Belle Plaine Catfish Contest

[DARK30]

Set for August 2-3, This event draws lots of Rats from all over. Pre-register at 169 Sports or Sparetime Tavern in Belle Plaine.

Contest begins Friday at 4pm and ends Saturday at 4pm. All contestants must have entries in at place of registration before 8pm on Friday. Cost is $25 (Well Spent).

All fish must be caught in the Minnesota River between Mankato and Shakopee during contest hours. Weigh in is at North Park Saturday 7am till 4pm. All prizes givin away at 6pm. No Stringers Allowed! All fish must be transported in coolers or similar containers....A special transport permit will be issued at registration. The fish must be alive and healthy when entered so they can be released in good shape.

Largest Catfish: $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250
4th $125

Largest Carp $200
2nd $100
3rd $75

Many other prizes are included!

WET NETS! (BIG ONES)

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Ozzy169]

I talked to Tom at 169 Sports and he expects 200 entries. DARK30 don't forget about the keg throwing contest and tobacco spitting contests. Can't wait!!

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Get 'er done

[vern]

I'll be there! Not sure if I'm going to fish it, but I'll be at the weigh-in in the afternoon. It was fun last year having some beers and watching the big cats come in. Are there 2 seperate categories for channels & flats? How about carp? I noticed last year that some buffalo were weighed in. Do they count? See ya there. Vern

[Guest]

Hey Vern, I'll be there too. I'm working on getting the day off so we can fish it. -Rick

[DARK30]

Well, we got some rain...maybe a little too much in some areas but the river should come up a little by the weekend.

I got an inch and a half here in BP but the radar last night showed alot of action to the south (upstream) so we'll see what happens. At least my Chubs didn't go down the creek this time! Might be hard to get any more for a few days.

WET NETS!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Flashman]

This sounds like it should be fun. I was wondering if there will be any spots to bank fish close by? I'm supposed to be moving this weekend but I think I might be able make some time to chase some flats. Any info would be much appreciated.

[Guest]

WOO HOO!!!
I get to fish the tourney after all!
At first she said "your fishing all the time so you are going to at least spend my birthday with me"Now she found someone else to spend the day with and I am off the hook!Sometimes a fickle wife is a good thing!
P.S.
But don't let her know how happy I am!

[DARK30]

Good deal Fish! I'm gonna fish your stretch with Dragon. Probably hit the Graveyard or further down by the Pipe. Good luck at the Rapids!....Remember...Second place is $500.

WET NETS!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Rick]

Dark30 has a partner,

Fishhead, you looking for help?

I'm in if you'll have me.

I'm pretty sure I can get some nice creek chubs, shiners, and maybe a few large suckers.

I have to know soon though.

Please give me a call.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 08-01-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 08-01-2002).]

[DARK30]

Glad to hear you can make it Rick! Good luck...The river looks great! Maybe We'll see ya on the water.

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[wastewaterguru]

You guys suck!!!

I hate not being able to get out for this one!!! Got a dinner date with the wife tonight and going gokarting and to a movie tomorrow......

I don't know why I have to do this crud.....the wife said something about an anniversary. I don't remember anything about an anniversary. All I remember is I got married.......think the actual date was selectively forgotten.

I got two channels on Wednesday night.....and a couple of really nice runs that were missed. Grabs missed a bunch of bites too.....

Good news is the motor works.

Have fun guys and catch one for me...

I want to see some pictures of some SUMO's.

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I fish.....Therefore I grovel.

Here....Fisheeeeeeee!!

[Rick]

Fishhead has graciously accepted the responsibility of putting me on tons of SUMO CATS.

Thanks Fishhead,
I'll be there ready to do battle. Hope to see ya out there Dark30 and other FMers as well.

[Guest]

Oh uh did I say tons?!What I meant to say was one,that was uno kitty not sumo kitty.

[Flashman]

tic-toc tic-toc...why does time seem to be standing still? I can hardly wait to hit the water.

[Rick]

One my eye fishhead.

We tangled with a bunch of huge flatheads and dandy channels.

By the way, bullheads definitley work well.

More details will follow.
Thanks fishhead. It was nice meeting you Flashman and Perch Jerker.

Now for the Red River Backwater Eddie Sumo Piggie FM family gathering.

If you like to fish, you really owe it to yourself to experience this type of fishing. Does 30+ lb Cannel cats sound exciting?

If not, try it and I guarantee you will change your mind.

I think I'm becoming a Cat addict!!!

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 08-03-2002).]

[DARK30]

I think I got a Jinx on me! Dragonmaster and I fished all night down from Chaska. We missed way too many fish! We were using very large baits and I think the Channels were harassing us. I had one nice fish on for a while...I don't think I like Power Pro line. Anyway it must be revenge for me going out to Dragonland and watching him catch one Channel for the night...He comes here to watch me catch one Channel for the night!

I don't know yet what won the contest but I heard it was a 44lb...I'll get details soon. There were a couple of nice ones that died...That Sucks!

Hey Rick, Glad to hear your hooked! I wish we could have got together....Sounds like you'll be here next year! We can maybe get a bunch more FMers to fish the contest!

WET NETS!

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[Hubcat]

One just a little over 44# won.
There were 4 in the 40s. I took my brother out for the first time in three years and he caught one that went 37 13oz which ended up being 5th place.

People need to learn how to take care of those big cats so they won't die.
I like to keep them on the stringer with extra length so that the cats can get down into a little deeper water where it is cooler. If I am in the boat and moving around I will tie them up on shore with extra length.I won't take them out of the river till I am ready to head up to weigh it in.I put the cat in a big tub and I will add some Ice if the water is a little warm.

I hope this helps save some big cats.

Bob

[Guest]

My fish did not make it.I have to say that it is not agood feeling to have done that to a beautifull creature like that.
Here is what I am going to do about it.
From now on IF I fish this contest I will use a decoy bag or burlap sack tied to the edge of the baot intead of a tank in the boat.
I also think that we as anglers and sportsmen should insist that all fish be immediatly returned to the water after weigh in and that weigh ins be conducted all night.I hated the fact that I had to wait untill 7:00 to bring in a fish that was alive to put him in a tank where the water was way too cold with no oxygen only to wait another hour for someone to show up with a scale just to weigh the fish.Now don't get me wrong I am not putting all the blame on the coordinaters of this event for the dead fish.I am saying that these things would help in the prevention of this happening.You could say that the best thing to do is just not enter the contest in the first place and it does cross my mind every year that I have gone to the weigh in.
Idealy the best way to hold a cat contest would be to have witnesses or weigh in boats that travel a certain river stretch to weigh fish as they are cought.Keep an eye out on FM,this kind of contest might just happen in the future.

[vern]

Too bad about those dead cats. I think the burlap sack is a great idea. I thought about doing that myself, if we were to enter. There's got to be a better way than cramming them into a cooler for hours. It's cool to see those big fish come in, but it's way too stressful on the fish. Plus, some of those fish are handled poorly from the beginning. Maybe the photo/witness idea is the way to go, but it's not as much fun. I checked out the weigh-in, but I was a little too late. I saw a few fish in the tank, but I didn't see any new ones come in. Oh well, the keg throwing & spitting contests were pretty entertaining. I met a few river rats too. It sounds like Fishhead & Rick had a great night. I saw you're name on the board. Vern

[This message has been edited by vern (edited 08-04-2002).]

[dragon master]

DARK: I Was thinking on the way home, There may be a way of getting rid of that JINX, One; don't fish together or two; go in search of new water Looking for a new hot spot has my vote. Had a good time, enjoyed the new water and sights. Would have like to meet Fishhead and Rick and a few more FMers but there are all ways another time and place! Taking those Flats from a 81 degree river and droping them in a 67 degree holding tank with clorinated water and a diferent PH level din't help the fish at all. The tank should have been set up with river water, a swimming pool pump, and simple filter to take out the dirt. Seeing the 41 lb flat dead on the bottom was a hart braker!!

[DTro]

What a bummer on the dead fish. Especially thinking how old the larger ones are. Seems the logical thing to do would be going to a muskie like contest with witnesses, special hats, pictures, length and girth vs weight, etc... although it could turn into an administrative nightmare.

[Guest]

The Euro style "keep sack" is a much better method for keeping large fish. It consists of a large black breathable sack that serves to calm the fish as well as allows them to stay cool and breath easily. You can find them at on line stores that carry Euro style Carp, Pike, or Catfishing gear.

I agree with Fishead that an on site continuous weigh-in would be a better method, as well as an emendate release option. It would be better for the cats and for the tournament to make the weigh in 100% live weigh in too. Reducing mortality and the potential for any hedging on exactly when the cats were caught.

A bonus for cats over a certain weight released healthy and alive is another thought?

I know most cat hunters do not wish to see a big old cat die for the sake of a tournament. I am certain Fishead would of rather seen his swim away to fight another day!

The new Flathead regulation in MN now states 1 Flathead over 24" a day, so that must be figured in to the tournament format formula too.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Hubcat]

Backwater Eddy

Do you know of any sites on the net that would have these sacks? If so could you e-mail me the link [email protected]

Every year any fish I have entered I have been able to take back imediatly and release it where I caught it. I entered my brothers at 9:30am and had it back in the water by 10:15am.

[Guest]

Try Crafty Catchers or the UK Pike site. You should be able to find them from there easily.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Flashman]

Rick, I should have your pics back tomorrow. I'll get them to you as soon as I get them back. It was a beautiful night on the river, and it was nice meeting both you and Fishhead.