Here is a link to the schedules

Schedules

Haven’t been on that pool this year but the few that I know that have had a hard time. Expect a tough tournament. IMHO 17 has been going down for a couple years. Pool 19 on the other had was dead for a long time and is as good as any Iowa pool now. Keep that in mind for next years schedule.

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i don’t see why you would want to shake a bass of any way?

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I was talking about during tournament practice time. I don’t want to stick too many fish.

Got to say I’m with JC on this one. I agree you’ll see the term Brushhog used more than powerhawg but it is kinda generic term and doesn’t mean zoom brand. I have seen fish hold on to power bait and YUM hawgs long enough I’g get tired of trying to shake them off. Don’t have that problem with other brands such as zoom.

Maybe ratings would improve if they would put it on when us fanatics weren’t on the water.

I don’t think you need MO license if you have IL. I think IL license covers more bases but it is unlikely that creeks will get much action this time of year.

There are a couple nice hotels and a decent campground. Try the Iowan motel it has lots of parking and there is also a super8. There are others to I’m sure. I can’t reccommend any as I always camp in RV. Campground is Duck Haven and is on the south end of town. Decent facilities but dusty gravel road to get to it about 1/2 mile long so be sure boat is covered.

Ken

$12 is decent price it is $14 at Cabelas in PDC as I recall. I sell at my tournies as well for $10 but I don’t make anything on it. I just like to encourage the anglers to use it. Dead fish are rarely brought to scale in blue water.

It could be either. Do you have a good battery shop that carries Optima around. We have a Batteries Plus here and if I had that trouble I think I’d take them the batteries and ask for an opinion or call Optima maybe they can help.

One thing you didn’t mention. It could be charger? Maybe try swaping the banks and see if the same battery shows bad. This would eliminate the charger as a possibility. Might swap battery 1 completely into battery 2 position and vice versa on the other one, this would also eliminate the wiring.

I haven’t used Optima but I have Dual-Pro and it is same technology so I’d think you expect longer service. I’m going on 4 years now.

That sounds great!

Dave, you mind must be going. It was $350 for amateur and $1500 for pro.

Where are the IDA guys? There were at least 10-12 of you that said you would fish ABA if we came to Pool 10. So far I don’t think any of you have made it. We could really use your support to help make this a success.

There are still plenty of tournaments in the area to allow you to make a run for our National Championship if you are interested. There will be over $300,000 in cash and prizes given away again this year at the Championship in October of this year.

OH OK sorry. I misunderstood and it alarmed me. I guess I missed that part about the computer adjusting it. I have been using more oil than I expected maybe that is why. I used a gallon last weekend and it surprised me. I should be beyond the 5 hours now so I’ll see if it gets better.

Outboards sure aren’t simple anymore.

RJ, as I recall the manual of my ETech said to not add oil as it could damage the engine. Did you add oil to the gas when say “double oil?”

BTW I never see smoke. Are you using the XD100 oil, the XD50 or something else. You have to use what the computer is set for.

Ken

I’m very happy too. I bought the Dual-Pro batteries 3 years ago. This year when I got a new boat I took the new Interstate batteries out and put them in old boat and sold it. I have so much more confidence in the old Dual-Pro batteries that they went in new boat.

I bought exactly same size as the Interstate batteries but Dual-Pro last twice as long on the water and seldom need replacing.

Had two electrical problems recently.

1) Main power switch got dirty. This caused the voltage to drop on other side. Things would be fine but then the livewell pumps would come on and the voltage dropped enough that depthfinder went blank until it shut off. I took switch apart and cleaned it and all is fine.

2) had bad solenoid on motor. This caused about everything to stop and motor would not turn. If I walked to motor and gave it a samll kick all would work until next time. This was very intermittent. It would be fine for several trips and the act up again.

My solution for both was to get a new boat!

That’s funny I had just the opposite problem and the prop the computer recommended was too small and had to go up 2 steps. Maybe there is just too many variables.

Ken

We had a light turnout with only 6 and 2 of those were CAST (college angler who fish for points only) members and not in payout pool. It was a nice day so not sure what happend. We had double that at the first one. It also seems all the IDA’ers that said they would fish it if I brought ABA to pool 10 backed out.

Just kidding guys, I knew that would be the case when I asked the question in the first place. LOL This is just initial growing pains and the numbers will pick up. They always do.

I don’t restrict to any pool so as long as you can get there and get back by weigh-in even pool 3 is open. This may change based on permits but there are no restrictions this year.

Payout is a difficult thing to quote as there are so many different ways to calculate it. For 2005 total payout was 135%. We pay one spot for every 7 entries. The winner of this tournament took home $206 in total.

Please give us some thought and consider coming to help us grow. I think we should be back around 10 or more next time as from what I heard graduations may have been the problem last weekend. My other district now in the 2nd year gets 20-26 at most tournaments and this district should be able to do the same.

Please give me a call if you want to discuss ABA in detail.

Tournament #5 June 4, 2006 Mississippi River Pool 18

The weather was partly cloudy and warm with a light breeze and that water temperature was in upper 70’s and muddy in most areas. The level had fallen 1 to 2 feet over the previous week this as well as they being post spawn made the fish much harder to put in the boat than they had been in the last two tournaments.

Rob Bartholomew, of Fort Madison locked down into pool 19 and ran 45 miles to reach his spot filled with grass and emerging pads to bring in a healthy 12.09lbs limit.

Second place was taken by Joe Cupp also caught all of his fish in pool 19. He caught his fish on a chatterbait, jigs, and a crankbait. His limit of largemouth weighed 11.41lbs.

Dave Knutstrom took 3rd place with 11.01lbs. Dave was part of our release staff today and he snuck away before I got an interview.

Big Bass was claimed by Roger Ward with a 4.33lb largemouth. In addition to cash he will be awarded a $50 gift certificate from Farm King.

Thanks again to the sponsors: Farm King, Strictly Bass Lures, Navionics, Daveport Boat & Marine, Gander Mountain, Lowrance, Airrus Rods, V&M, Angler’s Advantage Insurance, Motorguide, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Abu Garcia, Hooah Energy Bars, Rejuvenade, and Secret Weapon. Also, thanks to everyone who came out for this tournament.

For full standings see our web page.

Tournament #2 June 3rd, 2006 Mississippi River Pool 10

This tournament day was very nice with blue skies and warm temperature. It, however, quickly became evident that the fishing was going to be tough compared to the last tournament. The air was calm and the river had fallen a couple feet in the last couple of weeks. The water temperature was in the high 70’s.

1st place and Big Bass were claimed by Brian Hamann of Harpers Ferry. he located fish in the slop a few days early and the pattern held until the tournament as many of us will find unusual. He caught all of his fish on a Yum Buzz Frog and he felt this was the key as his partner was throwing a scum frog and the fish declined to hit that type of lure. Brian brought in a limit weighing 12.90lbs. He is sponsored by Hamann Bait & Tackle.

2nd Place went to Scott McLaury with a limit of largemouth that weighed 10.95lbs. In 3rd place was Brandon Goodrich with 5.48lbs.

Thanks again to the sponsors: Strictly Bass Lures, Navionics, Daveport Boat & Marine, Gander Mountain, Lowrance, Airrus Rods, V&M, Angler’s Advantage Insurance, Motorguide, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Abu Garcia, Hooah Energy Bars, Rejuvenade, and Secret Weapon. Also, thanks to everyone who came out for this tournament.

For full results see our web page.

Thanks and JC tells me it should. I hope with the bigger prop I will stay off rev limiter and pick up some more speed. Then I just have to learn to drive it. It is a bit scary going that fast. Maybe I’ll start wearing helmet for more than just rain. LOL

Well I picked up the new ride a couple of weeks ago and still getting used to it. It seems the ETech has more torque than expected so have to go to bigger prop. The current 27″ prop won’t hold it and gets into the limiter. It is already breaking 70mph so hope it will break 80mph with new prop, JC’s help, and additional seat time as a boat can be a handful going that fast.

Here is a picture. Let me know if you’d like a test ride. She’ll be available for sale at the end of the year for about $38k (boat, not the cute girl!) with 6 years left on motor warranty.

RJ, I have same problem. ETec is so strong I have to get a bigger prop than what was recommended with the boat. I have only had my 225HO ETech for a couple of weeks but the power is scary while at the same time the quiet operation is unbelievable. It is very smooth and clean.

BTW have you seen this commercial discussing ETech vs. 4 stroke? click here.

This discussion is very much like the discussion I have seen on Zebra Mussels. They are considered a nusience but bass fishing is outstanding on the great lakes thanks to them. They clean the water and this helps weed growth and the bass explode.

I know there are down sides to both milfoil and zebras but I can say I’m not losing sleep over it.

Dan I have been using the Bag-em culling tags for a couple of years. I do have one come off ocasionally but it is usually just one so it isn’t a problem. You can pull the fish out with these but I use the tag as a guide to run my hand down and grab fish’s mouth.

Before that I used the basspro type that had the stringer clip. I had problems with that chain breaking about as much and that took longer to fix.

I should also state I am sponsored by Bag-em but wouldn’t be if I didn’t use it.

As a side note I bought the X-Tools pliers and nothing cuts Fireline like it does. They are awesome.

Just wanted to add to be careful with the Hot Spots map the data is pre 93 flood and a good deal has changed. Don’t take the map depth as gospel. It is, however, much better than nothing.

The weather was great for this tournament. The day was sunny turning to cloudy toward weigh-in. It appeared that nearly all of the field ran south toward Fort Madison in the morning and the south end of the pool produced. The water temp was in the low 60’s and the current was strong.

First place fell to Roger Ward with a limit weighing 15.86lbs. This sack was topped with the Big Bass of the day with a 5.87lbs largemouth. Roger caught all of his fish on a Senko in the southern part of the pool. Roger took home $820 for 1st in addition to the Big Bass Prize of $180 in cash and a $50 gift card from Farm King, with the area’s largest tackle selection.

The second place catch was brought in by Maquoketa angler, Chad Powers, with 5 bass weighing 15.27lbs. Chad fished around Fort Madison and caught his limit by 7:00 on a black neon creature bait then spent the rest of the day trying to upgrade his catch. Chad’s sack earned him $470. He is sponsored by JD Byrider.

Third place went to Rob Bartholomew from Fort Madison. He fished around Montrose but had his boat break down early in the day and had to stopfishing around 11:00 to try to get his fish to the ramp on time. He had a tough day but did manage enough fish to claim the third place check of $150. He was barely edged out of second with 15.26lbs.

Thanks to Farm King for supplying our trophies today and also thanks to our other sponsors: Strictly Bass Lures, Navionics, Daveport Boat & Marine, Gander Mountain, Lowrance, Airrus Rods, V&M, Angler’s Advantage Insurance, Motorguide, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Abu Garcia, Hooah Energy Bars, Rejuvenade, and Secret Weapon. Also, thanks to everyone who came out for this tournament.

For full standings and pictures please visit the East Iowa ABA results page here.

Tournament #1 May 13th, 2006 Mississippi River Pool 10

The day began cold and wet. Air temps at launch had dropped into the mid 30’s and the drizzle made things even more miserable. The anglers, however, that came out for the inaugural event for this district proved that bad weather was no reason to stay home and they were rewarded with a good bite.

Todd Reed of Marshalltown ran away with First Place and Big Bass honors with an unbelievable sack of five largemouth weighing 19.59lbs anchored by the 4.55lbs big fish. This great catch came off of rocks along the main river bank and were all caught on a black & blue Critter Lure flipping jig. Todd is sponsored by Quantum Rods & Reels and Critter Lures.

Second Place prize was claimed by Waterloo angler, Brandon Goodrich with 13.47lbs. He reported catching his fish on a 4 1/2″ tube and a spinnerbait fished along rocks and current breaks along the main river on Pool 9.

Third Place went to Dan Schroeder from Marion with 9.53lbs. Dan mentioned catching all of his fish on a white Chatterbait fished along weeds and grass. He says he culled several times to reach his weight.

Thanks to the sponsors: Strictly Bass Lures, Navionics, Daveport Boat & Marine, Gander Mountain, Lowrance, Airrus Rods, V&M, Angler’s Advantage Insurance, Motorguide, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Abu Garcia, Hooah Energy Bars, Rejuvenade, and Secret Weapon. Also, thanks to everyone who came out for this tournament.

Click here for full standings and pictures.

I forgot you were a guide. You are correct if you have guided on pools 9-11 in the last 30 days. If, however, you guide farther north or last time on these pool guiding was more than 30 days ok then we’d love to have you.

Here is the text from the rules. If you want to discuss it give me a call.

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GUIDES: Individuals who are serving as a licensed guide or are paid for guiding on tournament waters within the previous 30 day period are not eligible to compete in American Bass Anglers events on that lake(s).

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Excellent!! Check-in between 4 and 5 and call if you have any trouble. Number in signature is cell phone so it works at the ramp.

Ken

We pay 1 spot for every 7 anglers. The total payout for 2005 was 135%. The amount is totally based on participation. It is hard to guess what the turnout is but a recent tounament in the southeast district has 26 anglers and payout was

1st $444
2nd $270
3rd $95
4th $75
BB $250

Ken