Take a Soldier Fishing event

[Baybass]

Hey all, 

I am sure we have heard of the Army Bass Anglers from the Classic this year,  anyway I contacted them to see if they had any of the Take a Soldier Fishing Events planned up here in Michigan and found out they do not but would love for one to be set up.

For those of us who have not heard of these events, basically we would set up a tournament type event and take a soldier fishing for the day on our boat (these are both wounded and unwounded).  These are great events and they mean a lot to these men and women who have made such a huge sacrifice.  Anyway I will post a link at the bottom that goes in a lot more detail than I did. 

After speaking to the people and TASF looks like for the first event we could plan on 30-40 soldiers who fish, so that means 30-40 Bass fishermen to donate time for the event and boat to take one of these soldiers fishing.   Before I begin contacting the VA hospitals to set this up I just wanted to make sure enough interest would be in the Bass fishing community in order to pull this off.  As for dates I am thinking in order to get set up and organized we are looking at late August early September and looking at lake down in Southeast or Jackson area. 

Please let me know if you would be interested in helping me organize this and if you would be willing to donate time and boat to take a soldier fishing. 

Thanks
Brad

http://www.armybassanglers.com/fishingforfreedom/

[Langer]

There is an event next weekend on Kent Lake, I believe its called Tip up for the Troops. its for injured vets. I donated my time last year and it was a great event. I was looking fwd to fishing it again, but have a wedding to go to that day. Not sure if they need more boaters, but if you google the tip up for the troops the site should come up.

[Baybass]

Great,  thanks for the info. 

[bshaner]

I volunteered my time last year as well.  I'll be doing it again next weekend.  Tips up for the Troops is an awesome event and the donations/sponsors give a CRAP TON of free gifts and prizes away that are not cheap.

I am currently serving in the military but I volunteer my time and boat to take others out.  I'd definately get involved in a Take a Soldier Fishing event.

B

[River Rat]

Brad,

I would be interested in helping/attending that event.

As for "Tips-Up", anybody have words of wisdom for fishing Kent?  I never fished there and am interested in signing-up but don't wanna look around going "I dunno..." and I unfortunately don't have time to make a trip there before Saturday.

Scott

[t-bone]

I fished Kent last night and I don't know the lake but I can tell you this, it is choked with weeds. Don't plan on treble hooks, think weedless. It has smallies and LMB. Around the islands seemed popular to fish. West shoreline and near the dam were active as well.
All the bags were small last night, I caught nearly ten but mostly dinks.

[McCarter]

Just called and signed up.  Looking forward to it.  Last year I told myself i would borrow a boat and fish it this year if i had to, but now i have a boat so no loaner needed. 

As far as tips for kent lake, its been tough out there.  most fish are in the post spawn phase but there are still some on beds here and there.  I would say pray for over cast and throw a topwater.  last year Brian Lang (Langer) and his vet won it throwing our 5" Sicko worms.  I think they won by quite a bit if i remember.  I will be bring enough for me and my partner, and a few extra if anyone else wants some...just find me and ask.

Jigs work in kent once in a while, too

McCarter himself

[MIBassKid]

Jigs don't work in Kent Brian, thats crazy talk! 

[River Rat]

I went by both ramps this morning and they seem awfully dang skinny water to be dropping a good size boat without having all four of my Jeep tires wet...

Is the pre-tourney meeting up in the park at the Possum Hollow area at 6:30?!

[Langer]

RR,

You needed to sign up with Rick Briggs to register for the event, not sure if you have or not, and not sure if they take last minute registrations?

Here is an email I recieved from Rick with details for this Saturday.

To all Tips-Up anglers:

This is a last minute update to inform you of the basics needed to get going this upcoming weekend.

The Pro-Vet (am) bass tournament registration will begin at 06:30 AM, 13 June 2009 in Kensington Metropark at the Possum Hollow (East Park) Pavilion. NOT at the West Boat Ramp like last year.
Pros and Vets will be paired up at Possum Hollow, Vets will receive their gifts, and then proceed together no later than 7:15 AM to the West Boat Ramp after registration. Veterans will leave their vehicles at Possum Hollow to keep traffic congestion to a minimum at the ramp.

Panera Bread will be at the boat ramp awaiting your arrival with a few breakfast snacks again similar to last year.
For Directions:  (NOTE: Kensington Road exit bridge is out going north/south across the freeway. Use the Milford exit or other entrance if coming from the west.)
Please see map at: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Kensington+Metropark+Office&city=Milford&state=MI&address=2240+W+Buno+Rd&zipcode=48380&country=US&latitude=42.549958&longitude=-83.637554&geocode=ADDRESS&id=6447759
Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and your lucky lure. Hopefully, you'll need them all.
Thanks everyone for your support and we look forward to seeing you bright and early Saturday!

Any other questions can be answered by calling Rick Briggs at (810) 229-5880

[River Rat]

Langer,

Thx very much for the info from that email!  I registered online earlier in the wk and spoke to him yesterday but we were both in a hurry and some of the things he said were Greek to me, especially since I've never not been in the park for almost 20yrs let alone never fished there.  I'd be really jacked-up if I hadn't taken a quick tour.

Thx again, sir!

[brg_bassmaster]

Do they have any of these in october? im coming home from iraq in september on leave back to michigan for like 2-3 weeks. and is it just army or can airforce come also.

[Langer]

brg_bassmaster,

Just put a post on this site closer to your return date and Im sure someone here will take you out. I will take you if I it works with my schedule and you are in the detroit area.

Anyone know how the event turned out?

Thanks.

[McCarter]

well, i didnt end up making it to this event   my wife kept me out all night at the casino and we didnt make it home til almost 4 am.  i tried to stay awake but ended up falling asleep and not hearing the alarm.  when i talked to Rick he said he didnt think they had anymore openings but to show up and see what happened.  so hopefully i didnt cost anyone a day on the water.  i feel really bad. 

McCarter himself

[River Rat]

brg_bassmaster:

If you are in the Metro area (I'm Downriver) send a msg when you're coming back and I'll do my best to make time to take you out as well.  Being an Airman won't DQ you from anything that we can put together as long as you don't mind riding with a former Sailor!  Take care over there and come home safe.

McCarter:

It turned out that there was only one boat without a vet (mine), as a few of us volunteered to stay back and take the vets that were arriving late but mine didn't make it there.  The weather actually held off to make it decent day and a good event all around.  Got to meet some good people there which was a bonus.