AOTY-Archie Marx recused from judging.

You only have to look to 2009 when things were a little more relaxed and fun. Cheers homie. P.S. Now I know how you get those big spots at Folsom. hehe 

I've heard this sentiment from a few people over the years; that AOTY isn't "fun" anymore. But it's all about perspective. I've entered at least 5 fish for the past 8 years...and always enjoyed myself & had fun. Although, I am still kinda pissed at myself for losing a 15-20lb striper on Sunday...didn't fit in my crappy folding net, felt like a total noobie kook.

You only have to look to 2009 when things were a little more relaxed and fun. Cheers homie. P.S. Now I know how you get those big spots at Folsom. hehe 

I've heard this sentiment from a few people over the years; that AOTY isn't "fun" anymore. But it's all about perspective. I've entered at least 5 fish for the past 8 years...and always enjoyed myself & had fun. Although, I am still kinda pissed at myself for losing a 15-20lb striper on Sunday...didn't fit in my crappy folding net, felt like a total noobie kook.

I still think it is the MOST FUN kayak fishing tournament that I have participated in..... Develop a strategy for the year, fish on your own schedule, fish with the people that you want to fish with. It will be different for me this year, as some of my big fish waters have been hurt by the drought.  I can't wait to fish some new water in search of a trophy

You only have to look to 2009 when things were a little more relaxed and fun. Cheers homie. P.S. Now I know how you get those big spots at Folsom. hehe 

I've heard this sentiment from a few people over the years; that AOTY isn't "fun" anymore. But it's all about perspective. I've entered at least 5 fish for the past 8 years...and always enjoyed myself & had fun. Although, I am still kinda pissed at myself for losing a 15-20lb striper on Sunday...didn't fit in my crappy folding net, felt like a total noobie kook.

I had so much fun last year!  Fishing great spots with great people, catching great fish.  Let's make AOTY great again!

Josh

I had so much fun last year!  Fishing great spots with great people, catching great fish.  Let's make AOTY great again!

Josh

Great sentiment Josh!!

Looking forward to seeing you and Aiden at the awards!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Yes it is fun, yes it sucks when there's a photography learning curve.
Species I.D. and tendencies, also makes this tourney a year-long educational quest.
In the end, it's just a game that revolves around a leisure sport.
I like the fact that there is some physical requirement to kayak fishing, and that's a big reason I play. Kill two birds... as they say.
Plus, all the players are fun to be around, fishing or hanging out, talking trash etc.
It's ALL GOOD!

Let me re-phrase. It wasn't so wellll. That pic on 2009 was accepted. Not anymore. So it was different. I'll leave it at that. 2010 was fun as hell for me. A race all the way to the 31st. I lived it. I loved it. Two inches of rockfish. Damn it all. 

Let me re-phrase. It wasn't so wellll. That pic on 2009 was accepted. Not anymore. So it was different. I'll leave it at that. 2010 was fun as hell for me. A race all the way to the 31st. I lived it. I loved it. Two inches of rockfish. Damn it all. 

I'll just put this here... 

I only started participating in AOTY in 2014, so I can't reflect on the differences between the "good ole days" and now.  But I can say that I had a blast both times I took part in it.  It's one of those things that is as easy/relaxed/fun or as hard/stressful/grueling as you want to make it.

Looking back through previous AOTY results, it appears participation has increased substantially over the years.  When participation is only among a few friends, then there's not as much of a need for rules.  But as the participation pool increases and you are fishing against folks you might've never met face-to-face, the need for a more structured format arises.  Kinda like comparing a game of flag football with some friends (rules? nah) to an NFL game (instant replay, booth reviews, etc.).

I still think it is the MOST FUN kayak fishing tournament that I have participated in..... Develop a strategy for the year, fish on your own schedule, fish with the people that you want to fish with.

+1.  Back in January 2015, I wrote down a strategy for catching my AOTY fish.  It read something like "March: spotted bass at ___.  July: salmon at Shelter Cove." I loved being able to fish when I knew I'd have my best shot at a big one, versus trying to force a good fish to bite in shitty conditions or the wrong time of year.  With the 20 species format, it opens up all sorts of potential strategies.  You don't score high in AOTY without planning and strategy.  I love it  .

Clayman...could u pm that strategy please.  Lol

Clayman...could u pm that strategy please.  Lol

 

I'm no Clayman - but this is what I did:
Look at all the aoty entries (the big fish); when, where they were caught, and what methods; try and tag along with the legends and hope to get lucky

My plan was to tag along with all the big shots and catch their fish. But I ended up not having time. I almost did steal JJQ's big perch! Then he went back and got a bigger one  the next weekend

I've had a good time each time I participated. This year will probably be a difficult year for me, even moreso than last year, fishing-wise. But I will do my best again

Clayman...could u pm that strategy please.  Lol

So what's in it for me Ryan? 

Haha, more than happy to talk about it with you.  There are some "gimme" fish that are almost a prerequisite to target because they're pretty easy to catch at a good size.  However, a 38 inch salmon isn't one of them  .

Just want to let you all know that I have registered for AOTY 2016 to ensure that none of you have to worry about ending up in last place.

Clayman...could u pm that strategy please.  Lol

So what's in it for me Ryan? 

Haha, more than happy to talk about it with you.  There are some "gimme" fish that are almost a prerequisite to target because they're pretty easy to catch at a good size.  However, a 38 inch salmon isn't one of them  .

  that was a beauty salmon too!

I struggled with brown trout  and stripers last time around but those are 2 species I've had little experience with.  But I'll be targeting them differently this year.