Belle Plaine CAT LEAGUE

[Papa Grump]

Enough of this hard water fishing , it is almost cat season!Our first meeting for the cat League will be Sunday April 3rd at 4:00pm at the Borough Bowl in Belle Plaine. This is our 4th year and look forward to anybody interested in joining. Catch , Photo, Release is the main rule here, get to fish with someone else every night. This has been a blast every year and will only get better.

Brian

[blacksportsman]

Looking forward to learning more about this. Question, I'm a boatless fisherman, how would this work for me? Very interested in joining up!

Manny aka blacksportsman

[hanson]

Quote:

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Enough of this hard water fishing...

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I don't know what you are talking about!! This is going to be the longest ice fishing season we've had in awhile.

Actually, I can't wait for the league to start. Somewhat rookie cat fisherman here but I learn fast. Real fast!

I'll be down at the meeting Papa Grump. Going to head to the capital on the 2nd for the Wetlands rally and then down to BP on the 3rd for the meeting.

[korn_fish]

Here is last years thread. It will give you an idea of rules, possible dates etc.

They pair up drivers and riders.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=404004&page=5&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[blacksportsman]

Thanks for the info! Planning on attending the meeting on April 3rd,

Manny

[Fisher Dave]

Correct me if I'm wrong.. it appears that last season cost $75/$125 for the season... not for each night? Or is their an additional small charge each outing.

What is required after the initial membership cost?

I am interested, but I'm not rich. If the cost fits the budget, I will be in.

Last but not least... what would existing league members consider to be an acceptable boat for being a captain? I dont own a river pro... just a 15' boat with enough motor to get on plane (how big of a boat can we really use in some areas anyway).

[korn_fish]

Good points fisher dave. If anyone is interested and has questions, this is a good place to post them now so they can have answers prepared for the meeting. And if you can't make the meeting, ask your questions here and they can probably put together the Q&A response and post them here after the meeting.

One of the questions I have, is how do the captain/riders thing work. I plan on being a captain. Can their only be 50% captains? If so, then is a different rider paired with a different captain each outing. Or can there be more Captains and occasionaly a Captain/Captian would be teamed up for an evening and they would have to decide whos boat to use etc.?

[Papa Grump]

The entry fee is a one time deal for the entire season with 100% payback for each night's winners with a bonus for 1st and 2nd place overall at the end of the year. We always hope for to having more captains than navigators and if this comes into play then there could be a night where 2 captains hook up for the night. It happened last year when 2 peopla couldn't make it and River Rat's boat was trashed and he ended up fishing with yours truly. Easy compromise, my boat, his fishing territory.We have also had it the other way and the bigger boats took on 2 people for the night. We have had anywhere from little 14' boats that barely hold 2 people to of course the River Pro's, so it doesn't matter what you have for a boat if you want to be a captain. I will usually have 3 meetings before the first night to iron out any issues and get the rules in place, people committed and schedules made up. It will be a bit tougher this year with 169 Sports being out of business, so I am thinking of 169 Spirits being the home base ,with Tom's approval of course

[Fisher Dave]

Thanks for the answers.. clarified a lot.. didnt want to get into more than I can chew.

I will run the past the significant other and get her input.. in this case any reason she can *get rid* of me she's usually all for it.

Unless something out of my control happens .. I'll likely be at the meeting posted.

[Uncle Grump]

Papa G....

Am interested, but money is an issue for me, also driving

distance - as I am located near Rochester. Will try to be at the April meeting.

UG

[MNRiverRat]

aaahhhhh......

Well, I suppose I should chirp in and say I'll be there to. I do have a couple of things to bring up, nothing major but maybe a couple of minor inputs. Fireman still needs to fix my boat, but I should get that straightened out shortly. See you there.

MNRiverRat

[ec30_06]

looking forward to open water, see you all on the 3rd.

[hanson]

Well... making it to the meeting on the 3rd may or may not happen for me. I'm waiting for the call to go ice fishing on Sunday. Looks like the weather may be a factor in making that decision.

Regardless, count me in as a non-boater. Rules don't concern me too much as I'll be doing this to have one heck of a good time and hopefully catch some fish.

I'll keep ya'll informed.

[korn_fish]

Don't know if I will be able to do the league thing anymore. My weekends are booked from June 24th to July 17th, so it isn't looking promising unless there are makeup dates and rules allow for them to be taken because of other reasons besides weather. But I'll be there to meet some fellow river rats.

[Fisher Dave]

I got tied up in a family outing .. forgot what time the meeting was.. I thought it was later

[Papa Grump]

Proposed dates for the year ar as follows. June 10th and 24th, July 8th and 22nd, August 5th and 19th.

Fishing boundries changed to be from 35w to Granite Falls.

League fees will be $100 for both Drivers and Riders and they will discuss bait and gas money. As of now we have 12 people committed so there is still plenty of room. next meeting will be Sunday May 8th at 7:00 at the Borough Bowl. Yes it's Mother's day and everything, but at least this is in the evening. I am thinking of instead having it on the 6th so it is up to the league when we should have the next meeting to iron out the details.

Brian

[hanson]

Thanks for the update Papa Grump-

I should have come down for the meeting since the crappies decided to frustrate the heck out of me that evening. Oh well, ice fishing when it is 60+ degrees out! I love it!

[korn_fish]

Well, looks like I worked out getting the June 24th date free for the league So that leaves me with only July 8th when I can't make it. Guess that will be have to be my mulligan

[Fisher Dave]

The meeting is coming up quick .. I'm looking forward to doing this for the season.

How do the payouts work?

[MNRiverRat]

payout..... just make sure hooper doesn't get his fare share this year..... actually you'd have to ask papa grump what it is, I'm not even sure..... It isn't about the money anyway, it's about a few good steaks, maybe a beer or two (be safe), and good company..... the money is just a bonus! Don't get me wrong.... I'll be hunting for my fair share again this year By the way it was nice to meet you a few weeks ago down on the mighty mississippi. See you Sunday!

MnRiverRat

[Papa Grump]

The payout will be dependant on how many people we end up with this year. Last year the league paid out for first place only in both divisions with the final payout for 1st and 2nd place. Last year I think it was 40 bucks for each winning cat with some gift certificates each night. I need the opinion of everybody on how they want it to be this year. The meeting will be this Sunday at 7:00pm at the Borough Bowl.

Anybody is welcome to attend and we are still looking for members. THANKS!

Brian

[Fisher Dave]

I will be at this meeting.. my luck I'll be the only person to show up.. but thats fine with me as long as I can get a few questions answered. I know this isnt a big money league .. that is obvious .. it never seems to be much fun in any league/tournament when too much money becomes involved... then it almost becomes a job.. if fishing is a *job*, i'm not quite sure I want it.. I dont like to work.

where is the borrogh bowl exactly(at least close).. I'm sure I could get a location from information, but it would be easier to just get the location here.

[Papa Grump]

It is located right on Highway 169. Take the next exit past the stoplights and your there!( Ash Street). I should note to everyone that they are normaly closed on Sundays till the fall bowling season , but Tom was eager enough to open it up for us and I will tend the bar.

[Papa Grump]

Next meeting is June 3rd at 7:00 at the Borough Bowl in Belle Plaine. Schedules will be made out and any last minute details to be worked out. Looks like we have 12 people and could always take a couple more.

[hanson]

Thanks for the update Papa Grump.

I'll be there again. This is going to be a great time!