Happening Now - Monster Fest weekend on Oklahoma’s Ft. Gibson Lake

Crappie teams ready for Monster Fest weekend on Oklahoma’s Ft. Gibson Lake

Several high-profile crappie teams from Oklahoma and neighboring states are pre-registered for
this weekend’s Bobby Garland / Crappie Pro Monster Fest on Ft. Gibson Lake in Okla., but the
amateur team registrations remain light.

“We have at least four teams each already signed up from Texas, Missouri, Kansas and
Oklahoma to compete for the guaranteed $2,500 pro division first place cash prize,” said Chris
Lindenberg, owner of Gene Larew Lures, the company that makes Bobby Garland crappie
baits. “It’s starting to shape up like a state vs. state shootout of best crappie anglers because
these team rosters read like the Who’s Who of crappie pros. This might be the start of what this
tournament becomes in the future – a state team shootout.”

While Lindenberg says he’s not surprised at the interest level in this event by the pros, he is
surprised at how few amateur entries seem to be taking advantage of the opportunity to fish a top
crappie lake at a great time of year.

“For an entry fee of only $65 per team to compete for a guaranteed $500 first place amateur
division cash prize, and to be on the water to see what the pros are doing at the same time, I can’t
believe we’re not seeing more fishing buddies, couples, adult / youth teams, etc., signing up for
this chance to learn more about Oklahoma crappie fishing. The tournament’s hours allow plenty
of time to fish and still get in front of a television by evening to watch football.”

The amateur side has two one-day tournaments, Saturday and Sunday, which must be registered
for separately. Entries are accepted up until the 7 a.m. tournament start time on both days.

The pros tournament is a cumulative two-day event over the weekend. Pro entries are also
accepted on-site up until the 7 a.m. start time on Saturday morning, for a $250 entry fee.

However, ineligible for on-site entries in either division are any anglers who fished on Ft. Gibson
Lake after it’s official off-limits period between 3 p.m. Friday, October 26 and 7 a.m. Saturday,
Oct. 27.

The daily tournament limit is seven fish per team. Ft. Gibson Lake has a 10-inch minimum
length limit on crappie. Fishing is restricted to artificial lures, or artificial lures fished in
combination with a minnow. Minnows and other live bait cannot be fished solely on a hook.
Anglers are allowed to trailer their boats to launch at different ramps, but can unload only once
during each tournament day.

Teams also have the option of entering the daily big crappie pot within both divisions. The cost
is $10 per team per day, and the award is presented daily.

There is also a Monster Mash Fishing Derby on Saturday morning, 10 a.m. – noon that is free
and open for kids 12 and under. All youth participants get a free lure pack.

For more information on the tournament, including on-site registrations, call Gary Dollahon,
(918) 640-9084.



Schedule:

Friday, Oct. 26
3 p.m.
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:30 – 7: 30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27
6 a.m. – 7 a.m.
7 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 28
6 a.m. – 7 a.m.
7 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:15 p.m.

Ft. Gibson Lake goes off-limits to all Crappie Monster Fest teams
On-site registration at Paradise Cove Marina store
Check-in/Tournament rules meeting; Western Hills OK Corral (in the State Park)
On-site registration continues; meet and greet at Western Hills OK Corral

On-site registration open at Paradise Cove Marina upper parking lot
Tournament fishing begins
Amateur teams stop fishing
Amateur teams must have officially checked into weigh-in line
Pro teams stop fishing
Awarding of prizes to Saturday’s Amateur tournament winners
Pro teams must have officially checked into weigh-in line
Conclusion of Saturday activities

On-site registration open at Paradise Cove Marina upper parking lot
Tournament fishing begins
Amateur teams stop fishing
Amateur teams must have officially checked into weigh-in line
Pro teams stop fishing
Pro teams must have officially checked into weigh-in line
Awarding of cash prizes to Sunday’s Amateur tournament winners;
Awarding of cash prizes to Pro division winners

Conclusion

Pro Teams (pre-registered)
Cory and Cody Batterson
Don and John Beckstrom
Keith and Kadin Berry
Lane Carlisle/Rob Marshall
Mike Clark/Larry Brodrick
Jim Dant/Don Zufall
Freddie Dooly/Frank Roberts
George Foster/Gary Rowe
Darrell Good/David Williamson
Terry Griffin/David Templeton
Todd Huckabee/Barry Morrow

George Nelon/Paul O’Bier
Jay Don and Rhonda Reeve
Kevin and Charlie Rogers
Deen Ruppelius/Joe Kilburn
Jeff Schwieterman/Chris Waters
Marty Snider/Jackie Albin
Kenny Wilson/David Wilson
Brian Young/Mark McGuire