BigBendFishing.Net

Noticed the schedule is posted just one question about the st marks tournaments. Do we have to put out at st marks for all of them or are they launch anywhere and weigh back in there?

Those listed as St. Marks are launch from most any site.
There will be boundaries on launch sites to be announced.

What happened to the ecky tournaments?

Showboat - I thought you were going to do away with the slot tournaments this year?

Aman-in an effort to make things as simple as possible, we're trying to consolidate weigh in locations. Other than the St Joe and Carrabelle tournaments, Econfina will be within the parameters of eligible launch sites.

Casey-The Club remains committed to conservation, and as a result the desire is retain some slot tournaments. There is also increased sensitivity to game regs, and consequently, handing the tournamnet director an illegal fish (illegal vs inelegible for the specific tournament) will result in team disqualification for that tournament rather than disqualification of that fish. However, we also understand the desire to target large fish, and that is why there is only 4 slot tournaments.

Good questions guys. I hope to see both of you in Feb.

SHOWBOAT wrote:Aman-in an effort to make things as simple as possible, we're trying to consolidate weigh in locations. Other than the St Joe and Carrabelle tournaments, Econfina will be within the parameters of eligible launch sites.

Casey-The Club remains committed to conservation, and as a result the desire is retain some slot tournaments. There is also increased sensitivity to game regs, and consequently, handing the tournamnet director an illegal fish (illegal vs inelegible for the specific tournament) will result in team disqualification for that tournament rather than disqualification of that fish. However, we also understand the desire to target large fish, and that is why there is only 4 slot tournaments.

Good questions guys. I hope to see both of you in Feb.

I've been in your shoes as tournament director and know how tough it is to make everyone happy. That being said, if the club is truly about conservation, why not have the slot tournaments at the time of year when it's easiest to catch the overslot fish (Feb - May, Nov)? All the big fish are up shallow spawning and are much easier to target and catch. Most have moved off the hill by June because of the water temps and when you look at past tourney results, the big trout disappear during the Summer months. The conservation argument just doesn't seem realistic unless you have the slot tourneys when the bigguns are caught.

I'm a fan of keeping the format the same, one way or the other, for the entire year. I don't think a 15 boat tournament puts a dent in the big trout population, especially considering that not everyone brings in an over 20" fish. In fact, most don't. I know a few people that I've talked to are disappointed by this decision, but you'll see us at the non-slot tourneys. Tight lines.

Casey

I'll be looking forward to heading down from UGA to fish a couple. I think its not just the fact that were not keeping the big fish but it also sets an example of sportsmanship around the big bend in light that maybe a few folks will turn the highly fecund females back in the water.

Brian can u give us a lil info on the first tournament such as launch site or boundaries and weigh in location
I am trying to decide to take off for work for this i like the format on this one.

Do any of you think that keeping slot tournaments help to bring in new members or keep members that don't always do as well? I would think that if they all were not slot tournaments that some people would be scared off because they can't find em like some. Slot tournaments give everyone a better shot at winning, which means more boats and more money to win. Just a thought but maybe we still have side pot for big trout to be overslot...