Somewhere in GLB forum I saw talk of the TBF state fish off being early and up north. Are you guys thinking the sunday after the BFL on Burt and Mullet???
Just thinking ahead for next year and trying to figure out what I can budget.
Thanks,
B
We ended up not following the BFL for a number of reasons including cooperation with another circuit that agreed to not schedule on us if we didn't schedule on them - better for all members.
We are looking at the weekend before - either 5/31 or 6/1 on either Charlevoix or Burt/Mullett with Muskegon as the backup if necessary. We should have it nailed down around the end of this year.
Thanks for the info...All 3 of those locations are great fisheries, especially in the spring...
There will definitely be some fish caught...
I have to agree with you eric I felt the same way when I heard it was all the way up there, great fisheries up there but its coming to the point of whos rich enough to play in a 1 day tournament.
lets see 300 miles to cheboygen at 12 miles to the gallon= 25 gallons each way at $3.59 for diesel = $200 round trip.
fuel to drive to ramps and back = $50.
3 days of pre fishing at 25 gallons a day in the boat at $3.19 = $240.
3 gallons of 2 stroke oil = $60.
40 gallons plus another gallon of oil for tournament day = $150.
enty fee for tourney = $150.
3 nights of hotel at $70 = $210
misc tackle $50
food $50
3 more days off of work = hundreds more but not counting that
= $1.160.00 :o
I dont think my wife would let me go if she knew how much it costs to fish it.
would we let our wife spend $1100 on a suntan?
that all were coming back with!
We do have several clubs on the west side and the north. We can't just ignore them.
Also, we heard loud and clear from OUR members last year that they don't want conflicts between the two federations, so we worked this year to make sure there aren't any.
Dan, I am not trying to stir the pot here, but you are not going to keep everyone happy no matter what you do..
I would prefer it to be the same weekend as the BFL..I would like it even better if we fished out of LSC again, but that is my world..Both Eric and Skip are great fisherman and Make valid points, but If fishing the TBF isn't in my budget I just won't fish it and wish you guys the best of luck with the event.
Hey, you could do like Ohio does, we have 2 events that are each 2 days long just to get to the state event. First is the 2 day regional, gas, rooms, food and other misc. things PLUS a 50.00 entry fee. Plus there was no payback last year. I got a 5 gallon jug of 2 cycle oil for finishing 9th. Then if you qualify you go to the 2 day State Qualifying Tournament, same as for the regional and that tournament could be anywhere in the state. We have two SQT's each year and you go to the one you are assigned to according to your region, another expensive 2 day tourney plus another 50.00 entry fee. Then, if you qualify, you go the the State Championship. Again 2 day's and another 50.00 entry fee, plus all the expenses all over again. So in Ohio, you basically triple what you would pay in Michigan, If you are going to fish the TBF event, I'd rather have it the way you guy's have it, all in 1 day. I know it is expensive to do the traveling, get the hotels, buy the gas and everything else, but I think it would be alot easier to budget 1 tournament and be done with it than try to do it 3 times. Just my opinion.
hard to make it the same weekend as the BFL. The MI Federation has an event on charlevoix on 6-8. saw it on ( Roy Randolphs list ).
like MX said just schedule it and who ever shows up will fish.
the one problem i see is it will be a " Bed Fishing " event and the non-boater will be at the mercy of the boater if he will put him on any fish.
Quote from: dartag on December 03, 2007, 07:26:45 PM
the one problem i see is it will be a " Bed Fishing " event and the non-boater will be at the mercy of the boater if he will put him on any fish.
That is for sure...
Well think about what we might hear if we put it on Burt/Mullett the day after the BFL 'tear's it up!' Again, as a board member, I have to consider EVERY SINGLE member. That's what I remind every board member of at every meeting I've ever attended for any organization. But we are kind of ahead of ourselves here.
Let's make a deal guys. Please hold off both barrels until we actually announce the date and location. As I said, those are the locations and dates we are shooting for and some of the reasons, but we have not set anything yet.
We are still in talks with various parties. NOTHING is out of the question at the moment since nothing is finalized. We fully understand your concerns, which echo almost exactly concerns raised by various board members. In fact, not one concern I have heard so far was not debated at length (and sometimes with raised voices) at the last board meeting.
We all fish and none of us are independently wealthy either. This is a democracy and we hear the comments and have a lot of the same thoughts ourselves, but remember we hear ALL comments since we represent everyone. The majority does rule, but not at the excessive expense of the minority. There will always be some give and take.
Please wait until we finalize the actual date and location, by the end of this month probably. Then, if you still want to, give us both barrels...
ok my guns put away :-\'
can we put saginaw bay in the hat? it sure is closer to the majority and is part of the early opener, the fishing on saginaw bay is fantastic and theres plenty of fish for the co's to get a limit as well.
In the past, we have had significant drops in numbers for state championships when we schedule Saginaw Bay. BFL doesn't go there anymore because of the phoned-in complaints every time they schedule Saginaw Bay in the past.
We may go there in the future out of one of the outer ramps, but the money is in Bay City and you don't just ignore when someone wants to give you money when you come to their area. Not prudent or good business. You have to consider all necessities of putting on tournaments and of the desires of all the different types of anglers.
It's a looooonnng drive to Saginaw Bay from the NW, SW and West.
I think there was conflict we couldn't ignore for the 15th (besides it being Father's Day and some people not wanting a tournament that would take them away from family that day). Many members are not as hardcore as some of you. I don't recall the specifics at the moment, but we are still working on several alternative options yet.
Hang on a little longer fellow anglers. A new offer has been made - possible alternative we need to look at. I don't want to say any more until all the board members have been briefed and had their say. If we think it will be more popular with more members, we will pursue.
Just remember, the TBF regional is right here, in Michigan, in September. 2 TBF of Michigan anglers WILL go on to the TBF National Championship and a shot at the living the dream package (I have to confirm the details yet), the Wal-Mart BFL All-American and the FLW Tour Championship. Heck, one of us could be hanging out with joshimoto son next summer!
This is just my own opinion - the true test of leadership and membership is to remember the purpose of the federation is not to hold another tournament for adults - there's plenty of tounaments already, even in Michigan. The true purpose is to provide an organizing point for bass anglers to work for and be heard and counted on the future of all bass fishing, the environment, conservation and youth.
If we did not have the higher tournament opportunities available for our members thanks to great partnerships, I would vote that we not even hold the one adult tournament because of our already crowded tournament scene and the headaches and resource drain that come with running tournaments. But, we do have the partnership opportunities, so we have the one tournament for adults and do our best with it.
Anglers and hunters need to recognize the importance of being organized to our future for even having tournaments to enjoy. Already, in some states, whole lakes or regions have been lost for tournament fishing. We almost lost 3 or more weeks of our season here recently. It came extremely close, too close for comfort to allow it to ever get that far along again. This will not get easier in the future as less people choose to fish and hunt each year.
We worry about and discuss what is good for / who is the majority of federation members on forums, at meetings, boat ramps, etc, as far as a fishing tournament, but we should be putting that effort and more into discussing the FACT that we are not the majority in the big picture. As more people choose not to hunt or fish, the minority we already are becomes a smaller and smaller minority. Where might that leave us in future votes / issues concerning our pastime especially considering there are groups out there dedicated to teaching our children not to hunt and fish?
THAT question keeps me up at night, not the question of what lake we fish or not for a state championship? I will always belong to organizing groups for anglers and hunters. There is no other real feasible and prudent alternative in our system of government.
Thanks for putting it in perspective Dan.
I've set a goal,Now that I have a boat, to try to get more involved in junior programs..Also with the DAV tournament that Paul Sacks had last year..
I am going to have to cut back drastically for a couple of years on my tournament expenses, but taking "hopefully" new anglers fishing on local lakes is pretty cheap..
We will be announcing the 2008 TBF of Michigan adult state championship date and location on Monday.
I understand all that. It takes all kinds. I'm just glad we only put on one adult tournament a year ;D
and you're welcome.
Quote from: cast n blast on December 03, 2007, 07:15:15 AM
lets see 300 miles to cheboygen at 12 miles to the gallon= 25 gallons each way at $3.59 for diesel = $200 round trip.
fuel to drive to ramps and back = $50.
3 days of pre fishing at 25 gallons a day in the boat at $3.19 = $240.
3 gallons of 2 stroke oil = $60.
40 gallons plus another gallon of oil for tournament day = $150.
enty fee for tourney = $150.
3 nights of hotel at $70 = $210
misc tackle $50
food $50
3 more days off of work = hundreds more but not counting that
= $1.160.00 :o
And for everything else there's MasterCard.
Sounds like a commercial Skip. But I have to agree. Fishing ain't cheap when you break it down like this. I wouldn't even tell the wife if I were you if you were intending to fish both........unless of course you win both events.........and would winning both events pay this bill???? Of course that would probably depend on how many anglers would make two trips up north to fish these events. Wow......too much $$$$$$ for even my budget. I would have to give up the family vacation next summer to fit both those in. I don't think the lovely bride would be up for that....that's for sure.
BD ;D
actualy bill I was in such a fit that I did let her read it before I posted, her response was go fish just a couple bigger tourneys with bigger payouts.
since I cashed over a dozen checks this year and am still behind I think shes onto something ::)
I would like to fish the TBF though, its a quick way to the big leagues if your a lucky and good angler plus being a member of the TBF is donating to a good cause, lord knows I throw away enough money on junk so I should put something to a good cause ;D
She believes in you Skip. That's a good thing. My wife believes in me too and she too has said that I should fish some bigger tourneys with bigger payouts.
I think I want to invest the money in my son's future as an athlete. He is 7 and a real good athlete with natural talent. He has some excellent soccer skills and I am trying to get him more interested in basketball this year. He played last year and had a lot of natural talent. His coach wanted him in a higher league on a team Downriver but we found an indoor soccer place and he is on a team right now. As a matter of fact I will be making my coaching debut for his team on December 22 when his coach can not be there as he is on a holiday vacation with his family out of town. I said I would fill in. They have not won a game yet but he is playing U8. Most of the teams are 8 year olds. His team is 6 and 7 year olds. They'll be great in the next couple of years.
So I may fish a couple of big events. Maybe that team thing out of St. Jeans that the NBAA had in June. I am definitely fishing my club stuff. We have a meeting tomorrow. Picking lakes for next year and paying dues for those that have not paid yet and electing officers.
BD ;D
yep bill its nice to have the wifes support as you know, have fun being a fill in coach Im sure your son will be proud.
So Dan, I got a letter from the TBF stating the state fish off is June 8th on Burt and Mullet. Is this info correct? If so does anyone want to share a hotel 2 nights?
Yes, it is true. Sunday June 8, 2008, the day after the BFL. I imagine you'll be able to find someone to room with.
If I have the time off, I'll fish it. Love that place.
So I believe Aloha state park is on Burt so how far is it from the launch site. I may be camping up there for 4 or 5 days to try to save a little on the motel bills.
Quote from: stackenem on December 13, 2007, 08:24:29 PM
So I believe Aloha state park is on Burt so how far is it from the launch site. I may be camping up there for 4 or 5 days to try to save a little on the motel bills.
Aloha is on the NE side of Mullett Lake, less than 10 minutes from the tournament marina site. I stay there all the time. There's also a small campground - Waterways - right across the street from the tournament marina.
Do you launch at the park or do you trailer to the launch site?
The past two years I've avoided the morning line by launching the night before and docking at Pier 33 for a small fee. Waterways will do the same if you camp there across the bridge.
There is limited parking at the marina and campground.
Other options are the Lincoln Bridge DNR ramp (large parking area) in Cheboygan, but it takes a solid 45 - 50 minutes no wake against the current from there to Pier 33 and you need to stay in the channel in from the big marina on down to Pier 33. Lincoln Bridge was closed for construction this year - so you had to go around through town, but I think it will be open when we get their next year.
Another option is to launch at the 1-hole shallow MDNR ramp in the far NW bay next to the marina there - parking for a little over 20 trailers with a new self pay box I believe. You're less than 1/2 mile from the Cheboygan River mouth and then a 20 minute idle with the current to Pier 33. I think I have the road and map to this ramp in an older post. I'll find it if someone needs it.
Last, you can launch at the 2 hole ramp at Aloha and park there - parking for maybe 30 trailers - run W - NW about 3 1/2 miles to the Cheboygan River mouth (2 lighted pole markers - 1 out in the lake a way and one at the end of the metal wall) and then the same 20 minute no wake with the current to Pier 33.
lasy year I launched at the MDNR ramp on the nw end of mullet for my prefishing but since it was a single ramp with only about 20 parking spaces I opted to play it safe in fear of the lot being full and launch at aloha for the tournament.
motocross and I launched at 3:30 so we would have plenty of time to run slow and safe to the ramp, I think it was between 5 to 8 miles just to get to the river mouth so it took a looong time just to get to the river at least an hour then another 20 minute idle down river.
I had to run to burt and burning all that fuel before blast off realy made me nervouse, fortunatley I hold 58 gallons so we made it.
this year I think Im just going to pre launch at pier 33 and keep it simple!
I realy dont understand why such a big lake has no large DNR ramp or even a maintained DNR or city ramp its terrible!
look at st clair for example you have crocker ramp 4 lanes or more and alot of parking, then theres metro wich is giant, theres harley with 12 or 16 lanes and ample parking, theres selfridge with about a dozen lanes and ample parking then theres fairhaven with 3 lanes and about 60 parking spots.
If it wasnt for the great fishing up at burt/mullet I probobly wouldnt ever think of fishing there just becouse of the bad ramp situation.
my suggestion is launch at 33 for the tournament just give yourself alot of extra time in the morning, if your prepared for the extra time you wont have any problems or stress, pier 33 is a new and very nice clean facility its worth the money to launch there.
Is it that far? 5 to 8? I'll have to check it on GPS. I thought maybe it was 4 or so, but as much as I fish up in that end of the lake, it doesn't seem that far.
The difference between St. Clair and Mullett is simply population, and supply and demand. There just aren't the several million people living nearby like St. Clair, nor the fishing demand up there.
Think of the bright side - there isn't much competition most of the time for all that great fishing!! Most of the year, if you see 10 other boats on Mullett, it is crowded. A big ramp would just sit empty most of the time and ramps are expensive, and more importantly, incredibly hard to get approved and build. I've sat through a ton of those public meetings and it is almost always a big fight, often ending up in court.
There is more demand for ramp/parking up there going out onto Lake Huron, so there is a plan that is almost final to build another large ramp in Cheboygan, but the MDNR has so little money for new ramps, there are no plans I'm aware of to build on the lakes.
The MDNR is pretty tied up already in long drawn on battles on a few other lakes farther south that have been in the works literally for years. It would help if more anglers attended and were heard at public meetings for any boat ramp since it is so hard to get a new one. I hope to get better at posting meeting notices and news in the near future.
As far as the tournaments on Mullett next year, I prefer not to run even a fairly open and safe lake in the dark, but some people will do it - quite common down south from what I've seen. I suggest if you do, keep the speed down to just on plane only if you have a very bright 'headlight' - I use a million candle spotlight to shine straight ahead of me on the very rare occasions that I have done this.
I could be wrong on the miles to the mouth of the river but it sure was a long ride, we didnt get on plane so it took a long time thats I all remember for sure.
Dan, did they get everything built up there at Pier 33 last summer? It was kinda scary seeing those trucks with trailers parked on the side of of that hill. I'll bet it's pretty nice there now.
Quote from: cast n blast on December 14, 2007, 06:24:11 PM
I could be wrong on the miles to the mouth of the river but it sure was a long ride, we didnt get on plane so it took a long time thats I all remember for sure.
It was a long dark ride..Make sure you use your lowrance tracking if you are going to go that way at night..Cast and blast remember those guys behind us that kept running aground in the river???
Quote from: cast n blast on December 14, 2007, 06:24:11 PM
I could be wrong on the miles to the mouth of the river but it sure was a long ride, we didnt get on plane so it took a long time thats I all remember for sure.
Off plane, it would take a long time regardless. I'm not recommending to anyone else to run on plane at night. It is always risky. I almost never do it myself. Without a powerfull light, I just wouldn't do it ever.
Quote from: ebond on December 14, 2007, 01:30:27 PM
Burt Lake State Park has two nice ramps and a large paved parking lot. Too bad it takes 90 minutes to get to Burt Lk when launching from Pier 33. I also fish up there because of the MONSTER BASS! 8)
Eric, just remember, that long ride is why you don't have as much competition over there on Burt... although if you keep telling everyone about the MONSTER BASS over there... well, you may have more new friends over there. I have to agree, there are some monster bass over there. I just don't like that lake as much as I do the others.
Quote from: dashaver63 on December 14, 2007, 07:54:34 PM
Dan, did they get everything built up there at Pier 33 last summer? It was kinda scary seeing those trucks with trailers parked on the side of of that hill. I'll bet it's pretty nice there now.
Very limited parking on the new blacktop at the party store, although they did pull it off with a little traffic direction. I didn't really see much of that. I launched Friday afternoon and kept my boat at a dock for a small fee. Even 'found' one of those hard to find, expensive marina outlet adapters so I could charge the batteries.
I'll call the people up there before too long and see what the plans are for this year.