kayak tourney ?

Hey John. I enjoy fishing competetively and I think a large % of our club does too. I like almost every aspect of it, the preparation, setting up my gear and boat, pre fishing, prizes, cash, bragging rights, all of it. And like others, when I'm on the water I'm in tourney mode. But when it's over, it's over.
But my point is that every tourney our club holds has a level of competitiveness in my opinion. I feel It's not necessarily the director who sets up how competetive the event is, it's the anglers who attend and they're level of competition who determines that.
I setup LRC to be a competetive tourney, straight up, big fish gets you  some cash, prizes and bragging rights.  But, in the end we still chill by the bonfire giving out bro hugs, drinking good beer and tell'n fish tales all while dinning on lightly roasted sand fleas. 😉

Mike

Hey John pm me and I'll tell my spin on the tournament that you are talking about. There's nothing wrong with competition at all but when that is the only driving factor its nothing but ego. I've had bass pros at cl come up while I'm on my kayak and think they own the lake. If you like competitive people just look for the ones who list everything they have ever won since birth. 

Hey John pm me and I'll tell my spin on the tournament that you are talking about. There's nothing wrong with competition at all but when that is the only driving factor its nothing but ego. I've had bass pros at cl come up while I'm on my kayak and think they own the lake. If you like competitive people just look for the ones who list everything they have ever won since birth. 

im off to work will pm you tonite

I am so bad with names--then Al told me---remember one name from each event ,work on it that way

Now I am focused on that and am really happy to see folks and even better if I dont bungle their name---winning takes many forms

<snipped>.... If you like competitive people just look for the ones who list everything they have ever won since birth. 

Nailed it!!!    

If you are that interested in the competitive nature that an event can offer, show up prepared to manhandle your way through all the nice guys fishing and emerge head and shoulders at the top with a bright 1st place so and so as a tag line and some swag, maybe even a brand spankin new kayak to boot!

But...don't get butt hurt when, despite your competitive nature, you end up midway up the pack with three seasoned "non-competitive" NCKA brothers or sisters standing on the podium receiving their well earned swag and boat, while laughing, enjoying a beer and giving and taking shit about it amid laughter.

I think you should do it to see what it's all about. A good competitor can accept defeat!

I run a tourney where I handed out over $1500 in prize money and we raised almost $4000 for charity last month.  There's definitely a high level of competitiveness mixed in with the camaraderie and special social interaction.  If you can video yourself catching, measuring and releasing a big ling you'd have done well at my gig.

Next year I'm considering going all video, but no more cash prizes - I don't need people getting competitive on a level where winning is more important than being there with a group who cares about each other, the venue, the locals and the fish.  We celebrate the sport by supporting each other and building up the kids and family aspects of the gathering.  I'm basically looking for people to try their hardest to have success while also acknowledging that we're part of a sport where there's a random aspect to who will get the bite from the biggest fish.  There's plenty of skill required to get out there to the fish, present a good bait, play out a big fish, land it...etc., but the bottom line is that anyone who bones up on methods, gets the gear and spends the time out there is potentially able to "win".

The real winning comes from the quality of your interaction with others, and the biggest winners are those who give the most of themselves when presented with real opportunities to share, assist, support and celebrate others.

All video release for Pro Division with a required Gyotaku at check in...  Hmmmm...  I'll keep contemplating it - I want my event to be competitive in a way that takes people on a journey of discovery and admiration for the efforts of others.  The kids and the families will all win if I do it right, and the guy who catches the biggest fish or turns in the best video will win in a different way.

My ultimate goal:  have everyone at my event be stoked to be part of a club of competent and conscientious watermen and waterwomen who show emotions more toward the love side than the win side.

Maybe see you next year.   

I feel like a winner every time I get a chance to be on the water, which lately, is seldom.  I'm "ok" with that right now.  I enjoy fishing & enjoy spending time with my extended NCKA family.  We have some fishing bad-ass' on here who have time & time again proven that they have what it takes through extensive time spent on the water.  I think them for sharing their knowledge & adventures with us as a group.  That is RARE when this type of competition is generally so "secretive" or filled with fisherman pushing the latest lure that is sponsoring them.  Ever notice how the "only lure you should fish" is the newest one to sponsor him/her & the lure from last week is "so yesterday"?  I digress...  Sometimes, a little luck triumphs over years of skill building.  We have seen it before & we will see it again.

I am glad to see the fellowship that comes from our social gatherings.  For me, PIF is the most intense tournament I choose to participate in    Racing for the red can for jello shots ... racing the guy next to you back to shore.  Good times!  The level of NCKA tourney fishing is what you make it.  If intense, tourney level fishing is what you desire, go for it!  Don't be dissapointed if the guy/gal next to you is simply out there to have fun because that might just be me.     I take as much pride & enjoyment in fishing as I do being on the shoreline helping others to be ready for their adventures on the water.  If that means not fishing, meh, so be it.  I'm all good with that.  Even NCKA needs a 'Pit Crew' now & then.

A good competitor can accept defeat!

Yup.  Win with class and lose with class.

Tell you what...click here: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=61823.0
That is a list of 20+ competitive kayak-fishing tournaments. Most of those events offer prizes in the form of kayaks and/or cash.
Go win a couple of those first...or at least try to win haha! But don't underestimate the level of competition here. There are some seriously good anglers in this group--far & away better than your average regional bass pros or other guys who consider themselves hardcore tourney anglers.
Most of the NCKA events are "family-friendly" in the sense that family & friends are invited to hang out before and after the tourney. To me, it also means the other competitors will welcome you and share with you and congratulate you. But don't be mistaken; they want to win too!    

Also checkout AOTY Angler of the Year. It's the best year-long kayak competition in the US! http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list


Grim nailed it right here:

But...don't get butt hurt when, despite your competitive nature, you end up midway up the pack with three seasoned "non-competitive" NCKA brothers or sisters standing on the podium receiving their well earned swag and boat, while laughing, enjoying a beer and giving and taking shit about it amid laughter.

If you like competitive people just look for the ones who list everything they have ever won since birth. 

You just jelly. 

  If you can video yourself catching, measuring and releasing a big ling you'd have done well at my gig.

Next year I'm considering going all video, but no more cash prizes -

I thought I did that...

Might as well tell everyone to get a Go Pro then.

Other than that, yes fun indeed. 

I joined NCKA because of HOW.  I didn't go to a tournament for the first year.  Then when I went, I was all jazzed and tried to do the best I could.  Got everythng squared away, practiced changing gear, I was ready.  Then you find out that the guy who one the tournament had never fished saltwater before and borrowed the yak he was on to win the tournament.      You can be as competitive as you desire and fill your ego with tons of pictures of fish.  But, I think you will be limiting yourself with NCKA's true value and gift.  The gift of brotherhood and family.  We all love fish stories, and bragging about the one that broke our line.  But after the tournament is over, leave it and concentrate on the relationships that last longer than tournament day.  As for ADT and Racinrob, I'm gong to smack their asses with a monster ling at the next tournament.

Oh, and for those who truly know me, you know I'm all about the love for this sport and Club as well...Fish, Compete, Participate,  Chill, and Give Back is the NCKA WAY.

I am so competitive, that I've disqualified myself from truly competing at any tourney.