Anyone planning to fish the derby at Manawa in Jan?

[camps764]

Just wondering if any of you guys head out and fish this?  Me a few of the other guys from this board were planning on it.... I don't know crap about Manawa, but from what I understand about a billion people head out to this thing.  Looks more like a fun social gathering than a serious day on the ice.

[adammd]

We will all be there.  Fun tourney, terrible fishing. 

I would say a good 500 people entered and probably 496 raffle prizes.  We will be the other 4 people. 

If you want a good spot just get there about 24 hours ahead of time.

If there isn't 14 inches of ice by yesterday, they will probably cancel it.  Don't sign up or pay just yet.   

That pretty much sums it up.     

[NyteOwl]

Funny I thought we were the other 4.  Caught quite a few crappie last year, but none big enough for the prizes.  That was our first year, so we'll see what happens this year.

[DonW]

Where can I get info on this derby? I won't mind checking it out.

Tight Lines,
DonW

[NyteOwl]

Go to Winterfestderby.com.  It's scheduled for January 31st.  Hope to see you there!

[gotcrappie]

I went last year and had a good time.  I didn't catch anything.  During the raffles, The prize won before me, Shappell icehouse.  The next prize when they pulled my name, a Wal-Mart $8.88 tacklebox!  The derby did have a lot of good prizes.  I'll be back again this year!

[Hardwater Problem]

I fished this last year and had a good time.  Fishing was terrible.  I got there the morning of the event and will not make that mistake again.  90% of all fisherman there are in one spot on 10% of the lake.  It has been my experience that you have to be near that area to catch fish.  We caught a very small walleye 8 inch last year and put him right back.  I don't think the winner was much bigger than that.  We had a couple of small perch as well.  Three fish!!!  Again great tourney but  unless you are familiar with the lake... slim pickins!!   Great prizes and put on by a great group of guys trying to do a good thing for that lake and the sport of ice fishing.

[DonW]

Thanks for the info NyteOwl. I'll check out the site and see if I can make it. Hopefully I can!!

Tight Lines,
DonW

[douglas_413]

myself and 2 of my buddies will be there.