Yes, I'll go put that on the site now, thanks for that--good catch!

If you end up needing a partner for this, let me know, I might sign up.

Sounds good Greg, if Slip isn't interested I'll let you know

So guys that have commercial permits can't fish this tourney right? Sounds like a great tourney!!

Why is that ? It sounds like you need to fish 6 or 8 weekends in this tourney. Most of the guys I know that comm fish are pretty much C&R guys the rest of the season and probably keep less than most of the guys I see on the canal. Comm season is what, 4 weeks long and they are knocked out of a season long tourney? Why not just not let em enter fish during comm season?

What is your take on those that enter the same fish in multiple tourneys.
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Too hard to police that, I don't like it, but there'd be no way for me to know

That's a valid point and something I will think about.

My reasoning was if you've got a license and it's 34" it's dead.

But I will give some thought to your idea.

I disagree.

These big fish are valuable and should be released regardless of their monetary value. Hopefully the people participating in the tournament share that philosophy and that, rather than fame, prizes, or reward is their primary reason to join.

I probably missed something, but under photo requirements you need two photos of each catch....what if you are entering, and fishing alone?
Thanks
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You'll have to figure something out. Set the camera on timer or something. It doesn't have to be an award winning cover photo, but if I had it so you only had to take one pic, you could pass the tournament tags out to everyone on the beach and have them all shoot pics for you... know what I mean? I fish alone a lot, but I'd figure it out somehow. :)

Probably the best thing to do would be to figure out a good way to shoot the pic before you make a cast. Honestly, even if you held the fish against your body with one hand and held the camera out with your other so your face and some of the fish could be seen in the pic, it would qualify.

-Dave

There should be an amendment that if a participant is seen with a dead fish over 40" during the whole season they are automatically disqualified from the tournament and are ineligible to win prizes. :hihi:

What you decide to legally kill and keep is your business but why would anyone want to keep a fish over 40"? :hs: That is too many meals from a single bass for a family to eat safely (if the fish happens to be a high toxin level fish then repeated meals from it creates high exposure).

Stick to your guns Dave and keep this "recreational". You have a chance to start something truly unique. Once you include R&R Comm Lic holders it becomes a different ballgame.

DZ

They are generally not for one's family to eat. They are to show off on the backs of bikes, to friends, the internets, bait shops, and anyone else that will show them attention for their 'trophy'. Killing for braggers rights I think it's called. :rocketem: But we know that. Sorry getting off topic but not looking forward to the canal fish kills of May and June.

I absolutely love the idea of this tournament! I have my team mate penciled in, just need to work out the details.

I am all for you being able to participate as well, even keeping your eligibility to win prizes. The requirement of a photograph should eliminate any accusations of cheating.

Maybe the site should consider a forum dedicated to pics of released fish only.......as a way to promote the practice. Could certainly include pics from this tourney as well.

Already in the works :)
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That's the decision I came to as well Dennis. But it was an angle worth considering. Ultimately, as you say, it's about promoting the benefits of C&R and fostering good practices. I have nothing against commercial anglers it's their legal right to do it, but in this tourney, it's all recs.

Thanks for presenting both sides of the argument guys!
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I appreciate that, but Im not going to take any prizes. It just seems wrong. But Team GoTight will be competing. :uhuh:
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I hope this is a "tongue in cheek" comment because if it isn't, I disagree wholeheartedly. It's your business if you want to kill a fish over 40". I'm not advocating it but it's your god given right to keep whatever you want providing you are within the law.

And Bruce, to answer your question about dead bait, if I made it sound like their use is illegal in the rules I made a mistake. I'll review the wording today. Any lure or legal live or dead bait is okay.

Sorry for the confusion
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There should be no pics display because the background such as rocks, sand and water can reveal the location. There should be a non participant of the tourney that is honest, tight lipped and able to gather the pics and data sent to him or her via a pm with a pic upload. In my opinion Canalman Dave would suit this position or a designated nominee with similar attributes.

I think he was joshing Paul, and don't worry, that will not become a rule. I don't want to remove anyone's right to keep something for food or a trophy.. What I DO want is to make it possible to enter any fish without killing it and not to give people a reason to kill a big fish when they otherwise would have let her swim.
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Agree with all you have stated Dave. I'm in and will help support in any way I can

Not going to happen. Part of the fun of this kind of thing is seeing what everyone else has caught. When I shoot pics I just make sure there are no obvious landmarks in the background. It's your responsibility to protect your spots. But the photos have to be made public for this to work.
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Thanks Paul
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Great idea about removing obvious landmarks, problem solved

Sounds extremely reasonable....thanks!
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"Good on ya" Dave and John