2nd Annual Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Charity Tournament... suggestions.

[Waterfoul]

We will be putting on our 2nd annual event in 2010 (we've been having these charity events for 4 years now but I think we've found a long term cause). Last year we held it on Hardy Pond and drew 16 boats. We had several sponsors donate items for our raffle and we even had some food. We all had a great time despite the slow bite that day. Overall we raised about $600 for the cause. This is a well run event for a great cause.

We would like to hold it at a different venue this year. We have several in mind (We'd like a free or low cost ramp) for 2010. I hope this event grows so we're only considering ramps that can hold 20-30 rigs. We'd like to keep it on an inland lake within 50 miles of Grand Rapids (we draw some smaller boats to this event every year). Therefore none of the bigger lake shore lakes.

These are about the only lakes that meet the requirements.

Wabasis
Gun Lake
Croton
Mona Lake (Lk. Michigan off limits)

Any other suggestions?

[blakstr1]

have you thought about holding it on Cadillac/Mitchell?  i know its further than your 50 mile radius of GR, but it may draw northern and eastern anglers.  i have juvenile diabetes and would love to get involved in something like this, but i am over here in Saginaw.

[dartag]

any lakes mid state Lansing area.  maybe us east siders will donate. 

[Waterfoul]

any lakes mid state Lansing area.  maybe us east siders will donate. 

Thing is... there really are no lakes near Lansing big enough. 

[VinceR]

What time of the year is it held? How about Thornapple or Gull? If you want to move it to a more centrally located area, you have Sanford and Wixom. Both are slightly beyond the 50 mile range, but would draw from more areas, east, west, and central.

[Waterfoul]

What time of the year is it held? How about Thornapple or Gull? If you want to move it to a more centrally located area, you have Sanford and Wixom. Both are slightly beyond the 50 mile range, but would draw from more areas, east, west, and central.

Considering Gull for sure.  Sanford/Wixon is 2 hours+ from Grand Rapids according to my Nuvi (just checked).  Sorry... too far.  I guess I'd like to see some anglers travel to THIS side of the state instead of us heading over to THAT side of the state.  We have some great fishing over here.  Come on over and give it a shot!!   Besides, my sign up and weigh in crew (who I consider VERY good at running a very organized event) are all local to GR and they don't fish (wives and family members of some of our regular anglers).

Last year we did this in mid September.  I'm probably leaning towards that time of year again.  I know for me I'm not as busy with my tournament schedule by that time and I'm sure it's the same for many others.  I'm just trying to do some legwork and get it scheduled before it's too late.

[bob o]

what about the coldwater chain or is that too far?

[Waterfoul]

A bit too far I think.  Thanks for the suggestion though.

[BHarris989]

I'm new to this site, on the recommendation of my father. Can't wait to find out the details for this and try to persuade him to take me. It's a great cause and a great reason to go fishing.

[mikesmiph]

I'll be there, no matter where its at

[djkimmel]

Gull can be good that time of year. Many different patterns. I've still never been on Gun Lake - weird... I would imagine it to be a decent fall lake. But Mona - landlocked - would maybe be the most interesting choice.

Isn't Croton a little treacherous for persons who don't know it well?

[VinceR]

I have absolutely no problem fishing on the west side of the state. As a matter of fact, I've probably fished more inland lakes, west of Lansing, than I have, east of Lansing. Being centrally located, I'm pretty good with fishing just about anywhere. 

Both Gull and Gun fish pretty well in September. I really like Gull, I just don't seem to get there as much as I would like to, anymore. Since I'm thinking that I'll fish more "Opens" next year, this one sounds like one that I will put on my calendar. I especially like that it is for a good cause.

For the record, Wixom/Sanford is two hours from just about everywhere. I only threw them out there because someone mentioned putting it in the central part of the state to draw more anglers.

[Waterfoul]

I have absolutely no problem fishing on the west side of the state. As a matter of fact, I've probably fished more inland lakes, west of Lansing, than I have, east of Lansing. Being centrally located, I'm pretty good with fishing just about anywhere. 

Both Gull and Gun fish pretty well in September. I really like Gull, I just don't seem to get there as much as I would like to, anymore. Since I'm thinking that I'll fish more "Opens" next year, this one sounds like one that I will put on my calendar. I especially like that it is for a good cause.

For the record, Wixom/Sanford is two hours from just about everywhere. I only threw them out there because someone mentioned putting it in the central part of the state to draw more anglers.

Actually Croton is not that bad.  Just have to treat it like a river.

[Cy]

What about Jordan Lake in Lake Odessa.  I agree that Gull, Gun or Mona would work too.  I heard they were rebuilding the Mona launch last year that should help.  Somewhere else to consider might be Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park, just North of Lansing.  It's about an hour from GR and has a lot of parking.  It's not a very big lake but it fishes big and it is all no wake so it would be safe with several boats.

Just a couple ideas.  I would like to fish it in 2010 if possible.

Cy

[McCarter]

if you guys do Ovid i am in.  I love that lake and need an excuse to get back there.  charity event would be perfect.

McCarter himself

[thedude]

Actually Croton is not that bad.  Just have to treat it like a river.

never thought i'd see the day......

[BCfisher]

Sounds like a great cause. I'll try to get a ride. No boat at the pressent.

[Waterfoul]

Actually Croton is not that bad.  Just have to treat it like a river.

never thought i'd see the day......

I didn't say it fished all that well (unless you like pike!).  I just said you can run around safely if you treat it like a river (which it is). 

So no... you haven't seen the day!!!

[thedude]

good i was getting worried for a minute

[jmorri23]

i would go with wabasis , i fished there once last year and had some great bites .