IU Bass Fishing club needs some help!

To all IU Bass Fishing Club boat drivers and friends,

I am writing to you in need of some assistance/advice for the club. The IU Bass Fishing Club has been selected to fish the nation’s most prestigious collegiate fishing event, the National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship (NCBFC). It takes place from September 18th-20th, 2008 on Lake Lewisville right outside Dallas, Texas. Many of you probably have seen last year’s championship on Fox College Sports and they are televising it again this year. We are sending 1 two man team to compete against 100 college teams from across the country for over $40,000 in prize money, with a $14,000 check plus endorsements and a free spot in a Bassmaster Open series event going to the winning team.

What I am writing about is our need of a boat for the tournament. It needs to be a minimum of 17’ in length, have a rear deck, wheel steering, and an aerated livewell capable of holding a limit of 5 bass. My partner has no boat and my boat is only 14’ and thus not an eligible watercraft for the tournament. I know this request for a boat is a big deal so we are asking our boat drivers and owners for advice. I know that most people will not be comfortable in giving us a boat for an entire week to use in Texas. But I came up with some ideas that may work and want some feedback. Since the event will be nationally televised I am considering going to all of local Indianapolis boat centers (Teds, Dennys, National Boat Mart, etc) and asking them to use one of their boats for the week. They have tons of boats for sale just sitting in their lots not being used. If we can get one of these companies to lend us a boat for a week we can put their logo on the sides of our boat for the television cameras to see during the event. It would be great national publicity for them as our sponsor and we get a boat to use for the week in return. I have also called my insurance company and they are willing to fully insure any boat if needed. What do you all think and do you have any suggestions or comments about this possible idea???

Also, I know that some of our drivers have boats for sale and boats that are simply not being used that may be good boats to let us use for this tournament. Bottom line, if any driver is willing to let us use their boat for the week or knows how to get us a boat please contact me; especially if you know any boat reps or have any friends in Texas with boats. I know this is a huge request. But as stated above I can get the boat insured for the week if necessary. The IU Bass Fishing Club is definitely in need of a boat for the tournament and we are just trying to reach out for answers or advice on the matter. Our boat drivers and friends of the club have been around this business a long time and hopefully can give us some helpful guidance.

Please contact me if you have any information or advice

Ryan Queen
Vice President
IU Bass Fishing Club
[email protected]
(317)374-0653

Just go buy a good used one, make payments for a couple months, then turn around and sell it...you might even make a profit if you do it right..maybe one of the dealers you mentioned could help you out on the purchase price.

Or, just get in good with your local dealer. Actually GO to the dealer, talk to them in person and tell them all about what you're doing. A simple email to the dealer will not work. I can't think of a single college bass club that hasn't been able to get help from their local dealer. I even know one guy who signed up at the dealership to be an employee to gain access to a boat. If there's a will, there's a way.