Kayak Fishing Records Website? Chime in folks!

Hello everyone! I have an idea. There seems to be a lively discussion all over the kayak boards about what should be allowed for a kayak fishing records; what type of crafts are allowed, should there be mothershipped fish allowed, assistance to anglers at any point, etc.

How about we form a website that will be a non-profit site, dedicated solely to keeping track of records? We could run it by committee, getting a broad swath of people to give input as to what should be allowed, and how to verify weights and catches and all of that. That way, it would have some legitimacy, and everyone's opinions could be heard.The point for records is to get a universally accepted mark, so we would seek to get as much input as possible from everyone who wanted a say so.

I already reserved a domain name, kayakfishing records.org. A popular yakfishing website has already reserved kayakfishingrecords.com, and if they want to do it, and I just shelve the domain name I mentioned, that's great, but I think someone should get it together, and have it run by committee.

If I were to get the site going, I wouldn't mind paying for a simple site, at least to get it going. It wouldn't cost that much to do it and I am good in photoshop, and I have a webguy who can set a simple site up for a super reasonable price. Shoot, even the graphics for the site and the way it's set up could be put to a vote. No one's personal or commercial agenda would be allowed to infect the records, or even the site- at least that would be the ideal goal. It wouldn't feature my stuff, or anyone's personal stuff, unless it had to do with records-it would be an independent site.

Maybe no ads and no links, too. If I were to do it, I would not have a bulletin board. There are too many bulletin boards and I wouldn't want to be responsible for sifting through the drivel, but there could be a place where we post recent comments and opinions, as long as they are not mean spirited or defamatory. Then if anyone wants to flame the site and they don't feel like their opinions or input is being noticed or given a say so, they can hold us to account by telling about it on their favorite site.You know, hold the site responsible.

Anyway folks, let's hear what you think. I don't have any records in contention, but I am for some reason intrigued by this whole yakfishing records thing, and I think it's a worthy cause. It would also be a cool way to unite yak anglers from all over the world.
Tx
Bluewater Jon Schwartz
www.bluewaterjon.com

Guess who owns kayakfishingrecords.com 

I would be happy to help, hosting etc. BSteves was talking about using our AOTY software as the basis for it.

Great idea for those trophy hunters in the kayak fishing world. It would surely be interesting to see who's catching what and where. I would like to see a category where kayak fishermen catch big fish with the lightest line - IMO, that's where skill comes into play A catch and release category would also be nice to see.

But for me, I could care less about world records - It's hard enough competing at the NCKA AOTY . My "trophy" are the friends that I have met through kayak fishing (NCKA). And my goal to to meet more of 'em  

Great idea for those trophy hunters in the kayak fishing world. It would surely be interesting to see who's catching what and where. I would like to see a category where kayak fishermen catch big fish with the lightest line - IMO, that's where skill comes into play A catch and release category would also be nice to see.

But for me, I could care less about world records - It's hard enough competing at the NCKA AOTY . My "trophy" are the friends that I have met through kayak fishing (NCKA). And my goal to to meet more of 'em  

I agree with everything Mooch said. 

And way to go Bill for having the foresight to secure the domain name!

Michael

Bill, I know that was you guys! I sent you a pm about that an hour ago. Yeah whoever wants to do it, great. I'd be happy to be involved in any capacity, or not, or be the person who helps organize some stuff, whatever. It could be done under the one you have, or the one I registered, or something else. I still think that the best way to do it is the most democratic way, where anyone, no matter where and how they fish, can chime in and have their voice heard. That way it wouldn't be swayed by one group or individual.
Tx
Jon

I don't have time to be too involved especially in 2008. I am more than happy to donate the domain name and the server for hosting the site when you guys are ready to roll. Just let me know.

What about influencing the IGFA to take this up and include a category for fish landed from a kayak or canoe?

EK

Bill, that's cool of you. Let's think about it. KX Reel Rods, I hadn't thought about the IGFA. This stuff is still so new compared to them, and most of them have so little experience with kayak fishing, that I doubt they'd be all that interested. I know some people in mags and all that stuff and I could run it by them; my guess is that they'll say the IGFA is too busy.

Even if we built a site that wasn't perfect, by encouraging everyone to get their submissions and facts in order who are interested in this stuff, it will kind of get the ball rolling, so in the future if the kayak records ever become part of the IGFA, they have some stuff they can work with in terms of data.
Later guys,
Jon

I think that, if in the future you may want to have IGFA sanctions, you would have to follow their protocol as far as weighing, measuring, picturing, etc

I'm not sure you'd be able to convince the IGFA to add kayak (or other small human powered boat) specific records.  However, looking over the IGFA rules I couldn't find anything that prevents kayak anglers from submitting kayak caught fish for world records.
Maybe someone else can do a more thorough search of their rules and find something I missed.  http://www.igfa.org/BookRule2004.pdf

In many ways, I think kayak anglers have a real advantage over other anglers when it comes to line class records.  For one, unlike an angler on a large boat or on land, kayak anglers can use the drag of the kayak on the water during a sleigh ride to offset some of the force that would normally be placed on the rod, reel, and especially the line.  My recommendation is that if you're really interested in world records, join IGFA, pick a species and a light line class and go after those records.

That said, I wouldn't mind seeing something like NCKA's angler of the year on a larger scale.  A place where kayak anglers from all over can post there best catches and compare them.  Who ever has the largest verified specimen for a species might be considered a de facto kayak record holder of sorts.  The trick is, you need some way to verify catches and I'm not sure photos alone will be sufficient.  There is computer software out there that can detect various types of photo manipulations, but it's probably too expensive for the likes of us. 

I'll leave you with my  55 inch, 68.6 lb submission for the record lingcod caught from a kayak*

*photoshop division.

You've got some beefy biceps to hold up 70# in front of you, Brian!   

It's a good point, and, as I suggested regarding that 45" king carcass I found last Fall, it would be easy for someone to "fake" a kayak catch...  The honor on this board and among many similar groups of friends and such speaks for itself, and it's appropriate that we just have small-scale, friendly competitions for large fish, variety of species...etc.  If it were a wide-spread, organized effort, a record setting fish would need pretty strict rules for verification.  That doesn't fit with solo missions or even catch and release.  I also think it takes us purist kayak fisherpeople farther into a kill/limit mentality than we might normally be. 

I like the topic and discussion, Jon, but there's much to be gained from keeping it simple and pushing conservation.  I got many more kudos for releasing a 23.5# lingcod than I did for getting big ling of the year...  (I haven't studied all of your stuff, so forgive me - and WTG! - if you're already out there C&Ring big game fish  )

Eric

As long as you dont leave out Hawaii . I dont have cod or halibut here.  . BSteves, that is a huge fish, looks like you had some real good eating. ROC

In many ways, I think kayak anglers have a real advantage over other anglers when it comes to line class records.  For one, unlike an angler on a large boat

 
True but in a PB you can chase a fish all day waiting for it to tire.

I'll leave you with my  55 inch, 68.6 lb submission for the record lingcod caught from a kayak*

 Did you get that @`Elk?  What a Monster!!!!!!

 Have to agree about "Keeping it Simple..",  Your going to have problems trying to " Certify a Fish " or what ever you want to

do to make it official.  As far as a National contest, I was surprise at the low amount of submissions to Jim Sammons

" Everyday Fishing Contest ", really low key, nice prizes with little effort to join in the contest, yet, did not really take off.

 I just bring it up as a example that national contest may be a bit early.

 I do think a site dedicated to large catches on a Kayak is a Good idea, and let's see where it goes from there...

  My 2 Peso's... ......... Danglin

That doesn't fit with solo missions or even catch and release.  I also think it takes us purist kayak fisherpeople farther into a kill/limit mentality than we might normally be.

Totally agree "Badges Badges we don't need no stinking badges"