May 2008 Newsletter

Next tournament for D58 is June 14. Always read the message board to find out what time meetings begin.

Standings for AOY are updated after each tournament. Check the list and let me know if you see mistakes.

Safe and courteous boating has become an issue. If you are fishing our tournament and witness a tournament angler being unsportsmanlike, discourteous or unsafe, you must write a protest within 15 minutes of the scales being closed. If it is determined that someone was unsportsmanlike, discourteous or unsafe, that angler will be disqualified from that tournament. If someone outside of our tournament registers a complaint to me, in writing or verbally, I will investigate. If it is determined that an angler was unsportsmanlike, discourteous or unsafe, that angler will be disqualified from that tournament.

Unsafe boating procedures include, but are not limited to, driving your boat faster than current conditions deem reasonable, coming up behind another boat too closely, cutting in front of another boat at any speed, turning corners that swamp another boat.

Unsportsman-like behavior includes, but is not limited to, pulling into a location and going in front of another angler to fish. If you want to fish the same bank someone else is on, your only choice is to fish behind them. This kind of behavior will be dealt with the same as “Safe and courteous boating” practices.

Weigh-In sheets are checked for mistakes after every tournament. Whatever mistakes are found will be reflected in the data posted on our website. Signatures are also checked and confirmed for the money winners. Please sign your name, not just initials, and make it readable.

2009 schedule will be put out soon. Please give me lots of input. I’m looking at including at least some of our tournaments being two 1-day events. My thinking is that the high price of gas will make it more possible for someone to travel to Big Hill for two 1-day events.

Corrections were made to total weights and points awarded, as well as monies received for the April and May tournaments. Therefore, the pictures of the winners are not correct. However, weights and points are correct on the website and with headquarters.

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ABA Draw Trail is set up with the week-end angler in mind. Because we are seeing new members come on board with us, I want to re-state some of the basics. Everyone should read this, as some things have changed over the years.

• Tournaments are open to anyone from age 16 and up.
• Boaters and non-boaters are welcome.
• Guides and professionals are not allowed to enter.
• Membership is $25/year; entry fee is $70/tournament which includes Big Bass
• You should be able to find tournaments to fish that are no more than 2 hours away.
• ABA membership allows you to fish at any ABA event.
• You can qualify for a Regional and a National Championship happening within the same calendar year.
• There are many national sponsor incentives.
• There are many local sponsor offers.
• There are many Division awards separate from national awards.
• There is a toll free phone number if you have questions: 888 203-6222

Tournament procedure with respect to early registration, briefing times and tournament hours will vary depending on weather, time of year, and other outside variables. Always check with the director or read the message boards for instructions.

Weigh-In procedures differ greatly for D58 and D128 tournaments. Be sure you understand how to fill in your weigh-in sheet. It will help if you bring a small calculator and a pen.

D58 and D128 offer end of the year awards for Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Big Fish of the Year, and possibly others. They usually give away some nice prizes and plaques.

Welcome to new members, Robert Powers and Josh Walker. They are both from Wichita. Thanks to Josh for donating a nice package of jigs.

Register for the centralmidwestbass message board. It only takes a minute and you can get a lot of information at that board. It is a new board so if you were registered on the old board, you need to re-register for this one.

Message Board chat is invited. Topic of the month is “Good Tournament Sportsmanship.” Someone be brave and name some do’s and/or do not’s. Get involved and let your opinion be known.

Local Sponsors are very important. Please give them your business when you can.

• Super 8 is giving an excellent rate ($47.00 + tax); The Guesthouse is about the same price. Both of these motels offer amenities.
• Parsons Sirloin Stockade has one of the best buffets around. You can get steak, cooked to order and a baked potato along with everything on the food bar, which includes several kinds of fish, meats, and vegetables. And there is a coupon on this website for $1.00 off the buffet.
• You won’t find a better Taco Mayo than the ones in Parsons and Coffeyville.
  Pete’s One Stop has several locations, including Ft. Scott, Iola, Chanute, Fredonia, Pittsburg, Parsons, McCune, Erie, and Miami, OK. Find a coupon on this website for a drink
• Fitzwater Jigs is a local business. Richard is present at almost every tournament. If he doesn’t fish with us, he is usually at the weigh-in. He gives us a nice package of jigs to give away at the tournament. He also sells jigs, so tell him what you need and he’ll get your order ready.
• Labette C & V and Crawford County C & V are two of our most loyal supporters. I will be posting information about activities happening the same week-end as our tournaments so you can include your families in your travels.
• The Outboard Doctor is one of our newest sponsors. The service allows you to get your motor problems fixed for $0 plus parts. The thing is, the doctor tells you what and how to fix; you do the work. You don’t have to take your boat anywhere, so you save gas money.

Special offer: Bring four new members to April 26 tournament at Bone Creek or May 10 tournament at Big Hill and receive a free one year membership renewal. The new members must sign up with Becky or Mark for this offer to be valid.

Pictures that are taken at tournaments are kept in my files for several months, but then deleted. If you want copies, just ask.

Schedule for Bone Creek May is incorrect; it should be May 31.

ABA D58 hats brown with red or blue lettering:
$7.00 each, or two for $12.00
Six of each color available.

Big Hill Lake contour map: $10.00
7 available

I can take credit card (you'll have to call), paypal, check, or cash (in person). Shipping is possible. Contact me for cost. Becky Minor - 620 421-3708

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REGIONALS ARE ANNOUNCED!

Southwest Regional: Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, AR; October 3-4
Hosted by: Russellville Tourism & Visitors Center
The launch site is Dardanelle State Park.

Midwest Regional: Lake Barkley, Kuttawa, KY; October 10-11
Hosted by: The Lake Barkley Tourist Commission.
The launch site is Kuttawa/Lyon County

"Contestants must have qualified within a Region in order to qualify for that Region's Championship. Minimum requirements for qualification are the successful completion of four (4) one-day tournaments, with two (2) or more within that region and one two-day tournament within the respective Region."

This means an angler can qualify for the Southwest Regional Championship by fishing at least two 1-day tournaments and one 2-day tournament within that region. Understand, you must still have fished at least four 1-day tournaments. If you want to qualify to fish the Southwest Regional Championship, you can get schedules for Larry Graddy's tournaments (D70), Tommy Hibdon's tournaments (D47), Clarence Pippin's tournaments (D56), Dennis Brady's tournaments (D57), and Bill Gaddis' tournaments (D56).

If you are an angler from the Southwest Region, just reverse the above explanation and you can fish the Midwest Regional on Barkley. Check out the Kansas schedules on this website and go to ABA for the Missouri schedules. Look for D49 and D64.

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