WALLEYE CENTRAL GET TOGETHER DETAILS
We are going back to where it all started in HURON, OH - with the Huron Boat Basin serving as the hub for the festivities.
Here is a link to a new website with info on local facilities / lodging / boat ramps, fuel, tackle, etc.
www.fishhuronohio.com
Fish Huron Ohio is a group formed earlier this year by local city / township / chamber of commerce and business people in Huron, Ohio with the goal of promoting Huron, Ohio as a Fishing Destination.
A huge thanks to Doug Steinwart at the Huron Boat Basin 419-433-4848 -
www.huronparks.org/boatbasin.htm - also has some helpful information on local facilities. Call Doug if you want to reserve a dock at the Boat Basin - there should be some docks open.
Another big supporter is Matt Solberg from Huron Lagoon's Marina (HLM). HLM will also have transient dockage avaialble during the fall fishing season. Call 419 433 3200. HLM also has a fuel dock.
For places to stay -
The River's Edge Motel is located right on the water just North of the Huron Boat Basin 419 433-8000.
This will be real convenient for those that want to enjoy the fun at I5's Bar & Grill located where the old "JP's Down Under" was located at the Boat Basin. For those that remember the old JP's - you won't believe it is the same place when you walk in the door. I5's is a lot of fun with good food & drinks and a friendly staff that are looking forward to welcoming Walleye Central back to Huron. There will be food & drink specials starting Wednesday and running through Sunday.
The Brass Pelican is also offering food and drink specials though the week so be sure to visit them also.
The Charity Dinner and Raffle will take place at Mesenburg's Plaza Place which is about 1 mile to the West of the Huron Boat Basin at 545 Cleveland Road West.
DO NOT BRING YOUR BOAT to Mesenburgs for the Charity Dinner. There won't be enough parking if people bring their boats.
MENU from Mesenburgs:
Wood Roasted Pork w Sausage Stuffing, Scalloped Potatoes, Corn, Pasta Salad, Garden Salad, Rolls & Cookies. Full Cash Bar
Walski's Ramp between the Route 6 and train bridge is available as well as a ramp at Holiday Harbor Marina which is just South of town on Main Street / Route 13.
Just to the East of Huron is Cranberry Creek Marina for an additional boat ramp for boats smaller than around 21 feet. Woody at the tackle shop can also set you up with the right tackle and fishing report info. 419 433 3932 is the number there.
The "Braggin Rights" tournament will take place on Saturday Oct 20 of course weather permitting - (we are overdue for some good weather!) with the weigh-in to take place at the Huron Boat Basin.
BRAGGIN RIGHTS TOURNAMENT DETAILS - THERE ARE SOME CHANGES TO PAST EVENTS LISTED HERE:
There is NO ENTRY FEE but we do need people to SIGN UP their team during the Charity Dinner & Raffle. We will take signups on Saturday morning at the Huron Boat Basin for those that can't make the Friday night dinner.
There is no official "blast off" in the morning. You an take off from any ramp / harbor. Lines can go in the water at 8AM - honor system. If you need to sign up in the morning at the Boat Basin we will have someone there to take late signups from 7:30 AM until 8:30AM.
The only money involved is the OPTIONAL BIG FISH POT which will be $20 per team with 100% payback. Your team must be registered and paid CASH ONLY for the Big Fish contest by 8:30 AM on Saturday.
THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE TEAM PER BOAT ALLOWED. YOU CAN HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE ON A TEAM AS YOU WANT BUT EACH TEAM IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 8 RODS IN THE WATER.
We know that some people are coming from a long distance away and not everyone will be bringing their boat. This will allow more people to get together in the boats and help everyone save on costs. We will have a signup for people at the dinner / raffle that "need a ride" - or better yet we can start a thread to allow people to arrange for fishing partners. A big part of the fun of past Get Togethers has been fishing with different people. Anyone that wants to come to the Get Together whether you own a boat or not is encouraged to attend. You will get to fish with someone if you are polite and make it known you need a ride. Just be prepared to share expenses if you need a ride.
Limiting it to one team per boat and a maximum of 8 rods per team gives more people a chance to do well. You won't have to compete with a local charter or private boat that is running 14, 16, 18 rods. We know there will be some teams that will only have 2 or 3 people and you will be limited to the Ohio state law of 2 rods per person. If you want to get a 3rd or 4th person to get 8 rods invite someone to go with you. If someone does have a charter booked and wants to fish the Braggin Rights / Big Fish Contest that is fine, but no more than 8 rods in the water. LET'S KEEP THIS FUN - HONOR SYSTEM - EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD TIME...
Rules are simple - staying within the rod limits covered above, the rules are the State of Ohio fishing laws and "boundaries" are the Ohio Waters of Lake Erie.
OPEN COMMUNICATION IS ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED - REMEMBER WE WANT EVERYONE TO CATCH FISH AND IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO HEAR WHO HAS SOME "BIG ONES" THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
You must be at the weigh-in site by 4PM. Weigh-in site is the Huron Boat Basin Amphitheater Stage. If you have your boat ramped / docked on the Huron River - PLEASE COME TO THE BOAT BASIN BY WATER TO WEIGH YOUR FISH. There will be plenty of room to tie up along the river wall and also there will be some open docks to come in to and grab a basket and take your fish to the stage. Each team will weigh 4 FISH. Plan to take your fish with you after weighing them. There will be fish cleaning tables available at the Boat Basin during the Get Together. IF you are docked / ramping from a location other than on the Huron River you MAY bring your fish to the weigh-in site by car in a cooler but we encourage you to come by water if possible. However you choose to get to the weigh-in site, you MUST BE THERE BY 4PM to weigh your fish. If the parking lot at the Boat Basin fills up, the parking lot at The River's Edge is adjacent to the Boat Basin and should have some room.
This year's charity donation will go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. ANY AND ALL DONATIONS TO THE CHARITY RAFFLE ARE APPRECIATED AND ENCOURAGED.
We've also had some generous cash sponsors from the Huron community through the Fish Huron Ohio group that have helped offset part of the cost of the dinner and hall rental, and will have volunteers to assist at the dinner / raffle and during the weigh-in. As always there will be a donation jar at the entrance to the charity dinner and your contributions go directly to the charity once all expenses are paid for. There has never been a "charge" to attend the Get Together Dinner. Just a meal donation jar. As you make your donations please keep in mind that our COST to put this dinner on averages about $10 per person.
For anyone arriving in town earlier next week, please try to patronize the businesses listed above and let them know you are in town for the Walleye Central Get Together fishing event.
SEE EVERYONE SOON!