The fifth IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by MOORE BOATS of Ligonier, Indiana was held on Lake Wawasee. The weather was overcast and rainy most of the day. 165 fishermen took off at 6:00 a.m. for a blustery day of fishing. A special "thank you" to you fishermen in helping us get all the boats through boat check and in the water in good time. YOU DID GOOD!!!!
Since no one caught a big bass of at least 5 pounds, the Progressive Big Bass Pot carries over to the Monroe Tournament on September 9th. THE PROGRESSIVE BIG BASS POT CARRYOVER IS $3,844.00 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 $5,000.00! If no one hits the Progressive Big Bass Pot the fishermen who weigh the three largest fish at the last tournament will share in the pot split 50% - 30% - 20%. Your chances of being in the money are better than your chance of winning the lottery - in addition to being more fun!!!!!
We had 101 fishermen bring 211 fish to the scales with a total weight of 345.38 pounds for an average of 1.64 pounds per fish.
Kelly Hook took the honors of first place winner with 5 fish weighing 9.60 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $2,176.00. Kelly will also receive a check in the amount of $1,000.00 from Skeeter/Yamaha promotion. Anyone who owns a Skeeter Boat with a Yamaha engine and wins an IBF tournament receives $1,000.00 from Skeeter/Yamaha. Second place went to Ed Miller with 5 fish weighing 8.01 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,227.00. Third place winner was Kenny Swint bringing 5 fish to the scales weighing 7.30 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $852.00, along with a third place plaque. Fourth place went to Ladd Kitchel with 4 fish weighing 7.24 pounds. He received a check for $541.00 and a fourth place plaque. The fifth spot went to Aaron Ault with 4 fish weighing 7.02 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $374.00 and the fifth place plaque.
Mike Quinlin won the big bass pot with a big bass of 4.73 pounds. He received a big bass check in the amount of $664.00. We were all rooting for Mike when he brought that big fish to the scales. You really got the crowd's attention, Mike!
Kelly Hook received a new rod from JACK'S TACKLE CENTER in Kokomo for catching the second biggest bass weighing 3.68 pounds.
Kelly Hook is our current points leader, but as you can see, he can still be beaten. Dan Chopp, David Moore and James Hawkins are hot on his heels and it should be exciting at the final event at Monroe. The point leader gets his entry fees paid for the next year and also receives a very special Angler-Of-The-Year Ring. A very large number of you still have 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 adds an exciting dimension as it continues to grow!
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.
Kelly Hook's name was placed in the drawing for the SOLAR BAT EYE PROTECTION sponsorship for the 2002 season for the second time. Kelly was also our winner at Rocky Point back in May. He gave quite a speech about his Solar Bat at weigh-in. 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.
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!!
TOO COOL, INC. will be giving a live well water cooler to the Classic winner. Too Cool's desire is not only catch and release, but to release healthier fish!
We started this year with a budget that required us to average 211 entries per tournament in order to continue to do all the things that we planned and that have been done in the past. Through 5 tournaments we have averages 171 entries per tournament. That means that we are 200 entries behind our expectations for this year. We are still going to have a wonderful Classic, however there are a couple of things that we are going to do to reduce our Classic expenses in order to afford everything else we plan to do. First, we will not be paying for the fishermen's motel rooms at the Classic this year. We have negotiated a good price for you at two of the Monticello motels and we will make everyone's reservations that make it to the Classic. Secondly, we have rented vans to escort the fishermen's ladies on an excursion. We will not do that this year, but we will provide a ladies luncheon on Sunday prior to the weigh-in. We will still have a great Banquet provided by Galyan's Trading Company, breakfast for the fishermen, cash awards for 2nd through 10th place and of course, a fully rigged Ranger 518, Ranger Trail Trailer, Mercury 200 EFI Outboard, Lowrance Electronics and Motor Guide Trolling Motor. It's going to be a great event! We wish everyone could make it to the Classic. You all started out the year with the same chance to make it. What other tournament trail do you see out there where you have an opportunity to win such a great prize against only 44 other fishermen?
The next event is on September 9, 2001 at Lake Monroe and will be sponsored by GALYAN'S TRADING COMPANY. Don't miss your chance to take home the progressive big bass pot!
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 us at Monroe!!
Dan Simmons
Tournament Director
