Interest - Gamefish Tourney for '04?

[Aquaman01]

Here's an idea that would be fun - lots of fun for next season ('04).

A tourney for the not-so-pretty species? All day, boat & shore, any fish can be weighed if taken by angling, points awarded for species variety, and any other stuff we can think up.

Rough fish are excluded - no LM Bass, SM Bass, Walleye, Pike, Muskie, crappie, sunfish, perch or catfish allowed.

Whadda ya'll think?

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Aquaman
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Peace and Fishes

[This message has been edited by Aquaman01 (edited 07-23-2003).]

[CornPirateKiller]

Now THAT sounds like fun. Cut out all those that are too picky and let the REAL fisherman do their thing. Name the time and place and I'll be there!!

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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

[Aquaman01]

River site for sure.
If it was a series, we could call it

Metro RATS - Rough (or Real) Anglers Tournament Series

thoughts -
-A series, based at various river launches in the Metro area.
-Open to shore or boats - the shore folks could fish the area around the launch or hike a bit and be back with their buckets for weigh-ins.
-Since we're not pursuing Sacred Gamefish, a stringer or basket would be okay in lieu of a livewell, or for shore folks they could weigh as they go. The individual who wants to baby-sit the board and fish the launch could have their fee waived for the day
-Have a point bonus above & beyond pounds for rare catches, like gar & bowfin. (no turtles) 'cause face it, the winner is gonna be the one with the most carp.
-A series would allow us to hit different seasonal patterns, like the bowfin spawn & sucker run, and avoid others like the carp spawn.

The fee would be small, maybe $10.00 per event, with 60% going to the purse, and the other 40% for a grill-out at the launch afterwards. That way no one would have to lock into a yearly big dollar commitment, and it wouldn't exclude non-boat owners from the fellowship and fun.

CPR when possible is of course encouraged, but keeping is okay too (can't have too much cut sucker in the freezer). But if ya kill it - ya gotta deal with it. No bank-stinkers.

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Aquaman
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Peace and Fishes

[Bobb-o]

I am definitely in and could prob get a couple dozen others to hop in. Just let me know the time and the place

[Lunker]

Sounds good to me. What body of water are you thinking, Mississippi? Also, the boat or shore choice might kind of be complicated, but I'd do it.

[Aquaman01]

Throw in the ideas....

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Aquaman
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Peace and Fishes

[Duffman]

A river would be the best bet for multi-species of that high caliber.

[Crawlerman]

'no catfish' eh? Whats funny is that 10 years ago, catfish WOULD have been in the 'rough fish' catagory. Now it's the US' fastest growing sportfish. Who knows.. maybe someday carp and sheeps and the likes will get simmilar treatment...

I'd be up for it; espically if it could be aranged as a 'pay per event' type of thing; where one was not dedicated to come to all of them; more like a series of mini-tournaments (in which the more you participate in, the better your chances are for the big stuff) It's hard for a lot of people to just fork over 200-300$ all at one time; which is why I won't do the LETS. Just a thought....

[riverbasher]

Would bowfishing for carp count? I can selectively take only the big ones or smaller ones, although they might be hard to sight fish for them in most places. I have a couple "secret" spots I bowfish near Becker that we've got some 20+ pounders out of........

The 'Basher

[Aquaman01]

Sorry Jeremy - No bows.
It's gonna happen in the form of the Metro Rough Anglers Tournament Series (RATS) -
See the Tourneys & Events forum soon for details.

Rob

[Toad]

Can't believe you haven't had something to say about the practice of carp spearing yet, Steve? A wee bit frowned upon in the UK I imagine.

Really like the idea of a "real" sportfish event. Be fun to pattern it sort of along the lines of European match fishing competitions-- long tubular keepsacks for all sorts of different critters-- carp, drum, bullheads, carpsuckers, goldeye, etc. At the end of the "match" you'd simply tally up total weight. Be fun to hear perspective on these types events from Steve.

I like the concept, Aquaman-- RATS, cool!

-a friend,
Cory Schmidt