SC Tourny, should sharks be allowed?

So who's fishing out of moss with me for a big blue? I'll bleed it and donate to the BBQ. lol


-Brian

It's a tough call on the batrays and sharks.  I know I won't be targetting them at the derby, but what would you do if you really wanted or needed a new kayak... and suddenly you have a derby-winning 60# batray on the end of your line?

At the Kayak Connection Derby last September, BigRed caught a batray that would have won the derby, but he let it go and lost his chance to take home a brand new Angler Edition WS Tarpon 140 worth about $800.   Did he make the right decision?

Is Elkhorn Slough an eligible body of water for this event?  

-Allen

I wasn't saying that all sharks are a 12, Threshers are pretty hard to attract i guess but I am pretty sure I can chum up some big sharks if I want (I don't)

Mol,

I think we know it is moot at this point but we have had this debate every year and we would like to not have it next year. I think we should ask the kayak connection people to make it clear once and for all, which maybe they have and we just don't know it!  

After we practically ro-sham-boed for the sturgeon gizzard I think any normal definition of "edible" is out the window for this group.  I wish you guys well at the derby.

Bill,

Agreed.

I just got clearance from the control tower to fish this tourny.

I will be fishing halibut.

MolBasser

Just to be clear, last year I caught a bat ray and deliberately let it go... the whole "edible" thing being an issue.  I had no idea I would have won that kayak (I assumed the ray was excluded).  Chris-Molbasser has tuned me on since then to how yummy the ray can be when prepared correctly.

My vote, in the online poll, was no Chondrichthyes (sharks/rays) because I think the rules are a bit unclear.   But I'm not feeling robbed of my prize or anything.  I *have* a kayak and, while a second one would be nice, I am in these tournaments to meet people like you and to get a bad sunburn, not to win kayaks.  Of course, there's no way I can afford a second kayak so winning one sounds awfully nice...

So ultimately, I don't really care what the decision is... but I'd suggest a decision should be made and made CLEARLY to all entrants.  Listed species (or simply saying "any legal catch") would be the clearest.

That being said, if batrays are eventually disallowed this year and if I catch one --  I'm bringing it back and making you guys eat it.    

I really dont care one way or another I just want it to be clear with either a list of fish deemed edable or all legal fish.  I wouldent want to thgrow back a derby winning fish becaus i wasnt sure it counted or not.

Hi folks, if you catch a bat ray and decide to keep it... the best way to prepare is , cook it with coconut milk kinda like curry but don't over cooked it, unless you want a Batray chowder...

Good Luck to all of you....

Kiel ><>

Golden arrow,

It is very clear and plain.  Heaviest fish wins.  If you do not break any DFG rules and bring the heaviest legal fish to the scale- you win.

Nothing in the rules states or implies "edibility".

MolBasser

Regardless of what the entry states, the rules we agreed on as a group in the past were:

1. Edible fish - we agreed rays and sharks besides threshers did not count 2. Area - Davenport/Scotts Creek down to Moss Landing
3. Sign in - discussed but never implemented (logistics)

Yeah, I know the entry doesn't spell this out, but these are the rules that we agreed on (as I remember them).

It would be great if this was stated on the entry but this has always been an informal contest. Who knows why? Maybe it because the organizer is a laid back kind of guy, or he's too busy running a small business, or he wants the participants to run it. I dunno.

What I do know:

1. KC is pretty cool for setting this up and getting us a great prize
2. This is a fun event even when you don't go home with a kayak
3. Raises money for good cause near to hearts
4. Past disputes were resolved by majority vote
5. I'm due for a big friggn fish

As a group (members of NCKA), it would be great if we can come to an agreement before the derby. I would suggest we go by the past agreement (of previous years derbies) until we can meet face to face and set more formal rules.

Again, I suggest targeting halibut, fishing somewhere near/in Monterey Bay, and releasing bat rays (unless you plan on eating it and NOT winning a kayak).

These are just my opinions based on observations from past derbies.  I'm not affliated with Kayak Connection in any way.

My real concern is the party after the Derby.......how about more fish donations on the BBQ grill?  

Chef / Steve - the chips and home-made salsa you brought last year was da bomb!!!  

I share the same views as Big Red - I fish the derby to socialize and learn  Don't get me wrong, winning a kayak would be nice but the gathering of cool kayak fishermen is priceless.  

My vote: ANY edible fish counts - AND it must be cooked and prepared during the Derby party for everyone to enjoy.  

I'm not in the derby so my opinion isn't worth much, but I think anyone with the balls to hook, land, and transport a 50+lb batray deserves to win the tourny.

It's hard enough pulling monster rays out of the water at Tides Wharf. I COULD NOT imagine trying to actually land one in a yizak.

Either way - good luck, fellas.

I'm not in the derby so my opinion isn't worth much, but I think anyone with the balls to hook, land, and transport a 50+lb batray deserves to win the tourny.

It's hard enough pulling monster rays out of the water at Tides Wharf. I COULD NOT imagine trying to actually land one in a yizak.

Either way - good luck, fellas.

I agree it would be difficult to land a huge ray on a yak.  My concern is that it seems a bit wasteful as the primary reason to kill the fish is for the prize.  Outside of "mud marlin" tournaments, I don't think we (or fisherman in general) target this species.

Even though I am for "counting" Thresher sharks for the derby, my main concern is that of the few T-sharks caught up north seemed to be smaller fish (40-50lbs).  Again, quite feat landing such a large fish, but my understanding is a 50lb T-shark is a juvenille that probably should be released.  Despite this concern, I voted for counting T-sharks, b/c it is an amazing accomplishment, they are supposed to be great to eat, and quite frankly with that long tail, the fish must seem much bigger than it actually is when you are on a yak, esp. the first time you catch one.

Wow,
I was out for a day and looks like a 3 page controversy erupted.

I agree with Kevin's first post, regarding the "unwritten, agreed upon rules for last year", and assume they apply this year.

Sure everyone would like a new kayak, but I don't agree with killing sharks/rays (or a mola mola) for the chance of winning.  Some may be eaten, but I'm sure many would go to waste.  That's not right in my book.

I'll be targeting either salmon or halibut.  If I should hook into a shark or a ray, it will be released regardless of size.

Stuart