I did not want to derail the inquiry about the golden ticket so........
I agree the tournie could use a few tweaks: A shore division is a good idea. A dated weekly slip should be sent to each participant at the start of the tournie, as the slip is filled out at the weigh-in station, use it or lose the week. The Angler of the Year should definetly get a chance to win the truck in additon to the Award.
I disagree about any weighted points system for team size. The rules state the 10 heaviest fish not the most fish caught by different people. Lastly while being a true commercial fisherman ( ie actually making a living off of the daily catch as opposed to just having a commercial license ) does offer the distinct advantage of being able to put an incredible amount of time in, so what?
Why would you skip the event because of a few glitches?

I don't think the commercial issue revolves around the time put in. Many commercial license holders, in fact most, in Mass are part-timers with day jobs. A lot of recs put in more time than a majority of the guys who hold comm licenses. I think the big issue is the ability to cherry pick among 30 fish, rather than having to make an instant decision to release that 40 pounder you caught with another fish in the box already, in hopes the next will be a 45 or a 50. A commercial with 10 fish in the box can box that 40 and keep on trying to top it.

Unfortunately, I don't know how you could ever enforce a rule banning the entry of commercially-caught fish. Ban all commercial license holders? That's a lot of people and I'd be opposed to it. A lot of the pinhookers were out there fishing recreationally for the OTW in May, June, early July and kept at it after the season closed. Suspend the contest for the duration of the Mass commercial season? Keep in mind, this derby ran from Maine to NJ. Not fair to anglers there--heck, Maine would lose the best part of their season, in all likelihood.

I think it's just one of those things we're all going to have to live with. You decide whether you want to compete or not and accept the disadvantage you're under as a rec.

Some other rules I'd like to see tweaked:

1. Separate divisions for shore/boat grand prize Like they have for the MV Derby--8 guys get keys there, not just 4. Weekly and monthly prizes were awarded that way (as well as for Juniors), why not do the same for the grand prize? Pass out 10 keys instead of 5.

2. Separate shore/boat divisions for clubs. Or award two points per pound to the club's total for a shore fish, like the Schaeffer.

3. If a tackle shop or other weigh station sponsors a club team, they should not be allowed to officially weigh their members' fish. There's just too much opportunity to stockpile slips and pull a smaller fish's slip and send in a bigger one's. If this isn't feasible, all slips should be numbered sequentially, and come in three copies--one for the fisherman, one to send in to OTW and the third to be kept in the shop and remitted to OTW at the end of the Cup. All slips should be accounted for, just like a cop's ticket book. One or two missing slips isn't a big deal. More than 10, that raises alarm bells.

I think some of Sandman's suggestions are needed and that the Commercial factor is the hardest. So options like the commercial season closing or no more than 4 commercial license holders per team, or who knows what. Some king of accomodation can be made but the rulles do need to be tweaked.

Props to OTW for making the tweaks they already have...

I am sure there will be staff on hand at the beerfest who would be more than willing to hear any suggestions. Especially later in the evening.

My guess is they are already aware and will make changes next year.

Thanks to all you who take the time to make thoughtful posts and solid suggestions....makes good reading :uhuh:

Imagine the kind of uproar there would be if a shore guy caught a 70 lber? He would win Striper of the Year but wouldn't be eligible for the grand prize? Kinda dumb and probably an unfortunate oversight by the tourney commitee.

I got prizes for the heaviest fish of the week. What do I get for heaviest fish in the shore division for the month of June, if not a shot at the grand prize (the truck)? :confused:

Anyone know?

Geoff you got a 1 in 5 shot at winning a VS. Largest shore fish every month got that opportunity. You bumped my fish with yours in June. Only wish you caught yours 3-4 days later.

[QUOTE=GeoffT]Imagine the kind of uproar there would be if a shore guy caught a 70 lber? He would win Striper of the Year but wouldn't be eligible for the grand prize? Kinda dumb and probably an unfortunate oversight by the tourney commitee.

I got prizes for the heaviest fish of the week. What do I get for heaviest fish in the shore division for the month of June, if not a shot at the grand prize (the truck)? :confused:

Anyone know?

Geoff, exactly why wouldn't it qualify for striper of the year? I do not think anyone would be in an uproar, except maybe a congratulatory uproar and a "that-a-boy!"

Geoff, exactly why wouldn't it qualify for striper of the year? I do not think anyone would be in an uproar, except maybe a congratulatory uproar and a "that-a-boy!"

If you re-read my post, I mentioned that the guy would win the Striper of the Year. :) BUT he would not be eligible for the grand prize because it's shore-caught, according to a couple guys that posted on this forum. Actually, the website states "Monthly Winners (5) -Heaviest Striper Each Month. Will be eligible to win the Grand Prize 4 x 4" Which five winners? It doesn't say boat or shore but for some reason the assumption on this forum is boat winners are eligible. If the website doesn't actually say, how did anyone know it's only for boat winners?

Don't get me wrong, I got the fish of a lifetime. That's the grand prize as far as I'm concerned. :btu:

Geoff, I think it just happens that the heaviest stripers each month were all caught on boats How big was your fish and what did you catch it on ?

Geoff you got a 1 in 5 shot at winning a VS. Largest shore fish every month got that opportunity. You bumped my fish with yours in June. Only wish you caught yours 3-4 days later.

A VS, huh? SWEET! I didn't read that anywhere in the Prize section.

Thanks much for the information. :wave:

Sorry for bumping you out of the running. Well, maybe not. :angel: Still that's a nice fish you got and I congratulate you. :cheers:

Geoff, I think it just happens that the heaviest stripers each month were all caught on boats How big was your fish and what did you catch it on ?

Heaviest of month, regardless of boat or shore? Well, THAT makes a whole lot of sense. And that hypothetical surf-caught 70lber would definitely be eligible if it wins for a month's heaviest. I think I need reading glasses. :smash:

Thanks for clarifying, Diggin Jiggin. :)