Tips-Up for the Troops Charity Tournament - SUCCESS!!

[bshaner]

I had the distinct pleasure and humble honor of participating in the Tips-Up for Troops Charity Bass Tournament this past weekend.  To say the least, this was a huge success.  By far this was the most rewarding event I've ever participated in.

When I volunteered to guide a couple of disabled vets around for a day of fishing I knew it would be a good time but I had no idea the magnitude of this thing.  I had the good fortune that the cards fell right and I was paired up with my father for the day (Vietnam Era Purple Heart recipient).  I don't get to fish with him very much which is disappointing because he is the man who got me addicted to this sport.  So it was very fulfilling to spend the day with him under these circumstances.

I'm going to try and do justice to Rick Briggs and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, but I'm afraid I may fall short so just humor me.  Rick and his people were absolutely wonderful and the amount of sponsors and donations were unmatched.

The day started at 0630 when the local "pros" show up at the ramp and begin the process of launching for the tournament.  There were over 50 boats and a decent line going so I just parked the truck and went to register while I waited on the line to go down.  I took my dad up to the registration area.  Strategically placed between the parking lot and the registration booth was a Panera Bread tent.  These people were there serving coffee, orange juice, bagels and any other breakfast product Panera Bread has completely free to everyone.  I had a hard time pulling my dad away from the tent.  This was my good morning and welcome to the event. 

So dad is double fisting it with breakfast and coffee as we make it to the registration booth.  Now, I had called Rick weeks ago and told him I'd be volunteering my boat but I hadn't really "officially" registered until last week and I hadn't registered my dad at all.  He was a last minute addition, as in, the day before I said you really should come to this with me.  The volunteer at registration took it in stride, looked up at me and my dad and said, well we don't have you paired up with anyone, I guess you'll have to fish together.  (You see it was supposed to be a draw for partners and my dad was a bit nervous about fishing with someone he didn't know).  What a blessing!  I get to volunteer to take my dad out for the day!!

After we signed up the volunteers asked my dad if he had his own gear.  Now, my dad has his own gear, but being the wise person that I am I told him not to bring it because I'd give him everything he needs for the day.  You see, he is the old school Ugly Stick kinda salty dog.  So he answered honestly and said, nope I don't have my own gear.  No problem – take this Plano 3700 full of tackle donated for the tournament.  This thing was jam packed with lures.  They had a Plano 3700 full of tackle for every Vet.  I'm shaking my head in disbelief.  Oh and while you are at it, take this bag with a Triton hat, munchies and various other stuff every good tournament angler takes out on the boat with them.  I'm still in a state of disbelief.  We've only been here 20 minutes and the spirit of giving and gratefulness to the Veterans is killing me.

They hand me a check-in sheet complete with valet tags, one for my truck window, one for my keys and one to keep in my pocket.  Oh yeah that's right, they are valet launching us and parking our trucks for us.  They'll have our trucks ready for us at the end of the day as our flights come in.  Oh and it's a trailered weigh in.  You pull your boat up onto your trailer that's waiting for you at the ramp, strap it up and drive over to the Pavilion where the food and weigh in trailer and families are waiting for you to weigh in.  I nearly forgot to mention – the park fee was waived and non of us had to pay.  If you fell through the cracks and the Park attendant charged you – Rick refunded you your money.

Many thanks to Paul Sacks for volunteering to handle the pre-tournament meeting, rules, safety tips, official time and blasting us off.   Thanks to B.A.S.S. for donating the weigh in trailer and all the equipment needed for a full weigh in complete with everything you need to successfully weigh and release fish alive.  First class job there.

Ok, so I'm not going to bore you with details about my day with my dad, that's for he and I to cherish for a long time.  Plus this post is more to tell you about the event and how well it was put on.  I will tell you we spent most of our day near the west launch tossing wacky rigged senkos that my dad helped me pour the night before.

My mother and 14 year old brother along with my wife and kids spent the day in Kensington Park participating in a list of events that Rick and the Brain Injury Association had lined up for the families of Vets and the Pro volunteers.  It must have been a success because my kids are still talking about it.  From what I understand they had a nature walk and free canoe rentals complete with shuttle buses to the canoe livery.  My kids got to ride in one of the Army's Semi Trucks complete with camouflage.  Thanks to the Army guys volunteering their time for that.

Ok so here we are, all the fish are weighed in there's a spread of BBQ, chips, potato salad type dishes, cake, any type of beverage you can think of.  Families are out conversing and mingling.  My kids are shoveling more food on their plates than any of us will ever eat.  There's a children's choir singing patriotic songs up on stage.  I'm sorry but I forget the name of the next choir that came up to sing an arrangement but oh by the way before they sing, the leader hands Rick a check for 3700.00 they raised at a benefit.

Once the weights are all tallied and everyone has had their fill of food, Rick gets up on stage and begins the awards ceremony.  He begins by telling us a little bit about the Brain Injury Association and some statistics on Vets with brain injuries.   Then he starts to tell us the list of sponsors for this event which is somewhere over 140ish sponsors.  We aren't talking 5 dollars here and there sponsors, we are talking big business and big donations.  To do it a little justice let me give you just a small list of donated prizes and gifts for veterans:

•   Heating/Air conditioning unit full installation included in the ballpark of 6,000.00
•   Guided hog hunt in the U.P. 3,000.00 ish
•   Guided turkey hunt in Wisconsin  couple thousand dollars
•   Big tackle boxes FULL of tackle
•   Complete hunting outfits from Cabelas
•   Autographed Tigers photos in frames that I'm told are worth money
•   Ice skating party for 12 fully paid for (I won)
•   Various rods and reels
•   Aluminum Jon Boat w/ trailer
•   Several Gas powered weed wackers
•   I'm told over 6000.00 worth of lures/tackle was handed out

There were so many prizes that they had them laid out on tables under the pavilion and when your number was called you just walked up and picked something.  Every Veteran got a prize, regardless.  There were more prizes than participants.  It got to the point where Rick was just asking people if they could use this or wanted that or knew someone that could use this or wanted that.  It was crazy.  At one point he was making people take prizes.  Apparently last year the volunteer boaters did not want to take prizes because it is about the troops.  This year Rick made it clear that if you won something you take it!!  If you want to turn around and hand it to a vet, that's fine but take it!!   There were still tournament bags with nice Triton hats in them left over so they were handing them out to the kids.  My boy doesn't know it yet but that hat is mine!

All in all this was a huge success and I was proud to be a part of it.  I will make it a point to participate in this event every year as long as they hold it.  I would encourage you guys to participate next year if it is at all possible.

B

[bshaner]

You guys that were there please fill in the parts I missed.  There was so much to take in that I know I missed alot.  The playing of TAPS always brings me to tears.  I was proud to attach the American Flag to my light pole for the day as well.

B

[Cheetam]

Nice write-up Shaner...Thanks.

[bshaner]

NP!  Thanks for the pre info you gave me, it was spot on.  I hope you dont mind I shared the info with several vets who'd never fished the lake before.  I gave you credit by name and told them you'd be there if you could but that was your contribution.  No sarcasm there, I seriously did.

B

[Cheetam]

NP!  Thanks for the pre info you gave me, it was spot on.  I hope you dont mind I shared the info with several vets who'd never fished the lake before.  I gave you credit by name and told them you'd be there if you could but that was your contribution.  No sarcasm there, I seriously did.

B

Anytime Shaner.  I gave you that info so you could share it with everyone involved and hopefully put a smile or two on some of the folks' faces.  I hope everyone was able to get a fish or two from some of those areas.  I heard it was pretty dirty, which can make it pretty difficult to whack em out there.

[Langer]

Man I had a great time. I will definately do it again next year. I got paired up with Devon who is a member of the Michigan National Gaurd out of Jackson, Mi. He was there to support a guy from his unit that had suffered a Brain Injury from a VIED, vehicle improvised explosive device. After we get all settled into the boat and were waiting for the ooze off Devon asks how long I have been a Pro! My response was, "Im not, in fact I never really do any good on this lake, but I hope to put us on some fish today." I got this look of oh great. We were part of the 2nd flight and as they called our # I waved stood up and got on the trolling motor and started fishing right there. Now Devon just watch a whole flight of boats mosey across the lake and head north, again I get this look of oh great this guy doesnt know what he's doing. It wasnt too long after we started fishing we were on fish, but mostly shorts. By 11:30 we only had 3 keeper fish and I was ready move, I made one last cast and felt that tap,tap of a fish, Set the hook and up came a nice smallie. Just as Devon was netting it I notice another one just as big following it up. I would like to thank that 2nd smallie for showing itself because that made me stay in that area and keep fishing for it. We worked that break back and forth the remainder of the tournament and it paid off, catching 4 more keepers culling up 3 times. The last 2 keepers we caught were both over 4 lbs, mine came with only 15mins left before our flight had to check in. Devon was pumped, his first tournament, his largest bass ever, and soon to be his first win! At the weigh in I was asking the kids running fish from the scales to the holding tank what big fish was so far, and he mentioned 6+ I was bum'd because I thought Devon had it wrapped up and there was a nice replicate mount for the Vet with the biggest fish. Turns out the 6+ was a total weight and not of a single fish because Devon took top honors with 4.02lbs, next came the rest of the fish for a total of 14.44lbs and the new leaders. There were still about 20 boats to weigh in so we killed time by eating some of the wonderful BBQ and other food they had for us hoping we had enough to keep the lead. Well we kept the lead and took top honors. For Devon winning big bass he got to get one of the many great prizes as well as a nice hand carved mount a 6+ lb Largemouth. For taking 1st place we got real nice trophies from Little Bills Thropies as well as a trip to the prize table. Not only was this Devon's first tournament win it was also mine, highest I had ever finished prior to this was 3rd in a couple of club tournaments. All in All it was a great day. The event was a sucess and Rick did a great job of running it. I cannot wait for next year.

All the fish we caught on Saturday were caught on Nemisis Stick baits in KLK color and Green Pmk with Purple Flake, thanks to Chris for bringing a supply with him in the morning so I could stock up on them.

[Cheetam]

Good job Langer.  Two 4+ pounders out there this time of year is pretty dang good.  Congrats!

[Dan]

Paul Sacks asked me to come to the tournament to video it and make an iMovie DVD. I couldn't make it because of prior commitments, but he said he would try and get someone to film and then I would edit and make the DVD. I don't know if that happened, but if it did, it should make a nice DVD. Sounded like a great event maybe I can make it next year. Congrats and well done to those who volunteered!!

[spinninbug]

Brian this was a great write up,  brought tears to my eyes.  I wish we lived closer down there sometimes just for these kinds of events,  they don't do things like that up here,  that I'm aware of.

We did have a hunt up here for veterens this year that was a huge success,  but I've not heard of any tournaments like this.  

Kuddo's to those that were able to go and take a veteren out on the water for a wonderful day!

[McCarter]

Langer, you are the man.  That is a heck of a bag for Kent Lake right now.  Not only is it post spawn funky monkey, but they just tore through 80% of the lake with the giant aquatic lawnmower and to top it off, they sprayed the day lights out of it with nasty chemical weedkiller.  You should be very proud.  Not only for putting together such an impressive bag, but also for second guessing your decision to leave after seeing that 2nd smallmouth and sticking around.  You better be there next Tuesday night.  I will buy you a cold drink afterwards, unless you win again.  Then you will be buying the cold drinks

Oh, and way to go winning it on NEMESIS STICK BAITS.  It means a lot to me and Chris that you had the confidence to fish a tournament using nothing but out baits.  However, you are now subject to a lengthy interview for use on our website. 

McCarter himself

[Langer]

McCarter,

Chris told me that I would get 500 bucks if I won it using nothing but your baits.... I'll expect that in the form of a real check as well as a large fake check just so I can hold it up in the Air for photo ops. Hahaha

I am planning on being there Tuesday...

[MadWags]

McCarter,

Chris told me that I would get 500 bucks if I won it using nothing but your baits.... I'll expect that in the form of a real check as well as a large fake check just so I can hold it up in the Air for photo ops. Hahaha

I am planning on being there Tuesday...

You are the man Langer. You earned that five hundo!
Congrats!