Four-day event kicks off June 9 with $100,000 cash and prizes on tap
Lake Fork, one of the world’s legendary bass fishing destinations is again home to the Skeeter Boats 12th Annual Owner’s Tournament attracting over 1,750 anglers, the largest such tournament in the United States. Comprised of two days of registration and demo events, and two days of competition set amid world-class Lake Fork known for its big bass, the tournament committee promises an even bigger and better event.
The Big Bass tournament will be held June 9-12, 2005 with all activities taking place
dockside at Lake Fork Marina with something for every angler and family member. The events start on Thursday, June 9 with early registration, pre-fishing, and test rides with Skeeter’s professional boat drivers. Each test drive participant is entered into a drawing for a Yamaha ATV. Friday, June 10 continues with official registration and Kick-Off Party with live music, held after the lake becomes off-limits to anglers at 7 p.m. Fishing days are Saturday and Sunday. Each day, there will be sponsor exhibits, Skeeter Elite Pro Team members giving seminars and casting demonstrations on a 35,000 gallon aquarium, interactive displays, kids fishing venue, Skeeter apparel and gear, and the new Silent Auction with all proceeds supporting regional and national youth and marine enhancement organizations.
Each angler and family member will enjoy a Texas-Sized BBQ on Saturday after the scales close and participate in the Great Skeeter Duck Hunt where each “Rubber Duck” returned to the dock wins one of fifty prize packages donated by tournament sponsors. The ducks are dispersed throughout the lake for the anglers and family members to find.
Two years ago, the Skeeter Boats Tournament Committee added a fan favorite, the Skeeter Bug Shootout. The Shootout takes the nation’s most elite bass fishing pros like Jay Yelas, Mark Davis, Dean Rojas, Kelly Jordon, and Alton Jones then pairs them with winners from each of the hourly weigh-ins to compete in a two hour 5 fish limit tournament and participate in an incredible display of interviews and a drive-through weigh-in with host/celebrity Fish Fishburne.
The 10 Shootout competitors and Pros will fish from brand new ZX250 performance fishing boat packages from Skeeter and Yamaha. The Skeeter Bug Shootout can be described as a tournament within the tournament. Now, with over 1750 individual anglers competing in the event the Skeeter Owner’s Tournament has become the nation’s largest single brand boat tournament in the Untied States. Including the top prize of an SX200 with Yamaha VX 200 engine, the event will award more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Tournament Committee Chairman and Marketing Manager for Skeeter Boats, Daren Cole said, “With new categories such as the Antique and Classic Skeeter Divisions as well as other positive changes, we will easily draw more than 900 Skeeter boats to our home in east Texas.
“This year’s tournament entry application has changed. By popular demand the event was changed to an individual format instead of the long-time team format. Cole said “We have a tremendous amount of anglers who want to fish with additional friends and family members. To accommodate our owners and increase their enjoyment, we are allowing up to three persons per boat. Of course one of those anglers in the boat must be a registered Skeeter Boat owner.
“Generous support of major sponsors so far this year including Yamaha, Action Optics, All-Star Rods, Aqua Innovations, Bass Champs tournaments, Shakespeare-Fishing, Dual Pro Charging Systems, EZ Loader Trailers, Lowrance Electronics, Minn Kota, MotorGuide, PRADCO, Pro Rule, Pure Fishing, Solar Bat Sunglasses, Stanley Jigs, Stealth Charging Systems, Strike King and many more have helped the tournament make great strides to increase the value of Skeeter ownership, and all with a lot of fun.”
Cole said The Tournament Committee also invites all owners to come out and see what all the excitement is about and experience our true appreciation for your brand loyalty and that the general public is encouraged to attend. Dockside activities are open and free to all. For those not traveling with a registered Skeeter owner and not participating in the tournament Texas BBQ meal tickets can be purchased on-site for $8.00.
For more information on the 2005 Skeeter Owner’s Tournament, Entry applications, as well as rules and regulations, and a weekend itinerary are available at your nearest Authorized Skeeter Dealer.
By: Walker Agency
