The Official Simply Fishing Tournament Report updated w/raffle results pg 5

 Congratulations  on your win and sharing your day.Wow Scott that is a well written story, I felt like I was with you yesterday. I appreciate you taking time to record the day for us. I learned a ton from it.
 I also lost a big fish on the big hammer from not checking the line after the snags. AFTER I lost the fish I saw the wear
Learning curve.......

Here are some pics. I was in the zone on Saturday so took no pictures.

     There were quite a few really BIG lings brought in that day.     I managed to squeeze in the second place Ling.  Just ounces away, had it eaten a light breakfast that morning, a small rockfish snack,  it would likely have topped Scotts.        I paddled out with Ravensblack and Raynman to the point outside the kelp line.    Craig was getting hits right off the bat with his B2 bomber.   I was dangling that Big Hammer and getting good hits,,, but seemed they were just grabbing the tail each time.  I couldn't seem to get fish to stick.   Finally pulled up a small blue,, then a 24" ling which I let swim.  Those were  just the warmups.       Finally had a good one on, a ten pounder.   It was shaking violently, so I relaxed the line and very slowly coaxed it to the kayak.  That one I put on the stringer.   
    Continued to keep getting those nibbles on the tail.  I could see the teeth marks each time.     Seemed like almost  every drop I'd feel nibbles as I bounced the bottom.   Got a few minor snags but paddled up current and managed to free my lure.     I could feel a fish playing with my offering when the lure suddenly got "heavy".   I was slowly raising the rod up feeling that resistance as I began to slowly reel up, when suddenly this monster ripped my line out as it headed back to the bottom.   Long story short,  I managed to net my personal best Ling caught on a rod.   I don't usually use such heavy weights, but after this , I'm a believer. 
    Big Hammers rule !       This thing caught 4 Lings and that small rockie  and still has mojo left for another fishing trip.   I never even touched my other two lures.    I did however change leader out twice.  That first ling swallowed it deep.   Turns out the hook was barely in the skin of it's throat, the line was shredded.  Had I tried to muscle it up, likely would have lost it.
   
   Well now I'm going to raise this issue of tournament rules...   I  ask this because  when the rules were laid out, the question about carrying a GPS was rasied several times .   Ruben's response was 
"No GPS for fishing! You may carry a GPS onboard/stowed for emergency navigation only. No bait, no scents! I've already chosen the lures. I'll post them "
   Mounted on the kayak is not " Stowed"     

 Scott had a FF/  GPS mounted on his kayak.   When I contested the eligiblity of his entry based on that,  it was allowed based on his word that is was not used.       I guess  I'm in disagreement at the ruling.      I think Scott is certainly one of the best fishermen in NCKA.   I have a lot of respect for his skills and contributions to NCKA  and I do totally believe he didn't  use the FF as he said.     However,  the rules were laid out in no unclear manner.   
    Personally  I don't think it's fair.     Had it been someone else, I wonder what the ruling would have been.     Had others brought extra lures or several rods along, but "  didn't used them to catch the winning fish ",  would that have been allowed?   
    I don't know if it's being so close and losing,, or the last minute change of rules that has me feeling a little bitter at losing the title of "First Place Simply Fishing 2013".

Jim -

My FF is semi-permanently installed on my kayak with marine goop. It is a hassle to remove it. I faced it down for the tourney in clear view so everyone could not see that I was not using it. The battery was removed to avoid any controversy. You don't know me very well but cheating is not the way I roll. I appreciate your concern and congratulations on a nice fish.

Scott

Big congrats Scott on winning the SFT. If my wife and my little girls hadn't asked for some crabs, I would have been there along side you. Thanks for the detailed report. Great job Ruben!

Jedmo

I just happened to be there the same day camping at the beach.  The night before, I haven't seen so many stars like that in a long time.  I woke up to all the ruckus of everyone getting ready.  The sun rising bringing the light, and the calm waves were stellar for a comp.  I jumped on my tandem yak and went Ab diving instead, lol!  All the lings that were brought in with the given lures, we big!  Congrats to all!

About the rule change, that does suck regardless, rules are rules.  If it was me, I would of spent the effort removing my FF or borrowing another yak.  (But we all know of the exceptions that are made in the NCKA family, and just live with it)

Big Congrats to Scott and everyone who was able to participate and enjoy the fantastic conditions. Unfortunately I was not able to make it this time, but will definitely make this tournament a priority next year.

Unfortunately due a little inaccuracy in this argument I feel I need to respond in hopes of putting this thing to bed.

 I expected that something would come up during this tournament that would leave somebody with a bad taste in their mouth. I did not think it would be this issue. Here's why, I thought I had predicted this one, you see, I knew that somebody would show up with some form of a "hard mounted" FF or GPS because not everyone can afford a removable head unit. So when Jim protested I had a ready made plan - the NCKA honor system. We all know that if somebody wants to game the system, any system, they can, period. But we don't get involved with all the BS that goes along with that. We rise above, we trust. So I went to Scott and asked if he had had his electronics on, his reply was and unequivocal "NO". So I went back to Jim and told him Scott said it was not on, Jim looked unhappy so I continued with " That's how we do it in NCKA, the honor system".

 Then I read Jim's protest here tonight and thought wait a minute I don't remember making that kind of definitive statement... oh shiz did I eff this up?. So I went back to the original post dreading what I might find. Thankfully (for me anyway) what I found was different than how I was quoted. Below is Jim's quote.

 
"No GPS for fishing! You may carry a GPS onboard/stowed for emergency navigation only. No bait, no scents! I've already chosen the lures. I'll post them "
   Mounted on the kayak is not " Stowed"

And here is the entire quote:

So handheld GPS is OK. What are the three baits, can we start a pole to decide?
You know Ruben, Berkley Gulp loves these these of tourneys and when they do get involved they offer $$$ cha ching to the winner.
Something to think about buddy. I think I'm in.

No GPS for fishing! You may carry a GPS onboard/stowed for emergency navigation only. No bait, no scents! I've already chosen the lures. I'll post them up soon...

ruben

When you read the whole quote its clear that I was responding to a specific question about a handheld GPS. NOT a broad across the board "rule" that all types of electronics must be stowed.

And as Jim himself stated there is no reason to doubt Scotts word.

   
I think Scott is certainly one of the best fishermen in NCKA.   I have a lot of respect for his skills and contributions to NCKA  and I do totally believe he didn't  use the FF as he said.

That leaves me with this... Scott caught the biggest lingcod with a provided lure using one rod and reel and without the aid of electronics, mechanized propulsion, bait or scents. He won.

I hope that helps. 

ruben

Sounds like an awesome time out there, bummed i missed it. Congrats Scott!

Wow, can't believe there is so much drama and apologies to Ruben for putting him in this situation. I "stowed" my FF/GPS the best way I could, in a way it could never be used, it's screen was not visible and had no power supply. It is semi-permanently installed to protect it from the spray when sailing upwind. Yes I have other kayaks, but I was crabbing the day before in high wind and brought the best boat to safely get the job done. My real GPS where I log my waypoints is a handheld Garmin which I didn't even bring because it wasn't foggy.

Here is the bottom line, I fished the same 3 lures as everyone else, without scent, bait or electronics and I caught the biggest fish. If people have an issue with that victory, I am happy to relinquish the winnings but not the title because I fished hard and won it fair and square. Really, venting is not a good idea on the web and if you have an issue, PM me or Ruben and we can have a private conversation.

Thanks Scott

I don't think there's any real drama here Scott. I'm confident in my ruling. It stands. Let's just move on.

I'm working on the good part right now. Full report with photos should be up tonight.

ruben

Congrats to the winners and everyone who attended the event.

Congratulation Scott. 

Does this mean I'm going to need a sponsor next year? 

I don't believe Jim was questioning Scott's integrity or honesty. Jim is a righteous guy and knows Scott.  He thought that all FFs or GPS on FF were to be stowed.  I saw Scott's FF and jokingly told him  your a DQ.    It's not the person, it's the rule that has come into question.    With that said,  the tournament was fun and the raffle afterwards was more fun.  I was the first out, but not the last to come in.  I thought I had a chance with my 10lb ling.  That is until I landed  on the beach and saw four monsters on leashes in the water.  They we keeping them in the water so they wouldn't dehydrate.  Thanks to Ruben, Jennifer, and Paloma (sp).  Also, thanks to Brenda at Timber Cove for the discounts and cookies.  By the way NCKAers.  Brenda can always use a filet or two.  She loves fresh fish.  So remember to give her a little love and slabs when you leave.  We can always use more goodwill.  I caught fish on all three lures.  But, the hammer was the most productive.  I had a ling tear open  my clip swivel  and leave with my hammer.  The Squid lure was a great lure to troll at any depth.   In one area, each  time I started to drop and troll I would have a black on it.  I did notice that when I fished the Squid lure deep, and got a ling on, it seemed easier for the ling to shake off.  Even after I tried to really set the hook.    The jig  caught lings and rock fish.  If you fish the big blue, you should always have a couple of those with you.  Major Kudos to Ruben and his family.