Official 2012 AOTY Thread

Like i said before, i love the new rules and chages in Aoty, but +1 too on prechecking and qualifying a fish before an offical post..Not gonna mention any names, but i see fish posted that clearly arn't of that species, IMOP!

Like i said before, i love the new rules and chages in Aoty, but +1 too on prechecking and qualifying a fish before an offical post..Not gonna mention any names, but i see fish posted that clearly arn't of that species, IMOP!

+1

Anyone declared Angler of the Year should at the very least be able to correctly identify target species.

Identifying a species should be at least as important as knowing how to leave the mouth open in a "natural position"!   

Not trying to stir it up - I just think it's funny what the competition draws out of most of us - me included!   

Identifying a species should be at least as important as knowing how to leave the mouth open in a "natural position"!   

Not trying to stir it up - I just think it's funny what the competition draws out of most of us - me included!   

If you have to close the mouth of a live fish that insists on flaring the gill plates, is that considered "natural"? 

When in doubt, shut the mouth.

-Allen

It doesn't seem like giant burden to review the fish once a week or something. Heck, I check out the Most Recent entries like 3x a week. And I ain't on no committee.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding the issue.

Eitehr way, this is a crazy year of AOTY! So many guys with 9 or 10 fish already...and damn Salty has the most pts in AOTY history even though it's only July August! It's gonna be tough to catch him--but it looks like a couple guys have a chance.

FWIW,  all prizewinners are re-reviewed before declaring the final placings.  It's your responsibility to follow the rules.  So don't feel like someone is pulling something over on us all if they put up a bad entry.  The only person penalized is that person.

-Allen

When in doubt, shut the mouth.

-Allen

Oui mon capitan!

Salty also has a spot posted as a smallie lol

Careful now, son.

Salty also has a spot posted as a smallie lol

 Prove it.

Salty also has a spot posted as a smallie lol

 Prove it.

Isn't it Jim's (& all of us, competitors) job to enter the correct species and prove to the AOTY committee that the fish is the right species without any doubt by taking good pictures?  If you cannot prove it from the pictures and AOTY committee members raise doubt about the species, then should it be taken out (like any other reasons(bad pic, bad measurement, & etc...))?

Naoaki

Yes it is Naoaki. You are right! After looking at some other photos I'm sold on it. Revenge has no conscience.

When in doubt, shut the mouth.

-Allen

Doesn't that apply to life in general .... works with the wife.  If I'm in doubt (or not) I shut my mouth!

/

Yes, your picture clearly shows the vertical stripes around the lateral line, so it’s definitely a Spotted bass (easy giveaway), and also, it has lots of spots on the stomach area too (that’s why they’re called spotted bass).   Smallmouth have more blotchy looking vertical stripes & don’t have a uniform horizontal band around the lateral line.  Definitely multiple pictures from different angles will help to ID the fish.
If you’re not sure or if you have any question about IDing fish, you can PM me or post on the Fish ID section.  We’ll help ID the fish for you.

Naoaki 

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?board=35.0