PAA Observer sign-ups began today

3/22/2010 7:59:55 PM

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Registration began March 22 for anyone wishing to participate as an official Observer in the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.

The Series consists of four tournaments comprised of the best touring professional bass fishermen from the PAA, Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour. A non-fishing observer will accompany each angler to assure the ethics of the PAA are followed and the integrity and validity of the rules are adhered to by all contestants.

As an official member Observer, you can spend up to three days learning from the nation’s top pros while they compete with one another. There is no better way to learn tournament tactics, decision-making or how to win than to watch an event from the boat.

Observers must be at least a General Member of the PAA. There is a $50 entry fee, paid one time per tournament, which entitles the observer to participate up to all three days in each event.

In addition, Observers who participate in Days 1 and 2 will be eligible to participate in a shared-weight competition for Bass Pro Shops gift cards and prizes. The weight of the Observer’s Pro from the first two days will be combined, with gift cards and prizes for the top 20 Observers.

Although official Observers cannot fish in the Tournament Series, there will be unique opportunities to fish with the pros.

The PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Pro-Am will be a small event open to amateur anglers who will be paired with a pro for an event on a nearby lake on Saturday. Pro-Am participants will not be able to observe on Saturday, should they decide to compete in the Pro-Am.

The Pro-Am will use the Catch, Weigh, Release format and be regulated as a paper tournament. Anglers will police themselves and keep track of the weight in their respective boats. Tournament finishes will be based on the total weight in pounds and ounces, up to the tournament limit.

Amateurs must enter the event in pairs, making for a total of three team members per boat. Each team will consist of two amateurs and one pro, and the catches of all three anglers will be recorded on the score card and counted towards the tournament limit.

All amateur contestants must be at least a General Member of the PAA.