The Indiana BASS Federation Invitational Classic will be going north in 2001 to Lakes Shafer and Freeman in Monticello, Indiana. The Monticello lakes area is often referred to as the "Riviera of the Mid-west", as the area businesses play host to over one million visitors annually in the summer months. One of the main attractions of course is the area's recreation diversity, excellent fishing, and of course the Indiana Beach Amusement and Water Park. This makes the Monticello Lakes Area one of Indiana's largest attractions besides the Indianapolis 500, or Brickyard 400.
Monticello isn't just a great place to go for a week's vacation. Given the central location between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois Monticello, Indiana is ideal for several weekend getaway's that are within less than a tank of gas from home for many people.
If Monticello, Indiana sounds like a busy place, in the summer you guessed right. But, by the time the Indiana Bass Federation Classic contenders arrive the amusement park will be closed, and most resorts as well. The tourist season will be over, and the bass will be starting on the prowl looking for easy meals before winter arrives in December.
A few Monticello business leaders had several meetings with the Tippecanoe Valley Anglers this past year discussing everything from demographics to sponsorship. Area businesses are now looking at the sport of bass fishing as a way to possibly extend their season. They want championship events as well as clubs to come in for the week or weekend, because they have the facilities and activities to handle them. Plus, the early spring and fall fishing is excellent for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. It's a perfect fit.
Past I.B.C.F. President Eldon Crabtree and I.B.C.F. Secretary Mitch Hayes attended and emceed the final round of the 2000 TVA Bass Championship last August and were given the grand tour of the facilities. "TVA is so very fortunate to have this kind of community support and sponsorship" remarked Crabtree at the Angler-of-the-Year dinner after seeing the facilities and sponsor support of the TVA Bass Championship.
"Eldon had the initial contact and came back with a very high recommendation" said I.B.C.F. Invitational Tournament Director Simmons as he talked about how special the 2001 I.B.C.F. Classic will be for the anglers, their wives, and the I.B.C.F. Inviational sponsors. "I think, this classic has had more support from a local level than in the past" said Simmons as he talked about his facility tour.
The Indiana BASS Federation Classic usually always goes to someone's "homelake". It's very hard to go anywhere in Indiana without being on someone's "home lake".
The 2001 Indiana BASS Federation Classic will be quite different though, and the water will be very fairly neutral since five of the six Indiana BASS Federation Invitational tournaments are being held below Indianapolis this year. "The fact that it's on two lakes, instead of one, makes this classic signifcantly different" remarked Simmons. Simmons explained that he looks at Shafer as more of a shallow largemouth oriented lake, and looks at Freeman as more of a deeper rockier lake with more smallmouth.
One thing for sure though, with Dan Simmons it's going to be a lot of fun, and full of surprises!!
