Pro/Am Sponsorship A-TOM-MIK

[johnbrownt]

As the only tournament series on Lake Ontario that pays back 100% of all entry fees

A few years ago they did not pay back 100% in the am div.at Orleans. If I remember right they took $1200.00 from the am entry fees and put it in the pro. I have not fished one since and will not till it says 100% pay back in each div.

[jason]

i remember that....and there excuse was the pro need the money

[Y-Knot]

Tom, your generosity has always been appreciated, I have always thought of you as a very genuine person. I have always felt you as an owner has always gave back to the fisherman, above and beyond what should be expected. I have ordered many things from you, and i always considered you a generous person. I think alot of these tournaments people let $$$ get in the way of their own thinking and wanna try and make it bigger and better with more $$$.I wish could be great, but tossing aside a guy who has supported these events and helped back alot of teams, is wrong. If the tournament is only 50-80 boats total for the weekend with no TV crews,no big pay outs, and no drama who cares. I doubt everyone who fishes these tournaments gets in them to make money, there isnt a lot to be won. Its about friendship,good times, and recognition. So who cares if its 50-80 boats fishing, and everyone has a good time. Thats what fishing is all about to most of us, greedy is the root of all evil

[Fishtails]

I doubt everyone who fishes these tournaments gets in them to make money, there isnt a lot to be won. Its about friendship,good times, and recognition.

It's not who wins the most, but who looses the least......

Just doing my part to get this shipwreck to page #5 I have read all the responses, and there are some good ones Thanks Dave Turner for taking the time to give us some insight. I may not agree with this one, but I appriciate your effort none the less.

I think Billy V summed it up very well. Kudos to you Bill. For the reasoning he stated alone, these new "rules" should be suspended and revisited AFTER the 2010 season. Deals have been struck and promises made. It's unfair to make such changes on short notice. The way this was handled was all wrong...on all sides. Please....lets put pride and bruised egos on the back burner and do what's right. This has been a loose - loose deal and we'll be feeling the effects of these decisions on both sides for a long time. Lets at least get it right and suspend these changes until further research can be done and proper notice given.

In all fairness, these things are going to happen sometimes when non fishermen run a fishing tournament. Mistakes happen, it's how we handle them that define us as both individuals and as a tournament.

Lets do the right thing Pro Am committee, and put these two rules in question on "hold". Maybe then we can all have a big group hug at the captians meeting

[Shade]

Well said Rod. I agree wih you except where you thanked Dave Turner for taking the time to explane.

Dave Turner has an OBLIGATION to the sponsors and participants when rules are changed He new what the ramifications where gonna be and if he did't some of the committee sure should have. The timing for this was no mistake.

I understand their vision to grow the Pro/Am and to have TV coverage. What are they looking for? More out of state participants. Unless they up the number of Pro entrees what good is it?

I am just wondering if there is a video this year that some of the Charters who really deserve to be catured on video there 15 minutes of fame. Like Capts Vic, Billy, Rick, and many others who help us put more fish in our boxes by their reports and feed back when questions are asked. These are the real Fishermen who motivate us to get involved in the derbys and tournements up and down Onatario.

I agree Rod, hold off until next year with these changes and give yourself more time to think outside the box for a better way to meet accomplish your goals.

Howie

[LIQUID PLUMBER]

I'm so mad about this B.S. how can they do this to person who has done so much. Tom puts his heart and soul in to our sport and didn't deserve this sucker punch! I say that we give Tom a hand up and show our support for him by wearing A-TOM-MIK shirts to the Capt. meeting and the weigh in's. If you don't have a shirt make one with a marker and if you only have one don't worry a stink should be made about this!

Del

[Time Out]

I guess since Ill already have the marker out making new cardboard decals for my boat, Ill leave the cap off for anyone who needs a shirt.

[ray koziatek]

i got my shirts......................................hmmm ill bet most guys who get into these derbys are on this site, too bad their wasnt some way to do a online survay or a Capt. Meeting or Discussion group as to the new rules. I know ya cant keep everybody happy , But as my old Drill Instructer said one day after a few guys in the platoon failed on the rifle range """ due to the actions of a few We all Will pay """with outstreached arms holding our rifles till every bone in our body ached ,,,then we did leglifts , and a few hundred situps....Then he said to ""Get used to in life as we all will pay for the Actions of a Few""..............................

..........................................

..........................................

Everyone did pass the next time on the range...

But then again we didnt have the choice to say """"see ya""'' Kinda takes the wind outa the oll sails ,,,Also makes ya long for the days of old when someone says "Thank You"

When someone hands you a gift...awe shucks im justa plummer.......(no pun Del)

[Paul Czarnecki]

As the only tournament series on Lake Ontario that pays back 100% of all entry fees

A few years ago they did not pay back 100% in the am div.at Orleans. If I remember right they took $1200.00 from the am entry fees and put it in the pro. I have not fished one since and will not till it says 100% pay back in each div.

WRONG! That year the Ams were paid exactly what they should have been. The taking of am money and giving it to the pros was a bad, delusional rumor started by a disgruntled volunteer. Who, by the way, is no longer involved in the event. I hope you'll fish the Orleans this year. The entry deadline is Sunday. You might be very pleasantly surprised.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Popeye]

Tom,

I applaud all you do and have done for this fishery. I stand behind you all the way. The teams should choose the name or names that represent them, not tourney directors.

Why don't we just hold a socialist tourney series. No need to fish, just divy the entries and sponsor monies equally to every one.

[ray koziatek]

Ya know the worst part of responding to a post like this (and i feel all input should be its a FREE country "for now" ) Is the wormy handshake and side glances you get when you meet the folks that kinda bent your nose..(or broke it)... But i do know ONE THING Many were not to happy in the AM division when expecting to be paid back or reconigized 10 places To find out at weighin that only 5 will be ,I dont care if their is only 10 boats that get in it ok give cash of smaller amounts all the way down ,OR cash first 5 and Sponcer gifts to other 5 or even $100 bucks each to offset the cost a tad ..........Plus from the Commitees View ya probly lost 20 or more guys at final weighin after word was spread (left early) , so that was 20 less to buy food and beverage ,and maybe 50/50 or raffle tickets...........

The best thing at the Scotty derby when signing in was getting the TEAM packet and the shirts were a nice momento too, THO MUSKY WAS A LITTLE DISSAPOINTED THERE WAS NO PLAID OR STRIPED SHIRTS!!!!!!

So as the derby gets closer Im gonna try and "forget my last round of golf" get into this derby WITH A FRESH MIND AND BODY (wanna see?) And no matter where we place ............This will be the first time my team will go home NOT as a bunch of L.O.U.S.E.R.S. Tho landshark told me PEGASUS is Greek for "Fluffy Unicorn" is that true???

see ya all friday....................Ray K.-----------------TEAM FLUFFY..........er ....UM... "PEGASUS"

[A-TOM-MIK]

As this thread slips away I would like to extend my gratitude to the many who have chimed in, sent pm's and E mails, and to those who came to see me and who have phoned. All your very positive support has been concrete evidence that I did my job as a sponsor through the years. THANK YOU

Ray, as I was sitting in Olcott with friends Paul pointed out to us: "Hey, there is Ray!" While you were coming back into port a few weeks ago. The internet gives a new meaning to the phrase "word of mouth" these days, we all looked for no better reason than to see you drive your boat and share a few more words about Ray !!!!

You touched upon a very factual piece of key info in your post, the time where you end up meeting up to each other where it is more close an personal than it is while sitting behind our key-boards here typing away. The term "wormy handshake" made me laugh, oh there will be plenty of wormy handshakes. I guess when politics of any sort are involved we will always see these times, however unfortunate they will be here !!!

As far as team packets and goodies, I recal a few years back receiving some non related fishing items and a pencil, as I often sit here and think about future sponsorships, info from these threads leans me towards ideas, at one point in a thread it was also mentioned how it was nice that you still actually received something from A-TOM-MIK. That thread hit me hard, prompted me to "want to continue" with spreading the name the best way I knew how. As I pulled out of sponsorship with another "series event" after a rather large $$$$ (product) proposal, this was what I was told, "Tom, your goodies don't pay for our tents". If only all these event coordinators would realize the impact that was felt, and what they were losing, I think they would take a closer look to their dictatorship like approach. If at sometime in the future we start getting excessive spoons, various flies and more fishing related items in our goodie "Captain's bags" maybe it finally "clicked" the way it should.

Also was mentioned somewhere in this entire thread, was how these times (internet related chat) would define the future of these tourney's.............. I could not agree more !!!!!

In close, I would like to thank once again, my supporters, even those behind the scenes who have made mention's to coordination how they felt this mistake was let go. THANKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS !!!

Another special thanks to the teams listed below: Some that just simply follow us and some that Pro Staff for us, from all venue's south shore & north, and all corners, thanks for the recent contacts and for past support and future, and if I forgot any I truly apologize:

TEAM COLD STEEL A-TOM-MIK FLY

TEAM SCREAMER A-TOM-MIK

TEAM YANKEE TROLLER A-TOM-MIK

TEAM PRIMETIME A-TOM-MIK

TEAM MEATHEADS A-TOM-MIK

TEAM EAST COAST BOYS A-TOM-MIK

TEAM VISION QUEST

TEAM LIQUID PLUMBER

THE ZIP N ZIM

TEAM REEL EXCITEMENT

TEAM SUNRISE 11 "THE DEUCE"

LONG LIVE "TEAM LIVEWIRE"

TEAM LONE WOLF and Jeremy

TEAM STRIKER

TEAM TK

TEAM TWOFISH

TEAM POPEYE aka CRAZY B*TCH

TEAM THRILLSEEKER

TEAM REDLINE

TEAM HAMMER A-TOM-MIK

TEAM SEA DEVIL/BIG FIN A-TOM-MIK

TEAM HIGH ADVENTURE

TEAM DIXIE DANDY

TEAM PRESSMAN

TEAM D.(ead) A.(ss)

THE BAD BOYS

TEAM HAT TRICK A-TOM-MIK

THE "HER MONEY" VESSEL

TEAM MORE MARVELOUS

TEAM PROTEUS

TEAM A-TOM-MIK ROCKETS

TEAM BUFFA

TEAM LITTLE WHIP A-TOM-MIK

TEAM PRIMETIME "EAST"

TEAM LIGHTNING

TEAM LUCKY ENUFF

TEAM TALL TAILS

ON THE LAM

TEAM ROYALFLUSH/SHIRLEY B

LONG LIVE TROUBLESHOOTER

TEAM THUNDER/CANNONBALL

TEAM MAVERICK

TEAM HOOVER

THUNDER STRUCK

TEAM HOT RODS Oswego division

TEAM FINNATIC

AT LAST

TEAM SPOONFED/NK

TEAM BREAKAWAY

TEAM HIGH VOLTAGE

TEAM SPARKS

[SkeinMachine]

Hey Tom, thanks for getting us together a few weeks ago to fish the "2010 Feed The Fry" Tournament(benefits to Port Dalhousie net pens), your involvement around the lake speaks for itself

Team LiveWire

[FISHINMAN]

Anybody else get to see the Thrillseeker A-TOM -MIK team shirts that got the name "blurred out" in the Oswego Pro AM pictures yet somehow the Billy V Cannon team ones were not

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pho ... 1174207024

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pho ... 1174207024

Oh and here's one of the second place Primetime team, great photo editing on their T-shirts too

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pho ... 8085070192

I guess it really isn't who you know but who you_______! Still haven't been able to figure out why they would crap on what was such a GREAT sponsor! All that you were giving to them each year for prizes must not have been wanted or needed to be passed along to the competitors . Apparently they had to much

Just go win it again this week and make sure ALL the teams you helped thank you guys like a NASCAR driver does

It doesn't seem like it's anything personal though Tom

[A-TOM-MIK]

Here's the way I see it:

I made a statement by withdrawing from sponsorship, this after I was given "what I thought" were weak excuses as to why they did not want the A-TOM-MIK name in association to the many teams I was represented by.

Prior to my "statement" it was brought about as no big deal, then a few others dropped out of sponsorship on their own accord due to similar feelings.

At this point in time the realization was setting in that the importance of a sponsors name "well placed" was really "more important" than originally thought.

So, as to not lose more interest "they" started using sponsors names at the start of the tournaments in the very ways they said they would not: Example, internet spread sheets, while MC'ing on stage and while calling off winners to stage. One weak explanation given was it was too hard to increase cell size on spread sheets, another later on was that it was too difficult to keep them straight and fit them on white boards, even the accusation of "the chance at hurting future potential entrants by calling out a sponsored name" Meanwhile at each venue with clipboard in hand several of the sponsors that are left are rattled off with ease. They don't seem to be too worried now days about hurting potential future teams.............. LMAO Politics !!!!

Nothing more than guilty of trying to "save face" at that point and now letting a political call get personal

Blocking out the A-TOM-MIK name on an Oswego County, NY - FB Page

http://www.facebook.com/visitoswegocounty

For all I know it was "paid tax payer personnel" hard at work burning up them tax-payer dollars to sort through quite a few photos looking for only A-TOM-MIK apparel (:

Oh well, as I b*tch and moan it will not only be the end of any A-TOM-MIK sponsorship towards these events, it will also be the end of my involvement at the conclusion of Sodus, as I must hold up my dedication to the Cold Steel Team only

It was all fun until it became political, as they continue to widdle away at the sponsors and now the entries of our Oswego event losing us one by one its obvious it will never click once politics are involved. I will now join the rash of Ex-Pro/Am anglers that Oswego has a host of due to various AGENDA's

Tom

[hot rod]

Well Tom there is no better way to go out than to go out on top.....good luck in Sodus this weekend.

[Billy V]

Fishinman,

Rest assured that I had nothing to do with their decision as to which shirts to blur or not. I simply fielded a team, designed shirts that included my sponsors logos and went fishing. What they did with the pictures was solely up to them.

[Time Out]

All I have to say is "Way to go" That is one classy move blurring out a logo. I can't WAIT to see some of the new sponsors we get because A-TOM-MIK wasn't seen on the Thrillseeker shirts. The payouts are getting better already, and so is the merchandise.

[Shade]

Every day we go on the water we put a program together. A program is like a recipe, it takes some ingridients to make it successful. What lures are we using whether it be , ATM, Big Weenie, Siggs Riggs, DW, Northern King, Mich. Stinger, ETC.

Then we look for what depths we will start in and we put our faith in our electronics and gear. Finally we hope that the reports and advise we got from LOU will make for a successful outing.

If my program is successful and a certain product are putting fish in my box then and I put their logo on my shirt, boat or even tattoo on my a$$ to show my appreciation that is my business. I will not allow anyone to tell me I can not wear my shirt or run my boat in a tournement because I happen to have a logo of a company who is not a sponsor of that event.

If the event committee is going to allow blurring of names then they need to get permission before they take any pics.

There is no way i would allow my pic taken if they are going to alter my atire.

If it wasn't for these manufacturing companies that put these great products on our poles, lake Ontario would not have the success it has nor would the tournements. If it wasn't for the LOU website and the experience that Billy V, Free Spirit, Maverick, Chromslayer, Thrillseeker, Crazy Yankee, LOTSA memebers and some of the other novice fishermen that are willing to share their success stories and advice the entries for these tournements would be far fewer then now.

Like I said if showing my appreciation is putting their names or logos on my boat or shirt so they may get 5 minutes of free advertizement so be it. The tournement committee does not help to win, its the ingredients in your personal programs that did.

SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION...Stand by the guy who gave you the products.....do not get cought up in politics.

Howie

[FISHINMAN]

Fishinman,

Rest assured that I had nothing to do with their decision as to which shirts to blur or not. I simply fielded a team, designed shirts that included my sponsors logos and went fishing. What they did with the pictures was solely up to them.

Billy, I was just using your picture as an example to compare and show what was happening because that's what had come up on my FB page and it was not intended to be a "shot" at you or the Cannon sponsors personally by any means. I am glad that Cannon is pouring some into the Pro Am more the merrier or so we thought . Although Billy they are kinda bumble beeish looking .

I don't participate in the Pro Ams anymore for other reasons and really want them to succeed because they were a great time when I did do them and have told many others to give it a try, but it certainly seems that Tom and the A-TOM-MIK name is getting screwed over and he certainly doesn't seem to have deserved it with all that he had done in trying to help the Pro Am succeed. I thought that this was something that needed to be shown.

Shade very well said and I will be purchasing a couple A-TOM_MIK stickers to put on my boat now for sure

[rdebadts]

for a second there, I almost thought that this was getting blown out of proportion.... but YIKES, those pictures are PRETTY OBVIOUS!

Im sorry to see that they have so much time on their hands that they can go to the trouble of editing in such great detail! Dont they have a road to pave, or signs to fix or something!

Goes well with my general philosophy that all politicians cannot be trusted.

[ray koziatek]

Tom ,it was good to see you involved in the Pro /am in sodus ..................

If i had seen this post sooner (spent thur---sun at sodus) I would of spoke my mind when i had the mike in my hand saturday...

The pics with the blurred out was very wrong ...,childlish,spitefull and about100 other negative words i could come up with in 30 sec ..

What was that old saying "bend over a Dollar to pick up a Nickle",,,,,,well this is more of a kick the dollar in the A$$ and hope to find a nickle.

THe Pro/Am commitee better post a VERY GOOD REASON FOR DOING SUCH A SPITEFULL MOVE iT ANT ONLY YOU THERE HURTING ,BUT EVERY SUCCESFULL FISHERMAN IN THE PRO AMS ,IN FACT YOUR PRODUCT SPEEKS FOR ITSSELF....

SO I GUESS IT IS THE ENTRANTS OF THE PRO/AM WHO ARE GETTING THE $%IT END OF THE STICK..

i SPENT OVER $700.00 THE LAST FOUR DAYS AT SODUS AND IF MY NEAR 13 LB BROWN WAS BIG BROWN OF THE DAY THE $500.00 WOULD OF EASED MY PAIN AS IM NOTTHE RICHEST GUY IN THE WORLD (I FISH OUT OF A 23 YR OLD ALUM BOAT WITH RUMMAGE SALE EQUIPTMENT).......THE 700.00 WOULD BUY ME A NICE FISH FINDER OR OTHER NEEDED STUFF....

]

bOYMY MOULTH IS TASTING LIKE POOP AFTER SEEING THAT PIC AND ITS TOO BAD CAUSE THIS WAS THE FIRST PRO/AM "MY SON AND I FISHED AS A TEAM' AND I WAS REALLY GONNA PUSH THE FAMILY ,FUN ,AND COMPETITIVE FISHING IN THE PRO/AMS NOT THE POLITICAL.................................................BASS PRO HERE I COME..

[Patriot]

White Shirts with collars Rod get ready !!!! NO little NIKE logo

No Jean shorts or cut-offs

Oh yeah, no beer ~~~~

LMAO

No shirt, no shoes, NO TROPHY?

[A-TOM-MIK]

Blurred Images fixed I was told?

LOL now images not even shown

Actually 95% of all images that had A-TOM-MIK in them have been entirely removed

Guess I can give them the benefit of the doubt after their apology, maybe they are fixing them to put them back up

What a joke so far

Oswego Pro/Am is setting up in 2011 for about "40 something" teams I predict at current progress

Hmm, what happened last time I predicted something............

He He He

Tom

[bigweenies]

Its the soccer moms again