I.O.W.A. Teams Prepare for Motor Inn Spirit Lake Qualifier
Category: press release
Aug 29th, 2007 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 29th, 2007 at 12:00 AM
It’s been over three months since the last tournament on the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail, and the teams are preparing for a ‘double header’ on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16 on Big Spirit Lake.Saturday’s action has been designated as a ‘fun’ tournament but will not count towards any of the I.O.W.A. points or year-long standings. “Since we had to cancel the Lake Rathbun Tournament because of bad weather, we’re forwarding all of the awards and everything to this I.O.W.A. Saturday Fun Tournament with a 100 percent payback,” said Dean Higgins, I.O.W.A. Executive Director. “This is a great opportunity for our regular teams to fish with someone other than their regular partner, and also a perfect time for newcomers to give tournament fishing a try.”Following Saturdays ‘fun’ day, the I.O.W.A. teams will get down to business at the Motor Inn Spirit Lake Qualifier. This one will determine Team of the Year honors, the Mercury Heavy Weight winners and positioning for the I.O.W.A. State Championships in October, along with the regular cash and product incentives. “We are pleased to announce that Motor Inn Auto Group of Spirit Lake, Estherville, Spencer, LeMars, Algona and Webster City will be giving an additional $500 to the winners of the Spirit Lake Tournament,” noted Higgins. “We certainly appreciate their support.” Higgins mentioned the leaders for some of the post-season honors. Based on their efforts in the first three tournaments, the team of Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA hold the lead for the 2007 Humminbird Team of the Year prize of two Humminbird 797c2SI Combo fishing units. To be eligible for this award, teams must compete in three of the four tournaments.A second honor is the Mercury Heavy Weight Award for the highest total weight at the end of the four qualifiers. This team will win a Mercury 9.9 Pro Kicker, and with 29.43 pounds in the first three tournaments, the team of David Smithburg from Libertyville and Greg Lowenberg from Fairfield hold a little over four pound lead over the team of Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa. The MinnKota Family Team of the Year goes to the highest placing family team. Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA are in the lead for the two MinnKota Vantage 80 transom mount trolling motors. The $500 Lund Bonus award will also be presented to the highest placing team for the year that runs a Lund boat. Regular tournament awards of the Berkley Big Fish Award, the Smooth Moves Seat Mounts Award, the Net Your Cash Award, the Cabelas Family Team award and the Need Macks Lure Award will be awarded during the weigh-in. Cost of entering either of the tournaments is $240 per team. Although a voluntary rules meeting will not be held, Higgins will be at McKeen’s Pub and Grill on both Friday evening and Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. to answer questions and to take any late registrations.The 7 a.m. take-off and 3 p.m. weigh-in will take place at Marble Beach Boat Ramp on the west side of Big Spirit both days. “The bite on Big Spirit was phenomenal from the opener through late-June. Now, as we move into mid-September, I think well see the bite turn around again,” said Higgins. “Those big August rains filled the lake and got water moving over the spillway again.” Higgins continued, “It will be different than other years, though, because there is the new 17-22 inch slot. Plus, we will keep our 14-inch minimum. However, with the numbers of 14-16+ inchers and 22+, I think we will still see impressive weights brought to the scales. Its a lot of fun to see just see how these teams did and what presentations they used to catch their fish.”All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at [email protected] sponsors for the 2007 I.O.W.A Team Walleye Tournament Trail include Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand’r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, Berkley, Cabela’s, Mack’s Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, StowMaster, Hooters and FCIS ‘Anglers Choice’ Insurance of Forest City.