Swarms of Skeeters have been seen heading for East Texas all week. That could only mean one thing — Skeeter boat owners are getting ready to compete to see who is the best angler at the 11th Annual Skeeter Owners Tournament. Taking place on Lake Fork in Alba, Texas, the tournament will be held July 10-11 and will offer big prizes, drawings and a free barbecue for all contestants and their families.
So far, over 750 teams have signed up to compete with walk-up and late registrations expected to push the total past 900 teams. Official registration and sign-up began today and continues through Friday at Lake Fork Marina on Lake Fork. Fishing begins Saturday, July 10, at Lake Fork Marina at 6:30 a.m. and continues through 3:30 p.m. Following Saturday’s competition, Skeeter Boats will provide a Texas-sized barbecue right after the weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. at the marina.
Fishing continues Sunday, June 11, from 6:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony immediately following the weigh-in.
In this team “big bass” tournament, each team is allowed to weigh in one fish per hour for a chance at the hourly prizes. The overall big bass winning team will win a fully rigged Skeeter SX200 bass boat with a Yamaha VMAX VX200 outboard. Prizes will also be awarded for the teams with the overall 2nd through 20th big bass weighed in for the tournament. In addition to hourly weigh-ins, $20,000 cash will go to the first team to break the Lake Fork black bass record, $10,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd places respectively for big fish overall of an exact even weight (i.e., 6.00 pounds).
Hourly big bass prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place big bass of each hour on both Saturday and Sunday. Updates on the hourly big bass prizes will be announced on KMOO Real Country 99.9 FM three times each hour.
The 1st place winners from each hourly Big Bass weigh-in will compete in the Skeeter Shoot Out following the last weigh-in Saturday. All 1st place teams will fish with a Skeeter Pro Team member. The overall winning team in the Shoot Out will received two all-expense-paid trips to the 2004 Bassmaster Classic, two Lowrance GPS combination units and two Motor Guide trolling motors.
There will also be a drawing for Yamaha four-wheeler for all team entrants having the special “ATV Draw Sticker” attached to their entry form at the time of registration. The drawing will take place during the Shoot Out’s weigh-in at 6 p.m. Saturday. No purchase is necessary to obtain the ATV Draw Sticker.
In addition to all the other chances to win prizes, contestants can take place in the Great Skeeter Duck Hunt. Skeeter will distribute 50 yellow rubber ducks around the lake prior to the tournament. Each duck will be assigned a number on its bottom. These numbers represent prizes to be given away at the awards ceremony on Sunday following the weigh-in. Contestants must be present to claim prizes. Unclaimed ducks will be picked up after the tournament is over. Special this year is a camouflaged rubber duck, which if found, will rate a special prize.
Sponsoring the Skeeter’s Owner Tournament are: Yamaha Outboards, YamaLube, KMOO radio, Minn Kota trolling motors, Action Optics, American Identity, Stanley Jigs, Motor Guide, Mann’s Baits, Snag Proof, Rebel Lures, Strike King Lures, Lowrance, Hawg Caller, LuckyCraft Lures, Teleflex Morse, Heddon, Daiwa fishing tackle, Yum Lures, Riverside Lures, All Star Graphite Rods, Buzzy Rods, Stealth Charging Systems, Dual Pro Chargers, Smithwick Lures, Easy View Tackle Systems, Mustad Hooks, Gene Larue Tackle, Don Iovino Products Cotton Cordell, Snag Proof and Kayco Composites.
By: Walker Agency
