Crappie USA Bringing Back to Back Events to the Sunshine State of Florida
OutdoorHub 11.20.12
Crappie USA Inc., “America’s Premier National Crappie Fishing Tournament Organization” will open the 2013 season with back to back tournaments in the Sunshine State of Florida starting on January 19th. The first of the 2 Florida events will be held January 19th on Crescent Lake at Crescent City, Florida. The following weekend January 26th Crappie USA will drop into Ocala, Florida on Lakes Weir/George. Anglers will be fishing for a 7-fish limit of crappie, which could net them a check along with the opportunity to advance to the Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic, the most prestigious event in crappie fishing today. This year’s classic will be held October 23-26, 2013 on Kentucky Lake at Paris, Tennessee.
These events are always very exciting for the anglers being the first national Crappie event of the year for local anglers and a break from the cabin fever for anglers from the northern states. Many anglers from the northern states such as Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania make the trip and spend time to pre fish and fish both events while enjoying the warm Florida weather.
Crescent Lake Event
Registration for this event will be held Friday afternoon January 18th at the Crescent City (City Hall), 3 N. Summit Street, Crescent City with the registration beginning at 5:00PM with the Seminar and a National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starting at 7:00pm local time.
The weigh in will be held on Saturday January 19th beginning at 3:00PM at the Sunrise Park, 107 Cypress St. in Crescent City. All anglers must be in the weigh in line by 4:00PM or face disqualification.
Crappie USA “Free Crappie Kids Rodeo”
Held in conjunction with the tournament will be the Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo to be held Saturday morning at Lake Stella, Central Ave. in Crescent City. Sign up for the Kids Rodeo will be at 8:00am with the rodeo from 9:00am till 11:00am.
All children will receive a prize just for entering. Bring your favorite rod, reel and bait and show your true fishing ability. All children must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Prizes for winners will be given in two age groups, 0-7 and 8-12. The event is free to all children 12 and under with all participants eligible for a chance to win one of the six, Outdoor Promotions $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded in October.
Sponsor and Host Lodging for the Crescent Lake Event
The Putnam County Tourism Development Council (TDC) would like to welcome all Crappie USA anglers and their guest to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the many attractions in the area. For more information on the area call: (386) 328 1503 or visit their website at: http://www.putnamcountychamber.com.
Host lodging for the event will be the Lakeview Motel, 1004 N. Summit in Crescent City. For reservations call: (386) 698-1090. Also Leonard’s Landing & Resort, 100 Grove Ave in Crescent City. For reservations call: (386) 698-2485. Rooms maybe limited so make your reservations early and mention Crappie USA.
Lake Weir/George Event
Registration for this event will be held Friday afternoon January 25th at the Lake Weir Chamber of Commerce, 13125 Hwy25, in Ocklawaha, Florida starting at 5:00PM with the Seminar and a National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starting at 7:00pm local time.
The weigh in will be held at Carney Island, 13275 S. E. 115th Ave. in Ocklawaha beginning at 3:00PM. All anglers must be in the weigh in line by 4:PM or face disqualification. Spectators should arrive early to assure a good spot and get photos of some of the top crappie anglers in the region and their catch.
Crappie USA “Free Crappie Kids Rodeo”
Held in conjunction with the tournament will be the Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo to be held Saturday morning at the Tuscawilla Park in Ocala. Sign up for the Kids Rodeo will be at8:00am with the rodeo from9:00am till11:00am.
All children will receive a prize just for entering. Bring your favorite rod, reel and bait and show your true fishing ability. All children must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Prizes for winners will be given in two age groups, 0-7 and 8-12. The event is free to all children 12 and under with all participants eligible for a chance to win one of the six, Outdoor Promotions $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded in October.
CrappieUSAand our anglers have contributed nearly $316,000.00 to the “Crappie Kids” Scholarships since 1997. We are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in our tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA “Kids Fishing Rodeos”.
The Crappie Kids Free Fishing Rodeo has grown in many cities to be a major attraction drawing as many as 350 or more children from surrounding areas to compete for prizes and the chance at the $2,000.00 “Crappie Kids” Scholarship. All participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsor and Host Lodging for the Lake Weir/George Event
The Ocala/Marion County CVB would like to welcome all Crappie USA anglers and their guest to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the many attractions in the area. For more information on the area call: Toll-Free: 1-888-FL-OCALA, Local: 352-438-2800 or visit their website at: http://www.ocalamarion.com.
Host lodging for the event will be the Days Inn, 5751 E. Hwy 40, Silver Springs. For reservations call: (352) 236-2575. Rooms maybe limited so make your reservations early and mention Crappie USA.
How to Enter
You can enter our tournaments by filling out and sending in an entry form or by registering on our website at www.crappieusa.com before the deadline listed on the form. Teams may also enter at the pre-tournament seminar on Friday night. All late entries will be subject to a $20.00 late fee.
ACA membership is required to fish in our tournaments and a space is provided on our entry form for you to become a member. Teams may consist of one or two partners. Teams may have a third partner if third partner is under the age of 16. Pole limits for three-partner teams will be the same as two-partner teams.
Entry fees in all qualifying tournaments are $100.00 per team in the Amateur Division and $200.00 in the Semi-Pro Division. There is an optional $10.00 (Per Team) Big Fish Pot. All participants must be a member of the American Crappie Association to fish in these events. American Crappie Association membership is $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for spouse and youth memberships. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of Crappie USA, one of the top crappie fishing publications in the nation.
