AOTY 2023 Participant list

List of 2023 AOTY Participants
I will automatically renew everybody who competed in 2022.
If you are new, go create an account on the AOTY website then post your username here in this post.
If you have an old/expired account, post your username here and I’ll activate your old account.

EDIT: I have activated 101 competitor accounts. Your name should show up here http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board

If you were previously in the youth division and are now needing to be moved to the regular division let me know.

willfo

Tpowell707

With the gaining popularity of trolling motors on kayaks, would it be possible to add a trolling motor category instead of a complete ban on motors? 

Just a thought.  I was going to sign up until I saw “no motors” in the rules.

Interesting idea... Wonder what sort of participation that might draw?  Might be willing to compete on a Wind vs Motor competition as well? 

Interesting idea... Wonder what sort of participation that might draw?  Might be willing to compete on a Wind vs Motor competition as well? 

Maybe we should have a "senior" class which can use trolling motor on kayak?

With the gaining popularity of trolling motors on kayaks, would it be possible to add a trolling motor category instead of a complete ban on motors? 

Just a thought.  I was going to sign up until I saw “no motors” in the rules.

It has been discussed before and one of the main issues is where do you draw the line?

 If I can put a trolling motor on a kayak or bixbie or torqueedo is there a power cut off? And if I can have a 160 lb thrust trolling motor why can’t I just put a gas motor on it? And if I put a gas motor on my 16 foot AI why can’t I just use my 16ft aluminum? Or my solo skiff?

I am open to the discussion, but it usually leads to more questions than answers. And then you get into “well what is a kayak?” Is a Hobie PA 14 with 360 drive really a kayak? Is a x brand superbasser 5000 really a kayak?

The easiest line to draw has been human power. I know the sport has evolved and motors are popular, but I would be hesitant to go all in on motors and have non motorized anglers feel like they are at a disadvantage.

So I guess currently (for 2023) no motors rule will stand, but we can discuss it for a future option.

With the gaining popularity of trolling motors on kayaks, would it be possible to add a trolling motor category instead of a complete ban on motors? 

Just a thought.  I was going to sign up until I saw “no motors” in the rules.

It has been discussed before and one of the main issues is where do you draw the line?

 If I can put a trolling motor on a kayak or bixbie or torqueedo is there a power cut off? And if I can have a 160 lb thrust trolling motor why can’t I just put a gas motor on it? And if I put a gas motor on my 16 foot AI why can’t I just use my 16ft aluminum? Or my solo skiff?

I am open to the discussion, but it usually leads to more questions than answers. And then you get into “well what is a kayak?” Is a Hobie PA 14 with 360 drive really a kayak? Is a x brand superbasser 5000 really a kayak?

The easiest line to draw has been human power. I know the sport has evolved and motors are popular, but I would be hesitant to go all in on motors and have non motorized anglers feel like they are at a disadvantage.

So I guess currently (for 2023) no motors rule will stand, but we can discuss it for a future option.

Thanks for the explanation.  I totally understand.  Good luck to everyone this year. 

 Is a Hobie PA 14 with 360 drive really a kayak?
[/quote]

lol, yah, just  a really fat and slow kayak (with emphasis and Fat and Slow)

Signed,
PA14-360 driver

Is a Hobie PA 14 with 360 drive really a kayak?

lol, yah, just  a really fat and slow kayak (with emphasis and Fat and Slow)

Signed,
PA14-360 driver
[/quote]

 

But at least you can carry a lot of stuff!

“where do you draw the line?”

For me it is as you mentioned, John - Human Powered. I am also a fan of the original Simply Fishing format where all participants used paddle propulsion only.

“where do you draw the line?”

For me it is as you mentioned, John - Human Powered. I am also a fan of the original Simply Fishing format where all participants used paddle propulsion only.

I think the other portions of the simply fishing rules are also equally as good: Same three Lures, No electronics. It's quite a sporting event at that point, unless your the local guy 

If I had the skills and resources to do it, it's been a fantasy of mine to bring up a fish tracking website that everyone could use to track all their all time best fish for ever.  A place where all over the world you could submit fish pics for every species and share the stoke of catching.  Sort of like looking back through the years of AOTY winners best fish.

IMHO,  kayaks are mainly made by plastic,  Poly, or Fiberglass which have scupper holes for draining water.  And trolling motor has a slight advantage over human power, also young guys have an advantage over "seniors" too 

IMHO,  kayaks are mainly made by plastic,  Poly, or Fiberglass which have scupper holes for draining water.  And trolling motor has a slight advantage over human power, also young guys have an advantage over "seniors" too 

I agree that “plastic boat” pretty much sums it up.

Why not 2 divisions, with the first being “human powered” and the second being “open”? Then open could allow sails, motors, or whatever, as long as it’s attached to a plastic boat. If things got too crazy, the open division could always be further restricted. And, open division could just be for bragging rights, if you’re worried about prizes and such.

In the past, the “sail” division has been kinda dead, and as I recall that was setup because sails were thought to give too much of an advantage.

Anyways, if the goal is to get more people involved, why not more opportunities for us old farts? Personally, I’d like to see more of what people are catching, from their “kayaks”, even if they are stretching the limits of what might reasonably be called a kayak.

IMHO,  kayaks are mainly made by plastic,  Poly, or Fiberglass which have scupper holes for draining water.  And trolling motor has a slight advantage over human power, also young guys have an advantage over "seniors" too 

I agree that “plastic boat” pretty much sums it up.

Why not 2 divisions, with the first being “human powered” and the second being “open”? Then open could allow sails, motors, or whatever, as long as it’s attached to a plastic boat. If things got too crazy, the open division could always be further restricted. And, open division could just be for bragging rights, if you’re worried about prizes and such.

In the past, the “sail” division has been kinda dead, and as I recall that was setup because sails were thought to give too much of an advantage.

Anyways, if the goal is to get more people involved, why not more opportunities for us old farts? Personally, I’d like to see more of what people are catching, from their “kayaks”, even if they are stretching the limits of what might reasonably be called a kayak.

I love your idea.  The "open" division would be for bragging right only as I recalled this was back in the NCKA old days.