The Inflatable Navy SARL Homecoming Event and Tournament!…LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!

[sapdawg11]

Hi Guys,

Words cannot express how truly excited I am to officially announce THE INFLATABLE NAVY FLOAT TUBE HOMECOMING EVENT AND TOURNAMENT, March 19, 2011 at SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES! This will SURELY be an amazing event that both float tubers and non-float tubers alike will remember for a LOOOOOONG TIME! We have an amazing list of sponsors, cash and prizes, the NEW Official Inflatable Navy t-shirts, catered food, Team 57 toy drive and FREE Team 57 t-shirt giveaway, intro to float tubing seminar, LIGHTNING TROUT (!!!), free raffle for a slew of prizes including an OUTCAST PROWLER and a FISH CAT 4 DELUXE, and too much more to list here!!! This is going to be AWESOME.

So without any further adieux, HERE’S THE FLIER!!! Within the flier you will find the basic information that you need to know to get out there, catch a ton of fish and win some stuff in the process at the inaugural Inflatable Navy event. Full details regarding the event including prizes, schedule and rules are up on the fishinglakes.com website and can also be found by clicking HERE (http://www.fishinglakes.com/InflatableNavy.htm). Any new details will also be posted on the fishinglakes.com website and sent out via the “BIG NEWS” email list so log on, sign up and keep tuned in! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!

http://www.fishinglakes.com/Web-Inflatable-Navy-Homecoming-event-flier.jpg

[the killa fish taco]

I'll be there for sure. Are you gonna have a sign up area?

[sapdawg11]

I'll be there for sure. Are you gonna have a sign up area?

Awesome! Gonna be great to see the bite-on crew out there killin' 'em!

Registration for the jackpot tournament will be on-site at the tournament headquarters by the bait shop. Full details on how all of that will go down can be found in the links above.

[the killa fish taco]

Awesome! Gonna be great to see the bite-on crew out there killin' 'em!

Registration for the jackpot tournament will be on-site at the tournament headquarters by the bait shop. Full details on how all of that will go down can be found in the links above.

is it gonna be OK do do what we spoke about on the phone regarding the raffle?

just want to make sure we are prepared after the fred hall show.

[sapdawg11]

Give me a ring and we'll set it up! Really looking forward to seeing you guys slaying it!

[NachoFish]

So I was standing around at the Fred Hall show today, more than ready to go home after 5 days on my feet, when a very familiar face came walking down the aisle.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm113/busybeeofficehelper/2011-03-13_17-44-29_259.jpg

That's right.......Mr. L.A. Laker - BRIAN SHAW!! I closed my dropped jaw long enough to reach behind me and grab a Team 57 shirt, explain to him a little about the SARL event next weekend and asked if he would please sign a shirt to be raffled off at The Inflatable Navy event. Mr. Shaw was very gracious to sign the shirt and wish us luck with the event. So......This coming up Saturday, Team 57 will be donating an autographed Team 57 shirt to be raffled off.

DONATION UPDATE - After speaking with Eva, my Red Cross contact, she asked if we can please change the "toy drive" to a food /toy drive since they are in desperate need of food. The same request applies as our Eli event this last December. For every 5 items of food or 1 new stuffed toy, Team 57 will donate a Team 57 T-shirt (ONE SHIRT PER PERSON)

See you all this Saturday!!

[sapdawg11]

So I was standing around at the Fred Hall show today, more than ready to go home after 5 days on my feet, when a very familiar face came walking down the aisle.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm113/busybeeofficehelper/2011-03-13_17-44-29_259.jpg

That's right.......Mr. L.A. Laker - BRIAN SHAW!! I closed my dropped jaw long enough to reach behind me and grab a Team 57 shirt, explain to him a little about the SARL event next weekend and asked if he would please sign a shirt to be raffled off at The Inflatable Navy event. Mr. Shaw was very gracious to sign the shirt and wish us luck with the event. So......This coming up Saturday, Team 57 will be donating an autographed Team 57 shirt to be raffled off.

DONATION UPDATE - After speaking with Eva, my Red Cross contact, she asked if we can please change the "toy drive" to a food /toy drive since they are in desperate need of food. The same request applies as our Eli event this last December. For every 5 items of food or 1 new stuffed toy, Team 57 will donate a Team 57 T-shirt (ONE SHIRT PER PERSON)

See you all this Saturday!!

DONNA IS A BALLER!!!

That is too cool Donna. Someone is going to be so stoked on that!! I'm not even a Lakers/basketball fan and I wish that I was eligible to win it!!!!!

Bring in those canned goods guys and gals! The extent of the tragedy in Japan is beyond comprehension and the Red Cross will be at the forefront of the efforts to minimize live's lost, provide aid to families in need, and begin to rebuild the region after the dust has settled. 5 cans of food for a free t-shirt is a crazy good deal (yet another thanks to DONNA!) and you get to feel good about it at the same time. Awesome stuff that Donna has put together 100% on her own for the benefit of the red cross, families in need, and you!

[Troutslayer620]

Nice! TROUTSLAYER620 will be there with food to donate and ready to slay those Lightning trout!!!!

[sapdawg11]

***EVENT UPDATE***

I was recently sent the images from the t-shirt manufacturer for the Inflatable Navy t-shirts that we are giving away with the Optional Jackpot entry and I have to say that they look FRIGGIN' AWESOME!!! I'm going to post pics of them as soon as I have them in possession but I can tell you right now, the "proof image" looks insane!

Also, just as yet another reminder as I just got off of the phone with Donna...This canned food drive stuff is really important. The Red Cross really stressed how much help they need with this kind of stuff especially in light of the tsunami in Japan. Those people are facing damage from an insanely large earthquake, a tsunami, and are under threat of exposure to nuclear radiation. It's just unreal and I couldn't imagine being in that position. Team 57 has always done an amazing job with charity stuff and it would be really great if we could do everything we can to support them. So dig in the cupboards, visit the local grocer, and ask your mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/etc. to do the same. The stuff you bring really can and does make a difference. A HUGE thanks to Team 57 for donating all of the t-shirts to benefit a great cause. Remember guys and gals: 5 cans equals a free t-shirt...and an opportunity to make a real difference!!

[sapdawg11]

***PRIZE UPDATE!!!***

So I just got everything from event sponsor Big Fish Tackle and to quote the stocking videos..."Holy Heck, HOLY HECK!"

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/IMG_0166.jpg

AND THAT'S JUST FROM ONE SPONSOR!!! Just an insane pile of goodies that includes a bunch of different rods, duffle bags, fishing bags, surf fishing videos, etc. etc. etc.. Too cool. A huge thanks to the guys at Big Fish Tackle for coming through in a Big way!!!

More prize pictures to come this evening. And in the meanwhile we received an added bonus today....A NEW SPONSOR FOR THE EVENT WAS JUST ADDED!...Hot Rods Custom Fishing Rods!!!! These guys heard about the event, sat down at the wrapper and immediately went to work without us knowing! Then they contacted one of our partners and go, "Do you want us to put 'Inflatable Navy' somewhere on a custom rod we are giving you guys for the event?" YES!!!!! Just awesome to see people so willing to support this stuff and excited to do so. A big thanks to Hot Rods and WELCOME ABOARD!

So keep checking in and I'll upload a few more pictures tonight....





















Oh what the heck, ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD!!! THANK YOU HOT SPOT FINS!!! BEST FINS IN THE BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/photo.jpg

[sapdawg11]

The rods are in transport but I was able to obtain some cell phone pics to show you guys. I personally own (and paid full price for) these exact same models of Phenix rods and I really REALLY love them. Really exciting to have top quality gear to give to you guys! Enjoy!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/downsized950315011740.jpg

And Mark Kaihara from Hot Rods nailed it! I can't wait to see the full rod shots of this one. Stoked to have a custom "Inflatable Navy Event" rod!!!! It'll be a tough one to give away!
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/downsized950315011859.jpg

[sapdawg11]

***ROD DETAILS!!!! WOOO WOOO!!!***

Alright guys, I got my hands on some great pics of the rods that we are giving away. Besides showing how shaweeet these rigs are, the pics will also give you the specs on these things. Again, a HUGE thanks to our sponsors for making this happen. And I want to be sure to also give a HUGE thanks to Doug Beard for the insane amount of running around he's been doing for the event. For those that don't know Doug, YOU WILL! He'll be the guy out there on the red Fish Cat 4 deluxe hootin' and hollerin', puttin' the wood to every fish in his vicinity. Doug, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! We are incredibly lucky to have your help with all of this. Couldn't have done any of it without ya!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/DSCF1370Large.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/DSCF1368Large.jpg

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***AND ANOTHER SPONSOR UPDATE!!!***

Fishing Legends, the guys who make those killer hook removers you see many of us using, have donated a bunch of their hook removers, t-shirts and stickers to the event!! These hook removers are killer and are one of the "secrets of the trade" that many of us have kept tucked away for a long time. If you've never seen these things, they are made of smooth delrin and have a really small diameter so that they fit really easily into a fish's mouth. You simply slide it down your line, give it a *pop*, and out comes the hook! Fast and super easy. They also include a clip so that you can clip it to your pocket, waders, etc.. I don't know of many guys that I see out there all of the time that do not have one of these in their arsenal. Here's their website...http://www.fishinglegend.net/...where you'll find a video of how the product works. Really cool stuff! A BIG thanks to Kerry at Fishing Legends!!!! The guy is a Legend in his own right!!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/DSCN0252.jpg

T-shirt examples...
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/DSCN0336.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/DSCN0335.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/Fishing-Legendartwork1.jpg

Thanks again guys and keep an eye out for MORE prize pics, TROPHY PICS (yup, we got trophies!!!!), and a WEATHER UPDATE!!!! Things are looking great for Santa Ana this weekend!!! Can you tell I'm excited??? I think the print is wore off of the 1/! key on my keyboard. Oh well, I know where it is...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sapdawg11]

Doesn't the little prize pile below look delicious???? If the Outcast Prowler turns up missing, I blame Kirkboat. The kicker with this is that this is NOT your standard Prowler!! This is the first one that I've seen in this "format". But that's a surprise that will have to wait for the event...Turns out my little yellow super fat cat may not be the only uniquely colored inflatable vessel on the water :Wink: Oh, and there is a beautiful Fish Cat 4 deluxe, a great set of breathable waders and rugged wader boots sitting there in the picture too...minor details! Bass Pro Shops supplied the waders and boots so a BIG thanks to those guys. Santa Ana River Lakes supplied the float tubes so an ENORMOUS thanks to them. The people that end up with these things are going to be stoked!!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/photo4.jpg

"More" you ask?






OK!!!!





Maybe you're not a tuber...maybe you're more like these guys...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUjx4_X1qA

Well, the lake's STILL got ya covered!
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/photo1.jpg

That's $600 worth of boat rentals that the lakes are giving away in the free raffle that comes with your standard gate entry! In fact, EVERYTHING in this particular post is being given away in the FREE RAFFLE!

***FOR THOSE WONDERING HOW THE RAFFLE WILL WORK***

I've had a lot of questions about the raffle and thought I'd do my best to: a) let you know that entry into the raffle really is included in your standard gate pass (no extra fee)!!! b) let you know exactly how that will work.

When you show up at the lake you receive a gate sticker that shows that you have paid to get in. On each and every sticker there is a unique serial number. That serial number is indeed your raffle ticket number!!! SEE, EASY AS PIE! Show up that day, pay your entry, *BAM* you're in the raffle!!!


Feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to get to 'em!!

[sapdawg11]

AND THEY JUST KEEP COMING!!!

These just came in the mail from the amazing crew over there at Davey's Locker.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/sapdawg11/2011-03-16_19-52-44_76.jpg

I couldn't even begin to count the number of amazing days I've had on the Freelance. Tossing iron at boiling yellowtail at the island. Sliding up on big barracuda boils. I even remember one time, we were moving on a steady clip on our way out to the 'shoe...middle of summer and a really warm one to boot. Engines shut down, Captain gets on the horn..."BAIT BAIT BAIT, CHUM LINE!" Huh? A few seconds later everyone has a bait in the water and the captain gets back on the horn, "Guys, call me crazy but I'm almost positive I just saw 2 dorado go under the boat!" He finishes that sentence and 2 guys (that were not me) go BENDO!!! Both fish landed, Captain was elated...said it was the first time he'd EVER seen that happen in that area. Since then DoDos have been caught in that neck of the woods but to be there for a first really is something I'll never forget. Really cool stuff!!! A BIG THANKS TO DAVEY'S LOCKER FOR COMING ON BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe we can talk them into letting us bring our tubes out to the island! Ok, I doubt that but seriously, could you imagine having a WSB to you through the kelp on a float tube?! Yeehaw!!!