Update to the Estero Kayak Challenge tournament

I am reaching out to you guys to let you know about a change that I have made in this years tournament. We are changing the format to CPR (catch, picture, and release) from actual weight to length.

I am doing this for a couple of reasons:

1. It allows for catch and release should people want to, which also promotes conservation of our fisheries which I want to promote.

2. It eliminates the need for additional cleaning and garbage service that we would be responsible for at the campground.

3. In light of the recent cheating scandal in the national kayak bass series, this helps us fall under some existing national guidelines for kayak tournaments. This protects our anglers and our tournament.

I realize that taking a picture of a flopping fish can be challenging and for folks planning to keep their fish, they are by all means allowed to bring their catch back to shore to take photos there. If you want to release your catch you will need to take your photos on the water.

The second part of this is that the only approved measuring device will be the Hawg Trough. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Thanks,

Eric


Here are the updated rules regarding this change:


Tournament Payouts:

Competitive Divisions:
All paid competitors are automatically entered into all 4 divisions. These divisions are cash payout divisions and payouts will be determined by the number of competitors entered.

All divisions are based on length -

Division #1 - Longest single Rockfish
Division #2 - Longest single Cabezon
Division #3 - Longest single Lingcod
Division #4 - Tournament "The Slam" Champion: 

Based on a combined length of all 3 species (rockfish, cabezon, lingcod). Anglers must have all 3 species to qualify for this division. If no single angler catches all 3 species, then it will fall to the combined length of 2 of the approved "slam" species.

Special Category: Single Longest "non" Slam species

Halibut, White Seabass, Salmon, Greenling, Flounder, Perch, etc. If the CA DFW says they are in season then they are fair game.

Excluded species include sharks, rays, and skates.

Payouts/Winning:

All 4 divisions are cash awards:

Divisions 1 - 3 will award payouts to
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

1st place  - 50% of pot
2nd place - 30% of pot
3rd place  - 20% of pot

Division 4 "Tournament Champ" - Highest combined length of all 3 species
1st place - 100% - winner take all!

Special Category: Winner receives a gift certificate - TBD

Competition Weigh-in:
Scoring for this tournament is based on catch, picture, and release (CPR). The Hawg Trough is the only approved measuring device and the tournament marker must be visible in the photo. If anglers intend to keep their catch then they are allowed to take their pictures on shore before the weigh-in.

Anglers will log their lengths onto the tournament score card and submit this card to the weigh-in officials. Only competitors placing in the top spots will be required to show photo proof of their catch.

ALL anglers are responsible for having the correct equipment for viewing of their photos. Approved devices for viewing are SD card, Micro SD card, or proper cables to connect to the judges laptop.

ALL competitors must be in line at the weigh-in tent by the designated time.
- ONLY the Tournament Director and designated staff will be involved in the judging process.
- Anglers not in line by the cut-off time will not be allowed to weigh-in and will be disqualified.

I'm in. Anyone else headed down for this event?

I'm really interested in going just don't know if my wife will let me and there's no way I could make the meeting on Friday

Well it's suppose to be 106 in the Valley! Looks like the high of 80 down there. Easy call.