Lake Francis Case, Chamberlain, South Dakota

June 2-4: Cass Lake Chain, Cass Lake, Minnesota

June 23-25: Bull Shoals Lake, Bull Shoals, Arkansas

July 21-23: TBA

August 26-28: Big Bay de Noc & Little Bay de Noc, Escanaba, Michigan
Note: This is a Thursday, Friday and Saturday event)

September 17-19: Mercury Championship, Keweenaw Waterway including Portage Canal, Portage Lake, Torch Lake and Keweenaw Bay
Note: The Friday, Saturday & Sunday Championship includes a Sport Show

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!, Trilene, PowerBait, Realtree, Nissan, Frenzy, Lowrance, MinnKota, Optima Batteries, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Eagle Trailers, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, DeeZee, Cotton Cordell, Seal Skinz, Aqua-Vu, IMCO, Plano, KeepAlive, Stowmaster.net, Quantum Performance Tuned rods & reels, Rejuvenade, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts and Kwik Pfyt.