The third IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by ECS Anchor Supply took place yesterday at Tanner's Creek. I have to talk a little bit about the registration meeting on Saturday. The Dearborn County Visitor's Center and Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce provided food (good and lots of it), beverage and "goody" bags to all the fishermen. As always, ECS Anchor Supply (Ed Stafford and Tim Northcutt) were present to show their continuing support by giving each of the fishermen an ECS hand towel. The fishing was really tough and I'm sure some of the fishermen ended up using them for "crying" towels. I want to thank ECS Anchor Supply, Dearborn County Visitor's Center and the Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce for making this registration so enjoyable for the fishermen. We really appreciate your efforts. THANK YOU!!
The River was muddy and, in spots, full of trash. We all know that the River changes quickly and by Saturday the conditions were improving and looking a little more favorable for fishing. But on Sunday, the Ohio River yielded a hard day of fishing (as you will see from the number and weights of the fish brought to the scales). Although 163 fishermen were all primed and ready for a 5:30 a.m. take-off, the tournament was delayed for 2 hours due to heavy fog. This set the weigh-in time back an hour so the fishermen could get out there and catch those fish!
We had 43 fishermen bring 55 fish to the scales with a total weight of 81.13 pounds for an average of 1.48 pounds per fish. Everyone who was fortunate enough to catch a fish was rewarded with classic points.
Brent Cripe took the honors of first place winner with 2 fish weighing 5.32 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $2,150. Second place went to Bruce Mathews with 1 fish weighing 4.56 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,212. Third place winner was Dave Gipson bringing 2 fish to the scales weighing 4.15 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $842, along with a third place plaque. Fourth place went to Jim Fisher with 2 fish weighing 4.11 pounds. He received a check for $534 and a fourth place plaque. The fifth spot went to Bob Parker with 3 fish weighing 3.51 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $370 and the fifth place plaque.
Bruce Mathews won the big bass pot with a big bass of 4.56 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $652. Since no one caught a big bass of at least 5.50 pounds, the Progressive Big Bass Pot carries over to the Monroe Tournament. THE PROGRESSIVE BIG BASS POT CARRYOVER IS $2,468 AND WILL BE INCREASED AT MONROE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN THE TOURNAMENT. If there is a progressive big bass winner at Monroe, that person has the potential of receiving a check in the approximate amount of $3,200! Monroe has yielded some very big fish!! Your chances of winning are as good as anyone's!!
The second biggest bass weighing 4.17 pounds was caught by Brent Cripe. He received a new rod from Jack's Tackle Center in Kokomo. It was also Brent's first wedding anniversary! Congratulations Brent!! Makes you wonder what he is going to do next year!!
Also, Brent Cripe'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-trop 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!!
We are now half way through the regular season schedule on our way to the 2001 Classic Tournament at Monticello. Jim Hawkins is our current points leader, but as you can see, the competition is very close. If you aren't doing as well as you want, don't be discouraged to the point of dropping out. Remember, the leaders got where they are in the same number of tournaments as we have left. 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!
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 results for the ECS Anchor Supply Tanner's Creek IBF Invitational are enclosed, along with the Year-To-Date results and the Rookie standings.
The next event is on July 8, 2001 at Lake Monroe and will be sponsored by Hawg Sticker Baits. Get your entry forms in early to avoid late fees and to help out this old Tournament Director and his wife (she's not as old as him!!). PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR ENTRY FORMS COMPLETELY AND SIGN THEM. As always, we welcome your questions or comments. Please don't hesitate to call either Sandy or me.
The tournament crew and I really enjoyed seeing and talking with you at the tournament! We hope you will come and join the fun at Monroe!! Good fishing to all of you!!
Dan Simmons
Tournament Director
