As has been said in other threads, the MSBA Shore & Boat Charity Tournament was a success this past weekend.

I want to thank the guys that really hammered this out and put things together for a successful tourney inlcuding guys that hang around here like; Patrick, Captain Mike B, Mike (chubsdad), Beetle, & Van. You guys did good work even though like in years past (When FW and I helped), the help was thin on getting the tourney out the door... :btu: Big Thumbs Up!

Also, a big thanks to the S-B members that participated and made a good show for our site on getting out there and fishing, another :btu: and scoring well, even from shore... Once I see the final standings, I'll see who from here gets some prizes too...

And a big thumbs up the sponsors of the tourney that pitched in too... Like Bill-n-Juls Guide service, me (wink-wink), Sportsman's Den (had the highest amount of signups), and M&D's Bait and tackle...

If I missed anyone, I'm sorry - hopping between meetings here :eek5:

BTW - The tourney winning bass was caught from shore by an associate of BM :D ....

Originally posted by John R


BTW - The tourney winning bass was caught from shore by an associate of BM :D ....

:D The Big Cahoona?

Sounds like it was a good weekend of fun and fishing.

I only got out once and got 1 striper and one blue, oh well there's always next year. BM didn't even fish this weekend ,we'll make up for it next weekend:)

Congratulations to all the winners:happy:

John,
Thank you for the kind remarks on the tournament.
I was very pleased - overall - with the way things worked out. Bassmaster and I met last night and began talking about the 6th annual tournament (in June, - when its supposed to be!). I - (we) experienced a few "bumps in the road" working this tournament which I think I may be able to allieviate next time around, with the experience gained volunteering with this tournament.
As Patrick mentioned at the awards ceremony, (big) fish come to club members who volunteer and put time back in to "their" club, how very true as I can attest. I have not fished in over 26 years, and since late May, I have 2 - 34 pounders under my belt on board the Ave Maria, among many others, and after fishing my own boat for the "first time" on the tounament, did respectible with an 18 ponder and a handful of smaller fish, when many others were getting skunked ! (many thanks to team Ave Maria's fishing school !!).
We will need more help committed to next tournament. With the proper amount of help, it can be properly organized and run even better and the load can be spread over the many - instead of just the usual few who take a beating trying to fish and run a tournament.
Please consider giving us a hand on the 6th annual - we WILL start putting it together immediately, I wish to get more MAJOR sponsors involved, right down to ground level - more of the LOCAL tackle shops involved.
Tight lines everyone
Beetle

Hello all,
During last nights MSBA meeting I was a bit disapointed - but not surprised - to hear some people were unhappy with the hotline not being updated during the tournament. The relatively small committee did their utmost best to cover all the bases before, during and after the tourney. I can say for myself, after making 4-5, pages plus of phone calls (i kept a log) - most from work - after quitting time (thanks to my boss @ Sithe Power Services) countless miles behind the wheel, using two vacation days to deliver flyers, pick up registration forms, donated product, trophys, t-shirts, ect.
Not to mention setting up the hall Thurs. PM and picking up weigh slips Sun. after 3PM in a zombie-like state, after fishing 3 days solid.
There were still loose ends AFTER the tournament that needed to be addressed - such as calling and arranging to get a damaged prize replaced yesterday.
Please do not mistake this as a complaint, but rather just a bit of insight as to what goes on behind the scenes of such an undertaking - I am willing to do it all again for the next tourney, 2003, I am hoping, I can help to make this run smoother. Again, I stress, that the tournament, a fishing club (MSBA) or a website such as this, can only be as good as the degree of involvement invested into it. (volunteers)
If need be, I have considered that it may be more practical NOT to fish during next years tourny, as it means much more to me to make sure this comes together, try to keep everybody happy, and make big money for a childrens charity.
Steve Bailey
2002 tournament volunteer

Beetle:

I was also a bit surprised at the reaction regarding the tournament committee. All you guys dedicate lots of personal time to the club and even more during such an event. It seems to me very difficult to, run the tournament, have fun fishing in it and keep tabs on all the fish caught.

All should remember this was not a big money event for personal gain. It was a charity, and thats what is important.

I think the committee should NOT have to give up their opportunity to fish because of the need for record keeping.

I will suggest that there NOT be a published hotline, and people rely on information they gather themselves. (call the bait shops, friends, members...whatever).

I was mentioned that if there is not enough help, next year's tournament could be cut. I for one hope that does not happen and I will again offer help (more next year) to take the pressure off the main committee members.

V

I'm not a MSBA member, but have been considering it. Nevertheless, I had a great time in the tournament, and would gladly lend a hand for next year. I didn't realize that those running the tournament would also be locked into a three day fishing marathon. It's certainly a momumental task, and no few individuals should have to shoulder such a burden.

So, if you ever need a hand recruiting some sponsors, I'm a sales professional and would happily make some calls on behalf of the tournament.

the tournament was about having fun and raising money. it sounded to me like some people expect to much from an already overburdened group of people. the hotline was no more than a luxury for us. if people are gonna bitch that the hotline isnt updated on a regular basis than it should be eliminated. the guys who put it together have every right to fish in it. i know that on the vhf i heard people calling for updates and got answers quickley. well i joined the club last night and will be a part of next years tournament. i talked to capt. mike(ava marie) and he told me of a meeting about the tourney that was gonna be next week or the week after. if someone could tell me the exact date and time i would like to attend and find out how i can be of assistance. i met alot of you guys last night and had a good time. thanks to all i met and i look forward to meeting more of you guys.

i just wanted to add that as far as im concened i think the organizers did an outstanding job and should be thanked not put down for minor technicalities. was it JFK who said"you can please some of the people some of the time but you cant please all of the people all of the time" (something like that).
good job guys and thanks for all of your time and effort

Van and all,
I would like to maintain the Hotline updates if possible, as its intent was not only to inform, but to prevent the keeping of fish that may be released, if they did not qualify, due to current standings. Problem is, nobody was available Saturday, to update the hotline.
I considered maybe having my wife do the calls :eek: , but this is something that will have to thought out, talked out, and planned during committee meetings over the coming months. :smash:

maybe a nextell walkie-talkie type deal at all the weigh stations. set in a group talk mode and as a winning fish gets weighed in they make an announcement which would be heard at other weigh stations and a couple wives/girlfriends or whatever who could change the answering machines with updates made as the winning fish changes. it would keep the weigh stations informed who could inturn inform customers coming in for bait/tackle. i figure maybe we could get a sponser to supply phones. just a suggestion.

Kahoona:D