AOTY point system

If you want to win AOTY, you need to strategize early, and be willing to adjust the strategy as the year progresses. Many of the winners plan out an entire year's fishing starting in January. You gotta stick with the game plan all year. That may include fishing for kelp greenling during a hot salmon bite, or trying to catch a big perch when the halibut are in. If you really want to compete for 1st place, these are the sacrifices you need to make. You're fishing a 365 day tournament (366 on the leap years  ).

Ahhhhh "the" Plan.  . Several years I lived by the plan, but I alas cannot make the plan work anymore (never did anyway). But I can sure have fun trying anyway.  . That's the motto now a days at least,  just have fun with it. 

After working on my taxes I started playing with the AOTY numbers for the last 10 years. Hopefully sometime soon I’ll be able to put together some sort of spreadsheet.

I broke down crappie since they are getting picked on and then the first fish going down the list, rockfish.

Panfish: 316 entered. 44.2% 150 or less points. 84.9% 177 or less points. Highest score 198.

Rockfish: 561 entered. 52.1% 152 or less points. 88% 176 or less points. Highest score 234.

Rockfish: 561 entered. 52.1% 152 or less points. 88% 176 or less points. Highest score 234.

Bocaccio shouldn't even count, IMO.  They're rare kayak catches and often anomalous in terms of size.

I am not immune from wanting a bigger fish - very far from it!  But...  I really think we need to find ways to not be so enamored with bigger fish.  Same thing with limits.

I think I'll stay on the sidelines of AOTY from now on.  Watching salmon migrate, spawn and die has been way more fulfilling than catching them, and that's saying a lot.

I'm getting old.  Stay off my lawn!

Now if we could just add Pyramid as an honorary NorCal lake, that would almost become a must-fish water as part of the strategy.

Now if we could just add Pyramid as an honorary NorCal lake, that would almost become a must-fish water as part of the strategy.

Haha. This was also discussed among the Committee several years ago. Then people wanted to add Klamath Lake, and some lakes in Central CA. Everyone wanted to add their favorite out-of-bounds lake to AOTY. It snowballed really fast.

What about adding crab! Would be fun to see some trophy jumbos on the list!

What about adding crab! Would be fun to see some trophy jumbos on the list!

If crabs are added, then crayfish need to be added as well. Balance between the salt and fresh.

Can't wait to see an AOTY winner come on top because of a jumbo crawdad  .

 

Ahhhhh "the" Plan.  . Several years I lived by the plan, but I alas cannot make the plan work anymore (never did anyway).

Part 2.

So there was this one time, that I'll never be allowed to forget by FM1, that I joined him and his family at South Lake Tahoe for a free stay in a condo his boss owned.  We had fun in the snow, went to the casinos, partied, etc, etc.  Then I checked the reports and saw that WSB were being caught and though I had caught a few I did so with my full AI and was dying to get one that counted for AOTY.  I made us go home the next day, a day early.   . Never will anyone that was there let that story die, bring it up all the fricken time 

Long story short, not only did I get TWO WSB, but also a PB 40" halibut 

What year was that Al, ur 4th place finisher? Thats awesome, but hope you shares some fillets!

It would also be cool to relax penalties for CnR fish, as keeping mouths closed or getting nice pictures could be tough w a 40+" breeder ling that you don't necessarily want to harvest or some flapping trout gasping for water.

Would be cool to think of a way to get a rough measurement but I understand that it would be tough. Maybe a quick paddle length or fishing pole next to it and then go home and submit a picture with measuring tape next to it for judges to determine?

Its a tough problem for a fish length competition but I agree with Eric that it would be sporting and considerate to these species.

What year was that Al, ur 4th place finisher? Thats awesome, but hope you shares some fillets!

It would also be cool to relax penalties for CnR fish, as keeping mouths closed or getting nice pictures could be tough w a 40+" breeder ling that you don't necessarily want to harvest or some flapping trout gasping for water.

Would be cool to think of a way to get a rough measurement but I understand that it would be tough. Maybe a quick paddle length or fishing pole next to it and then go home and submit a picture with measuring tape next to it for judges to determine?

Its a tough problem for a fish length competition but I agree with Eric that it would be sporting and considerate to these species.

Agree on this for lings. I'm pretty much all C & R, but especially for big fish. I freaking hate doing the live measure with lings. Not fun. Also, I've measured with and without lip grippers in the side of the mouth for lings and it's basically the same size. You keep them under control (a bit) and don't add extra length. I still like the mouth closed rule for aoty species as it makes everyone's measurements consistent. You can add an 1" plus to a large mouth bass with open mouth. Lip grippers for lings, I'd be in on that. And for true toad lings, as PS mentioned, may be a rough paddle measure might be better than killing it for a measurement? In the end their only a 5 PPI fish, so not a huge benefit if slightly off?

Now if we could just add Pyramid as an honorary NorCal lake, that would almost become a must-fish water as part of the strategy.

Haha. This was also discussed among the Committee several years ago. Then people wanted to add Klamath Lake, and some lakes in Central CA. Everyone wanted to add their favorite out-of-bounds lake to AOTY. It snowballed really fast.

can we add SD Bay and La Jolla too?

What about adding crab! Would be fun to see some trophy jumbos on the list!

If crabs are added, then crayfish need to be added as well. Balance between the salt and fresh.

Can't wait to see an AOTY winner come on top because of a jumbo crawdad  .

I know where the giant signals are, and I support this change.

If crabs are added, then crayfish need to be added as well. Balance between the salt and fresh.

Can't wait to see an AOTY winner come on top because of a jumbo crawdad  .

I approve this message .

  

It would also be cool to relax penalties for CnR fish, as keeping mouths closed or getting nice pictures could be tough w a 40+" breeder ling that you don't necessarily want to harvest or some flapping trout gasping for water.

Would be cool to think of a way to get a rough measurement but I understand that it would be tough. Maybe a quick paddle length or fishing pole next to it and then go home and submit a picture with measuring tape next to it for judges to determine?

Its a tough problem for a fish length competition but I agree with Eric that it would be sporting and considerate to these species.
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Agree on this for lings. I'm pretty much all C & R, but especially for big fish. I freaking hate doing the live measure with lings. Not fun. Also, I've measured with and without lip grippers in the side of the mouth for lings and it's basically the same size. You keep them under control (a bit) and don't add extra length. I still like the mouth closed rule for aoty species as it makes everyone's measurements consistent. You can add an 1" plus to a large mouth bass with open mouth. Lip grippers for lings, I'd be in on that. And for true toad lings, as PS mentioned, may be a rough paddle measure might be better than killing it for a measurement? In the end their only a 5 PPI fish, so not a huge benefit if slightly off?
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I lost a keeper striper this year after removing the grippers to measure it. I think grippers should be allowed with a 1" deduction if necessary. And at Pyramid I released all but 1 keeper with very light handling and only cursory measuring. It would be hard to measure and photo a large fish without stressing it. Grippers could aid in efficient fish handling (especially lings) which would be better for conservation of released fish. Keeping the fish in the net while measuring would be another way to securely measure.