Treblemaker

I voted 15/5 but I to would rather have 15/10 or 15/12.

Well, the issue with the limit catches in an amateur division is cheating. I'm not saying everyone who fishes is willing to cheat to win. But let's face it, there are people who do it. Pro boats have observers to MAKE SURE they dont pass their limit, while amateur boats do not. Having a no limit, cull tournament cuts out the possibility of cheating vs say a catch 15 tournament.

This comment is true. With the weigh 5 tournaments they need to adopt at least a 3 man limit (15 fish) if they want to do a no cull. With a catch 10, weigh 5 the honest teams quit when they get their 10, but in the am div there is no way to enforce that except on day 2 with an observer on that boat. At least if it is 15 fish or culling is allowed the playing field is more even than a 10 and done format.

All unenforceable rules do is keep honest teams honest. Get rid of them all IMO.

Very nice! If you launched from the DNR ramps, how was the water depth around the creek mouth? About the same as last year or getting tighter?

Shallowest I saw was 3.3' from the bottom of the transom of a 196 Fishmaster.

Launched at Port Sheldon went SW to 130, and trolled south to the sliders south of Holland. Made it out to 165 but best action was 130-145. White paddle green fly 90-130 down, spoons on 100-250 coppers, lemon ice, hello darlin, mixed veggie were good. 11 kings to 15 lbs, 3 coho, and a laker. Great day on the water.

had a great time yesterday with Mike and my son and nephews, first trip of the year. we fished 9am-12:30pm a little north in 160-185 fow, goldie hawn spoon on high diver 140-180 back and on 200 copper destroyed. white paddle white fly 110-130 down was steady too. everything caught fish top to bottom really.

My crew

My nephew Jason with a nice king

Another nice king

Laker

group shot

meat shot

This looks kinda cool to throw in the box.

http://www.cabelas.com/paints-prism-tape-component-system-uv-blast-marker.shtml?WT.z_mc_id1=1202257&rid=10&WT.tsrc=AFF&WT.mc_id=k241333

a lot of the people and place's that don't even say thanks.

That's it in a nutshell, always say thanks and patronize your sponsors. This goes a long way, I have always sent an e-mail to event and prize sponsors to say thanks when we win them. We have opened accounts with Huntington bank, switched brands of riggers, rod holders, and even certain types of lures to support sponsors and help them be seen at these events.

I'd look at the 333 prizes as a model. Aside from the big fish money and cash prize for the 1st place team it is all tackle/product prizes. The big 4-5 prizes are substantial gift certificates that must be redeemed from the MFR website. That being said how many Traxtech, Depth Raiders, or Big Jon certificates does one team need. Ultimately it takes cash to play, and while there is value in new tackle prizes, cash rules. Whether by winning cash or selling the prizes/certificates for cash if you cannot use them.

Once you get through the top tackle prizes the tackle bags are all right, but if it were me I would issue a certificate to let the winners pick what they like and will use like they used to do. Throwing a bunch of lures and colors I don't like or won't use does little to promote any product. By redeeming the prize what you like and will use loosely translates to repeat business and more orders for these manufacturers and more bang for their buck.

Captains packs are fun and help support and highlight the big sponsors. I'd gladly pay less to enter even if it means less trinkets in the captains bag.

PERFORMANCE DATA: WOT

RPM: 3020 | SPEED (knots): 37.2 | GPH: 131 | % LOAD: 98 | RANGE (nm): 327

:eek::eek:

Thanks everyone, it was a great time again for sure. The new space was awesome, and lots and lots of folks turned out. Big thanks to everyone who came out and lended a hand. We managed to raise nearly $700 for the kids ministries and area food programs. Thanks you all! Good gear, good friends, good cause, good time.

Also thanks to Steve (Westwind) for frying up the salmon nuggets for everyone. They were great. Also all the folks who did the baked goods, lunch, sales, cleanup, you make this easy to do.

Thanks to Fish On, Outdoorsman Pro Shop, Lakeshore Outfitters, Catchabunch Charters, Bigby Coffee, and everyone who donated for the door prizes, also congrats to the winners.

My son (8) was hilarious. Running around with a wad of cash from gear he sold at my table, lol, he made out like a bandit. Free fishing pole, turkey call, arrows, spoons, hat, rain poncho, worms, and more. Dad, check out that crossbow, it's my size. Dad I need $7 more for that BB gun. Dad, I need a reel now for my free rod. Awesome stuff!

Got some great gear, saw many friends and got to meet many new ones as well.

See you this Saturday morning. 45 tables of gear you need as of now.

We will have free door prizes register and drawings at 10am, 11am, and 12pm.

Coffee and muffins will be available in the morning.

Lunch available on a donation basis, drinks, hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, salmon chowder, and fried salmon nuggets for lunch!

Vendors set up from 7am-8:30am. I will collect the $10 per table donation after everyone is set up. Pull up 3 vehicles at a time under the awning and we will have helpers and carts ready to unload everything into the lobby so you can park. Then we'll help carry everything to your table inside the gym.

Early birds can show up at 8:30 and get in early with a $5 donation.

Free admission after 9am.

Bump, 1 week warning.

Two weeks out! Please remember it is a new location.

Over 35 tables reserved so far. Likely 45-50 sellers before then.

Sellers set up opens at 7am, please try to be set up by 8:30am and the mayhem begins.

Free entry after 9am, $5 donation requested for early entrance after 8:30am please.

Big lake fishing gear of all kinds both new and used, bass gear, ice fishing, bows, arrows, treestands, and way too much to mention.

Free raffle door prizes. Drawings from 10am-12pm. Must register at the entrance for entry into this raffle.

Coffee and muffins from 8-10am, hot dogs/chili dogs and chips served from 10-12. Also serving Muskybob's salmon chowder while supplies last. Please support these kids and their fundraiser.

All proceeds from donations for tables and early bird entry will benefit the youth program at Chapel Pointe and our hand 2 hand ministry to provide meals and help support needy family's' in our school district.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Tim, do you need help with anything else?

Jenn and I plan on being around for this. Plus I need to unload stuff to make room for some new stuff;)

Dave I think we are doing good in setup and such, we do need more volunteers at the end to make it a speedy clean up.

Thanks,

Tim

Sorry about the late reply, I have been checking my e-mail daily except weekends. Plenty of table space left, Jimmy dropped out and I signed up 3 more tables today. 35 tables and counting so far.

Let me know here or [email protected]

Thanks,

Tim

One month out and 32 tables are reserved for sellers so far. So far mostly big lake tackle and gear, but there will be archery equipment, hunting gear, ice fishing gear and more. Raffle prizes will be awarded, free registration for those.

Baked goods and coffee will be available. Hot dogs, chips, pop and water will be served for lunch.

Remember this event is free for buyers! Sellers please help get the word out. We will be advertising in the Advance newspaper in the coming weeks as well.

If fish are slamming a particular lure, then how come once I bought 5 more of them they stop working all together?

Bump, about 2 months out and 20 tables reserved so far.

There may be a wild game dinner available after the event...stay tuned!

Bump at 3 months out. Over a dozen tables signed up already.

We used to troll that reef at night with lead core and Fat Free Shads. One night we caught 3 hog lakers 20-30 lb range. Right around Thanksgiving if I remember correctly.

Two words

Sattelite Radio

When: Saturday February 11, 2012 from 9 am to 12 pm.

Where: Chapel Pointe Church, 3350 Baldwin Street Hudsonville, MI 49426

Saturday February 11, 2012 is the date for this years swap meet so mark your calendars. Please note the new date and location for this year. At this new facility we have nearly unlimited parking and a large gymnasium to set up. For the first time we will be advertising for this event in area newspapers!

Plenty of room and lots more buyers in store for this year, I'm guessing we have doubled in size over last year already since we paired up with the sportsman club at Chapel Pointe Church. This is going to be a big one!

The new location is only 10 minutes from the old location.

We are having a swap meet for anyone that would like to sell, swap, and buy excess sporting gear on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9 am to 12 pm. . We are thinking that the theme be related to items for fishing and hunting, but also are considering that it be open to all sporting goods in general. No flea market junk, just good used gear that one no longer needs or use. No guns or ammo will be allowed on the premises.

Sellers contact me prior to the event to reserve a table. Donation will be $10 per table. Sellers are welcome to share or split tables. If there are left over tables we will offer them up for donation only basis for those who would like to sell, and cannot reserve, afford, or do not need a full table. Contact me at [email protected] for table availability and registration.

Set up will happen between 7:30 and 9 am. If I could please get some volunteers to show up early to move some tables and chairs. We will need to move some chairs first, set up the tables, then set up our items. Volunteers please contact me, and will get to pick the best locations. We will need a crew available at the end to put the tables away and put the chairs back as we found them. Many hands will make this an easy job.

Buyers can stop by from 9-12pm. This will be a free event for buyers, donations gladly accepted. Bring cash and change if possible to make it easier on the sellers who will have limited abilities to make change throughout the day.

Early birds can get in before 9am only with a $ 5 donation, after 9am admittance is free.

The Youth Ministry will be on hand to sell coffee,baked goods, and lunch. Please support them with their fund raiser.

Location has been set at Chapel Pointe Church in Hudsonville, MI. The address is 3350 Baldwin Street Hudsonville, MI 49426. We will have plenty of tables, chairs, and room to spread out in this new facility. Please DO NOT call the facility directly since this is a private event, contact myself with any questions or issues.

Bring the family out for a day of fun, bargains, lunch, and good friends.

Hope to see you there!

Is anyone able to embed the video? Id love to see it but im at work and cant download the plug in required for the video on the computer here.

Just click on the link at the top of the box.

Thanks for the kind words.

I had 3 flies break off this year. 40# Flouro and 50# leader material used. One had 7-8 fish under it's belt but looked good, broke at the overhand knot. Cinched it off and came back with only the loop.

During the big fish times maybe a titanium leader from the last teaser to the hook might give a little insurance?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_30727_151005009_151000000_151005000?hvarAID=shopping_googlebase&om_mmc=shopping_googlebase

Downloading the camera last night I found a great video I thought I'd share. Pay no attention to the insolent teenager.

The action was so hot and heavy I never even knew she took this video. Pretty cool seeing the boy working on that hot king that went 22 lbs. BTW we did land all 3 too.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Tim_Stein/P1030365.mp4