Tournaments and Trolling Motors

With manufacturers coming out with more and more options to propel a kayak that are an advantage over paddling,  I thought I'd bring this subject up. Do you think a trolling motor would be an unfair advantage? Are pedal drives an unfair advantage? What about sails?

You should consider another option for your poll:

"Are you F*#&ing kidding?!"

depends on what the target species is...   They don't make you a better fisherman, but can get you to more areas faster.

Tourney director can choose... AOTY, choice made, no.... Bullards bar would be a lake I'd consider a yes (due to good areas far away from launch) Now if they are allowed, boat would HAVE TO BE REGISTERED.... Legal use in California of a motor electric or other requires registration to be "LEGAL".... While they are good for long distance and fishing hands free. You might as well be in a boat not a kayak. I think it misses the point of Kayaking.... KISS (keep it simple stupid....) CF #s and paying yearly is it's own punishment...

Definite advantage to "hands free" propulsion in my opinion.  However, would like to know whether the majority of tournament winners paddle or propel.   

That's up to the tournament director(s).

If you use a trolling motor can I bring my friend's Ranger? It has a trolling motor on it...       

That's up to the tournament director(s).

+1.  I agree with Oyster Boy and Baitman.  I think this will become unavoidable topics in 2+ years.  Kayak still rules, it can still go where no boats can.

I'm losing my ability to row and it looks like pedaling is not far behind so he'll ya e motors are not always faster nor do they always give you more range  it depends on the battery and it's ratings as well as how it's used
peddling depends on what shape your in as dose rowing
 But skill fishing will trump speed every time
So many times I've watched bass boats flying over the best fishing to go so far to there spot only to get little result
I know because I've fish we're they flew by and have caught better and bigger fish that they passed over
Just my 2cents

Tourney director can choose... AOTY, choice made, no.... Bullards bar would be a lake I'd consider a yes (due to good areas far away from launch) Now if they are allowed, boat would HAVE TO BE REGISTERED.... Legal use in California of a motor electric or other requires registration to be "LEGAL".... While they are good for long distance and fishing hands free. You might as well be in a boat not a kayak. I think it misses the point of Kayaking.... KISS (keep it simple stupid....) CF #s and paying yearly is it's own punishment...

My understanding is I'd have to buy one less lure to offset the cost of the registration fee. As far as it being the same as a boat... I guess it depends on how much value you put into the human powered part of the kayak experience. Being down close to the water, and handling the swells etc would be the same. I don't see it as an advantage any more than pedal power is. It is more of an equalizer. With a good battery I could go as far as the young guns with their pedal kayaks. Maybe we could use a handicap system to equalize the differences. Extra points for paddling, fewer points for battery power. Maybe once the price for the new wilderness systems motor comes down out of the stratosphere we'll see more of them used. Will that bring people with disabilities into the sport? Maybe more older people. Will we tell them they aren't pure enough to join in?

Tourney director can choose... AOTY, choice made, no.... Bullards bar would be a lake I'd consider a yes (due to good areas far away from launch) Now if they are allowed, boat would HAVE TO BE REGISTERED.... Legal use in California of a motor electric or other requires registration to be "LEGAL".... While they are good for long distance and fishing hands free. You might as well be in a boat not a kayak. I think it misses the point of Kayaking.... KISS (keep it simple stupid....) CF #s and paying yearly is it's own punishment...

My understanding is I'd have to buy one less lure to offset the cost of the registration fee. As far as it being the same as a boat... I guess it depends on how much value you put into the human powered part of the kayak experience. Being down close to the water, and handling the swells etc would be the same. I don't see it as an advantage any more than pedal power is. It is more of an equalizer. With a good battery I could go as far as the young guns with their pedal kayaks. Maybe we could use a handicap system to equalize the differences. Extra points for paddling, fewer points for battery power. Maybe once the price for the new wilderness systems motor comes down out of the stratosphere we'll see more of them used. Will that bring people with disabilities into the sport? Maybe more older people. Will we tell them they aren't pure enough to join in?

I think one thing is to "join in" the sport, and a totally different one is to compete in tournaments...

No need to compete in tourneys to get out there and have fun...

I personally wouldn't be jazzed about competing in a tourney that allowed motors, just like I wouldn't be into diving a tourney that allowed SCUBA tanks..

But since I only go to like one tourney a year you should probably take my opinion with a very small grain of salt...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Considering a separate category isn't a bad idea. More work for someone putting together a tournament.
Might be a little much  setting up different prizes for a different category being it would be way to much work figuring out a scoring system.

Alex

IMO a kayak with a motor is more suited to a powerboat tournament than a kayak fishing tournament...but WTF do I know...I don't even really fish anymore.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

There is no doubt that using motor is a clear advantage vs paddling.  But the same can be said with pedals and sails.  Having a motor is also a plus to bring out folks that otherwise can't compete if it's a pedal/paddle category.  Perhaps the equalizer is a handicap point system (like golf), if it is, the question is how.   I am OK with whatever method since I do both pedal and paddle (and motor in the future).  But, personally, I think banning a motor completely is not the answer.  I hate to think that we can't give opportunity to join in for those who can't paddle/pedal.  I know this is could be a religious-like question, but perhaps there is a serious merit on having this discussion?

IMO a kayak with a motor is more suited to a powerboat tournament than a kayak fishing tournament...but WTF do I know...I don't even really fish anymore.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Dude, based on your videos, I don't even think you need a yak to win