Who is fishing with us this year???

[McCarter]

We got a great schedule this year.  Just wondering who is planning on joining us this season?

Im in, as usual.  Hoping to see some good turnouts this year.  Payouts have increased greatly and if we can get some decent turnouts, there should be some good prize money.

If you are fishing with us this year, who is plannin on attending the regional tournament on 1000 island lake in New York?

McCarter himself

[Durand Dan]

I'll be fishing Div. 7 this year provided I don't injure myself again at the Kent Lake Opener

[gbaade]

I will be fishing all of them. If you want to call what I do fishing. It's more throwing sharp hooks into places I know I cant get them out of. Look forward to it though!

[Skip Johnson]

Im fishing district 7's first 3 cant wait, wish I could do more.

[dartag]

going to fish a few.  not sure i want to go to NY to fish the regional  since i would not be able to go to the finals if i made it.  not enough money or vacation time.

[Cheetam]

I may come out of retirement and fish one or two...I haven't decided yet.  It all depends on if I hang out with McCarter the night before 

[Anthony Adams]

not sure I want to go to NY to fish the regional  since I would not be able to go to the finals if I made it.

Keep in mind that the ABA is giving-a-way a Triton boat at each regional and you must be present to win. That is enough for me to go to every regional I can.

I also like the new National AOY format - The top points leader after the regional fishes against the other 3 points leaders in the other 3 regions for a chance to win a TR21X2 Triton fully Loaded.

You may fish well enough and could win a total of 3 boats yourself.

Yikes - This is getting real interesting and harder for me to fish other circuits when the ABA is giving so much away.

Not to mention the new Dream Package program where you could get one of 3 wrapped boat sponsor deals the ABA is giving out each year.

One last thing for you Dartag - this years regional has almost as much prize Money and prizes in it as last years Nationals ...

I plan to fish every event my job will let me ... I hope to give the AOY title a run for it.

[Duke]

Whats the schedule?

[Skip Johnson]

heres both of michigans ABA schedules

district 7 eastern michigan
http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2007.php?district=7

division 115 western michigan
http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2007.php?district=115

[MBell]

I'll be fishing a few.  I'm trying to make the first half of th schedule,  but who knows.  How have the payouts changed? 
-Matt

[Skip Johnson]

the entry raised from $55 to $70 but 100% of the raise is paid at the tournament to make much larger payouts, great idea IMO.
ABA will probobly give better a paydown example when he sees this.

[Hooksetter]

I will be at Kent and St. Clair for sure. I will have to see how some other things work out before I can commit to any  others.

[jcox7]

Ill be there for my share,  I talked to Rochan a few days back and he plans on fishing most the schedule also.  Unfortunatly I also talked to devon and it does not sound like he plans on fishing this year but who knows. I think that we should have no problem avg. 30+ this year since we combined the two districts.  What happened to Doug Ward I see that he dows not have a division this year?

[McCarter]

Roch says he's fishing with us every year.  i will believe it when it see it.  But if he does, that would be very cool.  That guy can flat out fish.

If i remember correctly, Doug didnt have time to do it again this year.

McCarter himself

[Anthony Adams]

How have the payouts changed?

We raised the Entry from $55 + $5 for Big Bass ($60 total) to $70 flat and Big Bass is included.

This equates to a $10 increase in entry fee - However the full $10 goes back to the anglers. As well as the $5 big bass

This means with a 30 boat field we will have an additional $300 being paid back ...

This also ensures that everyone is getting into big bass making the big bass pot larger as well.

What happened to Doug Ward I see that he dows not have a division this year?

Doug is a great director and a good friend but his job conflicts were to much for him to overcome this year. I don't know what gave him the idea that work was more important then fishing?

[McCarter]

 

[Skip Johnson]

that was good for a laugh thanx.
yes theyre all great smallmouth places some of the best in the world, all those dates are timed just right for shallow smallmouth in clear to very clear water.

[thomas]

I may be wrong, but it looks like ABA's format is designed for the wealthy fisherman. I'm I right, that you can fish as many divisions you want and take the best 4 finishes out of all those divisions to qualify for nationals. If so, doesn't sound like made for the weekend angler to me.

thomas

[Skip Johnson]

thomas
ABA had some changes this year and some said exactly what you stated about being rich to go to nationals, it is true that its a bit pricey to fish the regionals out of state (lk ontario) then the nationals but keep in mind if you are one of the lucky 250 that qualify for nationals your fishing for a shot at two triton 21's fully rigged and they put on a great event for you and your family.

I cant make the regionals or nationals this year but Im still fishing a few ABA tournaments to fish with some great guys and a chance at a decent payout.

[thomas]

I'm thinking about fishing a couple of tournaments this year.

thomas