The Minnesota Pro/Am Experience
By Jeremy Flicek

At the beginning of the Minnesota Pro/Am season, I never dreamed I would have placed second for angler of the year or placed 15th or better in every tournament except one. These were some of the best fisherman in Minnesota. Although I've fished many team tournaments against them, I've never fished against them when I made all of the decisions. I'd like to share a little of my experience with you.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Minnesota Pro/Am format, a Pro and Am angler are paired up as a team through a random draw. As a team, you work together to catch an 8 fish limit. The Pro angler has total control over the day. Including, when and where the team fishes. The tournaments are all televised on MSC.

There were many things I learned during the course of last year. The most important thing is that there is a bunch of great people fishing the Pro/Am tournaments. Some of the friends I've made will last a lifetime.

As far as fishing skills go, I learned a few things in a couple of tournaments. Two specific tournaments helped me find a new sense of confidence and patience. Lake Minnetonka and Gull Lake are the tournaments I'm writing about. On those lakes, I learned that you only need one spot to do well in a tournament. If you are sure they're there, stay there and work them until they bite. I finished in the top ten in each of those tournaments by following my instincts and staying on the spot even without getting a bite for sometimes up to an hour. Of everything I learned, I feel those two tournaments helped me develop my fishing skills the most.

This year the Minnesota Pro/Am is striving to become even better than ever. They've got more sponsors and are trying to increase the popularity of our sport. Even going so far as to say that they are going to try to change the attitude towards bass anglers in the Minnesota public. Through television and various other media outlets, they just might make it happen. Let's all hope so.

For those of you who haven't fished a Pro/Am, GO FOR IT! Whether you're fishing as a Pro or an Am, it's a great experience. That is the best advise I can give you. Don't hesitate to call or email me if you want information on the Minnesota Pro/Am or to just say hi. jeremy@jfhomes.com (612) 868-7202