"Grand Daddy" of the 2010 Michigan Tournament Season??????

[markgoetsch]

I like the detroit river as well that way anglers can fish erie or st. clair depending on the wind.  I also like early october.

[billy8878]

I agree with the Detroit River launch to fish both lakes.

[VinceR]

Don't forget about Erie MetroPark, with 198 parking spaces. All three of the Erie/Detroit River launches are in reasonable proximity to decent lodging.

I wouldn't mind seeing a tournament scheduled for late September, early October at the latest. You would need to consider the weather conditions for that time of year. Much later in the season, and weather may begin to affect the turnout. Once you get past Labor Day, the recreational boating crowd will begin to thin out.

With a 150+ boat field, you should look at paying down a considerable number of places, with the last 5 (or so) getting their entry fee back.

[Waterfoul]

Well, if September next year is anything like it was this year... I'd vote for Muskegon.  Lake Michigan was like GLASS for 3 solid weeks and the lakeshore fishing was awsome!!

[sterk149]

Put it in down town Grand Haven during coast guard Fest. That way you would be able to get sponsors that will gain something that no other tournament can do - (people) we all think sponsors want to help us out but no one looks at it from their side what is 150-200 guys going to do for me (NOT MUCH ) but get 1000 people in the area or more while your tournament is going on a there is alot more exposure for them. Grand Haven has bleachers and a Stage! and right there at the water. Offer that to sponsors -get good sponsors and then you will have your Grand Daddy tournament.

[Waterfoul]

Now there's a thought Chad!!!

[ROI Outdoors]

Put it in down town Grand Haven during coast guard Fest. That way you would be able to get sponsors that will gain something that no other tournament can do - (people) we all think sponsors want to help us out but no one looks at it from their side what is 150-200 guys going to do for me (NOT MUCH ) but get 1000 people in the area or more while your tournament is going on a there is alot more exposure for them. Grand Haven has bleachers and a Stage! and right there at the water. Offer that to sponsors -get good sponsors and then you will have your Grand Daddy tournament.

Sterk - Thanks for volunteering to run this event for the guys the Grand Haven Waterfront would be by far the coolest venue in the state hands down - we could even have the musical fountain going during the weigh-in, that is something I've never seen at any BASS televised event on ESPN! 

Coast Guard would be tough - we would have to compete with all the Beer Tents and bikini clad females.  I do think the Grand Haven Waterfront is the perfect site for a gigantic show but it would take a year to plan that one perfectly. 

Waterfront Stadium would be kick *%* so make some calls to the city of GH to see what we would need to do.

What is the Dr. H. Belanger Park Launch site on the Detroit River like?  I've never been there so just curious if it is even a viable option.

[mikesmiph]

You had me at bikini clad. Count me in.

[motocross269]

I have been to the Coast Guard Festival...If you guys have it that weekend you may lose some anglers half way through the day to the festivities..
Focus may be a problem...

[ROI Outdoors]

Detroit River is my vote; I think a lot of guys are missing the point with this whole deal - its not my or any certain group of guys tournament it is OUR tournament and that is the only way this will work.  No one person can do this themselves, it is going to take a collaborative effort from a multitude of guys - honestly it will take 15-20 somewhat dedicated guys to make this happen so lets get to it! 

I know we can get a few G's from sponsors to pay someone to run the weigh-in so lets start talking details. 

If we really want to see this work I think we should have a date and site decided on by Jan. 1st - I got the hook on posters so I'll have some printed up to hand out at the Novi Show starting the 9th. 

DATE AND LAUNCH SITE? 

What do you all say about taking the next 20 suggestions and tallying them up with a majority rule?  Get your votes in so I can go to bed!

[motocross269]

Do you really think you need to pay a few Gs to run the weigh in? 

Heck for that kind of money I know a group with a Weigh in trailer that would be willing to run your weigh in.....I may even be able to provide a TD and MC.... ..

[markgoetsch]

My vote is for Elizebeth park in early october.  Its a very nice launch, close to many hotels, and protected from the eliments if its windy that day.

[gr@ssmonkey]

I know october is a month without a lot of tourney's but if u look back you'll notice it is really hard to have a good tourney in the beginning of oct.(because it's a transition month) and if you have it at the end of oct. u might have waited to long!!!
   For a grand daddy tourney like this,i would like to see it on the 4th of july.....and lets celebrate our freedom....... and my vote still stands for charlevoix,boat traffic is not an issue and the place is beautiful that time of the year,bring the wife and kids!!!!

[Waterfoul]

I know october is a month without a lot of tourney's but if u look back you'll notice it is really hard to have a good tourney in the beginning of oct.(because it's a transition month) and if you have it at the end of oct. u might have waited to long!!!
   For a grand daddy tourney like this,i would like to see it on the 4th of july.....and lets celebrate our freedom....... and my vote still stands for charlevoix,boat traffic is not an issue and the place is beautiful that time of the year,bring the wife and kids!!!!

And I have a free place to stay less than an hour away!!  I'd fish there for sure.

[oldjigger]

I like July never know what kind of weather in Oct..  could be on traverse bay / Lake Mich. and brought onto Elk skeg and torch if the weather was to bad

Dick

[VinceR]

As much as I love fishing Charlevoix, the problem there, will be a launch site. The largest site is the one near the city of Charlevoix, and it only has 92 parking spaces. The Boyne City launch has 52 spaces, and Ironton has 44.

The best locations to accomodate large tournaments are still Harley Ensign and Metropolitan Beach on St. Clair; Elizabeth Park, Erie Metro Park, and Sterling State Park on Erie; Fisherman's Landing on Muskegon (a tournament fisherman must have designed this place), and I believe that there are a couple of good launches on Saginaw Bay, and a big one at Au Gres. All have over 150 parking spaces, good spots for setting up the weigh-ins, and good access to the water for live release.

[ROI Outdoors]

Do you really think you need to pay a few Gs to run the weigh in? 

Heck for that kind of money I know a group with a Weigh in trailer that would be willing to run your weigh in.....I may even be able to provide a TD and MC.... ..

You're right that is a probably a little much but I bet we could get Fish Fishburne or that "let's get ready to rumble" guy to MC for $1000 a piece. 

Tournament Trailer would be ideal so see what they'd be willing to do it for.

[mikesmiph]

For $1000, I'd see about getting Mariko Izumi to MC.

[ROI Outdoors]

Potential Dates & Sites that aren't conflicting with major events (that I know of at least)

Saturday July 3rd - Muskegon Lake Fisherman's Landing - this would be a good date for the guys coming over from the East Side to do some pre-fishing for the TBF State Fish-Off which is the following weekend.  It is busy out there during the Holiday Weekend but I think Lake Michigan is big enough to support all the traffic.  Fisherman's Landing can easily support the additional holiday anglers, pleasure boaters don't even really use this launch site so the only additional traffic will be big lake fisherman who usually launch well before safe light.

Sat./Sun. October 9th/10th or 16th/17th Elizabeth Park Detroit River - average high in Oct. is 62 degrees and if you look at the data the wind doesn't become a major factor until late Oct. or early Nov.  I didn't look into as to what else is going on these days over there so if anyone knows of anything major please post what it is and when.   Fish the river, fish St. Clair, Fish Erie this site is pretty much at the center of it all.  If the weather is even decent these dates would see some super sacks.

WHAT SAY YOU???

[Ranger5Smallie]

July 3 on Muskegon...I like it!!!  Not sure we can get 200 boats out on a holiday weekend though.