AOTY Points

No changes needed.....just some better measuring practices.
(ie) ~FLAT TAPE MEASURER with fish on top of it.
        from upper-lip to upper tail.(isn't that how DFG determines over&under) the bottom lip is flexable
        outwards, therefore should not be used to determine its size.

The RULES are written very simple and if you can't follow them, then the AOTY is not going to work out, no matter how many changes are made.

How about if there are *subject measurments, the top three leaders need to determine/agree to the size of subject(no measuring device NO POINTS) and then DEDUCT points for having NOT followed the rules....like a service fee.  bet you everyone will be measuring and picturing correctly then.

MHO, Adam

       

Here are a few examples.  You can see the huge advantage of a hawg trough or similar item...

Excellent



Not so bad



Not so good



Yikes





and there are many more including some of mine.

Sorry for jumping in kind of late on the topic but...

I've read the opinions given and I, personally, like the way things are now. It shouldn't matter what the points are or the species needed for the AOTY. We all have to play by the same rules. There are a ton of great anglers here and we all catch our share of BIG fish throughout the year. As for using a measuring device, I'm all for it. I'm not going to bag on anybody for using a tape but the Hawg Trough that I use is easy and pretty cut and dry. The only bad thing about it, as EK pointed out, it doesn't store well on the yak and there are some fish that I can't measure on it because it only goes to 30".  But, hey... it's what I use so, I keep it with me. As far as the competitive nature of the contest... it's all good. We all pretty much fish for fun anyways. A little friendly competition between friends keeps things interesting throughout the year. I don't fish for pay, I fish for play. It's fun to be able to catch something for the board, watch yourself progress up in points, maybe knock a buddy down a place but, that's all it really is. It's really not all about the PTS. If you want to take it to the next level and be ultra-competitive about it... Ante up, put in the time that it takes to catch a nice fish for each category, collect your prize and awesome plaque and you will be declared the AOTY Champion. I guarantee that you won't have as much fun fishing the AOTY with that mindset but hey, to each his/her own. IMO the plaque is worth more than the cash anyways. (Sean, my son loved it so much last year that I gave it to him to hang in his room at his mother's house. I'd love to have it on my wall, but, I love my son too much to deny him. Plus, he wanted something over there to remind him of me... How could I say no???) With that said, I'd be all for fishing for a charity. There are a lot of great charities out there but, I think that since this is a fishing board, we should select a group that has something in common with us. Hell, we all donated more than the entry fee to the sea this year in jigs and lures alone. Some of you unlucky suckers may have lost even more if you put on a yard sale on the beach. But, it's all good... right? Wholly smokes... I'm so sorry for rambling like this... Bottom line... whatever the rules are... I'm going to fish. Because of this contest, I've fished for species that I haven't fished for in years... it's made me buy a bunch of crap but, it's been a fun ride. I would like the ride to continue...

Freddie

Oh yeah.... the plaques... definitely they are da bomb!  I hung mine in my office at work next to the fish print that I made at Elk last year. 

Gets a lot of comments... everybody reads it and says "hmm... angler of the year... cool". 

If I'm feeling honest I point out the tag line at the bottom that says "third place".   

Agreed Freddie.  Any ideas on where we are going to do the awards anyways?  Too bas Fred Hall is gone, that worked out great. 

Nice read Freddie,

 I'll be honest,  i was a little put off by the measurement thing when it came up.

 I did not stress the measurements too much because my first and only thought was this was for fun.

 I got out of competitive bassfishing a long time ago because of the Circus it was becoming

 and the Clowns it attracted.

 Just figure a way to come close and leave this fun without having to carry a Fish & Game scale,

I carry too much stuff already  


 Maybe if it became close between 2 competitors they could have a fish off, like Survivor....

 put some fishing spots and target species in a hat and Draw


 And then have to build a fire without Matches..... ......... Danglin

Given our track record for AOTY events, what place do we want to put out of business? 

 

for me, fishing is a way of getting away from the stress and competition of daily life. i will probably never compete for AOTY. to put competition into fishing would be like putting vinegar in my wine. when i am on the water my only competition is with the sea itself. but i sure do enjoy watching you guys go at it.

Given our track record for AOTY events, what place do we want to put out of business? 

how about a park that has tables/bbq and a centralized locale and we can do it "NCKA STYLE"

I'd hate to Hex them but What about Here. http://www.sportsexpos.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewlocation&locationnumber=4

Given our track record for AOTY events, what place do we want to put out of business? 

Perhaps another Lake Del Valle camp out at Hetch Hetchy  If the weather will let us......

Given our track record for AOTY events, what place do we want to put out of business? 

Monterey Bay Aquarium has a cafe 

 

Given our track record for AOTY events, what place do we want to put out of business? 

how about a park that has tables/bbq and a centralized locale and we can do it "NCKA STYLE"

Scenic Lake Chabot has lots of room,tables and a lake to go fish in the a.m. and celebrate at lunch....they put those Mt.Lassen Freak-trout in there in winter.   just givin ideas