KOTC 2008!

[rockman]

After reading this thread and last years thread, I think I will throw my hat in the ring for this deal.I may be new to KOTC, and in need of some fishing time/experience for cats, but a guy has to start somewhere.If you guys were picking teams, and I was the last pick,that's allright. I don't know what I don't know, so last isn't that big of a deal to me.The season long event idea with the top three fish in each category seems ok to me, but what do I know about it, being a first timer.Thanks,dtro, for taking the command of this endeavor.It would be cool to catch my first flathead ever, and possibly place in the top three.

[hanson]

I've obviously not been leading the Big Cat Safari for the last few years but I went and looked at my catches for the last couple years...

'07 Flats - 32lb, 27lb, 26lb = 85 lbs Total

'06 Flats - 48lb, 22lb, 21lb = 91 lbs Total

'07 Channels - 20lb, 14lb, 13lb = 47 lbs Total

'06 Channels - 21lb, 21lb, 20lb = 62 lbs Total

'05 Channels - 20lb, 20lb, 20lb = 60 lbs Total

I think a very, very, very high score for Flatheads would be 3 fish over 40lbs which would be 120 lbs at the minimum. I don't think in the last 2 years anyone has combined for 3 fish over 40lbs on the Big Cat Safari topic. I know a couple guys got two 40 plus with a solid 30 thrown in so 120-130lbs seams like the "perfect score" for Flatheads.

I had a bad year on the Red River last year but if I get a good year this year, (3) 20 pounders won't be too hard to put on the board. I would say 60 lbs is going to be the "perfect score" for Channels.

For an individual contest, these are the types of weights that are going to be needed to run in the top few places.

Should be interesting.

[harvey lee]

I know I will be fishing 2-3 nights a week to increase my odds. The longer that bait is in the water, the higher the odds fall in ones favor. Even for me.

[bgreen82]

count me back in this year. it will be even nicer if the guys that dont get out as much dont need to worry about holding a team back. plus no teams doesnt mean we still cant get out and fish with others. good stuff. when are we gonna kick it off, im hoping to do some shore fishing early this year.

[DTro]

 Originally Posted By: hanson

I think a very, very, very high score for Flatheads would be 3 fish over 40lbs which would be 120 lbs at the minimum. I don't think in the last 2 years anyone has combined for 3 fish over 40lbs on the Big Cat Safari topic. I know a couple guys got two 40 plus with a solid 30 thrown in so 120-130lbs seams like the "perfect score" for Flatheads.

How about a 52,44, and 38.......134lbs

Also, while yes technically it is about the biggest fish, it's more about breaking into the top 5. That group of five is royalty

[aanderud]

 Originally Posted By: dtro

That group of five is royalty

What are the next 5 (places 6-10)? The queens of the cats? Are there going to be princes and princesses too? I'll be the court jester.

[DTro]

Oh BTW.....hats are in the works! Hope everyone is ok with that. Will try to keep the cost down as much as possible. If money is as issue, we will work something out.

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: dtro

How about a 52,44, and 38.......134lbs

Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!

I knew you were right there around 130 lb.

[hanson]

I bet top 5 is going to take over 115lbs.

[DTro]

Speaking of weight. I still think I'd like to stick with lengthxgirth, just to eliminate any calibration issues, and or dead batteries. A guy could use a string in a pinch if need be.

[Grant]

I like this format- I know guys like myself who can't get out several times a week won't be dragging down a team, and also gives a fair shake to the Red river folk who can't really put in a good showing on flats. also simplifying the upgrade scoring is a great idea. As mentioned as well, the lack of teams does not mean we can't fill seats in each other's boats- I think of all the time I was out last year I was only with a teammate once, not counting the mid-year get together.

it's funny, even after it turned colder I haven't slowed down scoping new spots, either in person or on Google Earth/Maps... I'm already (heck, never stopped) scheming how to work in extra river excursions south and east of the metro, as well as fiddling with improvements to the SS Bathtub....

To add the icing on the cake, I'm using catfishing as a motivation to loose weight. my logic was that the less I weigh, the less water the Bathtub will draw going upstream from Jordan (dtro, I think you know where I mean ). I only realized the significance of this after I said it....

that all being said, the format discussion as it sits takes many of the suggestions that were put out during the season last year and addresses them very effectively.

Lastly, what does everyone thing about doing another mid-year GTG? what about more of them? for what it's worth, I'd be willing to help with and/or spearhead organization of any GTG's we do.

[ec30_06]

My three biggest flats went #45,#45.5,#38

My three biggest channels went 34",33",33" If I can do that again this year I will be plenty happy

[muc33]

Dtro, is the hat going to be the control item then? Anderuud I am with you in the jester catagory... guess it fits, I have a joker tatoo'd on my leg. I will be the guy who just has fun cleaning stink bait off the bottom of my pontoon!!!!! wooohoooooo!

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: muc33

Dtro, is the hat going to be the control item then?

That is the idea. I've been working on a logo which I think is the one we are going to use. I still think a 2008 control item could be implemented for those who don't want to buy a hat. But I think you guys are going to want the hat!

[crazyice]

I am definately gonna want the hat. I thought it was a great idea! And I really don't care about the cost.

[muc33]

Ditto on crazyice's comments! I am in!

[blacksportsman]

I'm in and I'll be looking to acquire a KOTC hat as soon as they're available!

A few posts ago, Grant had mentioned the '07 KOTC GTG and his interest in having more of them. I'd like to see more GTG's as well. How about a KOTC kick off GTG, the midseason GTG, and a grand finale GTG? What do you guys think??

[Grant]

I'd go for the 3... For what it's worth - I'd have to check to be sure but as far as I know my supplier of bonfire wood is still there. I'll verify and post what I find.

[Shack]

I am down with anything you guys come up with after the dust settles. I will put a five spot down on the possibility that we end up with the same rules as last year . I still think last year went very smooth (not knowing of any behind the scenes stuff) and why fix something that is not broke. I still like the turtle bonus idea. Put up a couple of extra point for a kiss on the shell LOL.

Again I am cool with anything you guys come up, as long as it does not involve a major mathematical evaluation or calculation while the a fish is flopping in the boat.

[aanderud]

 Originally Posted By: shackbash

I will put a five spot down on the possibility that we end up with the same rules as last year . I still think last year went very smooth (not knowing of any behind the scenes stuff) and why fix something that is not broke.

I don't think the it's accurate to say that anything was necessarily "broken", just that it was not optimal. There's really a few reasons, and I think some of the suggestions dtro has been talking about implementing can easily address three of the biggest shortcomings that I saw.

a) People all have different schedules and can't always get out the same amount. Randomly mixing people together into teams makes for unfairness because you might end up on a team where everyone fishes either significantly more or less than you, and thus your fishing isn't really being measured, it's being hidden in with that of your team.

People live in different locations, and that makes flathead fishing almost impossible for some. Having separate contests makes it easier to for more people to participate.

c) Some people are very lucky and end up snagging a biggun. But making everyone submit 3 fish really separates the best from the luckiest.

Should be a good year, no matter what. I'm stoked about the hat because I don't like the paper thing, especially if fishing alone. Hard to get multiple pics when fishing alone (a pic with the paper, and another without). And if you only get one, people always ask "what's with that piece of paper" when you show them your picture.

[bgreen82]

will we have an alternate control item then for people who forget the hat when they go out. the paper was nice when you could just always have one in the bottom of the tackle bag at all times.

[Flaco651]

 Quote:

will we have an alternate control item then for people who forget the hat when they go out. the paper was nice when you could just always have one in the bottom of the tackle bag at all times.

I would think it wouldn't be a problem having it on paper if ya didn't have the hat.

[ec30_06]

The paper was nice to stick on the bigger ones too.

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: ec30_06

The paper was nice to stick on the bigger ones too.

But the hat w/logo will be on your head. The hat isn't intended to put on the fish.

[ec30_06]

Do as you wish with your hat and I will do as I wish with mine