IFA Weigh In Report

[Bud Kennedy]

Just back from the weigh in for the IFA Redfish Tournament at Georgetown, SC.  They had 83 boats participate in the event with teams from all over the South East.  One big difference I noticed that their rigs for the most part were very simple and utilitarian.  While there were a few of the more elaborate boats there like Ranger Intercoastal but for the most part just simple 18' deals with 120-150 hp motors.  There were a lot of Suzuki and Honda motors present which isn't something we see on the bass side of the deal.

The weigh in allowed for two fish only and within the South Carolina limit of 23"  Most all boats weighed in a limit with very few with only 1 fish.  The bait of choice here appears to be a Berkeley Gulp in a blue color.  The water in the Sampit river was quite stained and a bit muddy from some of the rain over the past few days.  Conditions today were a bit overcast with temps in the mid to upper 80s



IFA has a pretty good weigh in set up but was a bit boring since there was not a constant line of fishermen coming to the scales.    Although IFA has a lot of national sponsors none were there to promote their products.  I noticed when the Anglers weighed in they did not have much to say and it wasn't a constant banter that sounded like a commercial.  I thought is was an OK event but really not very exciting and the contestants did not seem to want any interaction with the people attending as fans.  Guess it is kind o a closed loop club deal.  I will attach some photos to this post.

[Lipripper]

Thanks for the report Bud and it don't sound like they get as excited as the Bass guys do.

[Pole_benda]

Bud I fished IFA events and plan on fishing them again in the future. The weigh-ins are unique, you are right with your assessment. The easiest way I can describe it is that, we keep it about the fishing. Get out there fish, come back weigh-in, and wait for check (if you get one). The tournament directors really dont interview anglers until the announcement of the final placings. I wish it would be more of a show so that anglers could promote sponsors etc. Angler interactions though, is very difficult. Unless you know the angler or approach them first they stick to themselves and concentrate more about getting the fish weighed and boat loaded on the trailer.