I'll be posting some detailed information soon on the Burt/Mullett June 10, 2006 Michigan Wal-Mart BFL event - not fishing information. Some of that elsewhere on the site and planned for later - but accomodations, directions, assistance with logistics - all the things I hope will make it easier for particpants to have a fun and successful event up there (I'm not worried about the bass - they are numerous and BIG).
So watch this thread if you plan on going or think you might go. And tell others you know if they want to have a heads-up on the area and the event.
Dan Kimmel
Cheboygan MI Chamber of Commerce
http://www.cheboygan.com/
Indian River Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau
3435 S STRAITS HWY
INDIAN RIVER MI 49749
800-EXIT 310
231-238-9325
info@irchamber.com
www.irmi.org / www.irchamber.com
If you want to check into some things to start with yourself, here is the main Chamber of Commerce in the area; toll-free phone; email; and their websites.
The launch site and weigh in location as of 6/01/06 for the 2006 Burt/Mullett BFL will be:
Pier 33 Party Store / Summer Moorings Marina
1000 Watersedge Drive
Cheboygan MI 49721-8581
(231) 597-8693
Launch fee $5
I will have a map and further good details up shortly on things this new site has to offer us.
Housing:
Fleetwood Inn & Suites
889 South Main Street
Cheboygan MI 49721
Phone: (888) 705-4085
You can find many in the area at the Chamber websites.
I called the landing, and they have a few cabins left - I am looking for a few brave souls to share a cabin - cost ranges from $40-$55/nt each, depending on whats avail when we book it. Also, last one in gets the pullout sofa - I am planning on Thursday night 6/8 thru Sat night 6/10 - for a total of 3 nights - 2 nights 6/8 and 9 might be an option as well, but dread the thought of that long drive back after a tourney day - rather relish the victory and drink an adult beverage at the brown trout bar and grill in town. Any takers? non-smoking preferred, and bring your ear plugs.
Jack
plasticjack2002@yahoo.com
248-762-0311
I'm probably camping at Aloha State Park (800-44 PARKS).
If you haven't already, why don't you read page 1 of 2 here (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/fallsmallies05.htm) about our fall big bass hunt up on Burt and Mullett. Countless 4s! Many 5+ smallies almost every day
(http://www.greatlakesbass.com/images/wld5sm051003.jpg)
and quite a few 6s up to 6-13 along with the GIANT 8-2 smallie!!!
We could be looking at huge weights for this event! Michigan BFL tournament director Anthony Wright is looking forward to this one. So should you!
I can't wait - looks awesome. All those 4 lbers now 5+ up on the beds........ mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Who is planning on fishing the event?
I hope we can get together for some practice a few days prior to the event.
Thanks for the info Dan, I trying to fit it in to the schedule. I wasn't planning on fishing BFL this year but I don't think I can pass up Burt Mullet in the spring. It should be slugfest.
-Matt
The Michigan BFL is dominated by anglers living in southeast Michigan and Northern Ohio. Just how many are going to make the 5+ hour drive north to fish this tournament?? I see this as a 60-80 boat tournament.? Burt/Mulet is more suited fo a week long tournament like the Stren Series, FLW series, or even the FLW.
Quite a few anglers live from Saginaw/Bay City down over to Lansing and the west side of Michigan too. It was obvious that some of them were starting to consider the BFL to be too heavily in favor of the SE Michigan population base. Numbers have already gone down too far to not do something about it.
I think it is remarkable that FLW Outdoors is willing to consider all the anglers that fish other parts of the state. By dominate, I would think 80% or more of Michigan BFL members are from the SE, but the percentage is more like 60%. That is too low to not consider the other 40% who FLW Outdoors still needs to be successful.
I think the dropping numbers from the past two seasons demonstrate that the Michigan BFL has to have some variety, not just be a L St Clair/Erie circuit. That might seem fair to all the anglers who live near there and fish there a lot, but it is not fair to the rest of the anglers. On the west and southwest Michigan alone, there are several 100+ boat circuits who's anglers rarely come over to St. Clair/Erie, but will readily go up north, or fish the Grand. Get an angler thinking of any one event of a series that leads to a regional, and you are more likely to get that angler to fish them all.
It's only a longer drive up north for some of the BFL members. For many, the change will be welcome, and the awesome fishing will more than make up for the longer drive for some. FLW Outdoors has to think about all the anglers if they want to gain back participation.
Three out of five events in the SE probably is still 60% of the events - probably matches the percentage of anglers from the SE verses outstate much closer and much more fair than 80% of the events being in the SE.
I still expect a very good field because of the fishing quality and because if you miss one, your odds of making the regional go done quite a bit. The gas prices will hurt some, but that hurts anyone who doesn't live a half hour from a major tournament lake.
Even if Burt/Mullett has a low turnout, they will just try somewhere else next year because they already know having 4 out of 5 events on St. Clair/Erie doesn't work either. I really like fishing St. Clair, but I feel more competitive not having to fish practically every event in a bunch of anglers' back yard. Obviously, quite a few anglers feel the same way.
I think the overall numbers will be better than last year just because a little variety has been added back in. Just switching back to St. Clair on the opener will be a great move - that has usually been the biggest tournament of the year previously.
Last year the Michigan BFL opener was on the Detroit River with 124 boats.? ?The 124 boater field included 48 boats that where out of state (ohio, Illi, Ind, other), that's about 38% of the field.? The second event also had 38% (42 of 109) out of state boaters.? New growth seems to be coming from outside Michigan.
As of today there are about 50 boaters registered for the burt/mullet tournament, and far more co-anglers.? So boaters are needed!!!!
I talked with the tournament director for the Michigan division today.
All public water reachable by boat from the launch point will be open to fishing.? So if any one has dreams of getting out into Lake Huron you all set.? Just bring lots of money for gas!
I know some of those out-staters are looking forward to Burt/Mullett too. That's what they told me. You remember the boat numbers went down all year as usual, but ended up much lower than any of the previous years since the BFL went into effect (except maybe the first year - I don't remember well, but I think the first year was still higher).
50 boaters at this point is pretty good. We've never been known for real early signup because we don't fill up on a regular basis like some divisions do. I think ~194 is the most (St. Clair) and the only time it got over 160. It's great to get out of state anglers, but this is the Michigan BFL, not the Lake Erie/St. Clair BFL. Some guys like fishing the same water over and over and over and over. I like variety and so do quite a few others. There's plenty of potential for growth in West/SW/N Michigan tournament anglers if they are convinced the BFL will be more than just a St. Clair/Erie circuit. More guys just like Kevin Vida (North) and Chad Grigsby (West).
I guess we will know after the event if it was a good move or not. In the past before overall participation went down, the federation (the only circuit to go up there regularly) had their largest events most years up at the Northern lakes by starting in June. I hope they give it two years minimum to convince anglers that they will have a more even and fair shot.
All of the real big circuits in the past in Michigan were built on fishing all over the state and even Ohio/Indiana verses fishing mostly in one place. No matter what you do, you can never keep all of the tournament anglers happy, but the goal should be to keep the most anglers happy most of the time. I think FLW Outdoors is committed to figuring out what that takes.
It doesn't take that much gas money to fish Burt/Mullett - you'll burn more running up to St. Clair and back, or across Erie on the typical tournament wind. Anglers have run out to Lake Huron and across to the Les Cheneaux in events before. Launching near Mullett cuts over an hour off the time to get out there and back. It is closer than running to the far side of Pelee with less of it exposed to anything but the worst winds.
Even the run to Crooked and Pickerel is not that far - no worse than running to the East side of Pelee Island and a heck of a lot safer weather/wind-wise. I know I can fish Mullett lake all week and burn less gas than I burn on the typical one-day on St. Clair/Erie.
The real bonus to starting up north is adding several weeks to the Michigan BFL season verses starting at Erie/St. Clair so events aren't as badly compressed. This was always hard on the FLW staff and anglers who fish other circuits in Michigan.
After fishing the last two years of the BFL I absolutely love the change! Don't get me wrong I love fishing Erie and St. Clair, but I love to fish any kind of water thrown at me. I also love fishing the Grand and Muskegon and would love to see at least two of them over there. I am from extreme NE Indiana and Trenton is only an hour and 45 minutes from my home in Angola, so as far as drive time Erie is my best choice. I don't have the hours many guys have spent on these waters and am slowly figuring it out the last few years. I feel the playing field really levels out when we leave these waters. Yes, the Grand is tough and it kicked my butt a couple years ago, but that just made me mad and gave me more desire to learn it. The west side always draws several locals and I believe if they had a few more options they would join us over on Erie. I have personally never been on Burt/Mullett, but I can't wait to get up there. I hope the change is a welcome one for most anglers. I hope the high gas prices doesn't hurt the field too bad. Looking forward to putting a few faces with the names when I get up there also. God Bless and Good Fishin'!
Rufus
I also like having Burt/Mullett on the schedule. This is my first year in the Michigan Division of the BFL, and I like having the variety. It should make it easier to compete with the Erie and St Clair regulars.
When I fished the Northeast div (Now Emprire) we always had 200 boat fields, full with wait lists. This division only repeated 1 lake at most (4 unique waters) and drive times were as long as 10 hours for some (Champlain to the Potomac was the longest distance). But it was worth it! For those who did not want to drive and just fish local, thats what the club events were for.
Looking forward to June 10!! I will be up there learning the water the weekends of May 27 and June 3.
Seth
I like the schedule change but I don't feel FLW is committed to a long term plan. Just a one year run up to Burt/Mullet really isn't a good gauge of what works or doesn't.
NEOFISH - I've talked to them about this quite a bit. Expect another northern tournament - possibly on another body of water next year too - depends on how smoothly this one goes and local support. Another choice is already picked out.
It would have to be an utter bomb this year not to happen again next year. I don't expect that.
FLW Outdoors is looking for another water body to hold an FLW Tour, FLW Series or Stren event on in Michigan. Quite a bit of discussion and planning has already been done. A successful northern BFL event could lead to more national level events much closer to home than most of the existing events now. I know that would be good news for a lot of Midwest anglers. I plan on doing what I can to help that happen.
Elk and Torch here we come!!!!!!? That chain gets my vote. Plenty of water and it is as beautiful as it gets.
I'll keep to my vote for the Saginaw Bay. If this was done outta Augres, or Vets with an extra hour for down time outta the river, either way it's a an awesome fishery that doesn't get the props it deserves.
When I spoke with the folks at FLW today I asked if they were going to do anything to focus attention on the is event.? A dull nope was the answer!? I was a little puzzled!? A full page article on this northern Michigan fishery would help get the word out.? I think we all would like to see an annual tour stop (bfl, stren, FLW) on one of these northern Michigan fisheries.? I see no reason why Burt/Mullet or Elk/Torch couldn't be the next Lake Champlain!? With all the money the State of Michigan spends on tourism I would think you could get a promotional package put together.? I'm not a promoter but I think Michigan needs some one to work with the big tournament trails.? I live in Texas during the winter.? They really recruit tournaments to Texas.? They know the economic benefit to the state.
Michigan tourism types and the governments are WAY behind the curve in bass tournaments. I've heard every kind of reason you can imagine over the past 26 years.
We have all those other fish. We have all that golf. We have winter sports. Fishin' is for southern bubbas. You name it.
I guess someone has to convince them otherwise and we anglers can do as much as anyone else by our behavior and getting the word out to people we know about how this sport is really done.
There have been recent positive signs that bass tournament fishing is becoming more mainstream than ever before, that our MDNR is recognizing what is happening elsewhere, and that we may be able to convince some municipalities they need us - and can win big with us.
We just seem to be real slow developers up here. The winter and closed season has some to do with that. I think it even helps us that more national events are being spread out over a longer time.
I know I plan on continuing to improve our relationship with the government and the MDNR, building on recent gains, so more things become possible and feasible. Anglers can help by doing what they can to minimize conflict on the many smaller popular inland lakes, and educating whomever they can whenever they can about what we do and why we do it. Familiarity is important in so many ways. I could write an article just about that.
As far as the event up north, FLW Outdoors puts on a ton of events so it's not easy singling any particular one out. I know Ron Lappin is excited about this event and feels we could set records. That will have more to do with publicity than the promise that is not really that well known yet.
I'm going to work on and with the locals up there yet to get where we can this year. Our biggest challenge up there right now is lack of major facilities, but that could change. It's happened elsewhere. We need to find a local 'champion for our cause' up there like we had many years ago with Chuck at Elk Rapids. There's a potential person up there now. I haven't talked to him yet, but FLW has.
Sometimes these things all happen and come together real fast, and sometimes they take more times. That's why I want to do what I can to make this a successful event in all ways.
I?d like to see this event be a big success.? I?d like to see a commitment to be here for the kick off every June.? The Burt/Mullet event needs a five-year commitment so the local Chamber of commerce can see the effect long term.? But I don?t believe it will be a success.? ?I still believe, that there will be between 60-80 boats.? Now with the expanded top 40 people qualifying for the regional I think its possible to skip one of the first four events.? ?I think FLW will cut and run after just one year.? FLW prove me wrong!? People prove me wrong!? I?d be very happy to say I was wrong!
I spoke to the FLW on Monday, 43 boaters signed up, 23 non boaters on the waiting list.
For the Stren Event on Erie. 153 boaters with 120 nonboaters signed up.
I believe I will be skipping the Burt Mullet event, due to the fact it would be a bad business decision to spend the 5 to 6 hundred dollars with a 50 to 75 boat field.
I fish to win money, I could care less about the regionals.
did they give you numbers for the st-clair and detroit river BFL.. going to be interesting to see how many they get...
St Clair on opening day had 23 boaters signed up and I cant remember the non boaters. With gas prices, I cannot believe they will have more then 100 boats, but I hope I am wrong.
Only a so-so indicator of the final numbers for BFL event in Michigan. We've never been real big on entering early consistently because we have never filled up like other states. A large number of anglers enter in the last few weeks for every event.
I wouldn't compare BFL numbers to a Stren event. They are two different animals attracting different kinds of anglers. You have plenty of anglers who will travel 5 to 10 or more hours for a Stren event because they are interested in a higher level of competition including interest in being pro anglers. Stren Series events have filled up before so anglers will tend to get in them earlier to make sure they get a spot.
The point is FLW already KNOWS that having all the events on St. Clair/Erie does NOT work. Regardless of how this event ends up (and I expect around 100 boats or more unless gas prices keep staying up - that is the main reason I have heard from guys cutting back on all tournaments), BFL will NOT go back to all events on St. Clair/Erie. They will just try more on the West side, Saginaw Bay and/or up North.
If you like prefer to fish all Erie because it is close to you, good for you, but FLW has to try stuff that makes enough anglers happy to have consistent good draws and they already know that doesn't happen with all St. Clair/Erie. There are plenty of other anglers who would fish BFL with some variety and FLW staff will keep trying different things until they find what works best.
I really appreciate that FLW staff is willing to try different lakes to see what will get more anglers out fishing while opening them up to more interest for larger events, because that is the best way we will get more and larger tournaments in Michigan - which is good in the end for everyone for quite a few positive reasons.
I'm going to give it a chance and support it because I do like the regionals, and I like more and larger tournaments in Michigan. I also like variety in a circuit so it doesn't only favor most the anglers who live closest to certain waters and therefore can fish them more often.
This is also very important to me: I think that we need to win over more communities to the value of supporting tournaments if we want to continue to grow in Michigan. There are enough people who don't like tournaments and enough who wouldn't mind them going away to be concerned. We will not get much support in the very SE from communities because of everything else that goes on already in those areas - that is what is keeping us from having more national events on Erie and St. Clair.
But the central, Western and Northern communities are still very possible supporters because we stick out better as a major influx of money into their communities. That is where our true growth for more and larger events exists best, and therefore our best chance at increasing our legitimacy with the overall population as a respectable and accepted sport.
Thanks for the numbers Dowd. I also couldn't care less about the regionals in the BFL, too many people qualify. I'm looking at fishing the burt/mullet just because it's an awesom fishery and it's a good excuse to take a few days up there.
-Matt
Fishing in a regional is no big deal, but making the ALL American is AWESOME. Just ask Dan. You can only make the All American by fishing a regional. Thats why I keep fishing them
Another Northern tournament next year?? This is reckless and stupid!? With out advanced promotion by FLW and the local chamber of commerce these northern events are going to be a hopeless failure.? This is FLW arrogance!? A BFL event it not a big league tournament where you can just name a lake, a date, and have 200 boats show-up.? The BFL is a grass roots tournament trail and it needs to be grown.? ?The Burt/Mullet? tournament should have had an advance promotion? such as the mailing of an information packet. This lets people know that they?re important!? FLW with all of its media power could have put together an article for the magazine. You need to tell people why they must be there!? Happy faces, beautiful scenery and pictures of those 5 and 6 pound smallies that are common in June.? Without being condescending you need to brag about the fabulous fishing that Burt/Mullet offers.? The chance that any angler of moderate skill could weigh-in a #20+ bag of bass.? In an earlier posting I said you need a five-year window to promote, educated, and grown interest in a fishery.? This is a long-term plan.? Skipping around to different lakes every year isn?t going to be a success and leaves you back at step one.? Worst of all it could become the tournament to skip each season.? The carrot and stick approach of dangling the regional and All-American as a reason to fish every event just isn?t enough for most people.
I've fished BFL in the past.? I love that they are going to Burt/Mullett.? The only thing that may keep me from going to fish it is time, or the lack of it.? I like to fish a variety of lakes and I like a circuit that allows the anglers to qualify for bigger tournaments down the road.?
Also, I don't think promotion has anything to do whether or not someone will fish Burt/Mullett.? I'm fairly confident that bass anglers who are willing to shell out $150 to compete in a bass tournament in this region are aware of the bass fisheries in northern Michigan.? It's all about money, time, and attitude.? To Dowd, the payout is just not worth the extra expense of traveling there (at least that's what I took from his comments).? That's reasonable.? To others though (like me), I consider the low end circuits to be kind of a pricey bowling league.? Sure I want to win, but I want to enjoy the experience, which includes surroundings, and a variety of challenges throughout the season.? I would be less apt to consider a circuit that has all of it's tournaments on LSC and Erie.? I just don't want to get physically beat up that much.? Plus, like I said, I enjoy variety.?
It's obviously a numbers game.? FLW is certainly not stupid or they wouldn't be as successful as they are.? They just try to figure out what will increase the number of anglers fishing each tournament.? So they probably experiment a little to find how to do just that.? Time will tell whether their choices will pan out, but "...stupid...", I don't think so.
Promotion has every thing to do with the success of a tournament!? It?s the difference between 80 boats and a possible full field (200 boats).? Word needs to get out to the fisherman who don?t know about our Northern lakes. You can?t keep preaching to the choir! ?Imagine if Burt/Mullet where to draw a full 200 boat field?? ?Imagine what that would say!? Imagine how impressed local businesses, the chamber of commerce and most of all FLW would be to see a great turn out.? Such positive attention could lead to a FLW or Stren series tour event in the future.? I also grow tired of the beating that Erie and lake St Clair dish out both on the water and in traffic.? But I don?t want to see season openers with fewer than 100 boats.? ?
I have set my mine to fish the Burt Mullet event at 70 boats. If I call the day before the late fee and they have 70 boats signed up, I will fish. I am making this decision based on busines, I fish as a business and not emotions. I fish to try to make money, and to help offeset the expense of owning a boat and equipment.
Seeing how Holiday Inn is paying for my hotel room, 70 boats is the break even point for my business venture, even with gas at 3.00. Hopefully they draw 100 plus boats, because I love catching those bedding bass that time of year.
Two hundred dollars is a lot of money to spend to enter a "local" bass tournament.? If an angler has the experience and confidence to spend that kind of money, plus expenses, to fish competitively then they are probably aware of the great bass fisheries up north.?
Promotion can always help any event, but I don't think that it's worth the expense for FLW Outdoors to heavily promote each tournament in every BFL division across the country.? They seem to rely on sending members and former participants a brochure and also rely on those who want to fish the circuit to promote it for them.? After all, if you want a bigger payout, then you will try to get more people to enter.? Dan does a good job on this site of making people aware of tournaments and giving information on the bodies of water where tournaments are located.?
Anglers fish tournaments for different reasons.? There all kinds of circuits trying to capitalize on that.? There are low-cost buddy tournaments, draw tournaments, etc.? BFL takes a fairly serious commitment of cash.? I find it hard to believe that anybody willing to spend the cash to fish BFL, doesn't already know about Burt/Mullett.? So, if somebody chooses not to fish Burt/Mullett it must be other reasons besides the lack of knowing the quality of the fishery.? One reason is some guys just don't want to enter a tournament held on a body of water they aren't that familiar with.? There are many more that I probably don't need to list right now.
Finally, I'm not sure why we need to have national tournaments up north.? Yeah, I know, the economic impact can be somewhat significant for the area for a few days, but I kind of like our quiet little corner of the world up there.? Plus, anytime there is a big tournament (50 boats+) up there, the locals are all up in arms about the noise, wakes in a no-wake, disturbing their loons, etc.? Oh well, people are always going to find something to complain about, I guess.
? ?
Bear in mind first place at the Regional is a truck and boat. First place at the All American is $100,000. It is $2500 if you never catch a fish. The reasoning for a lot of people is "I cannot afford not to fish it"
I do it because it is what I LOVE to do, period. If I could afford to be traveling with the pros right now, that is what I would be doing (am I good enough? NOOO!). Right now, the BFL is what I can afford (not really, but I do anyway and Visa thanks me) so that is my route. I have been fortunate to make my expenses and a little more back the last two years I have fished it, but even if I hadn't I would still be their. I enjoy fishing against many of the best Michigan has to offer. I love the angler/coangler format. I have met some great guys and great fishermen. I have learned many things from my coanglers and have had very few bad experiences. I have made a lot of good friends the last two years. I am blessed to have a wife who lets me travel all over the place chasing the little green and brown fish. I don't care if there is 10 boats or 200 boats, I would still make the trip. The awesome lakes of Michigan are worth it. The competition drives me, but when it comes down to it, I just love to be out there figuring out and catching as many as I can, the money is simply a bonus. I will be doing it as long as it does not put my family in financial stress. I hope to see as many people as can make it to smallie heaven and am looking forward to the trip. God Bless and Good Fishin'
Rufus
Amen!
Quote from: rufus on May 15, 2006, 01:31:28 PM
I do it because it is what I LOVE to do, period.
Well said!? I can't wait, it should be a blast!? Sure, it is more fun when there are 200 boats, but I will be there regardless!
Seth V
Don't sell yourself short Heath. I believe you could give a lot of the big boys a run for their money. You always seem to figure a little something out.
I?m disappointed to read that most fishermen here think of the Michigan BFL as a cozy little bass club. Oh seventy boats will be just fine!? Wouldn?t want too many!? With such apathy I can see why FLW doesn?t bother with promotion. They know there going to get somewhere near 100 boats on average and it?s pointless to expect much more of the fisherman in the Michigan division.
What kind of things are you expecting from FLW to promote the BFL?
Quote from: NEOFISH on May 15, 2006, 05:10:54 PM
I?m disappointed to read that most fishermen here think of the Michigan BFL as a cozy little bass club. Oh seventy boats will be just fine!? Wouldn?t want too many!? With such apathy I can see why FLW doesn?t bother with promotion. They know there going to get somewhere near 100 boats on average and it?s pointless to expect much more of the fisherman in the Michigan division.
I think you are coming across as overly harsh. I'm not sure why, but no one here sounds like they are saying what you are reading into. The point that should be obvious is that everyone has different/various expectations and reasons to fish or not to fish. That is always the challenge of putting on a circuit and trying to get the best draw that can be had. I also think everyone is pretty even in wanting to fish successful, clean and fair circuits too. We have had up to 192 boats in a Michigan BFL and averaged over 130 a few seasons ago. If you have promotional suggestions for Michigan, please call FLW Outdoors and share them.
I believe FLW Outdoors is trying to make the Michigan BFL a success. Anyone who is just upset because they won't hold all the tournaments where they want them too needs to remember again that this is a circuit for many anglers, not just those who want to just fish the same place every tournament.
FLW Outdoors tried all events on St. Clair/Erie already and it didn't work out well. You seem obviously unhappy about that and you have made your point. Other anglers here have made their points too.
This thread was started to provide information to those WHO DO WANT TO FISH this event. It has gotten long on discussions on the schedule likes and dislikes unrelated to information needed to fish the actual event.
I'm going to ask that any further discussion about the schedule, especially complaints, be done in new threads. This thread is to provide information to anglers who want to fish the Burt/Mullett event and need to know about the area, and specific services and locations.The schedule is set and won't change this year. Only the final results will dictate whether moves were good or not, and what might happen in the coming seasons. I've always said if you aren't happy about something with a circuit, call the organizer up and tell them. They will listen, but will go with the apparent majority in the end whatever that ends up being. It's why FLW Outdoors does fish St. Clair, Detroit River, the Grand, and has not been back to Saginaw Bay in a while.
WAY TOO OFTEN, all these organizers such as FLW Outdoors hear are complaints. It is very refreshing and helpful when someone calls up and offers suggestions and ideas that show they have the same goal in mind - a successful tournament circuit with good draws. Good suggestions and help come from looking at the big picture, considering all the anglers and involved parties, listening to all sides and then making suggestions that seem to fit the best.
I've made many suggestions and sometimes they will say right away when one is not going to work. I listen to their reasons why and assume they are well thought out. FLW Outdoors is not just **deleted**footing around in the tournament world. I think they have a pretty good idea about how to make things happen, improve and generally know what they are doing. I also greatly appreciate that they call many anglers each season and ask their advice on issues with the 'local' circuit. Plenty of previous circuits have not done that.
I'd love to fish at Burt/Mullet or any of the fine Northern Michigan lakes, but not if it's going to be a very small field.? I'm going to start a new thread as Dan has asked.? Look for "Growing the BFL in Michigan".? It may take a couple of days to get all my facts together but I'll be back soon.
I've updated some of the information about the launch and accomodations in the first few posts at the beginning of this thread.