ABA Probably Expanding to PDC in 2006!!

Hello all,

I asked a similar question a year or so ago, but now it looks more probable. I have all but made it official now that I want to start a new distict of the American Bass Angler Tournament Trail in PDC or surrounding towns on Pool 10. I hope to announce a schedule soon but wanted to judge interest first.

As most of you know the ABA is not another team trail in an already saturated market but rather offers a draw format where we pair up boaters and non-boaters. All boaters, however, are guaranteed use of their boat and do not have to go through the trouble of registering with a non-boater like with BFL or BASS. Our tournaments are meant to be local level so fields can be from 10 to 30 people. Entry is $55/person.

The ABA has a great format and good sponsors and is growing at a phenomenal rate as a result. We have been the largest tournament organization in the country for a number of years and this allows us to provide a National Championship Tournament with cash and prizes approaching $400,000.

More about the ABA can be found on the National website at http://www.americanbassanglers.com/

Ok Back to my goal of attempting to gage interest as this are will be new to me. Please fill in the survey please to let me know your feelings and comments are welcome as well.

Can some of you help me with ramp choice. If I expect 20 boats for these tournaments where would be a good place to launch? Marquette, McGregor, Harpers Ferry, or one of the many PDC ramps? I’d like to stay away from a ramp that might be used by a bigger tournament like BFL or Federation in case there is a conflict.

I fished there this weekend and launched in Marquette and it seemed like good ramp for small tourney but are there better ones?

Thanks,

Ken,
Washington St. ramp in PDC is good, but this is where BFL goes out of.
Lawler Park is on the same island as Washington St., except it is on the East Channel of the river, there is a huge sand beach here.
Underneath the highway bridge in Marquette is good, but majority of Iowa club tournaments go out of here.
These three would be your best choice. Let me know if you need any more information.

Ken- Harpers Ferry has a state ramp which has tons of parking and they were about 90% done last time i went up about 2 years ago. Problem is, it adds about 20 min to everyones drive coming from Wis or Iowa unless they are from up north. The nice thing about it is that it is closer to pool 9, the bad thing is during very low water there might be some hazards running in Harpers slough and towards the main channel. JJ