OK Folks You've been heard (and for the most part agreed with) OTW Striper Cup 2007

[JohnR]

On The Water Magazine and TV
Launch 2007 Striper Cup

FALMOUTH, MA - On The Water Magazine and TV has announced the launch of the 2007 Striper Cup, a 5-month tournament designed to bring the entire Northeast fishing community together to celebrate the most beloved sport fish in the region, the striped bass. The 2007 Striper Cup, which features club and individual competition for boat, shore and youth anglers, will culminate at StriperFest, a celebration to be held on September 30th at the Harpoon Brewery in Boston.

Chris Megan, Publisher of On The Water, said that it was an easy decision to follow the overwhelming success of the inaugural 2006 Striper Cup with a second year of competition. “The Striper Cup is about reviving a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among striped bass fishermen along the East Coast. Based on the nearly 2,000 people who packed the tent for a fantastic party at the 2006 StriperFest at the Harpoon Brewery, that spirit is alive and well.”

Several changes were announced for the 2007 Striper Cup, including new rules to level the playing field for shore anglers competing in the club competition and the creation of a catch-and-release category. “While a few aspects of the tournament have been tweaked to improve the contest, our goals remain the same: to foster friendly competition, get more people involved in angling both on an individual basis and as members of clubs, and to encourage responsible fishing,” said Megan.

Just for signing up, all entrants will receive a registration package that includes a 2007 Striper Cup T-shirt produced by The Black Dog, a commemorative 2007 Striper Cup pin and an invitation to the 2007 StriperFest. All registered participants present at StriperFest will be eligible to win the Grand Prize fishing boat, a “Striper Cup Edition” 21-foot Hard Top from NorthCoast Boats.

“With the Striper Cup, we want to reach out to all striped bass fishermen and reward each angler regardless of how or why they fish,” said Megan. “You don’t even need to weigh a fish to win!”

To register for the 2007 Striper Cup, visit www.OnTheWater.com or call (800) 614-3000.


Promoting Conscientious Competition

The Striper Cup was designed to promote competition and camaraderie while encouraging responsible fishing behavior. To minimize the total number of striped bass weighed in for prizes, stringent rules were created that are far more conservative than the regulations of every state in the Northeast. A striped bass must measure at least 36 inches to be eligible for a prize, each angler may weigh in only one fish per week, and only the 10 largest fish will be included in a club’s final fish total.

“We believe that recreational fishermen are stewards of the environment, and we have created a tournament that encourages anglers to fish responsibly,” said Gene Bourque, Editor of On The Water. “We are proud that 2006 Striper Cup participants regulated their catch through close communication with fellow club members and by keeping up to date on the standings through our website, and we expect this year’s participants to do the same.”

Changes For 2007

Several changes to the rules and the prize structure were adopted for 2007, in response to feedback from participating clubs and anglers.

Five monthly shore winners and five monthly boat winners who catch the largest striper each month will all be entered for a 1-in-10 chance to win the grand prize all-new 2007 Toyota Tundra.

Anglers who release eligible fish will be able to have their accomplishments recognized by filling out a release affidavit and receiving the corresponding Harpoon Pounder Club pin.

A multiplier of 1.3 will be applied to shore-caught fish this year when totaling club points. The multiplier will not change the weight of the fish for any other prizes, but it will even the playing field for surfcasters in the Striper Cup club competition.

Each angler can only contribute his or her two heaviest fish for club points. An angler may still weigh in for pins and prizes, but in order to improve their club’s standings, they must beat out one of their own two fish.

Minimum size for stripers has been increased to 36 inches in length.

For complete rules and to register for the 2007 Striper Cup, visit www.OnTheWater.com

Most of peoples requests have been honored with further (I think) positive tweaking of the rules

[BigFish]

The one thing they did not change was the end date of the Tourney....best shore fishing is just getting started when it ends!

[bobber]

it again sounds like they're trying to be responsive to anglers' requests... I'll probably join this year as a result. I agree though, that it ends way too early

[Redsoxticket]

The end date can be extended for only the shore division so that folks from NH to New Jersey can use this time for the prime fishing.
It can be compromised to have the big awards (car and boats) at the already planned date but the trophy and pins awarded for the shore division can be at a later date, probably in January. Harpoon Brewery will sponsor this special event with a buffet style lunch

[fishaholic18]

http://googlefight.com/index.php?lan...ord2=Fishermen

[Diggin Jiggin]

John, is S-B going to field a team again this year ?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Diggin Jiggin

John, is S-B going to field a team again this year ?

That is up to the members but yes, most likely we will....

[shadow]

I think you got to give it up to on the water for listening,and as far as ending it to early it may be better that way, at least for the fish.5 months is long enough imo.

[Flaptail]

You all forgot, On the Water sucks.

[FishermanTim]

How about adding this as a prize for the anglers:
To be a guest on an upcoming episode of "On The Water"?
That would fun, since you'd almost be guaranteed some great fishing, and your 15 minutes of fame.

[Rockport24]

that's an awesome idea, or how about with charlie moore
serioulsy though, that would be cool, I love the show.

[MrHunters]

how does the catch and release portion work?