Thread: Arkansas Crappie Association Comments

Definately a good start all these lakes are close to me so no griping here... what about maybe having a tournament or two in like a certain region like henry gray hurricane wma or felsenthaw or something like tht where there would b multiple small lakes to fish? Jus a thought might b too much to deal with tho... i think it would b neat to have one on a smaller lake and jus pile in there and fish where we could really see how those crappie masters r yankin them slabs in and maybe do a lil watch and learn for amateurs like me lol

This is a first year deal and a trial run deal. The people putting this together are from the central area of the state and have picked great crappie lakes to fish. Yes they are centrally located this year but maybe that's because these guys are the ones that will be doing all the work for these tournaments. Ex: meet and great, registration, weigh in. Give them a chance to succeed before you tell them why they will fail. Only fish a couple this year but let them know that you would support the effort to a greater extent if the lakes were more diverse. There are no crappie lakes in NE worthy of a tournament so there won't be anything close to me regardless. There is a time for constructive criticism and its not the time yet. From my knowledge these guys putting this on are doing so because they want the sport to grow. Not to ostracize or create an unequal playing field. Besides from the track records of the guys pushing to get this started they will out fish 99% of the people regardless where they fish. They already prove that with the big boys right now!!!


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Originally Posted by Dustin Harris

Jason I think it's a great start! Good job buddy. Atleast you made the effort no one else has.

Welcome to the board Dustin...Glad to see you joining in... Jason good job...No worry's guys Im sure Jason will work to get tourney's in your respective area's. Good input's is where it all starts... to get it going. Here is mine...One Tourney in Central AR...One Tourney In West AR, One tourney in East AR, One tourney in SEA, One in SWA and One in NWA or N. Central. And a vote to decide a Championship Lake. The whole key to this working is someone stepping up... to be the Director of each area. So who is going to step up to be the Tourney Director for thier respective areas and what Lake/River area would you like to see fished based on a vote of the tourney directors peers for each area of the state. When this is decided a schedule should be compiled and then you have it. EveryBody should be HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY. JMO if we are going to run a statewide FJ trail. Tight Lines

I won't sit back and let Jason take all the heat for this association's rules and/or lake choices for the first year. Jason contacted me last year on this idea and it has been in work ever since. There has been a lot of time and money sank into this idea, for example $400.00 for a very high dollar certified weight scale and many miles driven securing weigh in sites while burning our own gas, etc.

The idea was to get it started and then to grow it across other regions of the state. Yes, as it stands right now, it is centered around the central part of the state or within 100 miles of Little Rock (Dardanelle being the farthest lake). We left the May date open and even suggested some lakes to the other regions (Pine Bluff, Heber, etc.) for members to vote on. This was intentionally done as we knew we could manage the weigh in sites and the extra work that goes on with putting one of these tournaments on without counting on someone to help us out.

If you notice, the championship is also TBD. This was also done intentionally as the idea was to let the more "frequent" participants choose a neutral lake where it would be held, meaning "leveling" the playing field.

Also, as we have done in the past, anyone placing in the top 3 of any of these tournaments are expected to tell the "How, Why and Where" they caught their fish before they are paid. This gives the rest of the participants a learning experience from their trip and advice on what they could try the next time they visit the lake.

This trail was not intended to be one sided at all. This was meant to be an activity to give us all something to do and meet up every now and then doing what we all like to do.

Final thoughts are that Jason posted his number at the bottom and asked to be called for any comments. How many of you called before you posted your thoughts? I think if you would have called Jason, he would have told you almost everything I'm telling you now and some of the misconceptions would have been cleared up.

The dates and lakes that were chosen are very good dates and coincide with some of the best fishing times for each lake in my opinion, except maybe the first date in February at Conway. I will go out on a limb here and say that Jason would be willing to give this date to another lake. So here's your chance, if you are one of the one's not liking the lakes chosen so far, step up and take this date. Call myself or Jason and let us know your lake choice and where YOU will be hosting the registration, weigh in and awards.

So, instead of bringing negativity to something that was meant to be fun, pick the phone up and call and lets discuss. As always, if I can help anyone out on anything, please don't hesitate to call me.

Good luck when the tourney gets to represent arkansas lakes then I will fish. Just my opinion take or leave as we are all entitled to one last time i checked. I hope it does well as i said. I still think the tourney lakes dont represent Arkansas which what the associations name states. They are located in close proximity whether that is recognized by anyone else or not. Yes you have to get a start somewhere and if they want to extend south be glad to help.


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well guys I don't have a dog in this hunt but hope to one day fish some of these. I am a president of my local bass club and let me assure you setting the schedule is not easy. I always do it with a couple things in mind , one what lakes will draw the most particapation ,those are the ones most centrally located for my core group of fisherman . Two what lakes are the most productive , so anglers all catch fish and have an enjoyable time . Now with that said , just because I may want us to fish let's say greers in april doesn't mean it can happen with other tournaments going on and getting approvals from the park or COE. Work with these guys to make this year successful and I promise they will work with you to find lakes all are happy to go fish. I never get paid for my efforts but sure get bitched at and it isn't fun. I never base my decisions on what I like but what I believe is best for the organization and I think thats what they are trying to do. Hope to meet all of you and fish a few some times. Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful year.

This comment was unnecessary. The purpose of this thread and the undecided dates was to gather ideas and suggestions that will create an event that everyone can live with. I am in Central Arkansas and couldnt be happier with the locations stated, as Conway is my home lake. But I feel that the locations should be diversified to accommodate everyone. We shouldnt lash out at someone for voicing their opinion.


C.J.

Should be a good turnout for the Dardanelle tournament on April 20. Many of the folks from this site will be there for the Spring Camp.