AOTY/DOTY 2014 (March update)

Mouth CLOSED rule will remain firmly in place for both comps, and clarification will also be made that pictures can not show lip grippers or game clips in mouth of fish.

Just a heads up for new competitors about this rule.  When they say mouth closed, they mean mouth closed. The link below is a trout that was disqualified (as it should have been) because it's mouth was barely open . I don't want anyone to go through the heartache of having a solid fish DQd because they didn't take this rule seriously.

http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2628

Thanks Adam.

Yep.

Mouth CLOSED means mouth CLOSED.

Not partially closed or almost closed....

So...make life easy on yourself and on the AOTY/DOTY committee and don't enter pics that we have to DQ....cuz that's no fun for anyone and I hate having to do it. 

Sincerely,

Jim

I'm looking forward to being a part of some friendly competition next year(2014) . I was a little late getting registered this year, not that it would have made a difference  . I have been working on some strategies for 2014 and will definitely bring my "A" game! Good luck to everyone.

Ok that makes sense. Thanks!

I'm looking forward to being a part of some friendly competition next year(2014) . I was a little late getting registered this year, not that it would have made a difference  . I have been working on some strategies for 2014 and will definitely bring my "A" game! Good luck to everyone.

You may have gotten a late start, but dang you caught some nice fish!  I was totally impressed with your skills/style when Rob and I met you and Sarah on the water at TRW.



2014 AOTY competitors, look out for Big Buoy !

OK,
I took a break from AOTY this year because of the "mouth closed" rule. I was told by fish and game that that is because they usually measure dead not live fish, and I always release my catch.
This year I will be back in AOTY and will try to take the best pics I can without killing any fish.
Still against the kill for points thing, but if that's how it has to be, I won't be as competitive as in past years.
Glad to see it associated to PIF.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

So I guess my radio fish won't count again! As far as that "closed mouth rule.......My mouth WAS CLOSED when the pic was taken  OK I'll Close my mouth and give it a shot this year! I bet I beat 1 person

Look forward to trying to get out this next year!

Phillip / Ebyekewabjeget

What's behind that rule? (That giant football of a trout with a 1/8" of space between his jaws would have made me insane!!)

What's behind that rule? (That giant football of a trout with a 1/8" of space between his jaws would have made me insane!!)

Rules are rules. You can manipulate the fish length with a mouth open or closed. I know Adams fish length would nat have changed, but the mouth was slightly open. Bottom line, force it closed.

What's behind that rule? (That giant football of a trout with a 1/8" of space between his jaws would have made me insane!!)

The rule is to make sure that all fish are scored equally. The rule is absolute because allowing one fish to have its mouth slightly open, but DQing another for a slightly more open mouth would just lead to arguments between competitors, complaints to the committee and other nonsense that gets in the way of a good time.

Yes, it sucked to have my fish DQd, but I think enforcing the rule will result in better photographs (it did for me) and fewer arguments between competitors and committee members.

In short, I think the ruling on the trout was the right ruling and I fully support the mouth closed rule.

What's behind that rule? (That giant football of a trout with a 1/8" of space between his jaws would have made me insane!!)

The rule is to make sure that all fish are scored equally. The rule is absolute because allowing one fish to have its mouth slightly open, but DQing another for a slightly more open mouth would just lead to arguments between competitors, complaints to the committee and other nonsense that gets in the way of a good time.

Yes, it sucked to have my fish DQd, but I think enforcing the rule will result in better photographs (it did for me) and fewer arguments between competitors and committee members.

In short, I think the ruling on the trout was the right ruling and I fully support the mouth closed rule.

OK,
I took a break from AOTY this year because of the "mouth closed" rule. I was told by fish and game that that is because they usually measure dead not live fish, and I always release my catch.
This year I will be back in AOTY and will try to take the best pics I can without killing any fish.
Still against the kill for points thing, but if that's how it has to be, I won't be as competitive as in past years.
Glad to see it associated to PIF.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Eric,

I don't think it will be too much of an issue with fish under the max length of the Plano measuring boards. If getting a big fish in frame is an issue I like to take backup photos with a goproII.  The wide angle makes it really easy to get the whole fish.

 The only issue is probably with sturgeon.  I don't like the excessive handling required to get an AOTY worthy photo of a sturgeon that is meant to be released. This year I decided to keep one, so the photo wasn't an issue.

Good luck this year!  I'll be rooting for you!

 

thats a good one ATD, cameron

 

Where's the stick?