Ouch - expensive tourney lesson learned

[katoguy]

Boy, oh boy. I am still licking my wounds...

Was in a tourney on Saturday with my partner (Cedar Lake near Faribault). I went to the meeting Friday nite for rules and to draw boat numbers. Many of the rules weren't covered (some are obvious, but didn't touch on no net rule, no cell phone rule, cannot have more than legal tourney limit in your boat at any time), most of the time was spent on rules covering examining boats for invasive exotic species, how to get all the boats from the access to the resort, where to park as no rigs were allowed to park at the access. Nothing was mentioned on the limit of fish.

After leaving the rules meeting I stopped at my partners house. I gave him the depressing info that we were 33rd out of 50 for ease off. We then talked strategy for a while which naturally brought up the limit question. He was not sure either. We went through all the paperwork that we had. Nothing showed the limit. I then went back to the Faribault Chamber of Commerce web site to see if the rules/application was still posted, but the link was already removed. I noted to myself to ask right away Saturday morning.

While waiting in line Saturday I told the boat ahead of me to remove their net out of their boat. I also told them there was a no cell rule. (I remembered this much from the application.) I asked them what the bass limit was. They said it was 5. I was skeptical, because they didn't know the other rules.

We were tied to a resort dock while waiting for blast off. I was next to 2 other boats that I regularly fish against (from my home area). We asked them the limit also. They confirmed it was a 5 fish limit! Alas, we were being led astray...

We weighed only 5 for 18.4# and lost by 1.9#. (We culled at least 4 fish right around 3 pounds and a half dozen more between 2 and 3 pounds!) First place was 20.3# and second was 19.4#. We did receive a check for $750, but should have got the $2000 prize. (The 5th place team also thought it was a 5-fish limit and only weighed 5 out of many legal-sized fish they caught.)

Moral of the story is don't believe anything that is not in writing. If anything is in question go directly to the tourney director! I am sure the limit was on the original application that we downloaded off the internet initially, but it was not in the confirmation letter or the paperwork we got at the rules meeting.

We also got what felt like a kick to the privates, many teams said our 5.2#er should have taken the big bass pot. Those who saw the 6.95# bass said no way was it that big. That team weighed 6 for 14 something. They were one of the first to weigh in and the thinking is that the scale wasn't tared (bin weight removed).

Lesson learned!

[Mark Christianson]

I had to re-read a couple times because I wasnt sure what you missed.

The tourney was a 6 fish limit, and you thought it was a 5 fish limit. I had to read to clarify what I was missing.

That stinks. Nice bag though.

[katoguy]

Yes, I got so long winded that I wasn't clear. The limit was 6 not 5.

[gspman]

Hey Katoguy,

I have a house on Cedar and am curious to know what tactics you used and what locations you had your success at. I am somewhat inexperienced at bass and while I usually do okay, I'd like to have one of those 10-20 bass days that folks occasionally brag about. If you'd rather not reveal your secrets that's fine too, or email me at clark dot koenen at thomson dot com if you'd like. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

gspman

[EBass]

Oh heck ya I'd be ticked. So you could put the responsibility on yourself for the limit deal. (Which you shouldn't need to as you weren't alone on that)

But the scale!!! That's flat out wrong and cost you $$.

[Flipnripem]

Kato guy, that sucks. On the 7lbr, I`m not saying there is not one in there but i`d have to see it first. Does sound like you had a good day on the lake. Mabey we`ll see you up on wash/stella this weekend. Flip

[katoguy]

Denny and I are headed to Wash/Stella tomorrow (Thurs). Trying to stay away from the crowd this weekend. I heard they are really on a tear.

[katoguy]

GSP - email sent.

[gspman]

Thanks. I received your email. I greatly appreciate it.

gspman