Lew's Tournament Pro

[techo]

if it is the same Lovan, he used to sell boats at BPS in Springfield when they were where the fishing department is now. A heck of a nice guy. He was sponsored by Nitro/BPS in the past.

[Flysmallie]

Hemmingways? Yeah that's gone way downhill too.

Some people like BPS. Others don't. Nobody is mad that you like them so I don't know why you are so mad at the people that don't.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

If i was having trouble paying bills i would prob apply for a job and not enter a bass tourney, a gift card would work for me i spend 1000's on tackle and rods and boat accessories anyhow. I like spending my money at Sportsmans factory outlet but they aren't open on weekends and sometimes i need stuff on sat and sunday or before 9 am

[Bill Babler]

I"m intregued by the gift card deal. Are these just givaways that Mike hands out at the derby's or are they considered prize place value. ie if you come in 10th. you get a gift card with a value of X dollars that constitutes your prize Say 10th. place is 500 dollars. In lue of cash you get a BP gift card?

Or, are they something that Mike might draw out of a hat and say, " Thanks for fishing CPA. Boat number 55 just won a BP gift card."

If indeed they are in lue of prize money, this opens a pretty sticky wicket. It would depend on what the certificate was good for and the tax implication. Is is good for anything in the store, or just BPS brands? Possibly as Champ was alluding to on the pay back and not knowing the totals, it would be pretty hard to estimate the true value of a gift certificate if it were indeep given in lue of cash. There is a huge problem in trying to say merchandise constitutles X cash value. There would also be a problem if it were also only good for BPS brands, that I am assuming were not gifts to CPA but tax deductable donations to promote BPS fishing interest.

Also on a personal tax form that you have to document both tournament expenses and winnings, this would be pretty hard to figure out. As every item you would buy with the card would have to be a tax deductable item.

Sorry for my ignorance on this, as it is the first time I have heard of the gift card deal. Reguardless Webster is a great guy and we are all pulling for his derby circuit. Please someone clue me in on this.

Good Luck

[ryan]

I was interested in fishing the CPA but just not worth it when you have to make top 5 to break even on entry fee. Man I remember reading all of the old CPA/Heartland tournament results and winnings when the payback was really good. I didn't fish then because I was in school and had no money. I fish the OMTT now due to 100% payback and the Berrys do a great job organizing the events. I just don't think many people can afford to fish like they once did. I hope that Mike can get the CPA numbers back up somehow, if they drew 70-100 boats I would def fish it. As for fishing gear I think that some of the Johnny Morris rods and reels are good deals for the money, that being said its crap you have to buy warranty on the equipment now. I fish Revos but my partner is sponsored by LEWs and they are very nice reels. I personally don't think Nitros are the best quality boat but if I got a great deal and could make money turning one over every year I might consider selling my Z520. On second thought I would never do that :-). Must have been my allergy medicine affecting my judgement. On a serious note OMTT Saturday, sign up tomorrow night before 6pm. Bring your warm gear!!!!!!

[Bill Babler]

Hemmingways? Yeah that's gone way downhill too.

Some people like BPS. Others don't. Nobody is mad that you like them so I don't know why you are so mad at the people that don't.

Great Point Fly. BUT Hemmingways. Come on now, if you don't like that Peach Cobbler with the Cre'me Anglaise. Just Sayin, that stuff will put a smile on your face big time.

Nice Post.

[dtrs5kprs]

Great Point Fly. BUT Hemmingways. Come on now, if you don't like that Peach Cobbler with the Cre'me Anglaise. Just Sayin, that stuff will put a smile on your face big time.

Nice Post.

There you go with the cobbler again....

[Bill Babler]

Ya got me.

[Bill Babler]

Brett, I reread your post and you cleared it up for me. The gift cards are just free give aways that Mike hands out during the derby and have nothing to do with being a prize or constituting to be a place of finish in lue of money. Sorry I missed that.

80% payback plus prizes thrown in seems very fair to me.

Just got to get the numbers up. I am sure he will as he is a tireless worker and will do everything in his power to make this deal work. We all more than hope it does.

[Champ188]

Brett, you need to be careful throwing around big words like ignorance. I didn't say the payout schedule wasn't online. I said the payout itself isn't listed with the results, as it generally is with any tournament series with which I've ever been associated in 35 years as a news and outdoor writer. And part of those years included being editor of Central Pro-Am magazine.

Some might consider complete ignorance to be paying a $300 entry fee to fish a glorified jackpot with less than 40 boats that doesn't even pay back 10 places. The regional circuit that I'm fishing draws 125-150 boats per event, pays accordingly in CASH (not BPS food stamps) and, oh yeah, gives away a truck and a boat to first place in its year-end NO ENTRY FEE regional championship. There's even Ranger Cup contingency money that isn't available in CPA.

Now, I'm done.