2015 AOTY/DOTY suggestions

Regarding Junior AOTY, I realize that it could get very complicated but, I suspect some of our younger ones will not be fishing salt and are kids under 10 going head to head with the big kids? I don't suggest we need to wussyify it, I just want to have some idea of how old my kid might need to be to enjoy it

IMO ...

It's not about the competition.  It's about fishing with your kids.

-Allen

Regarding Junior AOTY, I realize that it could get very complicated but, I suspect some of our younger ones will not be fishing salt and are kids under 10 going head to head with the big kids? I don't suggest we need to wussyify it, I just want to have some idea of how old my kid might need to be to enjoy it

IMO ...

It's not about the competition.  It's about fishing with your kids.

-Allen

Agreed, I still have a question.......
-Amos

Regarding Junior AOTY, I realize that it could get very complicated but, I suspect some of our younger ones will not be fishing salt and are kids under 10 going head to head with the big kids? I don't suggest we need to wussyify it, I just want to have some idea of how old my kid might need to be to enjoy it

IMO ...

It's not about the competition.  It's about fishing with your kids.

-Allen

^^^^ This

We want this to be about helping grow the love for the sport and encouraging the kids to get OTW. It is a competition but we will not be making it all about the competition.

Let's get them out there and have fun with this. 

Wow,
Glad we are all adults here?

Can you really not help yourself here?  You lead with an implication that I'm not an adult.  I'll forgo the ad hominim attacks because they don't advance the ball at all, but this is not a good look.

Lets be clear about things ...
I never said or implied that anyone was targeting illegal species, I only suggested that we rethink the rules ... the basis for this thread. I implied that some species targeted are endangered (or at least threatened)

No, you said:

consider rethinking the rules that may harm the fish we care about (endangered species targeted, over handling fish for a photo, etc.). Make it a more conscience event, and more may participate.

and:

I know I'm no longer active with the AOTY, but these are some of the reasons I (and some others) have decided against participating

So you come right out and say that endangered species are targeted as some unidentified function of the rules, and that is one of the reasons that you and some other unidentified people don't participate.  You imply that if others were more conscientious, they would not participate in AOTY either.

it amazes me that a question can be openly asked for input and if we answer with our opinion, we are frowned upon if our opinion is different. Why ask for opinions if they are not welcome?

You don't get it both ways.  You don't get to come unglued when someone expresses his opinion and calls out Fisherman's Warehouse for selling sturgeon rigs in a California shop that are illegal to use in California for the advertised purpose, then defend yourself a week later here by saying that your opinions that AOTY participants target endangered species and are not conscientious fisherfolk is unwelcome and is being attacked by childish people who can't act like adults.  You don't get to play victim here.  Nope, I'm not letting that happen. 

Regards,

Doug

I think Jr AOTY should be open to anyone under 18. And maybe just $20 to enter, instead of $40. 

I think Jr AOTY should be open to anyone under 18. And maybe just $20 to enter, instead of $40. 

I'm intrigued by the idea of jr aoty as a way to get my kids more involved, but if my 7 year old girl has to compete with a 17 year old boy, I'm not paying a dime.

I think Jr AOTY should be open to anyone under 18. And maybe just $20 to enter, instead of $40. 

I'm intrigued by the idea of jr aoty as a way to get my kids more involved, but if my 7 year old girl has to compete with a 17 year old boy, I'm not paying a dime.

Doug if that how you want to look at the JAOTY that's fine. I on the other hand will be encouraging my daughter to go out with me as much as possible, learn how to target different species, proudly log her fish, and hopefully post reports. But hey that might be too much for some to embrace.

As far as competing against 17 y/o boys goes I really don't think there will be all that many and it doesn't mean that they will out fish younger kids. Shoot my daughter out fished me several times last year.

I think Jr AOTY should be open to anyone under 18. And maybe just $20 to enter, instead of $40. 

I'm intrigued by the idea of jr aoty as a way to get my kids more involved, but if my 7 year old girl has to compete with a 17 year old boy, I'm not paying a dime.

Doug if that how you want to look at the JAOTY that's fine. I on the other hand will be encouraging my daughter to go out with me as much as possible, learn how to target different species, proudly log her fish, and hopefully post reports. But hey that might be too much for some to embrace.

As far as competing against 17 y/o boys goes I really don't think there will be all that many and it doesn't mean that they will out fish younger kids. Shoot my daughter put fished me several times last year.

I hit post before I thought that all the way through. I would pay a dime. I'd want a handicap. I got both my kids on fish last year, and I guess not too surprisingly for young kids they liked action, so sabiki rigs during the herring run and bank fishing with a worm and a bobber for yellow perch were highlights. It would be nice to add competition too, but without some sort of handicap to level the field id be teaching them the wrong lesson.

I hope there are a few older kids who enter...because it'll be even sweeter when my 7 year-old son beats them!

I hope there are a few older kids who enter...because it'll be even sweeter when my 7 year-old son beats them!

+1

Valentina caught two 23+ inch cabs this year and multiple Lings over 30. She doesn't need a handicap.

Neither does Logan who caught a 40+ inch Ling last year!! 

She's excited about playing and I'm excited about helping her get out there and catch some fish and have some fun!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Doug,

The lesson learned by your kids is the lesson that you teach them. Your perception will be their reality. Like I posted above my focus will not be points points points. I want skylar to learn and grow from this. My concern is that the parents will make this more about winning than spending time with their kids.

But if this is too much for you to deal with you are more than welcome to keep your kids out of it. I really hope you don't because I think it will be fun for all.

Doug,

The lesson learned by your kids is the lesson that you teach them. Your perception will be their reality. Like I posted above my focus will not be points points points. I want skylar to learn and grow from this. My concern is that the parents will make this more about winning than spending time with their kids.

But if this is too much for you to deal with you are more than welcome to keep your kids out of it. I really hope you don't because I think it will be fun for all.

Well said James. I agree 100%.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Doug,

The lesson learned by your kids is the lesson that you teach them. Your perception will be their reality. Like I posted above my focus will not be points points points. I want skylar to learn and grow from this. My concern is that the parents will make this more about winning than spending time with their kids.

But if this is too much for you to deal with you are more than welcome to keep your kids out of it. I really hope you don't because I think it will be fun for all.

I just typed up a longish reply that said something like this about the lessons we teach, but you said it much better than I did.

I have a feeling Valentina is gonna dominate JAOTY. Those 17 year old boys better step up their game!

I have a feeling Valentina is gonna dominate JAOTY. Those 17 year old boys better step up their game!

LOL!!

Now that we have a tandem and she has a brand new PFD (that she won with a huge jacksmelt at the KC tourney) she is even more excited about getting out OTW.

I just want to spend more time with her fishing.   

We were on a charter recently with Hailey (fishingforthecure's daughter) Logan (dr. hab's son) and Ethan (chaeki's son) and all the kids were obviously super psyched on fishing...gotta say, little Ethan has mad skills so hopefully Chaeki will sign him up too.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps..sorry for the thread jack and valentina pics...I get carried away sometimes.