The second IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by Solar Bat Eye Protection and Innovative Sport Group took place yesterday at Rocky Point. The day started out cool, but got warmer with blue bird skies. 180 fishermen were paired up with 90 boats heading out for a great day of fishing beginning at 5:30 A.M.
We had 111 fishermen bring 206 fish to the scales with a total weight of 351.23 pounds. That's an average of 1.71 pounds per fish!! Please keep in mind as the hot weather approaches, if there is a long line of fishermen, it is better for the fish and for your own comfort level to keep the fish in the boat instead of a long line. We will limit the number of weigh bags to keep the distress level of the fish to a minimum. It is better to have the line at the release boat waiting for a sack than in the weigh in line. Thanks again for your assistance in protecting the fish in summer conditions.
The Rocky Point tournament was won with 5 fish weighing 10.10 pounds brought in by Kelly Hook. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $2,260. Kelly also won $1,000 from Skeeter/Yamaha for owning a Skeeter boat Yamaha engine combination and winning the tournament. Second place went to Bob Breivogel with 4 fish weighing 9.54 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,263. There was a tie for third place. Tim Puckett and Larry Sisk each had 4 fish weighing 9.42 pounds. They each received a check for $695.50 along with Tim getting the third place plaque and Larry getting the fourth place plaque. (As you can see from the weights, the fishing was really close!!) The fifth spot went to John Gustin with 4 fish weighing 8.78 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $416 and the fifth place plaque.
The plaques for the tournaments are provided by The Outdoorsman Sports Shop in Greenwood, Indiana. Many of the sponsors fish the tournament trail or have fishermen who represent them at our tournaments. We need to thank them for their support at every opportunity. The sponsors really do appreciate our recognition of their efforts. Without them there would be no IBF tournament trail.
This is the first year that we have had two big bass pots. There is the Regular Big Bass Pot and it operates the same way big bass pots always operate. The person who catches the biggest bass (by weight) wins the regular big bass pot. 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.
The big bass pot was won by Bob Breivogel with a big bass of 5.47 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $720. Since no one caught a big bass of at least 6.00 pounds, the Progressive Big Bass Pot carries over to the Tanners Creek Tournament. It currently has $1,816 in it and will be increased at Tanners Creek based on the number of entries in the tournament. This can get to be real fun. Keep an eye on it!
The second biggest bass weighing 5.19 pounds was caught by Tim Puckett. He received a new rod from Jack's Tackle Center in Kokomo.
Kelly Hook'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 will be displaying and selling Solar Bat Sunglasses for your convenience.
American Trans Air is an additional sponsor this season. They are supplying 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. (Your wife/significant other will thank you!) 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 and they haven't fished with us, ask them to join in the fun. We really need them!!
The results for the Solar Bay/Innovative Sport Group Invitational at Rocky Point are enclosed, along with the Year-To-Date results and the Rookie standings. As you can see, it's anybody's ball game!! The 2001 Ranger 518VX can be yours!! Just keep fishing!!
If you have never fished the IBF Invitational Tournament Trail you are eligible for the Rookie-Of-The-Year award. The Rookie-Of-The-Year winner will have his 2002 entries paid for by Ted's Aqua Marine. If you did not get registered, please give us a call or e-mail us. So far we have 37 rookies!!
The next event is on June 10, 2001 at Tanners Creek. REMEMBER; RULE No. 4 SAYS THAT WE RUN THE TOURNAMENT ON INDIANAPOLIS TIME. Lawrenceburg, Indiana's time is one hour ahead of the rest of the Indiana because of their proximity to Cincinnati. Indianapolis time is the official time.
Get your entry forms in early to avoid late fees and to help this old Tournament Director (and his wife) out. PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR ENTRY FORMS COMPLETELY AND SIGN THEM. It is very important that we stay current on addresses, phone numbers, etc. A fully completed entry form helps us do that. Signatures on the entry forms are a must. Our insurance requires it. This tournament we had to keep track of 18 of you who did not sign your entry form and make sure you signed it a registration. This added tracking burden is really unnecessary and you can help us with it simply by signing the entry form when you send it in. Thanks in advance for your assistance with this problem. 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 putting this tournament on for you fishermen and look forward to Tanners Creek!!
Dan Simmons
Tournament Director
