WILD CARD TOURNAMENT: For those who did not finish in the top 40, but fished five (5) of the (6) tournaments during the season, the Wild Card Tournament will be held at Cecil M. Hardin Lake, also known as Raccoon Lake. It is located approximately 50 miles west of Indianapolis on U.S. 36. The ramp is located at Raccoon State Recreation Area. The date of the tournament is Sunday, September 16, 2001. Registration starts at 5:00 a.m. There is a $50.00 entry fee. If you were not at the Monroe tournament and do not have an information packet, you can call us if you need additional information. THE LAKE IS OFF LIMITS UNTIL THE TOURNAMENT. NO PRE-FISHING WILL BE ALLOWED.
CLASSIC INFORMATION: The top 40 finishers are qualifiers for the 2001 Classic Tournament to be held on October 6th and 7th, 2001 at Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana. If you are in the top 40 and do not have an information packet, please call us immediately. If you received an information packet at Monroe (or by mail) please fill out the information sheet and return it to us as quickly as possible. WE WILL MAKE THE HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR YOU. You will be responsible for paying for your hotel rooms.
The final 2001 IBF Invitational Tournament sponsored by GALYAN'S TRADING COMPANY of Plainfield, Indiana was held yesterday on Monroe Reservoir. The weather was cloudy and rainy most of the day. 139 fishermen took off at 6:10 a.m. for a great day of fishing.
We had 63 fishermen bring 118 fish to the scales with a total weight of 284.97 pounds for an average of 2.42 pounds per fish.
Mike Quinlin took the honors of first place winner with 5 fish weighing 14.02 pounds. He received the first place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,972.00. Second place went to Aaron Ault with 4 fish weighing 12.77 pounds. He received the second place plaque and a check in the amount of $1,101.00. Third place winner was Leroy McGregor bringing 3 fish to the scales weighing 11.47 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $746.00, along with a third place plaque. Fourth place went to Aaron Hochstedler with 5 fish weighing 10.81 pounds. He received a check for $468.00 and a fourth place plaque. The fifth spot went to Dan Humes with 3 fish weighing 10.30 pounds. He received a check in the amount of $326.00 and the fifth place plaque.
Leroy McGregor won the big bass pot with a big bass of 7.27 pounds. Leroy received a big bass check in the amount of $568.00. As you can see, Leroy also took the Progressive Big Bass Pot in the amount of $4,412.00!!! The target weight for Monroe was 6.50 pounds. It was an exciting time for all of us to see that big fish being brought to the scales. One can only imagine how many times Leroy's heart raced during the day with catching that hog, bringing him to the scales and then receiving a two large checks for catching him!! CONGRATULATIONS LEROY FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!
Dale Fess received a new rod from JACK'S TACKLE CENTER in Kokomo for catching the second biggest bass weighing 5.65 pounds.
Kelly Hook took the Angler-of-the-Year award with 342 points. CONGRATULATIONS KELLY!!! Kelly will have his entry fees paid for the 2002 season and receive The Angler-of-the-Year ring to signify his accomplishment. Also Too Cool Live Well Cooler will install a live well cooler in Kelly's boat for winning the Angler-of-the-Year. Kelly will also receive an Angler-of-the-Year gold ring.
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.
Mike Quinlin'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 at each of our tournaments has been entered in the drawing for the 2002 Solar Bat Eye Protection sponsorship. The winner will be drawn at the Classic Banquet. 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. What an exciting prize!
Enclosed is the Monroe standings, along with the Year-to-Date standings for your review.
I want to take a short amount of space to thank all the fishermen who came out to fish with us. Whether you fished all the tournaments or just one, we really appreciate your support and hope you will join us next year. Sandy and I plan to "beat the bushes" this winter to spread the word about the IBF Invitational Tournament Trail and we look forward to seeing familiar faces, as well as new ones. If you come to the boat show in February, please look us up at the IBF booth and say hi. Thank you again for your support.
Dan Simmons
Tournament Director
