Any news on the blast off on Saturday? I hear there is going to be a blast off from the islands? Also will people be able to load their boats and put in elsewhere?

Clay, Are you fishing in the tx?

Look at these events going on the same day...not really sure what
the "Hong Kong Dragon Festival" is.

9/12/2009 7am-4pm Little Hall Fishing Tournament Lanier Striper Club
9/12/2009 6am-4pm Balus Creek Fishing Tournament Boating Atlanta
9/12/2009 7am-1pm Laurel Park Fishing Tournament Little River Bass Club
9/12/2009 7am-2pm Bald Ridge Marina Motion Picture Filming
9/12/2009 6am-3pm Vann's Tavern Fishing Tournament Rod Benders Bass Club
9/12/2009 6am-3pm Van Pugh North D/U Fishing Tournament Duluth Outdoors Bass Club
9/12/2009 12pm-SL LARC Evening Breeze Regatta LARC
9/12/2009 12pm-SL LARC Thistle Regatta LARC
9/12/2009 8am-5pm Clark's Bridge Hong Kong Dragon Festival Lanier Canoe & Kayak

strictly unofficial but the blast off is planned for lanier island area {in front of tiki hut} This is for Photo opp for the press that is expected to be there. Should not matter where you launch just so ready by 7:00 am for launch. I am sure Tom can let you know the official word. Also the Friday night captains meeting will finalize all plans

yes , Jim I will be there.

I thought the rules stated that you could launch whenever you desire but you can't have rods in the water until 7. I hope I either have this right or someone corrects me..

Marc, From what Tom told me is, yes you can start from anywhere, but must meet at the Tiki Hut before launch. I am sure he will way in on the details.

Initially you could be anywhere on the lake at 7:00 am when you could officially drop the lines. Now, like Southern stated above, they want everyone at Lake Lanier Islands (I think where the houseboat rentals are) at 7:00am for a photo before fishing starts....this was a request from the sponsor(s) from what Tom said. You can load your boat anywhere as long as you are at LLI for the photo opp (the way I understand it anyways).

See you guys Friday night at the captains kick-off, or else on Saturday.

Bfish

All participating boats should be in the body of water that has the Lake Lanier Islands boat rentals and the Tiki Hut before 6:45 Saturday morning. Yes, this is a change that I described in an email to each Captain several days ago. Our sponsors requested this.

We will have a large houseboat at or near the entrance to this body of water. At approximately 6:45 you will be called to pass by the houseboat.

Again, lines in the water at 7:00 A.M.

After 7:00 A.M. you may place your boat back on its trailer and launch anywhere on the lake.

The Tournament Director, Joe Kuhr, will discuss this in more detail Friday evening.

While you are fishing (and assuming you are south of Browns Bridge) please look from time-to-time for our two photo boats and another boat in which a film crew can be seen. We are going to give you a great looking flag to fly indicating you are participating in the tournament. Its design is the same design as our primary banner that will be placed at the Resort on Friday night.

tom

That will make for a nice early AM ride if you live on the north end.

It's going to be PURE CHAOS after the snapshot...

I think the change will be fun but everyone needs to be especially careful running the lake at that time of morning. Be cautious. See you on the lake.

I haven't run from the house to LLI in the dark,in a while. Usually start north and fish my way south. I'm thinking about 35 to 40 minutes from Kieth bridge area to the Tiki in Old Grummy.
Top speed about 33 mph with 3 fat boys and a few dozen in 40 gallons of water. That changes my game plan a bit, but hey, that's always the game plan when fishing, roll with the flow.

Stan, can't you trailer it down to a nearby ramp (Big Creek is closest)? I'm sure it would be cheaper.

I would think you could make that run in under 20 even in the dark. That is only about 7 miles or so.

I hear ya Brett, I always throw in the Big Daddy factor, 2 speeds and they are both slow. And you should see me doing the trailor thing, that you should see... I guess I was whining a little. I thought starting up here, boat already in the water and fishing our way south was our ace in the hole. So now we have a One Eyed Jack, We gonna have fun.
Thanks guys

Big Daddy, that's what it's all about. Have fun!!!!!

I will be leaving in the early morning for Oregon, as it is my father in-laws 85th birthday. We made this same trip for his 80th, as we will be fishing the Rogue River for Big Salmon.

The main reason for this post is to wish each and everyone of you guys and gals the best of fun and fishing you can have.

You all know I want to be there participating in this steller torunament event. Each one of you has a chance at pulling this off and being crowned the winner at this first time big event.

May you all have as much fun as you can sharing the lake and info of the day, make the most of it, and I know many of you and wish all of you GOOD WISHES and the BEST OF LUCK.

Go getem' boys and be good sportsmen and win with dignity. I can't wait to see the outcome. See you guys when I return.

Have a great trip. Be safe.

On Friday night each Captain will receive a bag that includes a lot of good stuff. One of the items identifies your team number.

On Saturday at 6:45 A.M., a tournament staff member will begin calling the teams (in numerical order) to "pass by" the houseboat. You should display your sheet revealing your team number. Your team will be announced - that's why it is somewhat important to have a team name.

After you pass by the houseboat, you will be released to go fishing. Accordingly, all of the teams will not be released at exactly the same time.

Team numbers were assigned according to the order in which you signed-up for the Fun Fest. Folks like Jim Pal (Team JBE) signed up early; therefore, he got lucky number seven! But, who among us is superstitious?

tom

So then which team is number 13????

That's Team

Thanks Dan, Have a safe and fun trip. Big Stan

Dan: Have fun on the Rogue. See you on tha lake when you get back.