Rule changes for Statewide LETS

[Guest]

Here are the results from the vote for rule changes for next year.

Motion 1)
Change starting times on Saturdays will be changed. We voted to start at 10am-2pm (break) then 3pm-7pm. Sunday starting time will remain the same, 7am-11am (break) 12-4pm.

Motion 2)
All on the water verification will be done using published formulas to decide weight. All formulas will be posted prior to the first event. (Passed, new rule!)

Motion 3)
Have 5 events, throw out worst event: (NO, did not pass)

Motion 4)
No payouts at individual events. Payouts only for overall, paying down 10 places. (NO, did not pass)

Motion 5)
The one hour break will ONLY be waived in the case of fishing large lakes (acreage would be up for discussion) or extreme conditions that may be detrimental to the fish, such as high water or air temps. The waive can only be implemented if 2/3 teams vote for it before the event begins.
(YES, this passed)

Motion 6)
ALL fish in live wells MUST be weighed in at breaks. No saving fish until the end.
(NO, this did not pass)

Motion 7)
Short fish penalty. Any fish more than 1/4" under prescribed length will be thrown out including 50% of teams largest fish.
(YES, this passed)

Motion 8)
Buy appropriate weigh equipment prior to publishing payouts.
(YES, this passed)

Motion 9)
Impose 30% weight penalty for any published rule violation.
(YES, this passed)

Motion 10)
Random drawing for a complete bag check at weigh-ins. Every fish in the bag gets measured on the official stick. No one knows until they come to the scales if they are going to be measured or not. This doesn't mean that a measurement on any other fish or bag can not be requested at any time.
(YES, this passed)

Motion 11)
Point standings:
We voted Combination- Points are awarded for each event, overall weight breaks ties.

I will modify the changes into the old formatted rules when we set the dates for next year's events.

[Bob O]

Just a clarification question:
Motion 7 refers to our minimum size requirements. If a team violates a DNR slot, I assume motion 9 applies and there is no 1/4" grace in those cases (since a published rule is compliance with DNR regulations)?

[Paul Waldowski]

Bob,

That is correct.

------------------
Paul
[email protected]

[Groloe]

Another Clarification on rule 7: It's my understanding that there is no 1/4" grace period for keeping the fish. Any fish that measures below our minimums will be thrown back. The quarter inch applies to the penalty. So, if you catch a fish that is 1 inch short, you must release the fish and be penalized. But, if you measure a fish that is 1/8" short, you still must release the fish but will not be penalized. Is that correct?

[Guest]

The rule pertains to people who are not careful on measuring fish. The 1/4" "OR MORE" penalty rule kind of pertains to fish that are snuck into the scale and the team must be penalized instead of "release that fish". If it is obvious that the short (or long slot) fish was snuck through the scale, that's where the penalty takes effect. The way the rule reads and the way I understand it, an 1/8" is just released = no penalty. Fish do shrink in the well (IMO) and we have to give a little lee way to good faith without being harsh.

This should not be considered to be a "grace" period. Everyone SHOULD bring in fish according to the rules.

[This message has been edited by CD (edited 08-29-2003).]