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Post by ranger681 on Feb 22, 2014 10:13:06 GMT -6
Thanks to everyone who attended the February Fox Valley Bass Club meeting Wednesday night, February 19th. The club welcomed its newest member, David Myer, to the club. David is an avid bass fishermen and is ready to test his skills in the 2014 tournament season. Good luck David.
The major topic of discussion was the annual 1000 Island Fishing for Kids event. After an in-depth discussion, the event was dropped from the schedule for the 2014 season. To maintain our commitment to the young fishermen, the club will work with 1000 Islands to maintain their fishing equipment. So we will need to decide how to score points for member involvement in this activity in place of the 60 point two day event. Post your thoughts on this forum.
Need a new fishing jacket? How about a stylish club fishing jersey? Greg is starting the ball rolling on both. If you have any graphics ideas for a club fishing jersey, get them to Greg or bring them to the March meeting. Ideally, we can kickoff the 2014 season with a new look.
Greg concluded the meeting with a presentation on HOOKS. What treble hook is the strongest and sharpest? If you said Mustad KVD series you would be with good company. TroKar was Greg's choice for fishing plastics. Thanks for the great presentation. March will be busy with tournament selection, but April we hope to have MR. BASS on the program. What is your pre-fishing approach was one of the questions I heard a member request. Should be interesting. Plan to be there.
March is tournament date and lake selection. This is your chance to help set the schedule for 2014. To kick off the discussion lets start with voicing your thoughts on the forum. We will follow this up with a short discussion on meeting day before the selection process begins.
Here's some ideas I heard during the last couple of meetings.
1. Fish only 1 two day weekend tournament and six one day tournaments
2. Fish Madison chain this season.
3. Fish the Bay as a two day.
4. Fish the Fox season. (Winnebago, river pools north and the bay.)
5. Fish Lower Red in the spring.
Let's get some forum chatter started.
It was also suggested that we manage the weigh-in process in such a way that more members can be on hand to witness the weigh-in. I would suggest that the Tournament Directors parcel out two bags at a time, based on drawn number. Weigh those 2 bags, then handle those bags to the next two teams. That way we all get a chance to observe the fish. What's your ideas and thoughts?
Think Spring, think spring, think spring, think spring!
Steve
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Post by haulinbass on Feb 23, 2014 10:12:45 GMT -6
In suggesting we discuss some possible lake nominations at the February meeting I was hoping members would then have a chance to research some of those lakes that they maybe weren't familiar with thereby helping them make more informed decisions when it is time to vote. That being said, I am one of the members that would like to see a season with 6 one day events and 1 two day event. My hope is that it would help increase participation from members that can't participate in one or both two day events when 2 are scheduled. I also would like to be able to research some of the suggested lakes as I am still unfamiliar with a large percentage of the waters we could fish. I look forward to and enjoy the opportunity to fish new waters but hope the lakes we choose will have a fishery that at least offers a reasonable chance for members to have a successful day on the water. So, I will start the ball rolling with some of the lakes I am thinking of. Lower Red comes to mind. Even though it was a very tough bite at the TOC I think it offers an excellent opportunity for both numbers and size of bass and would prove to be a good regular season choice especially in May or early June. Another thing I thought would be interesting would be a night tournament on Big Green. The fishery speaks for itself. I know several members are a bit put off by the night tourney idea and if it is decided by our members that we not have a night tourney I would support that. On the other hand, if someone wants any tips on night fishing I am gladly willing to share anything that might help them. I am far from being one of the better sticks in the club but if anyone thinks I might have some useful info for them I will definitely help. So, let's keep this rolling and see some more lake names.
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Post by maxsmbass on Feb 24, 2014 13:16:55 GMT -6
I too agree with only having one 2 day event, and 6 one day events. The 2 day events accounting for half of the entire season is way too much. I also agree with Pete on having an early season tourney on Lower Red. It is a lake that I have fished many times over the years in early spring, and have had many good days, catching many large fish. I think if the TOC proved anything, its that there is plenty of fishable space on that lake. Which brings me to another point. Since Lower Red was always thought of as too small.....what other lakes should we be taking a longer look at? Also, I am reminded of the TOC 2 years ago on the Fox River in Depere. If it wasnt drawn from a hat by tourney directors... there is no way that body of water gets fished. Why not? If I remember correctly a good time was had, many fish were caught, and much ice cream consumed. Right Steve? I believe we all have our strengths, and our weaknesses when it comes to fishing. OK, unless you have ever been referred to as "Mr Bass". So my suggestion is mixing it up. Some larger water(Sturgeon Bay), some smaller water(Lower Red), mix in a river(fox/Wolf), and DONT eliminate the night tourney.
Hard water sucks! Think Spring!
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Post by bassin on Feb 24, 2014 15:32:00 GMT -6
Their is nothing in the bylaws stateing how many weekend tourneys we can or can,t have. I think that is up to the votes .Same with night tourneys(CHALLANGE) .Having weekend tourneys also gives us better picks of good bodys of water.Both are up to votes.
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Post by ranger681 on Feb 25, 2014 15:43:31 GMT -6
Good start people. Night fishing is a challenge, but also quite enjoyable on a moon lite night in August on a lake like Green. Or Green Lake in early May, but not Memorial day weekend or July 4th. Picking the right lake at the right time of the year can make a big difference in everyone's enjoyment.
Fishing the Bay of Green Bay is a great example. We all now that lots of bass can be had in the last days of May and early June. The same is true in mid June. Alewife move into spawn at that time and the fishing can be fantastic. It's also within 100 miles so it can be a one day tournament. Full moon is on June 12th which should be a prime period. How about June 15th, Little Sturgeon?
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Post by haulinbass on Feb 25, 2014 21:12:55 GMT -6
I would definitely vote for that Steve. I am also going to throw the Madison Chain out there for a two day event so anyone not familiar with it can do some research and figure out if it is something they might want to vote for or not.
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Post by ranger681 on Feb 26, 2014 11:11:40 GMT -6
Pete - Tell us why you think the Madison chain is your choice for the two day tournaments. What would be the dates you would think best for this body of water? Where would you launch from if you were tournament director? Looking for some why's.
I have fished this body of water a number of times over my 25 years in this area, but not for a long time. I believe the last time the club fished it was 1990-1991. After that the fish population took a nose dive. I believe it now has a thriving population of both sm and lm.
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Post by bassfisher41790 on Feb 26, 2014 18:14:06 GMT -6
Hey guys,
I personally enjoy the two weekend tournaments. I have such a busy lifestyle at the age of 23, that it's really nice to get away for the weekend and forget about it all. But, I do understand the limitations with the other club members. I'm open to whatever you guys want to do. As far as the night tournaments go, I enjoy those as well. If we were to move it earlier into the season that would be okay with me, but I'm not opposed to keeping it as the last tournament of the season either.
I will more then likely be fishing the season this year without a boat. I had to sell mine after going through some personal stuff this past fall. I also do not own a truck anymore. I am working hard to get another setup, but if it does happen, it will not be probably till July or August. I hope this is okay with everyone.
David
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Post by haulinbass on Feb 26, 2014 18:17:00 GMT -6
One thing that draws me to choose any body of water is the presence of both LM and SM. I prefer SM but I know some like the largies. Sometimes the smallies don't cooperate but the largies do or vice versa. The Madison Chain does have excellent populations and size structure of both. It has both deep and shallow productive areas so members can fish what they enjoy.It can fish tough at times but has great potential for producing 20+ lb. sacks. I personally think it is a cool and fun place to fish. I would shoot for a late June or early July date so we would have a decent shot at stable weather and consistent fishing. The launch I am most familiar with is in Lake Farm Park. Always worked well but the launch near the Green Lantern is also good. Last, but not least, like you stated Steve the club has not fished it in quite some time. The couple of tournies I have fished on it were on Saturdays in the middle of summer and we had surprisingly little trouble from pleasure craft. Those are my thoughts.
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Post by ranger681 on Feb 27, 2014 11:06:43 GMT -6
Thanks Pete.
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Post by Brian on Mar 1, 2014 16:09:09 GMT -6
Madison Chain..... We last fished that in 1997 or 1998 when I had just joined. I'm all for someplace new or someplace we haven't been in a long time. I have a love/hate relationship with night tourneys haha. And yeah, in order to have a decent chance of getting what you want for one or two weekend tournaments, or a night tournament, it's best to nominate dates for what you prefer. (And not vote for the ones you don't)  |
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Post by haulinbass on Mar 1, 2014 16:39:12 GMT -6
For those that want to check their schedules regarding night tourney dates the full moon falls on July 12th and August 10th.
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Post by bassin on Mar 6, 2014 7:38:06 GMT -6
long lake,July 12,has not been fished in awhile ,has lot of big Lm,close to home,At night
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Post by haulinbass on Mar 6, 2014 19:40:12 GMT -6
You talking about Waushara Cty. Virg?
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Post by bassin on Mar 8, 2014 9:04:54 GMT -6
You talking about Waushara Cty. Virg? |
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Post by bassin on Mar 8, 2014 9:05:23 GMT -6
You talking about Waushara Cty. Virg? |
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Post by bassin on Mar 8, 2014 9:08:42 GMT -6
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Post by bassin on Mar 8, 2014 16:33:14 GMT -6
opps! fat fingers on the phone.Sorry about the DUPS.I mean long lake in Manitowoc cty.just east of Brillion. Would make a good night tourney,Lot of big fish have been taken there (LB)bass .The whole lake is fish able .Close to home.Has not been fished at night buy the club.No wake 6pm to 10am.
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Post by ranger681 on Mar 12, 2014 21:12:17 GMT -6
We have 17 weekends between May 3 and September 13th. 34 weekend days plus 17 Fridays. July 12th, August 9th and September 6th are all Fridays that are full moon nights or within 2 days of full moon nights. Out of these we will be carving out a 8 tournament season, plus TOC September 20th or 21st.
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Post by skeetermandan on Mar 13, 2014 11:47:49 GMT -6
It's not a secret that some of the guys dislike the weekend events but the simple fact that we do two was to cut down on the number weekends a guy had to give up for other things someone has going on during the summer. I for one cannot wait for the bass club schedule to come out plan my vacation I have to turn my vacation in January so that I'm sure to get the days that I need. So when is a conflict between my personal vacation and the club schedule I just Can't fish that's a simple fact. Increasing the number of weekends that a guy has to find availability for doesn't necessarily mean that it'll increase the participation in our fishing events. We all have certain things that we would like to see when it comes to picking tournaments and dates and times but we can't bend to everybody's expectations. For example I would really love to see more Sunday tournaments that fits into my schedule better but I realize that what I want isn't always good for the entire club. Maybe one answer to this dilemma would be to have one long weekend events 1 50 mile radius and one weekend two days two lakes close to home or two days on a larger body of water(Green bay ,Winnebago chain or the Fox River chain).I don' t know what the solution is but it surely is getting tiring to keep hashing over the same stuff every year. These are my personal opinion I don't really care if anybody agrees with me or not. I realize that there's 18 or 19 of us in this club and we just have to find some common ground. I told myself I wasn't to put this on here ,but here it is. Kind of afraid to say anything anymore! Okay I opened the door Bashaway fellas .
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