AOTY 2019 Recommendations anyone?

Anyone have any comments or questions about this year's rules that you would like changed before 2019 launches?

I think 2018 went fairly well, not too many hiccups or complaints came to us about our judging this year.  Again, please feel free to reach out to myself or any of the other judges if you have a problem that you don't want to post up publicly.

A couple of items that we quietly allowed this year, per judge discretion:
1. Mouth open - please continue to attempt to close the mouth the best you can. We gave a bit of leeway for those like paperthin mouth open submissions, the ones that obviously didn't affect length.  We won't necessarily be as lenient if there is a trend of mouth being open. 
2. Greenling - we know they're a bitch to close their mouth, so just try at all.  I don't think we reduced a single greenling for mouth open.
3. Blurry pictures/bad board lining - we generally give a little slack to people on blurry pictures and unmarked hawg troughs, as long as we can make a discretionary judgment on fish length.

Things we still didn't give any leeway on:
4. Cut throat and or stringer rule - this is hard and fast and we simply don't use discretion on these.

Things we waffle on:
5. "Straight up" board shots - it is important for us to get pictures of fish from as straight up an angle as possible.  If you take a picture too much from one side or another, it can cause problems for us trying to determine the actual length of the fish, especially if the tail is not touching the board.  We do want you to be able to catch and release a fish if you so choose, so please try to take a picture towards the back half of the fish so we can tell where the tail is touching.  These take a lot of work for the judges to decide on the proper length, so your cooperation is requested to help make the jobs of our volunteers necessary.

DA Money - $40 is still expected to be the entry fee, but it takes a lot of work to get sponsors.  So we can't make many guarantees about what we will get for prizes next year.  Please participate or if you have ideas to improve participation it would be great.  The board will be discussing the entry fee over the next week so please provide us your input if you have it.

If you disagree with the above or have any other suggestions, please feel free to use this as an open forum to discuss. 

Thanks,
AOTY Committee

Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!

Can I step up & join the committee next year if I win?

Thanks again!!!

Naoaki


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AOTY is fantastic, hope everyone signs up!!

Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!

Can I step up & join the committee next year if I win?

Thanks again!!!

Naoaki


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That's how it seemed to be in the past. I would vote for you Naoaki! 

It's been awhile, but I'm in for 2019.

Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!

Can I step up & join the committee next year if I win?

Thanks again!!!

Naoaki

To bring on a new member to the AOTY committee, you must challenge and defeat a current member in a dance battle.

That being said, put on your tap shoes.

How about changing the sail division to the “open” division where just about anything goes? It looks like there were only 2 sailors competing last year, so maybe opening it up to other sorts of weirdness would encourage a few more to participate...

How about changing the sail division to the “open” division where just about anything goes? It looks like there were only 2 sailors competing last year, so maybe opening it up to other sorts of weirdness would encourage a few more to participate...

I think 2 is the most that ever competed.

I think best fisherwoman should get a plaque 

Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!

Can I step up & join the committee next year if I win?

Thanks again!!!

Naoaki

To bring on a new member to the AOTY committee, you must challenge and defeat a current member in a dance battle.

That being said, put on your tap shoes.

Tap dancing...!? I’m freestyle kinda guy...

AOTY is fantastic, hope everyone signs up!!

Yes AOTY is fantastic!!! Everyone should join!!!

I think best fisherwoman should get a plaque 

Sam would appreciate that!

Have we decided an entry fee for 2019? I just bought my 2019 license so I’m ready for 2019 AOTY 

Lingcod belly down should be made OK. Body just like a catfish...but with teeth.

Lingcod belly down should be made OK. Body just like a catfish...but with teeth.

Great idea for certain species, especially Cabazon. 
;0)

As always, I'll pay and play with no delusions of a winning finish. Just like to play and see everyone triumphs! (and funnies too)

I think best fisherwoman should get a plaque 

Sam would appreciate that!

Have we decided an entry fee for 2019? I just bought my 2019 license so IÂ’m ready for 2019 AOTY 

I vote “yea”!


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This year went great. As my first year judging I would like to add my thoughts on open mouth and picture location . It’s hard to keep the mouth closed on any live fish.... I still feel that mouth closed pictures is possible and in order to keep the rule simple ( mouth is open is a yes or no question) if it’s open I think -1” should taken off. This keeps it simple to judge and fair for  all. Or what about all closed mouth fish get extra .5” ?? No just kidding !
   Second I feel a picture with the fish near or on the kayak should be required. We get pictures taken at home with the fish. It would help prove your fish was caught on a kayak and not a friends fish or boat caught.

Just my 2cents on rules that could be cleared up.
Thanks everyone It’s been fun judging and competing. Looking foward to next year and more.