MS Tourney - Decisions To Be Made
 

OK - here is the conversation. Each year we have the Fall MS/MDA Tourney coming up in mid October - great event, great cause. S-B fields a team and does well or not - S-B (well Habs, Tattoo, and KrispyGasPumpBoy) won one a decade ago

I have been informed that CT Surfcasters Assoc members are going to participate but NOT weight in any fish. They will fish the Tourney, donate the funds, make the Breakfast, but C&R the whole weekend. Thus being able to support the tournament and cause, yet make a fair minded decision to not participate in the kill part of the Tourney. They are hoping to see a new format introduced in the future.

I want to discuss for this week if S-B should make the same effort, (and have a cookout on the beach) and participate and just catch & release. We will still donate through MS Tourney regardless of the decision.

I love this Tourney and what it supports. I enjoy fishing with and against the others. I am wondering if we should follow CSA's example on this.

Thanks,

John

John:
Thanks for posting this. Of course, I'm only one voice of the CT Surfcasters, but it is fair to say the reason we are participating in this MS fundraiser event, but not entering fish in the weigh-in ("kill"), is because as a group we recognize that the Striped Bass population is on the decline and we don't feel participating in the "kill" aspect of this well-organized and well-intended event is truly in the spirit of and in the best interest of preserving the striped bass population. As a group, we really enjoy the event and, as you mentioned, the CT Surfcasters will support this important fundraiser in all other ways.

I should mention, we did not want to interfere with the efforts of the organizers of this event or attempt to persuade other clubs form participating or not. Having said that, I'm very glad to see your post and the fact that you are raising the issue amongst the SB.com team.

S-B should follow CSA`s format.
Also an idea, all participates as a requirement to join tourney have to mail, email or call your public comment to the contact below. Deadline is soon for which I don't know the date, maybe someone here knows.

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Subject: Draft Addendum IV)


Mike Waine
Fishery Management Plan Coordinator
1050 North Highland Street
Suite 200A-N
Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: (703) 842-0740
Fax: (703) 842-0741

Email:mwaine@asmfc.org
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Deadline is Sept. 30th. All the info is found at the following link.

http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInp...licComment.pdf
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^^^^ Thank you
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Turn in our team "roster" and inform them at that same time that we will not be killing any fish for the tournament.
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We (Connecticut Surfcasters Assoc) have had many discussions on this tournament as a kill event and eventually decided as Frank posted to not turn in any fish for the event. Let's face it we all enjoy bringing in that fish and throwing it on the scale but on the other hand we all recognize the current condition of the striped bass population. We are not trying to impose our views on others but we think many feel the same way as we do and we just needed to start the discussion. The following is from our website:
Connecticut Surfcasters Association (CSA) is a non-profit organization established for the promotion, protection, and preservation of the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms along our coasts.
So with that in mind we took the position we did.
We in the club are looking forward to the event and hoping the fishing is good and we raise a lot for MS.
Jim Savage
Treasurer
Connecticut Surfcasters Association

I applaud your efforts Jim and the CSA!!
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And this is very important to note - we like the MS Tourney, what is supports, the camaraderie, AND the folks like Jim & Steve that do a crapton of work to put this on. This is also NOT to take away from the good they do but to take a position on the type of tourney to participate in. This stuff came up way too late to even have deep discussions on whether to request changes for this year.

This is a discussion to see if we should limit our impact (which has been light as of recent years :rotf2: ) on the fish.

There is more than one member here with direct family members who have severe MS. It's a good cause to support!
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HATS OFF TO BOTH CLUBS... SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE RITE ON TRACK TO SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE AND STILL MAKE THAT STATEMENT . I HAVE NEVER FISHED THIS PARTICULAR TOURNEY BUT I AM DOWN FOR THIS YEAR.

MS
 

I think its a great idea, there will be cheating i'm sure, but hope not, it is for a great cause.

There won't be cheating bc no fish will be weighed in.

Great approach guys! My hat's off to you...

Yes - and to be clear, this is making a conscious effort to support the tourney and the cause but not to weigh in fish.

The wave of the future - very commendable. Time to think of some creative ways to run these tourneys minimizing the kill aspect. For many years the thought of entering bluefish that have been sitting around for 24 hours and have no table value whatsoever made me feel just as uneasy as entering a large bass, all for the chance at winning another reel or some more plugs to add to the 1000 I have already.

Great idea. Last few years, I haven't joined any tourny specifically because they required killing.

S-B should make an official statement as soon as possible. If someone that knows Toby, publisher of the Fishermen magazine asking him to publish an article relating to our view of the change in the MS tourney format.
The ASMFC will be making a decision in October therefore if an article was published beforehand it may have a positive impact on the outcome.
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First, the members of the Narragansett Surfcasters wish to thank the Connecticut Surfcasters for taking the bold initiative to participate in the MS Tournament on a catch and release basis while still contributing to a very worthy cause.

Further, we recognize and appreciate the stand taken by S-B.com.

With that said, let it be know that the Narragansett Surfcasters will also be participating in the MS Tourney on a catch and release basis.
As DZ aptly pointed out, the recovery of the striped bass fishery is far more important than winning a prize or eating a trophy striper.

Good luck to all participants.

Great news!
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A+

Wow we were not expecting this to go any further then within our own membership. We feel its just to close to the tournament to change the format. Bravo to all who choose to forfeit there points in order to release there fish.
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If SB needs another member to fish it let me know.
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Contest
 

Hey guys the catch and release part of the MS contest has been discussed and will be in the works for next year as far as this year don't really have the time to put this in effect for this year. I have talked with Jimmy about this and absolutely agree we need to do something as far as no kill for this contest. As you all know that part of the problem is its still legal to keep stripers and some of the fishermen may or may not want to keep there catch which like it or not we have to respect that . I heard an idea from someone which I would like to see maybe happen is to print out a card which would have the words MS tournament and the year ill put in 2015 and have them laminated and you would have to put the card on the fish and then take a pic and have length and girth taken to submit the fish as most have a cell phone that can take pics.. This may not be cost effective but something to think about .I would like to get together with some reps from each club sat of the contest and discuss what we could do . Thanks Steve .

is there an actual set amount of team members allowed? i would like to fish it but am not worthy of a "roster spot"

Great news!

COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING BIG. CONGRATS TO ALL CLUBS

I am not sure, figured i would toss it out there. I am by no means a sharpie or an internet hero myself but if you aint casting you aint catching.
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msba agreed to participate the same way - no kill

Dude! Glad to hear some changes could be in the works for a later date - completely understandable that this year is too late. As many have stated - we like and respect this tourney and what it does, just need to alter a bit how we do it

:love: