The fourth IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by Hawg Sticker Baits was held at Lake Monroe. The weather was hot and humid with light clouds. 175 fishermen took off at 5:30 a.m. for a fun day of fishing. Several non-boaters came in with fish while their boaters blanked or had only 1 fish. Mike McDonald, of Ranger Boats, made a very good point at Saturday's meeting, he stated that we have a good turn out for boaters, but that we need more non-boaters to fish our tournament. He asked for the help of all the fishermen to recruit non-boaters to join in the fun of this tournament trail.
We had 76 fishermen bring 116 fish to the scales with a total weight of 273.59 pounds for an average of 2.36 pounds per fish.
David Moore took the honors of first place winner with 5 fish weighing 14.20 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $2,286.00. David will also receive a check in the amount of $1,000.00 from Ted's Aqua Marine. Anyone who purchases their boat from Ted's and wins an IBF tournament using that boat gets $1,000.00 from Ted's Aqua Marine. Second place went to Ken Gibbs with 5 fish weighing 10.84 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,242.00. Third place winner was Bill Rea bringing 3 fish to the scales weighing 8.74 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $889.00, along with a third place plaque. Fourth place went to Tony Wright with 3 fish weighing 8.73 pounds. He received a check for $559.00 and a fourth place plaque. The fifth spot went to Kelly Hook with 2 fish weighing 8.48 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $397.00 and the fifth place plaque.
Art Claridge won the big bass pot with a big bass of 6.09 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $712.00. Since no one caught a big bass of at least 6.75 pounds, the Progressive Big Bass Pot carries over to the Wawasee Tournament. THE PROGRESSIVE BIG BASS POT CARRYOVER IS $3,180.00 AND WILL BE INCREASED AT WAWASEE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN THE TOURNAMENT. If there is a progressive big bass winner at Wawasee, that person has the potential of receiving a check in the approximate amount of $3,800.00! If no one hits the Progressive Big Bass Pot the people who weigh the three largest fish at the last tournament will share in the pot.
David Moore received a new rod from Jack's Tackle Center in Kokomo for catching the second biggest bass weighing 5.90 pounds.
Jim Hawkins is our current points leader, but as you can see, the competition is very close. Kelly Hook and Dave Gipson are hot on his heels and it should be exciting the rest of the way. The points leader gets his entry fees paid for the next year and also receives a very special Angler-Of-The-Year Ring. Everyone still has a realistic chance to make it to the top 40. Even if you don't make it to the top 40, if you have fished in five of the six regular season tournaments you will qualify to fish in the Wildcard Tournament from which we will draw five additional classic participants. Stick with us all the way. Each tournament is fun on it's own besides the opportunity to make the Classic. In addition to that, the Progressive Big Bass Pot is getting really interesting!
Please take the time to say a special thanks to our sponsors. As you can see from the door prizes, they really come out and support the IBF trail!! Please take the time to say thank you to them any time you have the opportunity. They really do appreciate that you recognize their efforts.
David Moore's name was placed in the drawing for the Solar Bat Eye Protection sponsorship for the 2002 season. The highest finishing fisherman wearing and mentioning Solar Bat Sunglasses while weighing in will be entered in a season end drawing. The fisherman drawn will have his entry fees for all six (6) 2002 IBF Invitational Trail Tournaments paid by Solar Bat. Solar Bat will furnish the winner with solar bat boat decals and embroider solar bat on up to four (4) tournament shirts. DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE SPONSORED BY SOLAR BAT IN 2002.
Also, in conjunction with Outdoorsman Sports Shop and Jack's Tackle Center, we are displaying and selling Solar Bat Sunglasses at the tournament sites for your convenience.
American Trans Air is supplying a one (1) round-trip airfare for two (2) on any ATA scheduled service flight destination within the continental U.S. To qualify for this special drawing you must have fished the tournament and attended the check presentation for that tournament. For each check presentation you attend (provided you fished that tournament), you get one (1) entry towards the special drawing at the Classic. This is for the six (6) regular tournaments and will not include the Classic. Example: If you fish all six (6) tournaments and stay for all six (6) awards presentations, you will have six (6) chances towards the prize. It only takes a few minutes to be eligible to win this prize. Please stick around and put your name in the pot!!
As you can see, there are many reasons to come out and fish the IBF trail. We welcome everyone (boaters and non-boaters) to come out and join us. If you know a non-boater, ask them to join in the fun. We really need them!!
The next event is on August 19, 2001 at Lake Wawasee and will be sponsored by Moore Boats, Ligonier. PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR ENTRY FORMS COMPLETELY AND SIGN THEM. PRE-FISH PARKING AT WAWASEE: Please be careful where you park your truck and boat. Several fishermen had to pay $50 to $100 to get their truck and boat off of people's personal property last year. For example, if you ramp at the public ramp at Wawasee, there is a public parking lot. If it is full there is a place called Hershey's Marina very close who will allow parking at a reasonable fee. It is located behind the gas station across the road from the ramp. If you ramp at the Syracuse ramp, there is parking available at the molasses factory, compliments of Andy Nickels.
Sandy and I want to take a spot in this newsletter to give a special thanks to Ed O'Conner, Dexter Cloud, Mike Gibbs, Bryan and Wendy LaLone and Brent LaLone for all of their help with our first IBF tournament season. Their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work are appreciated more than any words can say.
The results for the Hawg Sticker Baits Lake Monroe IBF Invitational are enclosed, along with the Year-To-Date results and the Rookie standings.
The tournament crew and I want to thank you for your support. As always, we welcome your questions or comments. Please don't hesitate to call either Sandy or me. We hope you will come and join the fun at Wawasee!! Good fishing to all of you!!
Dan Simmons
Tournament Director
