Thread: Tournament interest Eastern Iowa/Des Moines

I have some experience with what it takes to have and run successful tournys. I've drawn my experience by assisting several of my very good friends who run or have ran crappie associations/tournys. It requires alot of promoting, leg work, and getting the word out to the right ears. The bottom line is, it requires money! It's not easy to do considering gas prices and the other re-occurring expenses to put these events on. It requires quite a bit of investing your time and money to make it not turn belly up. We can talke about all of this before hand, and when that time comes around, I may be willing to assist, or to the very least advise and compete at the outings. Big bites, full baskets, and God's blessings to ya!

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I would appreciate any info or assistance on this subject. Foremost I would like this to be affordable 95-100 payback depending on if there is a trophy. Also family oriented where a father/grandpa would not be hesitant to enter with son/grandson. Mostly a get together of local crappie fisherman Once or twice a year to have some fun and throw in some food/entertainment post tournament if possible with the help of a local bar/sports store/ or VFW type club. Tournament prices in the 50-125 range and mid afternoon finish times.

Any input from members is greatly appreciated for not only tournament locations, but also possible places for weigh in location/sponsor, as well as ideas to involve kids and family during or after the events. Would really appreciate anyone from the coralville lake area who may have contacts for possible weigh in sponsors on the lake to chime in some has to be a member from that area.

Im interested, what can I do to help? In the area, you have Scheels, Fin and Feather, Walmart?, Kennedy Marine, Dicks Sporting Goods. The McBride DNR ramp on Coralville probably would be the best for an area to have it. It has a huge parking lot that shouldnt be full. The Corp ramps get really crazy!

I was thinking about contacting scheels/fin and feather. What are some of the boat shops/marinas on the lake. I would like to see if someone would be interested in taking tournament entries at the lake, as well as providing and area for weight in. They are free to keep the proceeds for their work, or donate it to a club (VFW or American legion, or a charity). If you can get me any contacts and good locations at the lake for a weigh in, and possibly a kid fishing derby that would be great.

At this point I cannot really run a club, but would like to start with a tournament yearly, possibly two one at coralville and one on the mississippi river. What i need help with is getting contacts with business that may be willing to help out with locations/ weigh ins/ and sell food beverages to people attending the event.

You may also pm me with info as well if preferred, or to better keep in touch.

John the owner at 5 Seasons Bait in Cedar Rapids would be a good person to talk to about details of having a fishing tourny on Coralville - 319-362-0544 the last I knew.

Ranger, Tim

Thanks for the help. I will try to contact John tomorrow just to get the ball rolling. I will keep you guys updated on any info.

Also looking for possible clubs in the coralville area such as Boy Scouts/Veteran clubs/Moose Lodge etc to contact as possible people to help host the event and keep 10-15% of the entry fee as proceeds and pay back 85-90 to participants. Depending on the event location, possibly sell food-beverages as well.


The views of this thread are adding up so any input/ideas are appreciated

Guys we have an acceptance of a coralville lake business to host the event with great amenities, date to be determined, as well as some other sponsor interest.

Looking like it will be a 90 per team with 10th big fish 80 percent payback with a late may date.

Coralville Lake Marina 319-351-8343, Coralville Lake Marina
Mid-River Marina 319-626-3625, Mid River Marine
Scales Point Camping and Boating, 319-665-3474*This would be my first choice as they have a bar and food with a campground*

Scott

Originally Posted by hammann_13

I was thinking about contacting scheels/fin and feather. What are some of the boat shops/marinas on the lake. I would like to see if someone would be interested in taking tournament entries at the lake, as well as providing and area for weight in. They are free to keep the proceeds for their work, or donate it to a club (VFW or American legion, or a charity). If you can get me any contacts and good locations at the lake for a weigh in, and possibly a kid fishing derby that would be great.

At this point I cannot really run a club, but would like to start with a tournament yearly, possibly two one at coralville and one on the mississippi river. What i need help with is getting contacts with business that may be willing to help out with locations/ weigh ins/ and sell food beverages to people attending the event.

You may also pm me with info as well if preferred, or to better keep in touch.