AOTY clarifying question and a suggestion

First the question:

I remember hearing someone mention last year that for AOTY, the fish must qualify in that it is legal...someone said something along the lines of, "if you can't eat it, then it doesn't count".

Would this apply to open legal C&R fisheries?  such as C&R steelhead that are not fin clipped?  I would mention the Eel, but that'll just bring up more dissension so leave that out.

Second, the suggestion:
I think we should give a bonus for C&R fish. nothing much, maybe like a 1%-2% bonus?  I know that not everyone would agree with this, but I think it's a valid discussion point.  I just feel as if we are to be conservation minded, then AOTY participants should have some sort of incentive to C&R.  Even if it is only a few extra points.  Bsteves, would that even be possible to code in?  Like a check box for released and an automatic bonus?

Good questions, Ben.  As for the "if you can't eat it..." issue, that doesn't apply to our contest - it's actually based on DFG rules for "open" fisheries.  There's been quite a bit of discussion about changing the rules so only fish that could be kept would count - that's what NWKA does and I think it would be a good move here.  On the C&R bonus point issue, I think it's a great idea that would need more discussion before implementing.  My $.02.   

 


The point of the system was developed to establish an Angler of the Year.  All fish are scored equally within their subgroup, why should one guy get docked for taking a fish home to his family....that person is no less of an Angler.  

"Only if you can eat it" is usually applied during our smaller on the spot derbies.  this to prevent someone taking home the new kayak with a dogshark.....technically a sport fish, but practically speaking, a "trash" fish.

Allen

Good question. I asked something similar last season because I was planning to fish for steelhead in the San Lorenzo River, in Santa Cruz, from my kayak. This is a C&R fishery (like every coastal river south of SF) w/barbless hooks that is subject to low-flow closures, etc. I have fished these local rivers for years, but never from the yak.
Well, I'd talked to a few people who convinced me that kayaking the lower portion of the river w/b safe and fun. So I wondered if any fish caught would count towards AOTY. I was told that it would count. And it seems pretty similar to the situation you're presenting, Ben. Although I could also be totally wrong.
And btw I never got around to kayaking the SLR.

For the C&R bonus points: I think its a good idea, in theory. Because C&R is an important part of conserving our resource. But there really is no way to confirm the fish was released, much less survived. I think the act of releasing a trophy fish is meritorious enough; no need to discredit the act by awarding bonus points. For example, the FisHunter has earned manyManyMany nobility&respect points in my mind for releasing some really nice fish this season. It seems like the act in itself is noble enough. I applaud anybody who safely releases a fish, big or small. But they should do it for the love of the fish; not for bonus points.

The Hog Troughs that we received when signing up do a lot to encourage CnR, imo.

I agree no need to give bonus points for CnR, (or using artificials, etc etc...)

The point of the system was developed to establish an Angler of the Year.  All fish are scored equally within their subgroup, why should one guy get docked for taking a fish home to his family....that person is no less of an Angler.  

Art, I agree.  But one with caveat.  Let's say two anglers catch a 64 inch sturgeon.  One releases it, the other does not.  Which would deserve to have the big fish title for the year? At 1%, someone who catches a 65" sturgeon would still beat out the other two, but between the two at 64", I would give it to the guy who released it.  But that is just me.  At the end of the year, someone who releases all their fish may earn an additional 15-30pts.  Not enough to win them any titles on their own.  

As for release and the honor system - a lot of this tourney is based upon the honor system already.  Unless we have any reason to believe someone is lying when they say they released it, why not trust them?  

I would give it to the guy who released it.  But that is just me.  

I wouldn't and I'd make it a co-award. Two fish of equal length are exactly that, two fish of equal length.  Not one was bigger than the other, because a fish was released does not make that person a better angler.





 


 

 

I wouldn't and I'd make it a co-award. Two fish of equal length are exactly that, two fish of equal length.  Not one was bigger than the other, because a fish was released does not make that person a better angler.

+1

What about a separate award (or at least public recognition and thanks) at the AOTY event for the person that released the most AOTY submitted fish (regardless of size and if/where they placed in the overall event). We always seem to have enough prizes to go around. It would be nice to give that angler some props.

Something ironic like a new fillet knife or a gaff  

What about a separate award (or at least public recognition and thanks) at the AOTY event for the person that released the most AOTY submitted fish (regardless of size and if/where they placed in the overall event). We always seem to have enough prizes to go around. It would be nice to give that angler some props.

Something ironic like a new fillet knife or a gaff  

The empty freezer award.  jim

Nice suggestions here. But why not just leave the AOTY the way it is? It took a long time and a lot of work for the originators of this year round format to get things dialed....it works and better yet, it's been a tradition.

Instead: Organize tournaments through out the year and make it a strickly catch and release event. Win / win right?

...just my 2 cents

What Mooch said.

You all would save a lot of head space by leaving AOTY alone. It aint broke so you cant fix it.

I would give it to the guy who released it.  But that is just me.  

I wouldn't and I'd make it a co-award. Two fish of equal length are exactly that, two fish of equal length.  Not one was bigger than the other, because a fish was released does not make that person a better angler. 

I'd give the award to the guy who kept it.  Please ... if you're going to release a fish, don't take the time and effort to measure it.  The fish doesn't need any more stress.

-Allen