OTW "Striper Cup Tourney" Format is Irresponsible to the Fishery

[stiff tip]

indanite ...thanks for remembering me ,,, it makes me feel good that i left a good imperssion when i wrote for the mag...i told only the truth ,about what i knew and were i fished,,my though is the spots were never mine alone ,,but for all of us,,, i know how to share....i,m almost 7 1/2 and i,m a big boy now???????only kiddin,,,

[Saltheart]

Nobody is against a big derby or against a nice dinner and beer fest afterwards. I like the fun and certainly like the beer. The whole point of the thread is to get the tournament organizers to consider a way in which the tourney can be big and fun without requiring a large fish kill.

I think it would be interesting to hear from the "rules committee" who came up with this current format. Why were the rules written as they are. I would guess in the excitement of planning a blockbuster tourney , nobody even considered the conservation angle. Its just something you have to take into consideration these days.

[shammrock11]

I'm pretty sure I'm in the wrong part of the chat forum ,but I'm looking for info reguarding striperfishing in dennis port this time of year

[stiff tip]

woooooooo...back to your corner ladies ... ding ....its round two....this debate is very construtive???i,m certain lots of ears are listining...and it dont hurt to hear others opinions,but i,ll tell you now the rules are set for this year ,and the rules can be adjusted ,changed or modified for future derbys..otw and its sponsors did not put this party together so we could tear them apart with neg-opinions and spectulations....lightin up ,, this is a good local sports rag ,,,with good intentions ''' dave ;; I still like one fish per week per enterance....big dave i like your thinkin too;

[basswipe]

Am I gonna have to start to another Hamas/Humus thread?

Does OTW practice OJT?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by stiff tip

woooooooo...back to your corner ladies ... ding ....its round two....this debate is very construtive???i,m certain lots of ears are listining...and it dont hurt to hear others opinions,but i,ll tell you now the rules are set for this year ,and the rules can be adjusted ,changed or modified for future derbys..otw and its sponsors did not put this party together so we could tear them apart with neg-opinions and spectulations....lightin up ,, this is a good local sports rag ,,,with good intentions ''' dave ;; I still like one fish per week per enterance....big dave i like your thinkin too;

Dave - this debate isn't constructive? I've seen similar talk, though brief, on the SNESA list. A president of a well respected RI fishing club has presented many issues with the current rules. Yet, "lots of ears are listening" but we're being too negative. I don't follow you. They are listening but don't like what is being said? They are a fantastic magazine, really (not just plugging for a free subscription), they have great writers and contributors, and their show, thought it competes in my household with Teen Titans and What not to Wear (just guess who gets left out) is excellent. It doesn't mean that we should lemming our way on over to the signup sheet.

I personally think the idea of bringing back a large tourney on the likes of the old Schaefer Cup is a great venture. Sponsored by my favorite beer to boot. BUT could the tourney be a little more conservation freindly? Uhh, yep. And that is what is getting debated here and rationally for the most part. Don't see it as a dig against OTW. Its not. This is open discussion. And it is being discussed by a few well respected members of the fishing community in addition to the rest of the riff-raff (myself included)...

So, seeing that people are reading, are they listening?

[Skitterpop]

some sitting ducks

[Clammer]

S/T I guess ya didn,t like my way of thinking ><><><><


BTW how many tournaments did you fish in the 60,s & 70,s ????????????????

[Karl F]

A Question for Big Dave.. How does the Dept. of Marine Fisheries, track the recreational numbers, and how accurate are they?

How many recreational fishermen have kept track of their numbers and reported them to the state, independent of any poll taking?

I have participated once, in that poll, when a volunteer approached me in my camper, years ago. I listened in awe, as he was given artificial numbers from a couple of others, having a little fun with the guy. It was obvious, with the choked laughter he was getting BS'd, he was even smiling, as he was writing. And, in the several years since, I have not seen anyone else out polling, where and when I fish.

I have been told, by a person from the Dept., that those numbers, at best, are a guess, based on a small percentage, that are polled.
At least the comms. have weigh slips.

[stiff tip]

gentlemen ??? the idear of the derby was to bring back a tredision of fisherman and striped bass clubs and not to hurt the fisherie.all opinions need to be heard,,,god bless america,,,, for that...i know otw is listining.. an thinkin whats best for ALL the playersin the derby......dave ps clammer i respect your opinions ...thats why i,ma adult

[Homerun04]

Agreed....format needs some re-thinking

[Nebe]

This is just me, but i say let OTW water run the tourney the way they want to this year. Hopefully, they take note that so many people out there are concerned with bass mortality and will change the format next year. To assume that we on this board have the pull to change what they do is not reality. It will take many many many people sending them letters and e-mails to get them to budge. This thread is a good basis for them to go by, but this thread will probably not be their bible when or if they make the new rules. What will be the decision maker for them in the end is how much $ goes into their coffers.. so if you dont agree, dont join. If you agree with them, then sign up. If you disagree with everything OTW does, then cancel your subscription. Personally, i am not going to enter- i dont want to kill anymore fish with the hopes of winning somethign for it. If i kill a fish it will be for a dinner party.

one more thing- a percentage of people that would kill a bass to win this tourney would have killed the fish anyway for food or for the taxidermist.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Nebe

This is just me, but i say let OTW water run the tourney the way they want to this year.

Do we really want to hope they can learn from their mistakes?

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Nebe

This is just me, but i say let OTW water run the tourney the way they want to this year. Hopefully, they take note that so many people out there are concerned with bass mortality and will change the format next year. To assume that we on this board have the pull to change what they do is not reality. It will take many many many people sending them letters and e-mails to get them to budge. This thread is a good basis for them to go by, but this thread will probably not be their bible when or if they make the new rules. What will be the decision maker for them in the end is how much $ goes into their coffers.. so if you dont agree, dont join. If you agree with them, then sign up. If you disagree with everything OTW does, then cancel your subscription. Personally, i am not going to enter- i dont want to kill anymore fish with the hopes of winning somethign for it. If i kill a fish it will be for a dinner party.

one more thing- a percentage of people that would kill a bass to win this tourney would have killed the fish anyway for food or for the taxidermist.

I am still planning on coming down to fish with you and see the studio.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I am still planning on coming down to fish with you and see the studio.

you are welcome down here anytime..

[Clammer]

Krispy //
you stated that you want to how the other surf sharpies will be doing ///

whatever it takes // you,ll never know where or how the fish was caught [if] it was caught /////


Steve /I guess there where different times in the S/C //I don,t remember cOd or Squet // when I was in it =it was bass & BLUES /boat & shore // 5# for Blues 15# for bass -- 10 fish each division --came to 40 fish a month // that were culled as the month went along // also [WHO knows what fish were boat or shore

[nightfighter]

OK. How does this strike your collective chords?

If then we as a group do not support the aggregate poundage award, we do not fish as a club member, but enter as individuals only. That in effect would be our way of boycotting the club award for most aggregate points ie. pounds. This effectively would mean no S-B club entry, which would be OK by me, after hearing all your thoughts here.

[JohnR]

Steve - I respect your opinion even when I don't agree with it. How's that ?

I just think this tourney could be more conservation minded than it is as it stands now. If this year's rules are cast in concrete then perhaps they could have been discussed prior in a more open format (I can't see any reason why they would not have been discussed before and I believe OTW took it seriously when they did).

If S-B fields a team, do we impose our own little extra limit? Be it a minimum size? Or lmiting fish weighed in over the course of the tourney? Will that put a disadvantage on our people as they enter?

Thanks,

John

[spence]

Originally Posted by JohnR

If S-B fields a team, do we impose our own little extra limit? Be it a minimum size? Or lmiting fish weighed in over the course of the tourney? Will that put a disadvantage on our people as they enter?

Sort of like running a campaign and pledging not to take soft money

-spence

[Skitterpop]

Yumpin Yee Zuss

More good info. pros and cons.... I`m more confused then when I started here but this has been great discussion!

I hope to be healthier to fish later this season and I sure could use any of the prizes especially a chance at the larger ones which I would sell. I am too friggen fickle but value some of these lifetime salt fishers opinions very much.

We do not have a choice about LETTING THEM RUN IT THE WAY THEY WANT at this point and hopefully they will change the format next time around if they decide to stay in it.

If I do sign up it will be as an individual and I`ll only register big bass if I`m fortunate enough to catch one.

And by the way I think OTW is a great magazine.

Mike

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Steve - I respect your opinion even when I don't agree with it. How's that ?

I just think this tourney could be more conservation minded than it is as it stands now. If this year's rules are cast in concrete then perhaps they could have been discussed prior in a more open format (I can't see any reason why they would not have been discussed before and I believe OTW took it seriously when they did).

If S-B fields a team, do we impose our own little extra limit? Be it a minimum size? Or lmiting fish weighed in over the course of the tourney? Will that put a disadvantage on our people as they enter?

Thanks,

John

Suppose we took our version of the " High Road"( if we could manage to agree on where THAT was before the tournament was over) and actually won something? Say we don't go for poundage but the one really good fish of a week or month? I have to admit that I hadn't read the rules before I agreed to (Asked to?) fish for S-B. The thought of killing 2 34 or better fish a week for points just sticks in my craw tho. I'll fish to fill the freezer, always have. Never have fished for points before, that makes things real complicated...

[Pete F.]

Is'nt there a song that goes "It's my party and I'll play if I want to...

It is their tournament and as most things in this world work just follow the money. If it does what they want this year they won't change it, if it does'nt they will end or adjust it. Each of us is free to vote with our dollars by entering or not.

I do have a question: Was there an entry fee for the Schaefer?

I'm not entering for a number of reasons, because living in VT its too far for me to have good odds, there is no surf division and I have some other things I don't like about the rules.

Then again I don't buy lottery tickets either and Hopefully I'll catch a 80# fish this year because I did'nt enter.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by bluefishercat

Is'nt there a song that goes "It's my party and I'll play if I want to...

It is their tournament and as most things in this world work just follow the money. If it does what they want this year they won't change it, if it does'nt they will end or adjust it. Each of us is free to vote with our dollars by entering or not.

I do have a question: Was there an entry fee for the Schaefer?

I'm not entering for a number of reasons, because living in VT its too far for me to have good odds, there is no surf division and I have some other things I don't like about the rules.

Then again I don't buy lottery tickets either and Hopefully I'll catch a 80# fish this year because I did'nt enter.

No there was no entry fee for schaefer but you had to be registered by a certain point in the year and yes of course clubs can and could create there own set of "rules within the rules" for their participation.

Schaefer spent an untold amount of dough putting it on and had a staff with a director just to run it. It got to be too much for them. Back then the public sentement towards drinking, beer advertising and such was much more favorable and they were making money hand over fist.

[NIB]

Steve ur integrity will never be in question with me.There can be no doubt on the matter.Ur one of the most knowledgable well spoken guests to the site. A bonus for sure.But.(don't u just love that word)
When u blow a gasket it's funny.
When I read THE post i was like "oh boy this is gonna be good"
an then u replied an I was
Keep up the good work.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

No there was no entry fee for schaefer but you had to be registered by a certain point in the year and yes of course clubs can and could create there own set of "rules within the rules" for their participation.

Schaefer spent an untold amount of dough putting it on and had a staff with a director just to run it. It got to be too much for them. Back then the public sentement towards drinking, beer advertising and such was much more favorable and they were making money hand over fist.

Thanks, that is what I guessed

[Saltheart]

Sure they kill xteen million pounds a year and this tourney will not change that significantly. Sure people take ground fish and mackeral and blues etc. Are you supposed to throw in the towel cause its an uphill battle?

The thing that will make a difference is an accumulation of choices over their fishing years by many people.

If you simply look at the reality of the poundage taken per state and compare the pounds in this tourney , you may say what difference does it make. However , if you can step back and have a vision ( guys like Bob Pond had a vision , not a magic wand) then you can see that discussing the conservation issues is good to make people aware , the more people are aware , the better for the fishery.

Opposing this tourney and any tourney that has not taken conservation into consideration when they write their rules and determine the format of these events is part of acting on that vision. One small step at a time , and eventually you have walked a mile.


There is no one thing anyone can do to suddenly cut the Xteen million pound number in half . What we can do is one person at a time , make the right decision; one kid at a time , teach them conservation ; and one tournament at a time , oppose thoughtless rules and fish killing formats.

It all adds up and you can see that if you have a vision.

Act to make that vision a reality by making the right choices , on small matters. Over your carreer as a fisherman and over the carreers of people with whom you share the vision , it will add up.

[Bake Mellow]

Take your ball and go home if you don't like how the other kids play...

[BigFish]

My vision is to fish the tournament accordingly.....with good conservation practices and thoughtfulness in regards to what fish I choose to keep and how many fish I choose to keep! Many folks I am positive will fish it the same and the folks who choose to abuse the fisheries and take more than they need....well they are not going to change regardless of the situation! You are all making good points and obviously we all share the same passion for conservation of the striped bass and the same concerns in regards to the same. The cullers, the poachers who take more than they are allowed by law and the folks who practice poor catch and release and conservation practices will always be the problem. Sure the rules may need tweaking...but given time I am sure OTW will do just that. Police the way in which you fish it and hope others do the same for now......no laws have been broken and all is in bounds and really all we are worried about are those who abuse it......and as long as they adhere to the 2 fish per week rule I don't think it is all that bad......just the accrued points system that needs refinement. You are after all allowed 2 fish a day in Mass........you guys don't seem to be doing nearly as much screaming about that! Maybe you should!

[Cranium]

From the OTW website:


Striper Cup Tournament T-Shirt Produced by The Black Dog

• 2006 Commemorative Striper Cup Pin

• Invitation to the Striper Festival at the end of the contest

• The chance to win a 2006 Grady White 180 Center Console!


INDIVIDUALS:

• ALL participants in attendance at the Striper Festival will be eligible to win a 2006 Grady White 180 Center Console.
The winner will be drawn during the Striper Festival, the invitation-only party at the Harpoon Brewery in October. Five keys will be drawn and given at random to attendees of the “Striper Festival.”


Black Nickel Pin Bronze Pin

Silver Pin Gold Pin

• Catch qualifying fish to enter 30-, 40-, 50- & 60-Pounder Striper Clubs. These accomplishments will be recorded, and the anglers' names will be listed in OTW and on our Web site. Each fisherman entering a fish into a club will receive a Harpoon Pounder Club pin, signifying his accomplishment.

• Angler Of The Year
Trophy will be awarded to the angler who accrues the most points over the season in both the boat and shore divisions.

• Striper Of The Year Award
Trophy will go to the largest striper weighed in during the tourney.

• Monthly Winners (5) -The angler with the largest striper each month will be eligible to win the Grand Prize 4x4.

• Weekly Winners (20)
-Weekly Boat Angler Winners (Largest fish of the week)
Rod and Reel Combos
-Weekly Surf Angler Winners (Largest fish of the week)
Rod and Reel Combos

• Junior Anglers
-Weekly winners (20) receive OTW prize packs with subscription
-Monthly Winners (5) receive rod & reel combos
-Monthly Winners (5) eligible for the fully outfitted kayak

CLUBS:

• The Striper Cup
The club that accrues the most points over the course of the tournament will get to drink from the “Striper Cup” for one year. The winning club must present the trophy to the following year’s winner.
• State Winners
Trophies will be awarded by state to the club that has accrued the most points in each state (NY,CT,RI,MA,NH


Am I missing something. As I read the prize description, everyone who enters the torney has a chance to win the Grady. It is not based on points or size of fish, you just have to show up to the "striperfest" (I bet they would get better attendance if they called it the "stripperfest" ). In order to win the 4x4 you must be one of the largest striper of the month winners, a total of five. The only area points come into play is angler of the year/club of the year and state.

Dont get me wrong, I do not want people to take 2 small fish a week. Based on history, I only catch 3-4 fish a year that would qualify for a pin or prize. I have no desire to accrue points and win a trophy for bragging rights or any other reason. Lets hope the clubs/individuals will realize the impact of taking so many small fish and decide not participate.

[Cranium]

OOpps
I meant to say "participate in that particular part of the tourney" I am going to sign up and look to catch a big fat monster bass.