AOTY Rules Quesion: Assisted or Un-Assisted?

just gaff the F-er and there will be no question! 

Hey wanna buy an official NCKA/AOTY compliant gaff! They are only $50. Non compliant ones are $15

just gaff the F-er and there will be no question! 

Hey wanna buy an official NCKA/AOTY compliant gaff! They are only $50. Non compliant ones are $15

LOLOLOL so the 15.00 ones need two people? or assistance in use

A bigger net, a dry suit and you are good to go. You started this circus by saying you had help. Then there was a desire to know just what that meant. Thats not childish Jim. I am asking other kayak fishers across the country right now how an assisit plays out in tourneys around the country. I deal with my own fish. I learned that at the first butt hunt of Fishunters. I was going to ask for an assist for a halibut and someone shouted on the radio, and I quote," Net your own Godamn fish asshole". Been following that wise advice ever since. It might have been JTF. I owe him.

Terry managed to land a monster Pacific halibut at GS5. Unassisted. No problem.

That's how it's always been and that's how it should be - just my opinion. If you can't land a fish by yourself in a safe manner then the AOTY is not for you.

You started this by saying you had help. Then there was a desire to know just what that meant.

From numerous people.


Mooch, thanks for weighing in.....but if Jim says he is going to win it.....then I say.....BRING IT!     

Craig & Allen, I don't want to argue with you two but I highly disagree about the assist part. 
Many fishermen claim fish that are netted by others.   I had lots of fun fishing with my friends & family while growing up.  I love fishing but getting others fish & helping them net the fish for them (& give them a high five (banzai in Japan)) is the great memories for me!    I've never claimed someone's fish or thought less of them because I helped them net their fish or vice versa...
Yes, you might be able to land a big fish on your own but if there is a chance of getting you or the fish in danger (if you meant release),  will we still say "No assist"?
Yes, AOTY is an individual competition but I thought that NCKA is more than that.  I thought our community is helping each other, brotherhood & safety.  I do not mind fishing hard & fair and understand that it is the committee's decision but I would love AOTY to be a fun & friendly competition like before... & I don't want to push anybody away because of this competition.
I've been participating in AOTY since 2006 & I have had a lot of fun doing & have met a lot of great people, including the both of you.
I guess I am just not cut out for AOTY anymore...

Craig & Allen, I don't want to argue with you two but I highly disagree about the assist part. 
Many fishermen claim fish that are netted by others.   I had lots of fun fishing with my friends & family while growing up.  I love fishing but getting others fish & helping them net the fish for them (& give them a high five (banzai in Japan)) is the great memories for me!    I've never claimed someone's fish or thought less of them because I helped them net their fish or vice versa...
Yes, you might be able to land a big fish on your own but if there is a chance of getting you or the fish in danger,  will we still say "No assist"?
Yes, AOTY is an individual competition but I thought that NCKA is more than that.  I thought our community is helping each other, brotherhood & safety.  I do not mind fishing hard & fair and understand that it is the committee's decision but I would love AOTY to be a fun & friendly competition like before... & I don't want to push anybody away because of this competition.
I've been participating in AOTY since 2006 & I have had a lot of fun doing & have met a lot of great people, including the both of you.
I guess I am just not cut out for AOTY anymore...

Well said Bro We show people where and how to fish buy their bait cook em dinner but your net better not touch my fish cause I did it all MYSELF

understand that it is the committee's decision

Honestly, I didn't ask the committee about this one as I thought it was obvious.  Let me ask them and get back to you all.  Mea Culpa.

I would love AOTY to be a fun & friendly competition like before...

Is it not anymore?  It may not be exactly what it once was, but things change as we've grown bigger.  People do take this seriously ... ask the top 10 how many days they put on the water, how many days off from work they took, how much money they spent.  But at the end of the day, we all still gather and honor the competitors amongst us.

And in a purely shameless plug ... this is the main fundraiser for this site.  It's keeps the gears lubed so you can all ride along!!!

-Allen

Not true Naoaki! You are a sportsman. Dedicated to the task and have fun all the time. There needs to be clarification as to what is and whats not OK in assisting others. It was more fun for me to watch John deal with his big ling and take photos while he was doing it. Never, I mean NEVER did it enter my mind to ask him if he needed help. I watched, cheered him on and finally got to witness the coup de grace. All in vivid color. He lived his part and I lived mine. Separate yet together.

understand that it is the committee's decision

Honestly, I didn't ask the committee about this one as I thought it was obvious.  Let me ask them and get back to you all.  Mea Culpa.

I would love AOTY to be a fun & friendly competition like before...

Is it not anymore?  It may not be exactly what it once was, but things change as we've grown bigger.  People do take this seriously ... ask the top 10 how many days they put on the water, how many days off from work they took, how much money they spent.  But at the end of the day, we all still gather and honor the competitors amongst us.

And in a purely shameless plug ... this is the main fundraiser for this site.  It's keeps the gears lubed so you can all ride along!!!

-Allen

Maybe, you're right, we still have a fun... & I really like to keep that way & support NCKA...

Not true Naoaki! You are a sportsman. Dedicated to the task and have fun all the time. There needs to be clarification as to what is and whats not OK in assisting others. It was more fun for me to watch John deal with his big ling and take photos while he was doing it. Never, I mean NEVER did it enter my mind to ask him if he needed help. I watched, cheered him on and finally got to witness the coup de grace. All in vivid color. He lived his part and I lived mine. Separate yet together.

& Craig, I see your point but if person has same view like mine & rule isn't clear, what should we do & which is funner...?

AOTY has become real serious now. Maybe some dont like it that way. Dont play it then.

Is it not anymore?  It may not be exactly what it once was, but things change as we've grown bigger.  People do take this seriously ... ask the top 10 how many days they put on the water, how many days off from work they took, how much money they spent.  But at the end of the day, we all still gather and honor the competitors amongst us.

And in a purely shameless plug ... this is the main fundraiser for this site.  It's keeps the gears lubed so you can all ride along!!!

-Allen

 

Jim/Rockfish - I think you should re-post the ling.


Regarding AOTY, I think fish should be landed unassisted as catching, landing and securing the fish are skills that should count.  This doesn't take away any of the fun and safety while fishing and having a good time with buddies.  I think we need a minor update to the current rule to be clear on this issue, and let's move on with it.

Regarding AOTY, I think fish should be landed unassisted as catching, landing and securing the fish are skills that should count.  This doesn't take away any of the fun and safety while fishing and having a good time with buddies.  I think we need a minor update to the current rule to be clear on this issue, and let's move on with it.

Sounds good, John!
now, I'm going fishing!!!

Thanks Bird and others, but this fish is out of the tourney.
If one fish keeps me from winning, then thats just too bad, but with the headache of this, and my statement that it is off in protest, it will not go back up.

Thanks again, I am glad this is all cleared up.

I'm off to get me some fatties in MOtown! 

I wonder if these questions would even come up if there were no prizes/sponsorships/glory to claim at the end?