2017 AOTY Rule Suggestions - go for it

 

Would these be considered natural position?

 

 

 

Sincererly,

Jim

So I do have an actual rule proposal/modification here for you to discuss:

Current rule:
(Part of 3) Mouths must be completely closed. If there is light showing between the lips then the mouth is not closed. You are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not completely closed, the entry will be disqualified. No lip grippers or game clips or stringers can be in the mouth when picture is taken.

4. All attempts should be made to photograph submissions with mouth fully closed, meaning that no light or air gap should be visible between the top and bottom of the lips.  Competitors are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not fully closed, there will be an automatic deduction of 15 (10? 20) points from the submission.  Continued abuse of this rule will result in the competitor's disqualification from the competition and no refund will be issued.  The only exception for this rule is if the natural condition of the submission prevents the lips from closing fully, such as a kype or other natural deformity, and will be judged through a simple majority vote of AOTY committee members.  Sturgeon are exempted from this rule.

Would these be considered natural position?

 

 

 

Sincererly,

Jim

They come "naturally" dead? 

Would these be considered natural position?

 

 

 

Sincererly,

Jim

They come "naturally" dead? 

YES!

 

So I do have an actual rule proposal/modification here for you to discuss:

Current rule:
(Part of 3) Mouths must be completely closed. If there is light showing between the lips then the mouth is not closed. You are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not completely closed, the entry will be disqualified. No lip grippers or game clips or stringers can be in the mouth when picture is taken.

4. All attempts should be made to photograph submissions with mouth fully closed, meaning that no light or air gap should be visible between the top and bottom of the lips.  Competitors are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not fully closed, there will be an automatic deduction of 15 (10? 20) points from the submission.  Continued abuse of this rule will result in the competitor's disqualification from the competition and no refund will be issued.  The only exception for this rule is if the natural condition of the submission prevents the lips from closing fully, such as a kype or other natural deformity, and will be judged through a simple majority vote of AOTY committee members.  Sturgeon are exempted from this rule.

That is one that has been thought out and presented well... I can get behind that suggestion and would like to know how it is answered... 2nded....

I can see getting penalized a couple inches/points but DQ is kinda harsh.

I remember Jim DQ'd two of my first 4 fish because the mouth was open maybe a 1/4 inch.

WHATADICK!! 

That was the last time that happened 

So I do have an actual rule proposal/modification here for you to discuss:

Current rule:
(Part of 3) Mouths must be completely closed. If there is light showing between the lips then the mouth is not closed. You are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not completely closed, the entry will be disqualified. No lip grippers or game clips or stringers can be in the mouth when picture is taken.

4. All attempts should be made to photograph submissions with mouth fully closed, meaning that no light or air gap should be visible between the top and bottom of the lips.  Competitors are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not fully closed, there will be an automatic deduction of 15 (10? 20) points from the submission.  Continued abuse of this rule will result in the competitor's disqualification from the competition and no refund will be issued.  The only exception for this rule is if the natural condition of the submission prevents the lips from closing fully, such as a kype or other natural deformity, and will be judged through a simple majority vote of AOTY committee members.  Sturgeon are exempted from this rule.

That is one that has been thought out and presented well... I can get behind that suggestion and would like to know how it is answered... 2nded....

What??? now you want do want to discuss rule changes?  WTH ?!?!

I can see getting penalized a couple inches/points but DQ is kinda harsh.

I remember Jim DQ'd two of my first 4 fish because the mouth was open maybe a 1/4 inch.

WHATADICK!! 

That was the last time that happened 

And you never did it again.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Inches instead of straight points and instead of how it's done now.

If it is a dq or 20 point deduction, I'm more likely to kill a 40" lingcod than try to wrestle a pic and release it. If it's a 2" deduction then the lingcod probably survives the encounter and its win/win/-10pts. That's just better especially for the larges species that are more difficult to CPR with a closed mouth. 

Inches instead of straight points and instead of how it's done now.

If it is a dq or 20 point deduction, I'm more likely to kill a 40" lingcod than try to wrestle a pic and release it. If it's a 2" deduction then the lingcod probably survives the encounter and its win/win/-10pts. That's just better especially for the larges species that are more difficult to CPR with a closed mouth.

What a great suggestion, I second it! 

Inches instead of straight points and instead of how it's done now.

If it is a dq or 20 point deduction, I'm more likely to kill a 40" lingcod than try to wrestle a pic and release it. If it's a 2" deduction then the lingcod probably survives the encounter and its win/win/-10pts. That's just better especially for the larges species that are more difficult to CPR with a closed mouth.

i prefer straight points, because each fish is different in how much an open mouth would affect it, points wise for the competition, since each fish has different values on a per inch basis.  But a straight point deduction should even that out, plus, less math for the AOTY committee to calculate (lingcod, 10 points, trout, 14 points, etc).  I think either 15 or 20 points, because that's about 10% of the points of an average submission.

But that's what this is for - discussion. if you think the penalty is too harsh, weigh in.  at the end of the year, we can put that up for a vote - 1. changed rule yes/no.  2. if change rule, how many pts? (options)

Al, the slightly open line was from A committee member years ago. Sarcasm buddy. Humor in an otherwise humorless thread.

I resent that remark Craig ..my sarcasm about winter was humorous dammit ,thereby making this a humorous thread  ..who are you deciding for everyone what is humorous and what is not...

Oh you are humerus alright.

That's right you bonehead!!!!!

So I do have an actual rule proposal/modification here for you to discuss:

Current rule:
(Part of 3) Mouths must be completely closed. If there is light showing between the lips then the mouth is not closed. You are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not completely closed, the entry will be disqualified. No lip grippers or game clips or stringers can be in the mouth when picture is taken.

4. All attempts should be made to photograph submissions with mouth fully closed, meaning that no light or air gap should be visible between the top and bottom of the lips.  Competitors are not allowed to stretch or pull the lips to gain extra length. If the mouth is not fully closed, there will be an automatic deduction of 15 (10? 20) points from the submission.  Continued abuse of this rule will result in the competitor's disqualification from the competition and no refund will be issued.  The only exception for this rule is if the natural condition of the submission prevents the lips from closing fully, such as a kype or other natural deformity, and will be judged through a simple majority vote of AOTY committee members.  Sturgeon are exempted from this rule.

That is one that has been thought out and presented well... I can get behind that suggestion and would like to know how it is answered... 2nded....

What??? now you want do want to discuss rule changes?  WTH ?!?!

I flip flop in order to piss off as many folks as I can. I don't really give a rats ass! Since i seem to have gotten you confused, Let me say I'm sorry and will try to Have less input in the future. Discuss among yourselves. Al sent me out...