The pro/ams were the most prestiges tournamnet on the lake. Period
I remember a friend of mine, Brian from Tall Tails said during a proam bashing session on here "The proams are not for everyone and thats OK"
The tournaments were being bashed mostly by guys that never even fished one and wouldn't have the balls to fish them anyway.
This was a very true statement by Brian and seeing what was happening to the Am division was terrible.
The guys who fished the am division were mostly weekend warriors who were willing to make some pretty major sacrifices in thier lives to do so.
The expense, the travel and the time off of work and away from the family was something not alot of guys were willing to do.
The guys that were willing, made for a great tournament and the entrys for the Oswego and Niagara were twice what it is now and thats only considering the amatuer divison boats.
Hell, I remember early on our team took in a grand cash for a seventh place finish in Niaqara with 60 + boats fishing the am division.
Changes were made in an attempt to increase participation with no regard for what the majority of guys that were already fishing them wanted.
Instead of increasing participation the plan back fired to the point of what they have now.
The guys who were willing to make the sacrifices to fish the pro/ams were alianated and little by little just stopped fishing them.
When the anouncement was made this year that ams would be pitted against the pros I finally had enpough.
I don't care what kind of prize structure was created or what anybody says on this message board thats plain and simple bull_hit.
As far as the open division, if I want to fish that type of tournament structure I can do so all over the lake alot closer to home port.
From the awards ceremony at Sodus I looked forward to next seasons pro/ams.
Not anymore and I got to believe alot of other am teams feel the same way judging by the entrys this year.
Still no amatuer fishermens input will be regarded.
Frustrating to say the least.
Good luck
Glen