What is the spirit of AOTY?

Is it a fun and relaxed tournament, or is it a serious angling tournament?  How would you describe the spirit of AOTY?

I would like to hear your thoughts.

It used to be more about "fun" and "bragging right" but now...I don't know.

It used to be more about "fun" and "bragging right" but now...I don't know.

I think it still about the above. What's cool is it's wide open. Pick your target species, do your research  and slay it! Have fun doing it and if you win....brag your ass off!! I sign up. Have delusions of granger. Then watch the dedicated brothers kick ass and take names!! My $ goes to a good cause so it's a win win for me

Anthony

I joined AOTY to see how efficiently I could spend my time on the water and encourage me to learn to catch species I may not normally try for. I enjoy burying myself in a day OTW, and forgetting about the world around me.
 As for the competitive side of it, that means very little to me.

Sent from my phone cause I can

It has become a strong fuel for my trips, but I don't feel that it's a competitive thing when I'm with another member and participant.  So it's unique - when I'm solo I'm trying hard to achieve an AOTY upgrade because it's a challenge and keeps my interest maxed, and when I'm with someone else who's trying for an upgrade it's all about appreciating being on a relaxed version of that trip with someone else who may score and who I may document in their glory, or vice versa.  Being brothers in the pursuit is fun, because, as close as any and all members tend to get over the net, we have that special opportunity to forge stronger bonds when we meet in person.  It's pretty awesome to meet people in the way that we do here.  I appreciate the quality of friendships I've developed as well as the strong community spirit on NCKA.  That's what the spirit of AOTY means to me.   

It's all about friendship, camaraderie, and the love of fishing and kayaking.  The Loose Screws were formed as a safety team at GS-4 but we have grown into a group of very good friends who share a mutual love of the sport.  Being competitive isn't really a part of the formula as far as I'm concerned.  Each and every one of us would love to win a tournament and AOTY is more like a dream.  The knowledge and experience we gain from each other is just a great side benefit of belonging to the group.  The social side of NCKA just can't be beat.  NCKA yakkers are men, women, and children and come in all sizes, ages, and colors and everyone always seems to get along with each other.  As a retired guy, NCKA has filled a large part of the void that's created when work is no longer part of one's daily routine.   If I were to pick one word to describe NCKA, that word would have to be "FRIENDS".






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To me, it's whatever you want to make of it. If you want to focus all of your fishing effort on AOTY then go for it. If you want to compete as an afterthought to fishing, then have fun. Because that's what it's all about = having fun while fishing. I sometimes feel bad for my hardcore bass-tourney friends...they're so competitive that it doesn't seem fun anymore. 

brothers in the pursuit is fun

This is my 1st year of AOTY and I'm having fun.  I've camped at new locations, hung out with new friends, and fished new waters.  It has fueled my fishing addiction to a whole new level and all I can think about is kayak fishing, thanks to AOTY  .  I can't wait to get OTW...

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=35887.0


    

I guess its what the individual makes it to be. Its fun for me but I am also highly competitive when it comes right down to it. I know others that are that way also. I have got caught up in the competitive attitude. Its a liability for me. It does take the fun out of fishing for me sometimes.

I will say this though, I have fished more places and for more specie than ever before in my life. I have met some great people on this path. I have made friends and I have pissed off some folks too.

 I learned this just last year. NEVER feel melancholy when fishing in a competition.  If you want to win AOTY you have to fish hard all year. Be prepared to be pissed, happy,sad, jealous,envious, frustrated, excited, boastful, regretful,determined,tenacious,broke, etc.

 

I guess its what the individual makes it to be. Its fun for me but I am also highly competitive when it comes right down to it. I know others that are that way also. I have got caught up in the competitive attitude. Its a liability for me. It does take the fun out of fishing for me sometimes.

I will say this though, I have fished more places and for more specie than ever before in my life. I have met some great people on this path. I have made friends and I have pissed off some folks too.

 I learned this just last year. NEVER feel melancholy when fishing in a competition.  If you want to win AOTY you have to fish hard all year. Be prepared to be pissed, happy,sad, jealous,envious, frustrated, excited, boastful, regretful,determined,tenacious,broke, etc.

Did you enter AGAIN this year?

Its fun for me but I am also highly competitive when it comes right down to it. I know others that are that way also.

   " COMPETITIVE  ",    YOU?    Nahhhh         I'd never have guessed that.   

Craig nailed it on the head in my views but buttom line for me, it is all about fishing with good friends. Having to place in the top ten is just icing on the cake.

Jedmo

I really enjoy reading AOTY participants' posts on how they pursue new species.  Reading about a guy fishing his butt off for a slab crappie or perch is very cool.  You can sense the competitiveness when reading those AOTY reports.  The excitement of catching a beast fish from the kayak that you know will result in a ton of points must be thrilling!

I thought about signing up for AOTY for 2012, but I wasn't too jazzed after reviewing the rules and point system (among other things, it leans more towards saltwater fishes, freshwater's underrepresented IMO).  Then the occasional posts pop up of "oh I don't think that's a legal AOTY fish", "the mouth isn't completely closed", etc.  After seeing all that, and realizing I was at a huge disadvantage by living 5 hours from the coast, I knew AOTY wasn't for me.  Best of luck to everyone in the competition though, and be safe!!

I signed up to support the site. Craig said it right, it's up to the individual what they make of it. If I catch a big fish I'd enter it for a single species award but that's about it. I do have much respect and love reading the reports of others trying to attain the top prize.

Ocean fishing is ~90% of my kayak fishing because if given the choice I'd rather walk and wade a remote stream than sit in my kayak on a lake. Having this resource for when I do want to do something other than the ocean is great because the knowledgeable vets are willing to share. I've tried to return the favor and have shared my experiences and tips with some peeps on fly fishing norcal.

It's all up to the individual, the diversity in knowledge and experience is what makes the board great, imo.