I would like to thank all of the fishermen who came
to Morse Reservoir for the start of the 2004 Indiana
Anglers Choice team trail. I am very pleased with the
way our season began. I have identified a few things
that will be done to improve upon our first event. Overall,
I felt that things went really well and appreciate all
of you who offered help and support.
This season started out the same as last year's ended,
with Dan Chopp and Bob Breivogel in the top spot for
anglers of the year. They topped an impressive field
with a total weight of 10.96 lb., earning them $1520.00
for 1st and $360.00 for big bass. Dan and Bob reportedly
utilized a "keep the bait wet and cover water"
strategy to crank up 4 fish including a 5.25 lb. big
bass on their way to the win in the National Boat Mart
sponsored event.
The team of Richard and Roger Huffman
caught 4 fish weighing 7.88 lb. to take home 2nd place
and $1020.00 by fishing shallow water with soft plastic
baits.
John Gray's solo effort (partner unable to compete)
captured 3rd place despite a lung infection and an
adverse reaction to his medication.
John boated 4 keepers that weighed 7.64 lb. earning
$545.00.
A great day of weather turned out to be a pretty tough
day of fishing. However, our teams proved to be up
to the challenge as 26 out of 36 teams were able to
weigh fish. The list of teams that did not weigh fish
includes some of our best anglers. I am sure they
will bounce back in our upcoming events.
In the future I will be e-mailing tournament results,
entry receipts, and newsletters. If you would like
this information sent to you, please give me your
e-mail address. This will allow you to have the results
and standings
immediately following our tournaments. Please remember
that unless we encounter some sort of unforeseen problem,
we will have our pre- tournament meeting at 5:30am
sharp, every event. Those teams who arrive after the
meeting begins will be sent out after the rest of
the field has taken off. Also, it has been suggested
that we may consider revising our policy on the off
limits to allow some local anglers to drive their
boats to check-in. After consideration, I believe
we will keep our policy as is. Please do not drive
your boat to the ramp. I know Freeman has ramp issues
but we are prepared for that. Jim McWhirter has offered
to let us use his property as a parking area for trailers.
We will shuttle anglers back and forth to the ramp.
Boats will be checked at the ramp, however all trailers
will be parked at Jim's place. We will address the
weigh-in procedure at the pre-tournament meeting.
Thank you again for a great event, we look forward
to seeing you May 22nd and 23rd at the Freeman - Shafer
tournaments.
Important announcement!
Jason Pickett (John Gray's partner)
was unable to compete because he had more important
things to do. Jason and Melanie Pickett are the proud
parents
of their first baby, a 7lb. 4oz. girl named Emma.
Congratulations Jason and Melanie, I think she's a
"keeper"!
