Jules - Sorry if I come off sounding a little negative; certainly no disrespect intended towards any of the participants and I'm sure that a good time was had by everyone (or most everyone!)...but I stand by my statement that I think the format is for the birds. I think you missed my point about the slot limit thing. Certainly those of us who target big fish for sport or commercially are capable of catching slot fish but when the field is comprised of a number of factory teams and other experienced anglers who are willing to run to the earth's end for fish, I find it unbelievable that almost every boat did not come in with 2 fish in the slot. I don't think the format evens the playing field at all and as I said before, it in fact introduces too much of the "luck" factor into a test of skill. If you knew me you would know that I am as competitive as they come; tournament or not if I'm fishing next to you I want to kick your butt (when I fished f/w bass tournaments I just knew I would win until I lost!), but I did not like this format, felt that I might as well by a lottery ticket and therefore did not choose to participate. I am certainly glad that you did well and showed the big $$ teams that local anglers are no pushovers. Judging from your posts and the smiles on your crews faces I know that you were deserving winners! I'll just shut up now before I get myself in trouble!
P.S. If you happen to see a ratty looking old Seacraft, powered by a rattier Evinrude captained by a bearded old geezer with an older geezer (my dad) as crew just give a wave; I'm nicer in person than in print!
