Here is some more info. on Hoosier Coho Pro/Am and more from 4/3 News-Dispatch with contact info at end - For further information, call Jim at (219) 877-7514 or Mike at (219) 221-1340.
Every expert was a beginner. Every champion was a challenger.
Wherever you're at on the Lake Michigan fishing skill level, the Hoosier Coho Club has a contest for you.
Rules for the April 25 HCC Pro/Am are about as simple as they can get. There is a start and ending time, but other than that, teams may fish the same way they do every other day, which is by following DNR regulations.
Both Pro and Amateur divisions weigh their best five salmon and/or trout with the only difference is no lake trout may be weighed on the Am side, as the overwhelming majority of non-charter boats do not intentionally fish lakers.
Entry fees are an affordable $100 in the pro division and $50 in the amateur. Both divisions will pay back 100 percent of entries with first place capped at $1,000 (pro) and $500 (am).
Another feature of the Pro/Am is boats may depart from Portage, Michigan City or New Buffalo, although the weigh-in is at the big tent in Washington Park.
The following Friday, May 1, is the Hartman Memorial, another single-day shoot-out and the final tune-up for the May 2-3 Classic. The Hartman features one-division, weigh best five, low $50 entry and 100 percent pay back.
The Classic, at 41-years, is the longest running tournament of its kind on the Great Lakes. The two-day, nerve-racker awards over $40,000 in cash and merchandise and features three divisons - professional, amateur and 24U (for boats 24-feet in length or less).
Top prize is $10,000 for first place Pro (based on 30-boats in that division). First place amateur gets $3,500 ($1,000 cash and a $2,500 Simrad fish finder) and the top 24U team could win up to $1,250.
Thanks to the generous support of major sponsors Alco Transportation, Bass Pro Shops, LaPorte Co. CVB, MC Port Authority and Simrad, along with numerous other contributors, the HCC Classic will be able to pay out 100 percent of entry fees along with plenty of merchandise prizes. Goody bags, stuffed with more than $75 in merchandise go to every captain.
All three divisions fish under the same rules and time limits so it is a great chance for all experience levels to see how they stack up against the big boys.
The Classic will again be the opening tournament in the 13-part Salmon Showdown TV series which airs on the Pursuit Channel and ABC affiliates in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Complete rules and registration forms for all the Hoosier Coho Club tournaments are at
www.hoosiercohoclub.org. For further information, call (219) 877-7514 or (219) 221-1340.
