News

2004 "Angler of the Year"

Chuck Fields

2004 was the first year for the title of Angler of the year. It was a close race with Tom Whitehead and Chuck finishing in a dead tie. Chuck came out on top with the tie breaker of total weight beating Tom out by a little over a pound. Couldn't get any closer that that! Chuck earned a check of $770 and 1st boat out position all next year. Congratulations Chuck for a job well done!

Stay tuned for new and exciting additions to the 2005 tournament season!

Updated 9/13/04

I want to thank everyone that participated in this year tournament series. We fished some great water and had great fishing and fun! Stay tuned to www.excelbass.com for new and exciting changes for 2005!

A big thanks to Chris Kassler for securing rods and tackle as door prizes this year.

The 2004 TOC is set to take place on Gull lake on 9/26. Weigh-in will take place at 4:00PM at Ernies on Gull.

Updated 8/30/04

Congratulations to Jim Davey from Grand Rapids, MN for winning a new Fig Rig rod at the N. Long Tournament! A big thanks to Mike and Connie owners of Train Bell Resort for hosting our N. Long Lake Event!

The last regular season tournament will be on the Mississippi River out of Lum Park in Brainerd on September 12.

Note: See rules for modification to simplify ties.

• Angler of the Year Holdback after 4 events = $645

• TOC Holdback after 3 events = $788.50
  TOC holdback will be split 50/30/20 this year

See you on the River!

Updated 8/2/04

Welcome our newest sponsor...Fig Rig Rods.
"Light As A Feather..... Tough As Nails!"
Fishing Rods by Fig Rigs.

Fig Rig Rods is a local company out of Grand Rapids, a special thanks to Chris Kassler for hooking us up!

Congratulations to Dave Maas for winning the "Fig Rig" rod drawing at Whitefish. Dave says he cound have used some of his luck of the draw on the water that day.

We will have another drawing for a new Fig Rig rod on N. Long Lake.

Reminder....the next tournament will be on N. Long lake August 29. We'll be easing-off from the access and weighing in right next door at Train Bell Resort. If you need a cabin or campsite just call Mike or Connie at 1-800-252-2102 and tell them your with Excel Bass!

Thanks to everyone voting for next years lakes. I have to start planing as the permit applications need to be into the DNR by Oct. 30. Looks like the leaders are the old standbys and Bay Lake. In 2005 we'll have a limit on the number of contestants. Not sure on the number yet but I will have an early sign-up process to garrantee your spot next year.

See you on N. Long!!

Updated 7/19/04

• Angler of the Year Holdback after 3 events = $500

• TOC Holdback after 3 events = $600.
  TOC holdback will be split 50/30/20 this year

Updated 7/4/04

• Angler of the Year Holdback is up to = $350 after 2 events

• TOC Holdback is up to = $420 after 2 events. TOC holdback will be split 50/30/20 this year.

Updated 7/2/04

I want to thank all anglers that fished the Rabbit Lake event for helping with the tight parking situation. You cooporation in off access parking helped in making this event a big success! Below are a few changes for the coming events:

• Train Bell Resort will be the weigh-in site for the North Long lake Event. We'll be easing-off from the Merrifield Access.

• A rule addition for ties: " ...If both anglers do not weigh-in a big fish and do not flip a coin, both will share place, cash and points. YTD points standing ties will be determined by the largest weight YTD of best 4 of 5 events".

• Masters of Fishing Education Seried was been updated. Click http://www.classcomm.com/html/063004.html for details.

• YTD stats spreadsheet has bugs....I'll post when I can get them fixed. Sorry for the delay.

• No off-limits on Small Mouth Bass for the Whitefish tournament. No special conditions on my permit for transporting Smallies back to Trout, I know this has been an issue with most other events on Whitefish.

See you on Whitefish!

 

Updated 6/22/04

The N. Long lake tournament will have a headquarters change. We'll ease -off from the Merrifield access and weigh-in at Train Bell Resort. It's just to the South of the access.

They have a few cabins available for those coming a distance. See www.trainbellresort.com to make your reservations. A big thanks to Mike & Connie Bruesch, owners of Train Bell Resort for allowing us use of their facilties.

Updated 6/18/04

Our first tournament on Gull was a big success. We had 36 anglers and gave away over $2000 in prize money! The results are now up after a short computer breakdown.

The Rabbit Lake tournament is still a go....I believe I have a weigh-in location. We will have to break into 2 flights as the weigh-in location and access will be limited to 12 boats. I believe we'll have 25-30 anglers on Rabbit. I'll be e-mailing and posting final tournament information on the Rabbit event later next week.

Updated 5/31/04

Masters of Fishing Education Seried was been updated. Click http://www.classcomm.com/html/053004.html for details.

This will be the last update till our first event. See you on Gull!

Updated 5/5/04

Masters of Fishing Education Seried was been updated. Click http://www.classcomm.com/html/043004.html for details.

I have received great response to my tournament poll. So far the poll indicates we'll have an average of 20-25 anglers per event!

I just secured the domain name > www.excelbass.com you can access our site by using either domain ( www.excel-bass.com ).

Update 4/04/04

I just added a new educational series named "Masters of Fishing" you can access it on the homepage by clicking on the logo. The entry form has been changed to be more of a liability release form. 2004 participants need only to sign a single release that will apply to all tournaments.

Family Service Radios (GMRS/FSR) channel 1 code 1, will be used for take-off order and for general and emergency communications on the water between contestants only. See rules for detailed use.

Culprit will be sponsoring a "sticker drawing" for a $25 tackle pack
of soft plastics. Stickers will be available at time of sign-up. Stickers must be located on Boat to qualify. Sticker drawings will take place after awards presentation.

A big thanks to Randy Volyes and Jer Kretzman for assisting in this years tournaments.

Update 3/10/04

Whitefish tournament HQ has been changed to Piney Ridge Resort. New Rule changes have been marked in color so you know what has been changed or added.

Welcome MOJO Lures to our growing list of sponsors!

Update 2/28/04

Excel Bass now has a new message board. Please see start page for link to view.post messages. I have added a clearification to the rules under "scoring"....Fish must be able to swim upright to be considered as a weight fish. Entry fees will not be changed for 2004. The poll supports the fee to remain at $65 per entrant.

Welcome MG LURES as a new sponsor. See www.mglures.com

Also new are maps of the access and headquaters locations for this years events. We are having several new anglers fishing Excel Bass this year that are out of the area. This should help locate the access and HQ locations. For motels and campgrounds, drop me an e-mail or post a message on the board. See schedule page and click HQ link for map.

Update 2/17/04

I am adding a sticker promotional drawing. Uncle Josh has agreed to donate a tackle pack of goodies for anyone displaying their sticker on their boat or truck. Stickers will be available at no cost at the first tournament. I 'm working on Culprit and Snagproof for the same. Drawings will be after the trophy presentations. Must be present to win.

A number of guys have asked me to raise the entry to $100. I need some feedback! The % paid out would be relative to the entry fee so you technically wouldn't be getting any more paid out. The holdback TOC pot would be larger. We could lose some anglers at this higher entry which would lower the winnings. Drop me at note with your ideas

I am having a $20/head side pot for those wanting to compete for a larger money. This pot is optional and the payback is 100% winner take all.

Update 2/6/04

DNR permit rec'd for Rabbit Lake(pending weigh-in site). I 'm looking for a weigh-in site on Rabbit. Anyone know of a homeowner or resort, please contact and ask them if we could use their location as a weigh-in spot. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Update 1/28/03

DNR Permits Update!
Gull Lake and Mississippi River dates had to be changed due to
the decline of application for permits. See schedule for
updated dates and permit status.

Update 12/30/03

Angler of the Year Title ! I have added a cash award to this years Angler of the Year. The entry has been increase $5 which will go into a pot for Angler of the Year award. PLUS, this years Angler of the Year will have 1st out position in all 2005 events. See details on qualifications in the rules page.

Also New is the website address for Excel Bass. You can now go to this site directly without any pop-ups by entering > www.excel-bass.com

Update 12/21/03

I have changed the Whitefish date to July 18 due to the conflict with Team Supreme. Also see rules for a few new additions.

11/18/03 News Update

2004 permits will be applied for in December. I have scheduled regular 5 tournaments with points qualification for the Tournament of Champions on Gull Lake September 12th.

Entry fee will remain the same at $60.00 with an optional $10 big bass (100% payback). A $10 side pot (100% payback winner take all) for those that want to compete for more money. Check back often for further news and updates.

New for 2004

• Boat Draw

• Side Pot

• New Sponsors

• New Lakes

• Points TOC Qualification

• Angler of the Year Award