I know it is a little early to be looking at this, but here is the plan. We're planning on putting on two new tournaments this year and I want to see what everyone thinks and if there will be interest. I am looking at a Muskie tournament on the weekend of Aug 8 and a Fall Full moon Tournament the night of the October Full moon (OCT 3). I am trying to see what kind of interest we would have for them.
Interesting idea with the night tourney. My biggest concern would be the safety issues with a large number of boats making tourney runs after dark. I hope there will be very strict safety rules for this event..ie: lights, and speed limits, and maybe require life jackets be worn at all times.
A very well worded liability waiver written for that specific tournament might be a good idea for Hunters also. Too many things out of the ordinary seem to happen after dark in a boat.
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I hope my ship comes in before the dock rots away.
I agree with Jack on this one. I would not want to be out at night with that many boats going in and out of one place. It is tough enough in the day time on a windy day getting all the tourney boats in and out of the harbor. I think safety would be a big concern with a night tourney and I would probably pass on it.
The idea of a fall walleye tournament sounds like a great idea whether its a day or night tournament. Sure there are more safety concerns at night, but I think they could all be addressed. One thought is to have it begin or end when its light out. How about a midnight or 1am take off and then come off the lake as the sun is coming up? Its odd hours, but I fish that time anyway in the fall. As a spectator, going to the resort at 7 or 8am and watching a weigh-in would be kind of neat. Limiting the boats and running 2 or 3 flights would help also. A perch tournament in the fall could be fun too. Most tournament circuits are wrapped up in September, so I think alot of fishermen would be interested in one last hoorah.
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Humana Insurance Representative-Brainerd and Mille Lacs Area
I like the idea of a night walleye tournament and I have a few suggestions.
Have take off before dark for safety reasons.
Maybe even try to limit the speed to 30 MPH after dark.There is usually a lot of boats around the full moon and going 60 MPH isnt a good thing at night.
Keep the entry fee reasonable.I would say $200 or less and make it a fun thing or you may not get many participants.
Will also depend on what the DNR will let you keep for a tournament like this.
Maybe include one of Georges great dinners in the entry.
If you can make the fall tourney work , sounds like fun to us, count us in . Were usually there for the full moon anyways . But if ya can start before its completly dark would be good for getting out of the harbor .
A fall night tourney sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Safety would definately be a large concern. As others have already stated lights, life jackets, and speed limits will need to be enforced. Also rough weather could be a concern. Its a lot harder to see waves at night. If the tourney is limited to a small number of boats, only a certain section of the lake could be open to fish also therefore eliminating long runs and allowing people to get off the lake in bad weather.
A possible option could be to have a "photo tournament" where big fish could be registered. Similar to what is being proposed with the new AIM circuit? This could create a whole new discussion though.
