Lake Fork Owners Tournament!

[IFinallyBoughtABoat]

I just registered!!!! Bringing down a guy from my club that runs a Stratos. Should be an absolute blast!

My excitement is tempered only by the lack of lodging that is still available! I've been told by almost everybody that my best bet will be the Best Western in Mineola. Any locals down there know if this sounds right (assuming LF Marina, Fishermans Cove, etc are all booked...)

[Bug Bunny]

I'll be there too! We're staying at the sportsman's lodge! Don't know anything about it though.

[IFinallyBoughtABoat]

Yup, tried them, they are booked

[Mark Perry]

Most of the better places like LFM and others are booked a year in advance for these events. Mineola will be your best bet.

[blwall]

I'll be at Oak Ridge in the lodge with a group of 12 but I booked it in December.

[IFinallyBoughtABoat]

Just made our Reservations @ a place called Clear Lakes Inn in Quitman. The Townes Motel in Quitman was already booked, this seemed to be the closest place :)

[jfdawson]

This tournament is a pretty big deal. There's typically about 700+ boats on the water. Next to the McDonalds tourney in Sept, this is probably the biggest tournament on Lake Fork every year. Reminds me of trying to fish in a hot tub, with so many boats running everywhere.

Since Skeeter allows up to 3 people to fish out of 1 boat, there's about 1500 participants plus family members, Pro's, Skeeter personnel, Vendors, etc.. Which is why the rooms are so hard to find. Almost every place has been booked since they announced the tournament dates. It's a lot of fun, Skeeter merchandise will be there selling hats and accessories, Yamaha, Minn Kota, Lowrance, Hummingbird? The trailer maker ( can't think of the name ), and tons of other vendors including several Pro's. Yelas, Rojas, Kelly Jordan, Alton, Zell Rowland, etc.. I also recommend that you take advantage of the Kistler Rod, I think it's $30 more to get the rod. Nice rod, and you will not find a better rod for $30 anywhere.

Here's a fairly comprehensive list of Motels: ( i doubt many rooms are available )

http://www.ets-systems.com/lak...l.htm

things to make sure of:

1. Check your ruler/measuring board to make sure it's accurate. I've seen at least 5 people in the past 7 years go to the weigh in and have a fish in the slot ( 16" - 24" ). The game wardens are there and they will write you a ticket, plus DQ'd for that day's tournament.

2. In the morning ( before dark ) there will be a ton of people hauling 'ace' to get to their spot. Let me tell you... there are NO secret spots on Fork. Be careful if you decide to run wide open in the dark. There are boat lane markers, but they are hard to see especially when there's 500 boats wizzing by. Again, Be safe.

3. At night, take your ROD's in to your room. The last thing you want is to wake up at 4am, go out to your boat to find that it's been broken into. There's plenty of Meth freaks that patrol the motels and we hear stories about gear getting stolen all the time. It's better to be safe and take a few extra minutes loading that have your whole trip ruined.

I'm sure other's will have more tips, but I hope this helps some of you coming from out of state.

It's a great time and you will have a lot of fun. If you have kids, I highly encourage you to bring them. They will remember this for the rest of their lives.

- JD

[Bass Team Tackle]

I can't wait for it to get here...going down a week early to do some fun fishing before the bug crowd arrives. We rough it and camp...nice break from tv, cell phones, etc...nothing but eat.sleep.fish...living the skeeter motto!!! Its a great time and looking forward to it...see you all on the water and be safe!!

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I'll be there working the Humminbird/MinnKota Booth. You all have fun fishing Maybe I can get out one morning and see if I can get my line stretched! Maybe I can talk Legend (Mr Harold Allen) in to taking me out - he owes me one!

IT will be an awesome time.