PAA Series Opener Draws Praise From The Pros

The first event in the inaugural Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Tournament Series took place last week at Florida's Lake Toho. From the perspective of most of the tour-level anglers who participated, everything ran pretty smoothly.

Sure, there were a few snags here and there, like not enough observers to go around and weigh-in ceremonies that unfolded at a slower pace than most would've liked. But to many, the fact that those were the biggest issues meant that the tournament was a success.

The event served as a reunion for some, as Bassmaster Elite Series pros and FLW Tour competitors rarely get together at the same venue these days due to scheduling issues on the respective circuits. Some of the sport's biggest names (Kevin VanDam, Alton Jones, Skeet Reese, Mark Davis, Rick Clunn, Jay Yelas and Michael Bennett, to name just a few) were absent – some due to prior commitments that couldn't be rescheduled after the dates for the tournament were announced in October.

BassFan surveyed several pros from each major tour who competed at Toho in an attempt to gauge angler perceptions of the event. Nearly all of them praised the efforts of PAA president Tim Horton, the other officers and the board of directors for laying the groundwork to launch the Series.

"From the energy of the guys who were there, we know we did it successfully," Horton said. "The anglers were pleased and the sponsors were pleased, and we reached the level of satisfaction we were hoping for. That felt really good."

Below are comments from the anglers that BassFan surveyed, with their primary circuit and final placement in the 147-angler field in parentheses.

Dave Lefebre (FLW Tour, 11th)

"It was exciting to be in that group of guys – the field was definitely stacked. We've got a ways to go, but it was a good start.

"Another thing that was exciting was all the people who came out to watch on the last day – there was a bunch of them."

Matt Reed (Elite Series, 12th)

"I thought it went pretty well for the first run – there weren't too many hitches. I thought the situation with the limited number of observers was handed well, and I was also glad that they gave polygraph examinations.

"There's some little adjustments that need to be made, but it was a pretty well-run event."

J.T. Kenney (FLW Tour, 14th)

"It was really a great tournament. There are a couple of things that need to be worked on a little bit, but I'm sure those will be taken care of by the next tournament.

"It went pretty much like everybody said it was supposed to. As somebody who doesn't do anything but fish, I'm happy we've got something else. Those three or four more events a year with a championship that pays well are an awesome deal."

Russ Lane (Elite Series, 15th)

"It's a big ordeal to put together a tournament like that, and the fact that it went off without any major glitches was amazing to me. It was an exciting event, and I don't know if I'd want to face that kind of competition every weekend for the rest of my career – it was pretty stiff.

"With the cold front coming in, I was surprised at what was caught – Shaw (Grigsby) getting that 13-pounder on the first day and (winner Brian) Snowden averaging 17 pounds a day. And everybody appreciated (title sponsor) Carrot Stix backing the trail for the '09 season – it's a great opportunity for them to advertise, but it's great for the anglers, too."

Glenn Browne (FLW Tour, 24th)

"I really enjoyed it and I think it's something that'll help the sport grow. It'd been years since I'd fished a tournament without a co-angler, and that was the funnest part of it. You don't realize how much your mindset changes when you get one of those co-anglers who can really cast or flip.

"The weigh-ins went a little bit long, and I think if they handed out a few more bags that would move it along a little better. But I didn't think there were any problems that won't eventually work themselves out."

Cody Bird (FLW Tour, 30th)

"It was a really cool tournament. The reason I got into tournament fishing was watching guys like Shaw Grigsby on TV, and it was an honor for me to get to fish with them in that deal.

"For as little time as they had to do it, it was really well-organized. I figured the first one might be a little bit sloppy, but it ran about as well as any other tour event."

Mike Wurm (Elite Series, 33rd)

"I thought it went along with no major hiccups, although there are some things they can do to make it a little smoother at the weigh-in, like getting a little more in sync with the paperwork. But I was impressed and I'm looking forward to the next one.

"I was glad we had the cross-mix from the different circuits. Everybody was upbeat and glad to be there, and I hope this really gets going well. We're all looking for great things."

Tracy Adams (FLW Tour, 34th)

"I had a good time and I really liked the observer format – that was a pretty good deal. You could sort of go at your own pace a little bit more when you weren't worried about somebody in the back of the boat, and I was fishing real slow, so that made a difference.

"Hopefully this thing can really go somewhere if we all hang in there."

Mike McClelland (Elite Series, 35th)

"I was just tickled to death with the way everything came off. It was really cool to get back together with a lot of guys I started out fishing against, but I hadn't been around very much the last few years. For a first event, I don't think it could've come off any better.

"Honestly, I was a little skeptical about whether we'd have a full field for this first one. It was great to see all the sponsors get on board, and we're looking forward to adding new ones as we grow and progress."

Kevin Wirth (Elite Series, 48th)

"I thought it was all positive, even though the weather didn't cooperate, and I was happy that Brian Snowden won. There were a lot of good things that went on.

"I also think it was a step forward for fishing. Golf really didn't take off until the PGA was formed, and that's the same place we are now. It was nice to see that so many fishermen from all levels understand the real principle of where we need to be at."

Rick Morris (Elite Series, 54th)

"Overall it was a pretty good tournament and things ran pretty smoothly. I'm really excited about it – I'm going to participate in every one, no matter where it is. I was a supporter of the PAA from the beginning and I'll continue to support it.

"With the pros who are running this thing and all the hours they put into it, I expected it to go like it did. I didn't expect a shoddy-run tournament and I didn't see any surprises.

"Everybody who was elected to the board is doing an awesome job. They want our input, and we're giving it."

Mike Hawkes (FLW Tour, 74th)

"I was thrilled with it. We didn't get all of the top names, but it was a very strong field – probably one of the strongest you'll see all year long.

"The thing I really enjoyed was fishing by myself – I don't know if I can go back (to having a co-angler in the back of the boat). I didn't catch them real good, but I really enjoyed my days on the water."

Chris Lane (Elite Series, 135th)

"I learned one thing – cold fronts, Florida fishing and myself don't go together. But it was just like any other tournament trail, and I don't say that as a positive or a negative. It was the first one, they're looking to grow and everybody will learn from it.

"I didn't notice too many hang-ups or anything – I was trying to focus on catching fish."