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crafty30.
I know the idea of having the OI on Bull Shoals has been kicked around several times in the past, and Ive been mostly absent from this board for the last several years, but whats everyones thoughts on this? I LOVE Bull Shoals; but the best place to run a tourney the size of the OI is to my knowledge out of the Bull Shoals Boat Dock and this means the run to what many consider the best part of the lake will be between 40 and 70 miles one way. And with my EFIs 1.5-2 mpg that means If I do that then Ill be filling up on the water and having over $300 per day in fuel costs alone. This also means the Optimax boats will have a distinct advantage. I know this isnt much different than on Big Sam, which sports the same massive distances, but it seems to me that there could be some use of technology that could enable trailering during the tourney like official seals on live wells verified by inspection at an official upstream/downstream transit point or something similar. I know bad guys always find ways to exploit such systems but its just a thought. Or the OI could just be run out of Peel. Deke
Plenty of good water within 15-20 minute leisure boat ride from bull shoals boat dock. Caught alot of mid to high teen sacks and burned less than 5 gallons of gas. With NORMAL spring rain should keep the larger creeks stained up enough that you dont have to worry so much about ultra clear water. Im sure alot will make long runs but no doubt potential is there to win it 20 miles or less from take off.
To me, Bull Shoals seems like a much better choice for the OI tourney, but Im told that infrastructure issues keep the OI at Norfork, but then again most would not have foreseen the OI on a rotation to other venues.I dont have a lot of interest in fishing it on Norfork, but I would fish it on Bull Shoals and maybe Ill trailer to another locale. Id also be interested in a meet and greet ticket, where you could pay a reduced price and come meet everybody. Share in the food and giveaways without being part of the on the water crowd. I live in Mountain Home. I had to work this weekend, but in the future would like take part without fishing on Norfork.
BSBD is going to be the obvious choice just based on the lodging situation. Parking is going to be CRAZY, but I love this decision. It is going to allow us to spread out and fish. Boat traffic killed a really good bite in several places on Norfork, that would have produced really good sacks in a smaller crowd. Bull will handle this as well as any lake could. I dont see BCB allowing trailering of boats. They run a pretty tight tournament, and likes to have a big gathering at the weigh-ins/evening gathering, and trailering of boats would definately cut down on attendance at both too.I will say the Oakley Big Bass Touranment on Table Rock does allowing trailering of boats, and runs a really good tournament, but it is a completely different feel.I am pumped.
The future plans are already announced: 2015 April – Lake Sam Rayburn – Twin *+@@$ area, Rayburn Country2016 – Bull Shoals (ramp location unannounced)2017 – Tentative Lake Guntersville, Alabama 2018 – UndeterminedThere are many reasons, though the Owners Invitational will never be a trailer event. Fuel stops are possible up river and towing or staying in Lead Hill or Tucker Hollow areas for practice is easily done. Though the fuel costs is almost a trade as most 200 EFI engines get 3.2 to 3.5 MPG on top end unless they are 225/250. On top end they all burn fuel. GasAxe has a 3.0 200 EFI and his engine definitely will burn more than most and at 50 – 60 MPH the fuel burn is respectable for all. BCBBCB
Last years OI at Rayburn allowed trailering from mid-lake; was there a problem? Worked well from my perspective.Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
If we all would just back off the throttle a little wed save a bunch on fuel . — YEAAAAHHH !!!! – RIIIGGHHTT !!!! — That could add a whole new aspect to tournament fishing . — Kinda like NASCAR when the team captain gambles on fuel mileage , but its real hard to shut these things off and coast very far . — I think Bull Shoals is a great idea , but I cant see any of the local marinas as big enough to handle the crowd this tournament draws . — Parking will be a real nightmare !!
That was a launch at the upper lake that was regulated. That did work well and that will be done again on Sam Rayburn. What is more requested is a launch where you want and time to start with a drive in weigh in. That BCB can not do as our insurance requires that we regulate both in and out on both ends of the event day. Thus what is commonly referred to as a trailer weigh in we can not do. It doesnt matter who can or how someone else does theirs, we cant. Bull Shoals will present more of a Challenge than Lake Norfork as room is a definite issue. We have a few years to be prepared and several things may develop between now and then. Lead Hill could accommodate the event though accommodations at both Lead Hill and Peel suffer greatly. Distance from Bass Cat is hard there and we will be within range of the BCB facility. Hih water would really handicap us and we have a long time to figure it out. We have plenty of options to consider and things are ongoing, no one is aware of, that could change any speculation here now. Rick
Yeah…I never meant a launch where you want. I was talking the single regulated up lake trailer launch and the drive to and from being “on the clock” as an alternative to motoring. I didnt go to Rayburn but sounds like you already did what I was suggesting there. Theres lots of shore and parking room at Peel and several ramps but thats it and nothing else and no lodging for miles and miles. But Twin Dikes on Rayburn is a long way from the plant too. Deke
2018 Lake St Clair? Lol I wish.
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