I wish we could do one tournament with a 250 fee in the February/March months. Just one.........Yes it is a lot of money, but it would sure be fun. Maybe some prizes, some food for the family's, and some raffle tickets, etc. Heck a BOAT would be nice to. As usual, this is wishful thinking. I would cook for free and have my friend bring his BBQ pit if we could get that jackpot up there!

Yes, the economy is tough....but come on, life is too short to be cheap!

The majority of them have been 100% payback especially when there aren�t many that participate. When there is a bunch it is 80%. It is a lot of work when the participation is high. We fish in some of them. By the time we sign everyone up and divide up the prize money, we don't get on the water until 8:30am most of the time and we fish until 2:30pm come back load the boat, get the scales out and get ready for everyone to return. I put out flyers at tackle stores, the boat ramp and have maintenance on the scales. I make very little $$ on these tournaments if any at all. I have them because I am normally down there fishing anyway, so I just put on a little competition. It is just something to do on the weekend. We actually do better fishing in other tournaments because we don't have the responsibility of running it. I will keep having them as long as it is fun. If it ever quits being fun, I wont have them and just fish other tournaments.

If you can get enough people that want to fish one with a high entry fee, then I will have one. That isn't a problem. I will fish it too.

Here is one March 17th on Lake Tyler.

http://www.fomntt.com/schedule.php?id=2943

Welcome to our 6th Annual TYLER FORD OPEN.
Presented by Texas North Central Fishers of Men.
Ramp; Lake Tyler Marina
Entry fee; $150.00 per Boat [no more than 2 people]
$1500.00 Guaranteed for 1st Place with 50 boats.
one place paid for every five boats. 80% pay back
1st & 2nd Place Big Bass [$10.00 per team is included in entry fee 60%/ 40% split]
Bonus Bucks side pot- $25.00 a boat 100% pay back,top 3 places.
Door Prizes will be given away after the Tournament [You must be present to win]
6am until 3pm
SPECIAL BIG BASS PRIZE OPPORTUNITY;
Win a 2011 Ford Truck from Tyler Ford or a 2011 Bass Boat from H&W Marine if the ounces in the weight of the big bass of the tournament match the pre-selected weight in a sealed envelope! [winner responsible for all taxes]
Special Prize Sponsors: Robert Templin with C&R Service & Repair; & Mike Brattlof Custom Homes.
The rest of our Sponsor are: Farmers Ins.- Steven Hurst; Porters Sporting Goods; Charlie's Fiberglass & Boat Repair; Gander Mtn.; Tyler Marine Repair; Stellar Oilfield Rentals; H&W Marine; Brass N Blades, and Tyler Ford.
You can use PayPal & pay online or pay at Tyler Ford 2626 SSW Loop 323 starting on March 3,2012.
All contestants paying thru paypal must call Tyler Ford the following day to receive blast off #.
Cash Only at the Ramp!!
All contestants must give their social security # To Fishers of Men in order to receive any prize money!
You may use any ramp on Lake Tyler. You may leave any ramp at 5am, but no fishing until 6am.
All contestant must agree to a Polygraph before receiving any prize money.
All fish will become the property of Fishers of Men and all live fish will be released back into the lake.
Danny Smith, Director 903-245-9688

Lake Tyler Open Team Tournament
5 fish stringer
80% Payback at the ramp
$50.00 per team - $10.00 Big Bass (100% Payback on Big Bass)
Cash Only
February 25, 2012
Start Fishing 6:30 A.M. - stop fishing @ 3:30 P.M.
Registration will begin at 5:30am
Sign-up and weigh-in at the HILL CREEK Ramp (You can leave the ramp as soon as you pay)
Trailering allowed-You can also launch at Lake Tyler Marina-Concession #1


If you need more information send me a PM



Lake Tyler Open Tournament Rules
RULES: All Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations shall apply. Trailering will be allowed. Only one rod may be used at a time. No trolling with a combustion engine. Only artificial baits may be used

All our events are two person events, but you can fish alone if your fishing partner cannot make it.

Livewell checks will be done randomly and at the Tournament Director�s discretion.

WEIGH-IN: Each team may weigh (5) five largemouth or Kentucky Spotted Bass. All fish must be 14 inches minimum length or it will not be weighed.

CULLING: THERE WILL BE A 5 FISH LIMIT. YOU MUST BEGIN CULLING AFTER YOUR 6TH FISH IS BOATED. THIS MEANS CULL AS SOON AS THE 6TH FISH IS CAUGHT AND NOT AT THE RAMP or you will be disqualified. You may not cull dead fish.

Life jackets are recommended to be on anytime that your boat is above idle.

By paying in you assume all responsibility and risks as personal and yours alone, and cannot hold anyone else associated with the tournament responsible in any way. It is, understood, that each individual is responsible for their own actions, and that the rest of the teams and the Tournament Director are not responsible for the actions or liability incurred by any individual angler.

The Tournament Director�s decisions are final and not disputable

Thanks FastLane for all of your information. I wasn't trying to sound like a jackwagon.....I know how some post can come off a bit crappy. You just made it crystal clear, and I will try to figure something out for a big tournament like that. In complete contradiction to having big money, boats, etc......it would be great to do one that goes to a charity. I love winning, but I realllly love competition! Thanks again for your responses.

Its just a jackpot for guys who love to fish. Not the Elite series.Fun , friendly competition.Keep it simple.

First Place: Sonny Russell/ Sonny Russell 24.79lbs w/6.58BB
Second Place: Clay Martin/Jason James 19.76lbs
Third Place: Mel Downs/Bart Doty 18.71lbs
Big Bass Woody Wooten/Otis Brice with a 6.87lb

Congratulations to the winners Sonny Russell and his son Little Sonny they won with 24.79lbs. Great Job guys. Congrats to the Big Bass winner's Woody Wooten and Otis Brice with a 6.87lb Bass.
Thanks to all that participated. We had 17 teams today.

The next one will be Saturday-March 3rd.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...rna#Post7204270

Fastlane put on a fun tournament. I fish as many as I can and will continue. What were the results from today?

Sorry I seen your results right after posting.