PORT CLINTON, OH (Toledo News Now) - Imagine getting paid to go fishing. That's the lure of this sport.
These guys aren't household names, but the event is so big, it's being taped and air in October on the NBC Sports Cable Network.
Rick Zachowski of Wisconsin found the walleye are really biting on Lake Erie:
"Lake Erie is one of the greatest lakes. There's so many fish here. Had a great time catching fish. How can you go wrong"
Zachowski is one of 125 anglers competing in the FLW Pro Walleye Fishing Tournament in Port Clinton.
Whoever weighs in with the most walleye over a three day period wins.
"Absolutely. It's a huge deal. These are the biggest bags of the tour pretty much." says tournament official Joe Opager.
Eight years ago, Bill Shimota of Minnesota quit his job as an electrician. Now, he's a professional fisherman, competing in the five stop tour. Last year, he reeled in $50,000 in prize money.
Shimota says it wasn't a hard decision to walk away from his day job:
"And I finally said 'You know what? I get the chance to do it. I'm going to go for it.' More work than a forty hour work week. Work I wouldn't trade it for anything."
None of the pro anglers will keep their daily catch. All walleye will be donated to four area food banks.
