Hmmm - how about no fish over 26" ;)
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Exactly, Mike.
Since all my experience with the Thundermist C&R was back in the 90s, we didn't have digital scales. We had Manleys verified at Nelsons (when Emilo owned it) and all the guys carried one. We all mostly fished the Back Beaches or the Canal back then so Nelsons was convenient for everyone.

Only problem with that is for a big fish the simple act of weighing it might well kill it. :wall: Pics with tape measure better, but no way a fish is going back in the water in under 30 seconds if you have to lay out a tape and take a picture. Date/time stamp on the photo OR a premade tourney sign, no need for both, just keeps the fish out of the water longer. Some people will always try and cheat even if its just for bragging rights.

I wouldnt want to have to partner up for a week long tourney, that couldn't work with the right partner for a night or even a weekend tourney but I doubt two people would have identical schedules for an entire week.
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We have an inter-island C&R tournament that in my view has resulted in a lot of fun, great memories, good times and new lasting friendships.
The "island cup" is a MV vs ACK C&R surf fishing event. It alternates islands each year as to its location and lasts a 3 day weekend (F/S/S). Each team angler fishes with someone on the other team. Largest blue/bass in lbs is noted for every angler (bogagrip) as witnessed by the guy in the other team. In the end all the weights are combined for each team. the team with the largest combined total wins the cup. (we have it this year after two painful losses.) The event begins and ends with a gathering at a restaurant or the anglers club. a great time to renew and meet new friends. Each angler for the hosting team houses their guest angler in their home for the weekend. Again, this alternates each year. It is something I look forward to each year. It is a lot of fun, I have met some wonderful people and some have become very good friends. The stories everyone has make it a very memorable.

Simple, no big money involved, great friends, just fishermen one weekend. A real mix of people from all walks of life with the common bond of fishing. Without a doubt one of the highlights of every summer for me. This is my kind of tournament.

Run it like the vineyard rod and gun Fly fishing tourney. biggest fish / most fish honnor system. Why would anybody cheat at a tourney done for a good cause. Make the raffles bigger than the prise. That works best. Make it more fun to be in the tourney than to win it. This sounds fun.

1. Keep it simple
2. Good people are honest and won't cheat. The bad guys are just looking for ways to one up someone and "win" no matter what. You can't make rules that change people.
3. The most valuable prizes should be in the raffle, I think the Habs tourney is a good example.
The recognition for winning should be enough and maybe a "neat plug shaped trophy"
I fish alone and would just as soon take a picture of the fish laying down, sometimes I'm out a ways on a rock and I am not swimming in.

OK - fish photographed go to points so say under 26" 1 point, 26+, 2 points. Points total = how much raffle chances you get for prize ?? So no PRIZE for total fish or biggest, etc but the more C&R is better CHANCES for prize?

Or am I :tm:

one raffle chance just for entering.
a second for taking a picture of a fish.
Then you can buy as many tickets as you want.

I've seen time when I could catch rats till I was sick of it. That gets old but some yahoo will feel compelled if everyone is worth a ticket.

Who the hell cheats for bragging rights, that's just the stupidest thing. You have to be a real dbag to cheat in a fishing tournament anyway especially if it's just for bragging rights. How about a specific tape measure printed up with the credentials right on it. 2 birds. I can make custom tape measures with waterproof vinyl for a buck or so or get them from a novelty place. Then there is no ? whether someone is using a rigged tape or scale. Then you also have useful souvenir when the tourney is over.

Vic you catch fish?

I like the Hand signals in the picture. As long as its easy to do.

This famous fish was caught by Rob Koch of Northbar Tackle and his hand signal was the signal for Bill Wetzel's catch and release tournament.

My thumb does that but my ring finger for some reason won't stay down.

So if its a hand signal make it easy. I can do the Spock live long and prosper hand sign.

You know the plastic retractable tape measures? I can probably get enough of em through work to cover this. They go to 60", that might be big enough.

If we need a hand signal, im a fan of the shocker.

I could see measuring for a largest fish contest getting difficult. Even under the honor system, one persons 45" is bigger than anothers.

How about most fish over a certain length?
Total # of fish caught over 40".
Maybe a certain # of bonus points for fish over 50"
You would reward the person who catches the most good fish for the tournament, and not the guy that might just get 1 good fish.

The hand signal or tourney card in the picture ideas are solid.

I second the shocker for a hand signal.:uhuh:

Now I have to buy a camera, forgetaboutit.
Groups of at least two measure tape and witness affidavit
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After alot of thinking here is my outline.
1. a printable card that one gets in an email when thay sign up.
2. no partner needed but a photo of fisherperson, fish and card is needed. (hand signal works as well)
3. boat and shore classes
4. everyone who enters is entered into one main raffle bin. as winners are pulled the name is removed.
5. plaque for biggest fish and most fish. (prises are raffle drawn) keeps it fun and honest.

I have been fortunate I have been gifted with 2 wins in the vineyard fly fishing derby. I NEVER win the raffles! They give away some amazing prizes every year. Plus Coops bbq is a blast!

Maybe a fish of the day post and a best photo winner?

emailed printable card is a great idea!

many times I'm perched on a rock and need one hand to hold the fish steady on a small bolder while the other hand snaps the pic. So i think the hand sign isn't best?

doens't matter how many in a team to me. I fish alone 99% of the time

Winner's pic gets posted on front page

no prizes

These pics will burn spots if not edited.
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Here we go! Spot burning!!

1. Most guys fish at night so you will not be able to tell where it is.
2. There are NO secret spots unless you are 10 years old and never fished.
3. Who F cares? If you have got to start chasing fish based on background in some picture then you better take up a different sport.
Just my opinion. Let's not start complicating this thing more than it is already.

Who cares about the rules. Let's start planning the BBQ!

I can bring paper plates and plastic cutlery.

Make sure people only bring Organic to the BBQ....the Chemical Fertilizer run-off is impacting the health of the stripers too....:hihi:

I have some of the funnest days on the boat when my friends and I have just straight inch tourneys. Size does not matter, no bonses etc. Round everything at the 1/2" up. It is fun. At the end of the day you may have 378" beats 357" etc.

If you don't like that if we could add the weight of the angler to the weight of the fish maybe I'd have a chance.:biglaugh:

an option for people who fish alone would be good. come up with some random cheap and portable object that everyone has (a playing card or water bottle for example) the day before the tournament starts that has to be included in photos of fish laying on a tape.

night time quality photos of someone holding a good fish that is to released can be tough to get, even with a partner. and they can be misleading (size of person, angle, etc. can all make a fish look very different). I think a straight down shot of fish on tape is the easiest to take and most reliable.

I'll bring tofu shaped striper fillets.

I think a full discussion this sat evening over blueberries, I'll be in Newport so it works for me.

How dare you harm tofu??? Heartless bastard!:fury:

I'll bring some Christmas trees to burn.

Excuse me!! Holiday Tree:rotf2: