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.

I think this guy with a ski hat and bare feet fishing GS in 2009 on big blue for the first time and having the time of his life with his wife and family IS what the spirit of NCKA is. I attend the tourneys to see old friends and eat good food, the competition is second to that. Like Martin, what I cherish most from NCKA are the really good friends I have made and the knowledge and skills that have made me a better angler. Kayak fishing has also allowed me to experience the ocean in ways I never had before. The terror of the Limekiln shore break and the white sharks of Bean Hollow and the pristine beauty of Big Sur and the Lost Coast. The sense of adventure is certainly part of it. There are times when the paddling and scenery are so great, I can almost understand why people kayak and don't fish. 

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.

I think this guy with a ski hat and bare feet fishing GS in 2009 on big blue for the first time and having the time of his life with his wife and family IS what the spirit of NCKA is. I attend the tourneys to see old friends and eat good food, the competition is second to that. Like Martin, what I cherish most from NCKA are the really good friends I have made and the knowledge and skills that have made me a better angler. Kayak fishing has also allowed me to experience the ocean in ways I never had before. The terror of the Limekiln shore break and the white sharks of Bean Hollow and the pristine beauty of Big Sur and the Lost Coast. The sense of adventure is certainly part of it. There are times when the paddling and scenery are so great, I can almost understand why people kayak and don't fish. 

Thanks Scott.  OK AOTY committee, DQ my sturgeon please.

I love your sturgeon pic. Its because I know how much effort and time you have put into that fish. Plus the fact you care so much for the sturgeon you wanted to release. You are a bigtime winner Adam.

Thanks Scott for reminding me.

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.

I think this guy with a ski hat and bare feet fishing GS in 2009 on big blue for the first time and having the time of his life with his wife and family IS what the spirit of NCKA is. I attend the tourneys to see old friends and eat good food, the competition is second to that. Like Martin, what I cherish most from NCKA are the really good friends I have made and the knowledge and skills that have made me a better angler. Kayak fishing has also allowed me to experience the ocean in ways I never had before. The terror of the Limekiln shore break and the white sharks of Bean Hollow and the pristine beauty of Big Sur and the Lost Coast. The sense of adventure is certainly part of it. There are times when the paddling and scenery are so great, I can almost understand why people kayak and don't fish. 

Thanks Scott.  OK AOTY committee, DQ my sturgeon please.

WTF? Did you hit the bottle tonite? For real? Better step up with an upgrade then. Know you can do it. 

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.

I think this guy with a ski hat and bare feet fishing GS in 2009 on big blue for the first time and having the time of his life with his wife and family IS what the spirit of NCKA is. I attend the tourneys to see old friends and eat good food, the competition is second to that. Like Martin, what I cherish most from NCKA are the really good friends I have made and the knowledge and skills that have made me a better angler. Kayak fishing has also allowed me to experience the ocean in ways I never had before. The terror of the Limekiln shore break and the white sharks of Bean Hollow and the pristine beauty of Big Sur and the Lost Coast. The sense of adventure is certainly part of it. There are times when the paddling and scenery are so great, I can almost understand why people kayak and don't fish. 

Thanks Scott.  OK AOTY committee, DQ my sturgeon please.

Oh no! Really? Does this mean? Oh crap! I guess I'm not done either then. Time to support you too in your hunt I guess.

Sorry about the pic Adam. I guess it is back to spending $50 a day to sturgeon fish.

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.

I think this guy with a ski hat and bare feet fishing GS in 2009 on big blue for the first time and having the time of his life with his wife and family IS what the spirit of NCKA is. I attend the tourneys to see old friends and eat good food, the competition is second to that. Like Martin, what I cherish most from NCKA are the really good friends I have made and the knowledge and skills that have made me a better angler. Kayak fishing has also allowed me to experience the ocean in ways I never had before. The terror of the Limekiln shore break and the white sharks of Bean Hollow and the pristine beauty of Big Sur and the Lost Coast. The sense of adventure is certainly part of it. There are times when the paddling and scenery are so great, I can almost understand why people kayak and don't fish. 

Thanks Scott.  OK AOTY committee, DQ my sturgeon please.

WTF? Did you hit the bottle tonite? For real? Better step up with an upgrade then. Know you can do it. 

Nah, I haven't hit the bottle in a few years

 I just want to have fun and catch big fish.  If the AOTY committee is unhappy with the sturgeon photo, but is hesitant to DQ it out of consideration for my feeling/effort or whatever then they should DQ it.  I did the best I could to CPR the fish quickly, and that is good enough for me.  In the 160 hours I have spent fishing for sturgeon I landed my PB fish, had a great time palling around with Rob and the other guys, all of which is way cooler than 168 points on the AOTY board.

Scott and many of the others who posted on this thread are right.  AOTY and NCKA is about fun, family and friends, and I sometimes forget that when I am caught up with the competition.

Congrats on your personal best fish Adam. After 20+ unsuccessful dino attempts myself I can definitely tell you that I am both stoked for you and know a little about what went into catching that fish. Someday I hope to share in the full experience but until then I can only dream. jim

I finally figured out what this was all about

Tad
 

Yeah, sorry guys.  I wanted some input without starting a flame war.

I finally figured out what this was all about
Whats the problem with the photo and the fish?
I looked at it and I think it is fine, especially since Rob is there to verify/photo the fish.
If anything the fish is longer than what they have measured.
Nice Dino Adam no matter what they decide.

AOTY Committee:Man up, to prevent like problems in the future,
                           What issues do you have with the photo/witness?
Tad
 

There is nothing for the committee to man up about.  I think they don't like that you cannot clearly see where the beginning of the tape is held in relation to the fish.  I can completely understand where they are coming from.  The photo is crappy, but it is the best Rob and I could do with a flopping fish (that drew blood).  If my photo stands, then it sets the standard for the new Sturgeon measurement rule for AOTY.  The AOTY committee and other anglers may want a higher standard.  I can live with that.

AOTY Committee:Man up, to prevent like problems in the future,
                           What issues do you have with the photo/witness?

Man up about what Tad?  Not sure I appreciate the tone of your posts.

Look guys, nobody is out to get anybody here.  The AOTY committee is deliberating the entry.  It is very difficult, confusing, and stressful to both us and ATD.  ATD wants to do the right thing.  The AOTY committee wants to do the right thing.  The objective metrics in question here may conflict with personal decisions on what the "right thing" is to do.  It sucks.  That's life.  Can we skip the drama?

-Allen

AOTY Committee:Man up, to prevent like problems in the future,
                           What issues do you have with the photo/witness?

Man up about what Tad?  Not sure I appreciate the tone of your emails.

Look guys, nobody is out to get anybody here.  The AOTY committee is deliberating the entry.  It is very difficult, confusing, and stressful to both us and ATD.  ATD wants to do the right thing.  The AOTY committee wants to do the right thing.  The objective metrics in question here may conflict with personal decisions on what the "right thing" is to do.  It sucks.  That's life.  Can we skip the drama?

-Allen

It doesn't need to be stressful, and I apologize for any prior stress that I may have caused over this issue. Go with the objective metrics. I want this thing to be fair for everyone.

It WAS about fun (to me). In the last few years it has become overly competitive. Like most (if not all) fishing competitions there is a large bit of honor. You have to police yourself and be honest about your entries. AOTY (IMHO) has kinda glossed over this. I know that is a subjective criteria but hey don't BASS fisherman toss back fish hooked outside the mouth? I think calling people out on submissions when evidence is there to support their entry (even if not the letter of the law) is kinda BS. So for me I will no longer participate. If the site needs funds to run I will happily pay. But participating in AOTY just fuels the size of the prizes and in turn the less friendly competition.

Good luck to the participants this year!

AOTY Committee:Man up, to prevent like problems in the future,
                           What issues do you have with the photo/witness?

Man up about what Tad?  Not sure I appreciate the tone of your emails.

Look guys, nobody is out to get anybody here.  The AOTY committee is deliberating the entry.  It is very difficult, confusing, and stressful to both us and ATD.  ATD wants to do the right thing.  The AOTY committee wants to do the right thing.  The objective metrics in question here may conflict with personal decisions on what the "right thing" is to do.  It sucks.  That's life.  Can we skip the drama?

-Allen

Polepole,

 I DID NOT send you (or others) any e-mails about this issue,
and I don't appreciate you stating on an open public forum that I did.

As far as my "tone", maybe "man-up" was too strong and a poor choice of wording for some,
and it was not my intention to "create drama".
My apologies to those who may have taken offense!
 
My intention was to clarify 2 questions,
1. What was the committee objecting to in the photo with a witness there to verify the measurement?
2. Are AOTY competitors on the committee?

I am removing my "offensive" post and avoiding any further AOTY discussion.
Peace my brothers,
Tad

It WAS about fun (to me). In the last few years it has become overly competitive. Like most (if not all) fishing competitions there is a large bit of honor. You have to police yourself and be honest about your entries. AOTY (IMHO) has kinda glossed over this. I know that is a subjective criteria but hey don't BASS fisherman toss back fish hooked outside the mouth? I think calling people out on submissions when evidence is there to support their entry (even if not the letter of the law) is kinda BS. So for me I will no longer participate. If the site needs funds to run I will happily pay. But participating in AOTY just fuels the size of the prizes and in turn the less friendly competition.

Good luck to the participants this year!

Like the bass anglers, I have no doubts that my fellow AOTY competitors are tossing back foul hooked fish.  I personally tossed back a tail hooked  sturgeon and a fatty stomach hooked greenling last year.

AbkingEric said it the best! 
i tried hard as hell for three years(back when it was the original 10)..but now i hunt the ones i normally would be fishing for in my area and watch the Real_KayakFisherman do their thing.

The reason it is so serious is the fact that it takes a lot of $,$$$.$$ to even try and hit top10. If there is an entry that does not fit the rules to the "T", there WILL ALWAYS be questions.

the current rules/system is the best so far(IMHO), but who am I?