BFL Confirmation letters

[motocross269]

This is my first year on BFL...I recieved my Confirmation letters today for the BFL series..4 of them were confirmed and the one I couldn't get a Boater for I am on Wait status..(Burt and Mullet lake)
Is this the Norm if you don't have a Boater?? I guess that they can't start placing untied boaters and Co-anglers together until the last minute in case someone gets picked up as a priority boater or co-angler.
How long before the tournament do they start locking all of this in?? It would suck to take work off and all of that and have to sit on the shore
If someone could give me a run down on how all of that works that would be great..I thought I read somewhere 2 weeks, but I would think alot could change in 2 weeks. 
I guess all of my problems would be solved if I could find a Boater for Burt and Mullet...anyone?? 

[djkimmel]

We need to find you a boater.

They will take all the nonmatched co-anglers and boaters who are in before the priority deadline and match them first. Michigan boaters tend to be about 50-50 for signing up early and signing up later, so there probably isn't a lot of boaters in yet to match up to.

[rudycard72]

I am going to try to fish the Burt/Mullet event. Hopefully my restaurant will be running smooth enough to leave the wife in charge for a few days. I probably won't know until a few weeks before the event, but if you still haven't found a boater by then we can link up.

[djkimmel]

As long as it is before the priority deadline, you would both be guaranteed.

I asked - did you ever report back on where your restaurant is; what it's called?

[rudycard72]

The restaurant is in Kalamazoo just a few miles from D & R sports. Called Steve's 12th St. Deli , basically an upscale sandwich shop. We have something for everyone though. Look me up if your ever in town. We're at 6058 S 12th st Kalamazoo 49009.

[djkimmel]

This is starting to ring bells in my memory now...? Isn't this a hangout for anglers over there?

[rudycard72]

I think you have me confused with someone else. I just opened in November, but would love to be a hangout for anglers. I plan on doing some sponsorship with the local bass clubs this spring. Maybe give some directors gift certificates to hand out and maybe bring some food platters to a couple weigh-ins. Hopefully one day i'll be known as anglers hangout.

[CuradoKev]

Hey Rudy...Email Me....

I work about 3 miles from there, I'll stop by for a sandwich. Also, I can put some information about your deli in my weekly newsletter. You may have more anglers there than you think 

Curadokev at yahoo dot com

C-ya Kev

[djkimmel]

Sounds like I have a new favorite restaurant in Kalamazoo.

[motocross269]

Definetly keep me in mind for a Co-Angler....Bring some of those sandwiches up north with you..
I've always said restaurant owners are some of the hardest workers I know of...Long days.
Good luck on your new business and hope to hear from you

[SODY]

Rudycard72. I'm always looking for local places to promote at our FOM tournaments. I have sent you a packet and plan on hitting your place for a sandwich as I work at Parker Hannifin in Kalamazoo. Hope your shop takes off!!!

Rich Soderquist- SW Michigan Div. Director
Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail
02239 Ridgewood Dr E
South Haven, MI. 49090
PH. 269-637-4677, Cell 269-217-9485, email rsoderquist@comcast.net

[rudycard72]

Sounds great, can't wait to meet you, thanks for the support.

[jmoore9543]

I am new to BFL this year to. I will be fishing as a nonboater. So i am confused now. I was under the impression of signing up for events one at a time, but I can enter all at the same time?? it would be awesome if someone could kind of outline the steps for me. any help would be greatly appreciated. and I will have to check out the sandwich shop as well next time i am by D&R.

[djkimmel]

You can sign up for any or all of them whenever you want now. If you want priority entry, you need to make sure you have your entry in and your boater does too for each event before each events priority entry deadline - a few weeks before each event.

You don't have to enter at the same time, just make sure both are in before that deadline. Check this thread for all the cutoff dates: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=1271.0

[motocross269]

Signing up for them all at once does a couple of things.. it gives you a priority over Anglers that only sign up for 1 or 2..It also shows whomever you pick up as a boater that you are serious about the Tournament year and not going to bail out half way through the season.
Most boaters that I have seen on this Forum want to pick up a Co-angler for the whole year so it is one less thing they have to worry about as the season goes along. 
Good luck..This is my rookie year also..There is a ton of Co-angler info on this site, bass resource and the FLW home site.

C'mon Burt and Mullet.