will be attempting to co run a benefit tournament come fall. Question is how many boats could we expect if we guarantee 1st place money of $2500. The first place money would be a donated amount so it does not come off the top of entry fees so would like to only pay 2nd through 5th place with 25% of entry fees and 75% of entry fees going to the benefit organization who happens to be a non profit. And hoping that 6th place through 10th earn prizes.

Please be kind all thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

We already have a approval to run the tournament and a flyer but just curious on thoughts of turnout.

a lot but you could prob pull it off with a little advertising

have you checked out www.bassfin.com to see what other tournaments are being held on your desired date?

We have seen first time open events come to Lake Fork with great expectations and get a really low turnouts. That could happen anywhere.
You have to do a lot of advertising and get the entrance money up front with no refunds.

Good luck!

Hate to say it, but unless its something that benefits something fresh and current then it will all about the payouts or % of payback verses the entry amount.

The tournament will be for Operation Comfort. They are a non profit organization that sends wounded soldiers from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Tx who are recovering from wounds sustained in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars on leisure and recreational trips and activities with their families to aide in their recovery. They also provide financial aide services to these service families in need and have given out 1.5mil in aide. Both me and my partner benefited from trips with this organization while we both recovered from our own wounds sustained in the Wars and know first hand what a stand up organization Operation Comfort is. Also their will be a limited amount of Wounded Soldiers who will be brought to the benefit tournament to compete with an angler.

More details to follow just wanted to know some thoughts how to better advertise it for max exposure and turnout. This is the first year we are attempting it and would like it to be a success so it can become an annual event here in East Texas. For the first year it will be ran on Lake Palestine and yes we have checked the schedules and the only thing we found was a Tritons Owners tourney on Fork. So that may dampen the turnout but hope the cause we are throwing it for can get the turnout we need to help them raise fund for all they do for our service men and women who serve this great nation

advertise, advertise, and advertise. Start soliciting all the bait companies, tackle shops, and outdoor type stores. Ask to put flyers up in every fishing related store you can think of. Add something in your signature linking to information on the event. All of these things are critical. The more give a way prizes you can solicit the more appealing to the eye of the average angler that might not enter otherwise. Think raffle. Reach out to all the boat companies, boat dealerships, ect.... work with a BBQ company and try to get food donated for all tournament entrants. Nothing better than a good ole BBQ sammich after a long day on the water. I think for sheer number of boats the added benefits out weigh the $2500 first place IMHO. Best of luck to you sir!

Mark has 15 years experience running tournaments, and offered help.At that time he was told that none was needed.

Bass tournaments are really low on the list of ways I would try to raise money. I've seen a ton of effort put into charity tournaments with decent money guaranteed, REALLY good causes and the turnouts just never seem to be very high.

also don't forget about deer season openers are not good weekends either!!!!

Yes turnout is up there on wanting to be able to raise a decent amount for the Organization but building awareness for the Organization plus being able to bring a group of wounded soldiers to the event will be huge in raising the awareness on what this organization does for our men and women who serve our country.

It's Hookset Brotbers giving back to this organization that helped both me and my partner during a time of need when we were recovering their support allowed both of us to replenish our energy and helped aide in our recovery.

I've ran a benefit tournament for the Fort Hood Wounded Warrior Battalion 5 years ago and we had a decent turnout of 75 boats but we also had Texas Boat World Run the weigh in for us which they donated their time.

So we will be attempting to repeat all this.

God Bless and thanks for yalls input.

there are a lot of easier ways to raise money than a fishing tournament,

This^^^

I've been involved with a number of them and no matter how noble the cause it's just another tournament opportunity for most anglers. If the payout math doesn't work they're not going to turn out in the numbers you need to raise money.

Get with Steve Amburn, he can at least provide some advice on what he's done over the last few years with his Fish For Life charity event. I can tell you though that most money raised is done so outside the tournament event itself and through silent auction/raffle type activities.

Bayou Kustoms will help how we can and where is needed.
Yall are some great guys doing great things.

way to GO Jason!

Jason Romero
Bayou Kustom Rods
337-322-0227