The quorum

[Wishing2BFishing]

Gentleman, it was a pleasure to meet "the quorum" that was present at the meeting last night and I look forward to meeting the rest of the CCBM members.

You guys really have a well organized club.  I am sure that I will learn a lot from each of you. 

Now here is my first rookie (minnow) question:  could someone tell me where each of the tourneys are held.  Some of the local lake names I recognize (like Blue Marsh in Berks County and Marsh Creek in our backyard) but some of the others I do not even know what state they are in.

Please don't laugh at my question too much . . .I am trying to lock in some dates for some of the tourneys before my work and wife fill up my calendar.

[Pillager]

Welcome to the club, Ryan.  Doc has to teach you the official hand shake next time around.

Good questions, here is a run down of the places we are fishing this year.  I hope I remember them all:

Potomac river, twice, DC and south, I'm sure you know approximately where that is.
Elk, Gunpowder, Middle, Northeast rivers, all "rivers" emptying into the upper Chesapeake Bay.  These along with the Potomac are brackish tidal waters, but some of the better fishing around.
Oneida, for the 6 man team tournament, is in New York above Syracuse.
Kerr reservoir, our official 'away' tournament is on the Virginia, North Carolina border and is a 2 day tournament.
Octorara is an electric only lake south west of West Chester.

We have also fished lakes in New Jersey, Assumpink and  Manesquan Reservoir, the scene of my first victory last July.  :grin:

We have fished a couple pools of the lower Susquehanna, along with Beltsville and Nockamixon in PA.  I've no doubt forgotten a few as well.

There are lots of other very fishable waters we have not ventured to yet.  Each year we select waters to fish by popular vote, and you will be included in that for the 2009 tournaments.

[Pillager]

Oh and before Brucie picks on me, I'm an ego maniac.

Like we don't have any OTHER ones around here!

[bassboogieman]

Darn you Pillager, you knocked out my response, now I have to do it all over agian.

Ryan, soon you will receive the key to the inner santum - that's right MEMBERS ONLY.  I know you can hardly wait to see all the IMPORTANT stuff that goes on in there.  :grin:  But until you receive the rights for access, the 2008 Tx. dates and locacions are:

Dates determined - December meeting.

April 12th  - Potomac River
May 9th & 10th - Kerr Reservoir (Away Tx)
June7th - Gunpowder River
July 26th- Octorara Reservoir
August 9th - Elk River
September 20th - Middle River
October 11th - Blue Marsh Reservoir
Classic October 25th - Potomac River.

CCBM OPEN June 28th (tentative date) at Octorara Reservoir

Some of us have begun making arrangements for the 1st Tx. on the Potomac.  Some are planning on sharing a cabin(s) at Smallwood State Park, the launch site.  They are the young guns who don't mind "roughing it".  Others like Doc and myself are staying at the Super 8 Motel in Indian Head, MD.  It's reasonalbe and releatively comfortable.  Should you be planning on JUMPING IN WITH BOTH FEET - which I heartly recommend - and fishing the first tournament of the year, decide upon accomadations and what days you want to fish.  The Potomac is an exceptional fishery, and the best Tx. of the year in my opinion, after the away Tourny, at Kerr this year.  Finally, WELCOME ABOARD, you made your decision fast.  We're all here to help, just ask.

Mark your calendar.  Bruce.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Pillager, thanks for not laughing at my question . . .

So, here is my dilemna . . . I can't fish all the tourneys because my wife works Friday night through Saturday so she can be home with the kids during the week.  I can get baby coverage for some of the dates but before I call my mother-in-law, I am trying to select the tourneys to attend.  Any thoughts?  Is there any particular tourney that is a "don't want to miss it" deal.  

[docirv]

I have added you to the inner sanctum so you should now see and be able to get onto the member only  boards. As far as which tourneys you should book, I guess that going to  away tourneys is out for you right now. I you can get away for an overnight then definitely make at least one of the Potomac tourneys, it is a great fishery. The other tourneys I would recommend are the Northeast, and Octorara (I will not be at the Octorara as I have wedding that day, hoooray for me). I would also recommend that you come to as many of the TNT's (Tuesday Night Tourneys) as possible at Marsh Creek that we run from 6 to 10 pm.
In order for me to show you the secret CCBM handshake you need to first catch a keeper bass..... :14: Welcome to the group...

[bassboogieman]

The Elk, Middle and Gunpower are all Northern Chesapeake Tributaries.  All are tidal and VERY similiar.  Dependant upon what you like, fish one or all three.  Actually from the Gunpowder and Middle you can fish the same waters without difficulty.  Same from the Elk, but depends upon the weather (wind) when starting in the Elk.  Octoraro, and Blue Marsh are similiar reservoirs, although both tend to have their own difficulties when it comes to putting fish in the livewell - RIGHT DOC?.  The Potomac (also tidal) can be a one day, but it's a long (3+ hr) drive to fish tourny day and then drive back home.  Most go for a couple days to get in some pre-fishing - it's a HUGE river system.  No problem running 20+ miles to find some place you want to fish.  The away trip requires much more planning and commitment, but as a Club we use it to built and strengthen our friendships - it really is a good time.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Thanks for not laughing at my question (at least not laughing or ridiculing publicly).  I will make arrangements for "kid coverage" so I can get my a** on the water. 

[Wishing2BFishing]

Bassboogieman stated:

"WELCOME ABOARD, you made your decision fast."

My response:  I know a good group when I see one . . . besides, I have been watching this site for some time now . . . the only thing that delayed my decision was my two ongoing time conflicts (kids and work).

[docirv]

Well, you can always give up work but the kids are priority number one!

[Wishing2BFishing]

Can't give up work or the kids.  I love my kids and I need work to feed my kids (and to feed the baitmonkey that tells me I need to buy lots of fishing stuff)

[bfitch]

(and to feed the baitmonkey that tells me I need to buy lots of fishing stuff)

hes a pain in the ass aint he  :grin:

[docirv]

If you got the bait moneky then you got to patronize docirvcustombaits.com

[bassboogieman]

Bait monkey bit me, but not for custom plastics.  Just bought a bunch of swimbaits (Luck E Strike and Fishbelly baits), and found a good buy on some Jackall crankbaits.  Oh boy, I got a load of new chit that probalby won't catch bass either.  Those Luck E Strike's are a pretty good duplication of the Basstrix baits.  Really need 3 or 4 new rods and reels, but that will have to wait a bit.  Down monkey, sit, stay........... better yet - roll over and die! :grin: :grin:  Last thing I need to do today is order some replacement blades from Terminator for my spinnerbaits.  Then I think I'm about set for Spring. :rolleyes:

[Wishing2BFishing]

Boogieman, these are the things that baitmonkey is telling me to buy for this spring: 

1)  Boat w/ jet motor
2)  new waders (in case I never get the boat)
3)  new medium action crankbait rod
4)  new trout rod
5)  some Salty Shads
6)  some of those jig heads with the spinning thing underneath (bought a couple last year and had some luck early in the season)
7)  some purty' lookin' crankbaits (baitmonkey knows that crankbaits always look good in the box)