Southern MN. LETS

[Guest]

Southern Minnesota L.E.T.S.
Tournament Schedule
June 19 / Cedar Lake (near Fairbault) - Rice County
July 17 / Francis Lake - Le Sueur County
August 21 / Zumbro Lake - Olmstead County
September 25 / Tetonka Lake - Le Sueur County

Top 3 of 4 events will count towards overall standings (allows teams to miss an event or toss out their worst event).

Official Rules and Information
L.E.T.S. is a league format event in which teams of 2
anglers compete for points. This is a multi-species
tournament series which allows for a wide variety of
fishing options.
League Size- 15 teams
Teams- 2 people must sign up to be league members.
Teams may use substitutes, but at least 1 registered
team member must participate.
Cost- League fees for 2004 will be $300 per team. All
fees will go towards event pay-outs, overall champion
payouts, and any
league expenses. The first 15 teams to send in their
dues will be allowed into the league. Last year’s
participants are allowed to register first.

Pay-out Schedule(based on a 15 team league):
Individual event pay-outs
1st-5th place Payout
Season championship pay-outs
1st-5th place Payout

Big Fish for each event will recieve a prize (to be announced).

1st place team in addition to payout, will recieve a tackle pack from Catch'n Tackle

1st place overall for the season will recieve a Catch'n Tackle Pack, other prizes (to be announced) and a nice payout (TBD).

Event Payouts have not been finalized yet at this time.

Thanks very much to the following sponsors of the METRO LETS:

FishingMinnesota
Catch'n Tackle (1st place tackle prizes)
Catch'n Tackle
http://www.catch-n.com

Events- Each event will be a 1 day tournament.

All events will run from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a lunch break / weigh-in at 11 a.m. unless otherwise stated (1 hr. maximum). This will allow for fish caught in the first part of the day to be weighed and released earlier.

The break can be waived if needed for some reason (requires a vote from league officers).

General Rules- L.E.T.S. prides itself as being a
catch-and-release league. Taking some fish for the pan
is fine (selective harvest is strongly encouraged.)
1.) All rules and regulations of the State of Minnesota
must be observed at all times. There will also be a
boat and trailer inspection for aquatic vegetation
prior to teams launching their boat.
2.) A cell phone (OR PERSONAL RADIO) must be in the
boat at all times. This is necessary for safety and to
contact other teams for large fish verification.
3.) Teams must respect other teams. No fishing within
30 yards of another team will be allowed unless
invited by said team to do so. Non league boats must
also be respected at all times.
4.) All check-in deadlines will be strictly enforced. A
watch synchronization will take place each morning.
5.) There will be a staggered start. Teams will draw
for starting position before each event. Boats will
then leave the starting point in 5 second intervals
with the last team being the starter boat. After the
break, this order will be reversed.
6..) Scoring- The scoring system will be based on weight
converted to points. There will also be points awarded
for attendance.
Point values- 1 lb of fish = 1 pt (Across the board
for all species)
Attendance= 2 points per event
Walleye= Minimum size = 12 inches
Pike= Minimum size = 20 inches
LM/SM Bass= Minimum size = 12 inches
Sunfish= Minimum size = 7 inches
Crappie= Minimum size = 9 inches
Perch = Minimum size = 9 inches
Lake Trout= Minimum size = 16 inches
Muskie= Any legal fish will be worth 25 points
Catfish = state limits apply (will not be using the liberal border water limits and slots)
One bonus point will be awarded for each Pike,
Walleye, Bass combination brought in for a maximum
bonus of 3 points (1 pike, 1 walleye, 1 bass = 1 bonus pt. 2 of each species = 2 bonus pts., up to 3 maximum).

A running point total will be kept towards an end of
the year league champion. These points will be based
on order of finish. 1st place will receive 15 points,
second 14, and so on plus attendance points. Ties will
be determined by largest fish caught. End of year
ties for score points winner will be determined by
total weight calculated for the year.
7.) Limits- Each team will be allowed one persons'
legal limit per day.
8.) Lifejackets- The wearing of lifejackets while teams
boat is under power of main engine is strongly
encouraged.
9.) Live wells- All boats must have a live well or
other means such as a cooler with an aerator capable
of keeping fish alive. Stringers and fish baskets will
not be allowed.
10.) Fishable waters- Any water that can be accessed by
boat without having to pull, push or drag the boat
will be deemed tournament water. The use of a
push-pole, oar or paddle will be allowed.
11.) All teams must remain in their boat except in case of
emergency, or at breaks and weigh-ins.
12.) Fishing in Minnesota presents a wide range of
weather conditions that anglers must face. Events will
only be cancelled in the event of lightning. The event
will not be completely cancelled, only postponed until
the lightning has passed. In event of lightning, all
boats must return to the starting area within 1/2 hour
from time lightning is spotted by league president.
This will allow ample time for teams to reach safety.
Teams failing to report in will loose all points for
that day except under conditions where teams must take
immediate cover and unable to make it back to the
starting point. Teams will be contacted by cell phone
or marine band radio if a postponement is called.
13.) All rules and scoring decisions will be made by
league president and are final. In the event of a
rules violation or conflict by the league president,
the league vice president will make the call. Any
rules changes will be announced prior to each event.
14.) All on the water verification will be done using
published formulas to decide weight. All formulas will
be posted prior to the first event.

NEW RULES FOR '04

15.) Short fish penalty. Any fish more than 1/4" under
prescribed length will be thrown out including 50% of
teams largest fish. This rule shall also apply with a
slot fish violation.
16.) Impose 30% weight penalty for any published rule
violation.
17.) Random drawing for a complete bag check at weigh-ins.
Every fish in the bag gets measured on the official
stick. No one knows until they come to the scales if
they are going to be measured or not. This doesn't
mean that a measurement on any other fish or bag can
not be requested at any time.

To request further information on Southern Minnesota L.E.T.S., please contact:

League President
Lloyd Pearson
Email address:
[email protected]

League Vice President/Weighmaster
(position now open, email if interested)

League Treasurer
Dave Hoggard
[email protected]

2004 Application Available

To Join, complete application and send full payment of $200 per team to:

Lloyd Pearson
726 Wall St.
N. Mankato, MN 56003

Please Make Checks Payable to:
"Dave Hoggard / Southern MN. LETS FISHING TOURNAMENT".

Any team member that fished in 2004 will have the first chance to fish again in '05. Those spots will be held for '04 team members until March 1, 2005 or until payment is recieved.

Please contact this league if you are interested in being a S.M./L.E.T.S. tournament sponsor!

Posted by:
Catch'n
Dave Hoggard

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Fishermen are catch-n on
Catch'n Tackle
For Bass, Walleye, Pike, Lakers, Trout, Panfish
Used by FishingMN Family

[This message has been edited by Tom Herman (edited 04-01-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Catch'n (edited 04-01-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-01-2004).]

[LuckyFish]

Wow! That was quick Dave I just got home from the meeting.
Ok people the lakes and dates are set and posted above. So is my contact info if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them. We should have a sign up sheet posted shortly. We do need one more officer VP/Weighmaster. If anyone is interested in this position please email me. This is probably the most important position as you'll be in charge of weighing the fish. And making sure I don't screw up and mark them down wrong.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[This message has been edited by LuckyFish (edited 03-31-2004).]

[zepman]

Dave,
Is the fee 200 per team or 300? Maybe I missed something but I believe in your last post both #'s were used. Could you please clarify for me . Thanks

[Rick]

In the best interests of LETS we are granting a one year exemption for the Southern MN League. They will have 4 events and a $200 Dues per team.

It works out to $25/person/event. All the money is used for expenses or payout.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-01-2004).]

[LuckyFish]

Sounds good. Thanks guys.

[LuckyFish]

I am proud to announce that Rippinlip is our new VP/Weighmaster. Thanks for stepping up and taking this position Ripinlip.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[This message has been edited by LuckyFish (edited 04-01-2004).]

[camo_marc]

Hey guys, glad everything got straightened out. just wondering where i can get an application at? cant wait to get started.

[Rick]

Dan Wood will have an application up soon or you can use the Statewide application, cross out their info and put in the info from Catch-n's post above and follow his directions above.

You can see applications by going to:

http://FishingSavvy.com

Click on the Register link.

Don't wait too long to join, time is short and the LETS Events are a blast

Who's in?

[Rick]

You can get Registration Applications at:

http://fishingsavvy.com/2004_Applications.htm

Scroll down until you pass Statewide and Metro.

[Guest]

2 cool
Matt Johnson (MJ5) has donated a 1/2 day guided ice fishing trip to the winner of the first S.M. L.E.T.S. tournament! That is for the winner of the event June 19 / Cedar Lake (near Fairbault) - Rice County

This is a great prize Matt!
Thanks for your support.
Catch'n
Dave Hoggard

------------------
Fishermen are catch-n on
Catch'n Tackle
For Bass, Walleye, Pike, Lakers, Trout, Panfish
Used by FishingMN Family

[LuckyFish]

Thanks Matt that is a great prize! Seen the pics of you on rainy! I'll be pushing hard to win on Cedar! Dave I think I'm going to have to get my order in for some Super Doos.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[camo_marc]

hey LuckyFish, got any sign-ups? sent ours in yesterday. better be on your best on Cedar cuz i could use a nice ice fishing trip!! can't wait to get going.

Just saw your post in SouthCentral. looking pretty good.

Marc

[This message has been edited by camo_marc (edited 04-06-2004).]

[LuckyFish]

Hey camo ya your in! I'll be getting some posters out this weekend. That ice fishing trip will be sweet.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[Spindoctor]

I want to get in on this but I don't have a boat. Is there anyone that I could team up with?
John Eggers

[LuckyFish]

Is there anyone out there that wants to fish the LETS, that has a boat but needs a partner? Hopefully someone will step up John I'd like to see you in the league.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[HARDWATER]

i would like to join you southern boys.

[This message has been edited by HARDWATER (edited 04-16-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-18-2004).]

[Guest]

Well, I know I did mention that the statewide would be better, but I diddnt delete your posts. Not sure who did, and they shouldnt have. Good luck fishing where YOU want...that should be the way it SHOULD be

[LuckyFish]

HardWater you are welcome in the Southern league. As is anyone who wants to fish it. There is no problem from this end.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[LuckyFish]

Dave Hoggard has made another generous offer, he and Richard Smith will fish the league as spectators. He also voluteered to be official starter for these events. This will help keep things going more smoothly for us.Thanks Dave! You've been a tremendous help already. With Richard along the members will have one more brain to pick. Thanks Richard and welcome aboard.
Now for all you FMer's that were interested in this in the first place. We need you to come forward and let us know if you are still interested in this. When I signed on for this I stated that it would take more than just me to get this league off the ground. Well a couple of guys responded and I want to thank those guys for coming through.

Thank you Ripinlip and Camo_Marc! Now how about the rest of you anyone want to get in on the best deal going this summer?
Look, for the $25.00 you get a shot at some very nice prize money, well over $25.00 in some great Catch-n tackle, guide trips, and who knows maybe learn something along the way, meet FMer's, and new freinds. I would say that is probably the best value your going to come across this summer. If this isn't the best deal you've found please share yours with me I'd be very interested in your deal. If you don't have a better deal why pass this one up. Good deals like this don't come along that often, and if we don't get some more teams this one may not be here either! Don't let this opportunity slip away!
If your interested or just have a question email me at [email protected].

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[This message has been edited by LuckyFish (edited 04-18-2004).]

[This message has been edited by LuckyFish (edited 04-18-2004).]

[Uncle Grump]

Hey all....

We need some teams to get this Southern LETS
off the ground. Find a buddie and get signed up!

UG

[Guest]

How many teams do you have?

And DAVE AND RICH...why dont you guys fish it for real since you will be fishing anyways?

[Spindoctor]

I am still looking for a partner with a boat.
John Eggers
[email protected]

[LuckyFish]

Hey if your looking for a partner, the Spindoctor would be a very good choice!
John has a lot of knowledge in fishing so here is your chance! Grab it!

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky

[Guest]

Tom H.,
You asked why I do not fish the SM LETS.
Kinda of a long story...
Years ago, when the Bait Rigs Co. first started to make my Walleye Willospoon, Bait Rigs had a pro-staff. Many were professionals, guides & tournament guys. Well, I fished against some of the guys that I "sponsored".
I did not like the feeling I got from it. Competition was ok... but I felt that I had put up a wall between some of the guys and me.
I was against them and not for them, kinda deal.
I never did it again.
The same guys I had fished against began to treat me like a sponsor again as soon as I quit the tournaments. It felt like old home week! I was welcome in conversations and in their boats!
Now... I am thrilled to just support & sponsor, watch the fun, and help out.
Catch-n
Dave Hoggard

------------------
Fishermen are catch-n on
Catch'n Tackle
For Bass, Walleye, Pike, Lakers, Trout, Panfish
Used by FishingMN Family

[LuckyFish]

And what a help you have been Dave! I want to personally thank you for that help.

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Good Luck & Good Fishing. Lucky