You know when you have it bad, you start dreaming about it actually happening. Its like a week of muskie fishing and you can see the big toothy critter swooping in to swipe your bait, or up at hunt camp, and you can see that big buck running through the woods and it all seems to be taking place in slow motion.
Well it happened again last night, I am out on the ice, hole hopping, running and gunning. It had to have been a result of my gearing up for the Wisconsin tournament on the NAIFC circuit in a couple of weeks. Last night I put the new electric auger together, fired up the gas for my backup and through on my Wisconsin tags on the quad.
Locally, if you have the bug there are a couple of options this winter. First one that I know of is out on Wampler’s Lake. Hosted by Jerry’s Pub on the south shore, its a fun big fish tourney open to individual anglers to catch the biggest crappie, gill, pike and walleye. Its only 15 bucks to enter and there are lots of prizes, as well as the opportunity to win a lil’ cash. Here are some details and how you can enter:
Sunday January 25th, 2009 - ” BIG FISH ” WAMPLERS LAKE
Registration and Launch Headquarters at Jerry’s Pub & Restaurant http://www.jerryspub.com:80/ . The Contest will be restricted to one-hundred individual participants, so please register in advance ~ 517-467-4700, $15 Entry Fee ( Register morning of the Contest inside Jerry’s only if absolutely necessary ~ may be full ). All entry money taken in will be paid out in awards, 25% for each of the 4 BIG FISH. Cash Prizes to be awarded for the biggest fish by weight caught in the following categories: Bluegill ( IncludesRedear and all Sunfish except the Rock Bass ), Crappie, Walleye and Pike, ( No Pan Fish under 7 inches ). There will be gifts by drawing as well. Park from the back of lot to the front. All fishing will begin at 8 AM – weigh in at 1 PM, Awards inside right after the Weigh-In is completed. Weight will determine winning fish, length will break ties.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
· All entrants will abide by the laws of the state of Michigan.
· Fish must be caught within the rules of the contest. Any decision by the judge is final.
· Entrants must personally catch any fish entered in this contest to be awarded a prize. You may register the heaviest fish of each species you catch that’s listed in the Contest, Prizes will be awarded at 2 P.M. inside Jerry’s the day of the Contest. If no fish is caught in a particular category, prize will be awarded by chance drawing open to all entrants by tag number. All prizes will be awarded!!!
· There is no age requirement on Contest participation.
· Contestants must fish only on Wamplers Lake and any fish registered must come from Wamplers Lake between the hours of the Contest 8AM -1PM ( 5 hours fishing time).
· Fish that are frozen, badly deteriorated, or dead for a long period of time might not be accepted ( Keep in bucket of water).
· Times of the Contest are 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 PM, all fish must be caught by and registered at 1 P.M. the day of the contest. Awards at 2PM inside Jerry’s.
· Contest participants must report to the Jerry’s Pub Channel front for quick inspection of gear prior to entering the lake. Tags must be visible. Inspection will start at 7:10 AM, Contest participants may go out onto the lake after inspection, drill holes, but shall not begin fishing until 8:00 A.M.
· Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times.
· No spears allowed. Fish must be caught by hook and line.
· Lake monitors shall have the right to inspect all containers and shanty’s before entering the lake and during the contest.
Protect the environment, remove refuse, including cigarette butts, from the ice when you leave.
Each entrant agrees to hold the sponsors and organizers, their agents or employees harmless from any liability of any nature and kind for any injuries, and or damages or disagreements suffered by the entrant before, during, or after the contest is held. An individual may be entered by completing the entry form and signing it. When completed this contract is binding and party agrees to abide by the contest rules. Entry fee is $15 and must be paid prior to contest start time. Have fun and catch THE BIG FISH.
Now, if you want to go after some bigger fish, pun intended, the NAIFC has a qualifying event over on Devil’s Lake right here in Michigan. Hosted by Knutson’s (800.292.0857), the cost is only $120 per two man team, with a guaranteed payout of 10,000 dollars to the winning team. Weigh in 8 of the biggest bluegill, and 8 of the biggest crappie you can catch, for a total of 16 fish. Total weight determines your position in the standings. And if you finish in the top ten, you qualify to fish in the circuit’s championship next December. Its a pretty good deal, but the competition is stiff, Michigan’s finest winter anglers participate. With all that said, its a great learning experience, and it can quickly get you up to speed on the latest trends, tactics and equipment available in the ice fishing world.
Gander Mountain in Taylor is also trying to organize a locally held tournament to take place about that same time as the NAIFC event, to be held out of the Grosse Isle Yacht Club. I believe that also, is only 15 bucks to enter, and it is also a big fish tournament. The categories include; crappie, perch, walleye and pike. They used to get some BIG pike in that area back in the day, so it could be a lot of fun. Two tiers of fisherman, a kid’s tourney, and the adults start at 16 yrs old and go up from there. If that tickles your fancy, ask for Bob at that Gander location, he is the manager of the fishing and archery departments. Here is a number to the store. 734.287.7420