TULSA, Okla. (August 10, 2011) - Crappie Pro and Bobby Garland Crappie Baits have teamed up to host a weekend of fishing fun and competition for kids, families and professional crappie anglers, based on a Halloween theme.
The inaugural Bobby Garland / Crappie Pro Monster Fest, scheduled for October 28-30 on Oklahoma's Ft. Gibson Lake, is part festival and part fishing tournament. There is a pro division, a family division and a free kids fishing event.
"Crappie fishing is a wonderful and highly popular sport nationwide that brings a level of enjoyment to every participant, regardless of how serious or experienced the angler," said Larry Russell, owner of Crappie Pro, a Eufaula, Oklahoma-based fishing tackle manufacturer known for its quality jig heads and soft plastic baits. "So that's how we and our friends at Gene Larew approached the design of this event, having something for everybody to bring all ages and skill levels together in a fun format that allows each to benefit from the others' involvement."
Event activities kick off on Friday, Oct. 28, with an open house at Gene Larew Lures in Tulsa, 8 a.m. - noon, where visitors can see Bobby Garland crappie baits being manufactured. Everything else takes place at or around Paradise Cove Marina located within Sequoyah State Park at the lake.
On Friday evening, participating pros are sponsoring the "Trick or Treat Boat Parade," a 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. event open to the public where the pros will hand out treats and talk about fishing from their boats parked on trailers near the marina. The pros will also give a series of free seminars about how to catch crappie from 6:45 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the same area. Attending youth are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, but it is not required.
The pro division consists of a two-day tournament during which entrants fishing from boats will compete for a guaranteed minimum first place check of $2,500. The early bird registration fee, required by Sept. 5, is $125. Registration is $150 otherwise.
The family division has a Saturday tournament and a Sunday tournament, allowing teams of up to four family members to sign up for either or both days. Family entrants can fish from boats, the bank or docks (requires permission) and are competing for a wide variety of merchandise prizes valued at a minimum of $150 per prize package. The early bird entry fee is $50 to cover both days, due by Sept. 5. After that date, family entry is $40 each day or $65 for both. The first prize family package is guaranteed to have a true retail value of at least $500 in quality merchandise.
The Kids Monster Mash Fishing Derby is for youth under age 13 and takes place on Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Participation is free but does require accompaniment by a parent or guardian from start to finish. Youth anglers must bring their own rod, reel and bait. All who enter will receive a lure pack, and additional prizes will be presented for special categories, including best Halloween costumes and special fish catches.
On Saturday, prize presentations and weigh-ins begin with the kids division at 1:30 p.m., the family entrants at 2 p.m. and the pros at 3 p.m. The ceremonies are open to the public for free.
On Sunday, family teams will weigh in beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the pros starting at 2 p.m. A formal presentation of checks to the winning pro team and subsequent top finishers will conclude the event.
A number of top professional crappie teams from the Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Arkansas region, and from as far away as Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina, have already indicated participation in the pro division. Crappie anglers of all levels stand to benefit by attending the free seminars and weigh-ins associated with this late October activity.
"Ft. Gibson Lake is a great venue for this tournament because it's an easy place to get to, the crappie fishing is good for all techniques, the marina and park are top notch and a lot of great people are wanting to make this a first-class experience for all participants," said Chris Lindenberg, owner of Gene Larew Lures. "The Halloween theme is appropriate because those who come to see and hear the fishing 'tricks' from the country's best anglers are indeed going to find the lessons learned for catching more Oklahoma crappie to be a real 'treat.'"
For rules and information about the Bobby Garland Crappie Pro Monster Fest, and to register online or download an entry form, visit www.CrappieMonsterFest.com.
For more information about the two Oklahoma companies hosting the event, visit www.CrappiePro.com or www.GeneLarewLures.com.
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