Invitational Tournament Trail
Ohio River at Rocky Point

The fourth 2003 IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by Solar Bat Eye Protection, Gary and Leesa Nesty of Brazil, Indiana took place on July 13, 2003 at Rocky Point on the Ohio River. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gary and Leesa Nesty for their support of the Indiana Bass Federation and the Invitational Tournament Trail. Although the river level was above normal summer pool, the fishing was great!

PATOKA LAKE ENTRIES: We are limited to 125 boats on Patoka Lake. We have been averaging 138 boats per tournament. Get your entries in early if you are intending to fish Patoka. It is also important for the Anglers and Co-Anglers to find a guaranteed partner to guarantee that you have a spot in this tournament. We expect to have a full field at this tournament. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU FILL OUT THE ENTRY FORM COMPLETELY. We cannot finalize your entry unless it is complete.

WILD CARD TOURNAMENT: If you do not finish in the top 40 as either an Angler or a Co-Angler and you fish 5 of the 6 regular season tournaments, you will qualify to fish the Wild Card Tournament. We will take the top 5 Anglers and top 5 Co-Anglers from the Wild Card Tournament for entry to the Classic where you will have a chance to win cash prizes and a Ranger Boat. The Wild Card Tournament will be held on Salamonie Reservoir on September 21, 2003. There will be NO OFF LIMITS period as in the past.

EDDIE GILSTRAP MOTORS TRUCK GIVE AWAY: Every time you fish a tournament you are eligible to have your name entered for the truck give away drawing. At the last tournament registration day, Saturday, September 6, 2003, 6 names will be drawn and those persons will be given a key. You do not have to fish the tournament, but you do have to be in attendance if your name is drawn to receive a key. On Sunday, September 7, 2003, the six participants will have a chance to start the truck with the key that was given to them. There will only be 1 lucky key that starts the truck. That person will have a 1 year lease for that truck.

We had 226 fishermen start out for a fun day of fishing with partly cloudy skies. At weigh in we had 157 fishermen bring 333 fish to the scales with a total weight of 411.98 pounds. Specifically, 93 Anglers weighed in 223 fish weighing 276.98 pounds and 64 Co-Anglers weighed in 112 fish weighing 137.00 pounds.

On the Angler side, Mike Quinlin won the tournament with 4 fish weighing 7.84 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $3,236. Second place went to Rodney Hardwick with 5 fish weighing 7.50 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,618. Ken Bortlein finished third with 5 fish weighing 7.38 pounds and received a check in the amount of $928 and the third place plaque. Finishing fourth with 5 fish weighing 6.94 pounds was Larry Sisk. He received the fourth place plaque and a check for $669. The fifth spot went to Randy Bales with 4 fish weighing 6.44 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $432 and the fifth place plaque. We paid out 18 places on the Angler side. The Hildebrandt Co. First Out Of The Money prize went to David Martin on the Angler side.

On the Co-Angler side, Brad Kippenbrock won the tournament with 5 fish weighing 8.75 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,377. Second place went to Chris Bortlein with 5 fish weighing 5.28 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $680. Todd Kellums finished third with 3 fish weighing 4.88 pounds and received a check in the amount of $411 and the third place plaque. Finishing fourth with 3 fish weighing 4.48 pounds was Jason Murray. He received the fourth place plaque and a check for $295. The fifth spot went to David Zarick with 2 fish weighing 4.34pounds. He received a check in the amount of $188 and the fifth place plaque. We paid out 16 places on the Co-Angler side. The Hildebrandt Co. First Out Of The Money prize went to Co-Angler Paul Phillips.

We now have two big bass pots for Anglers and two for Co-Anglers. There is the Regular Big Bass Pot and it operates the same way big bass pots always operate. The Angler and Co-Angler who catch the biggest bass (by weight) win the regular big bass pots. The second is the Progressive Big Bass Pot. The winner of this pot must catch a big bass that meets or exceeds the pre-established target weight. If no one catches a big bass that big, the Progressive Big Bas Pot carries over to the next tournament. There is a Progressive Big Bass Pot for Anglers and one for Co-Anglers.

The Angler Regular Big Bass Pot was won by Rob Merriman with a big bass of 4.08 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $484. The Co-Angler Regular Big Bass Pot was won by Sam Gillum with a big bass of 4.04 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $210. Since no Anglers or Co-Anglers caught a big bass of at least 5.00 pounds, the Progressive Big Bass Pots carry over to the Rocky Point Tournament. The Angler Progressive Pot is $1,612 and the Co-Angler Progressive Pot is $958. These amounts will be increased at the next tournament based on the number of entries in the tournament. If no one hits that Progressive Big Bass Pots by the last tournament, the respective pots will be split among the top three (3) Anglers big bass and the top three (3) Co-Anglers big bass - they will not be carried over.

The highest finishing Angler and Co-Angler mentioning Solar Bat Sunglasses and wearing them while weighing in received a bonus of $50.00 for the Angler and $25.00 for the Co-Angler. Larry Sisk received $50.00 and Chris Bortlein received $25.00 from Solar Bat Eye Protection Systems.

With four tournaments under our belt we begin to focus on what's happening in the Angler and Co-Angler of the year races. Mike Stetich has moved to the top of the Angler Standings with 358 Classic Points. Mike is followed closely by Mark Randolph, Tim May, Gary Edwards and Scott McGlinchey. George Jones and Phil Reel are tied for the 39th spot with 165 Classic Points. With 200 points still available, virtually everyone still has a chance to make the Classic. Steve Lehman is leading the Co-Anglers with 346 Classic Points and is closely followed by Jack Sturm, Brad Kippenbrock, Chris Bortlien and Greg Evans. Britt Davidson is in the 40th spot with 149 points. The Co-Angler race is more wide open than the Angler race. Don't give up if you're a little down. It's still wide open!

As you can see, there are many reasons to come out and fish the IBF trail. We welcome everyone (Anglers and Co-Anglers) to come out and join the fun. Please take the time to look at our sponsors for 2003 and give them your business if you are in need of their services. Also please remember to thank them when you see a representative. The IBF trail could not exist without the backing of our sponsors - we need to let them know that they are appreciated.

YOU DON'T NEED A "GUARANTEED" PARTNER TO ENTER THE TOURNAMENT. Remember that you can send your entry forms in together or separately if you are entering as "guaranteed," but you do need to indicate the person on the entry form. If you have entered and later find a "guaranteed" partner (prior to the entry deadline), just let us know and we will make the appropriate changes. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE "GUARANTEED."

As you know, this will be my final season as your Tournament Director. The Tournament Crew and I have enjoyed the Tournament Trail and the new friends and fellowship that come with this job. If you think you would be interested or know of someone who would like to take over as Tournament Director, please contact me or Paul Hollabaugh.

The next event sponsored by Outdoorsman Sports Shop will be August 10, 2003 at Patoka Reservoir. Registration and pre-tournament meeting will be Saturday, August 9, 2003 at Tony's Marina, with registration from 3:00 to 5:00 and the meeting starting at 5:00 p.m.

We were pleased with the participation and excitement of the fishermen. The Tournament Crew and I had a great time and enjoyed seeing all of you and hoped that you had a great time fishing with us. We really appreciate your support. Please feel free to call Sandy or me if you have any questions. Let's keep it up!

LETS KEEP UP THE FUN!

Dan Simmons
Tournament Director