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

[Flaptail]

Oh yeah, I forgot. The fecundity of the Striped Bass is almost unparrelled in the icthyological world. Given the right conditions the bass could expect indices of recruitment of it's stocks that dwarf other species. It is a known fact that although a frty pound cow may carry millions of eggs, the older she gets the viability of those same eggs is questionable as opposed to younger and smaller female bass in the mid teen weight classes whose eggs, though less in volume are much more viable and less subject to non-developement.

[mooncusser]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

...It is a known fact that although a frty pound cow may carry millions of eggs, the older she gets the viability of those same eggs is questionable as opposed to younger and smaller female bass in the mid teen weight classes whose eggs, though less in volume are much more viable and less subject to non-developement.

That's old mis-information, not a "known fact". While it's true a bass may have less-viable eggs by the time it reaches the end cycle of its life (we're talking 65 or 70+ pounds), recent studies have showed a 40-pound bass has both several times more eggs (is more fecund) and more viable eggs when compared to a 20-pound bass.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by mooncusser

That's old mis-information, not a "known fact". While it's true a bass may have less-viable eggs by the time it reaches the end cycle of its life (we're talking 65 or 70+ pounds), recent studies have showed a 40-pound bass has both several times more eggs (is more fecund) and more viable eggs when compared to a 20-pound bass.

I would love to see that info, can you give me the link?

Saltheart, by invoking the name of Mr. Pond you invariably lead anyone to believe that it can be reaonably inferred that he would have supported your view on this issue.

Now, that said, do you or anyone else here oppossed to the tournament fish the Martha's Vineyard Derby? It's one 28 or better inch bass a day, right? One bass for each contestant for the 30 days of the derby, if fishing was good. Now the OTW Tourney goes 5 months with two fish a day over 34. Hmmm.....

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Now, that said, do you or anyone else here oppossed to the tournament fish the Martha's Vineyard Derby? It's one 28 or better inch bass a day, right? One bass for each contestant for the 30 days of the derby, if fishing was good. Now the OTW Tourney goes 5 months with two fish a day over 34. Hmmm.....

The Derby does not have a system that rewards aggregate weight. Sure, there is the Grand Slam that allows for aggreagate weight of your biggest fish in each of 4 categories but that is about it. On the leader board the biggest fish is the biggest fish - depending on division. Granted, some people weigh in 8# albies just to get a picture taken in front of the Derby Sign and I'm sure more than a few do so with a 32" bass to get "On the Board". Personally, I wouldn't do that and a lot of people don't. I don't enter the Tourney to get a daily but on the odd chance that pure luck puts me in the right place at the right time so that with luck and any sense of skill I may have gained over the years would let me land a fish that can place or win the thing.

Two different things in my opinion.

Other tourneys, like the MS Tourney (Formerly MDA ) for example, only factor in the top 3 fish of each species for each club and the duration is only one weekend.

I'll be honest, I do like the idea of this tourney but I think it needs to have it's rules tighten up a bit.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Granted, some people weigh in 8# albies just to get a picture taken in front of the Derby Sign and I'm sure more than a few do so with a 32" bass to get "On the Board". Personally, I wouldn't do that and a lot of people don't.

John--there are a number of people who weigh in 32" bass to have a shot at the daily "Mystery Prize". They'd do the same with small albies if they could. Personally, I stopped fishing for albies because it's very difficult to release one alive, and they're inedible--the fillet program won't even take them. Most of the ones caught during the Derby wind up as lobster bait.

[Big Dave]

Mike
I have to admit I mirror your thoughts about fishing in your above post. Could not have said it any better if I type it myself. I too have never considered the SB to be something special. It’s always just been another fish to catch and I too enjoy them as much as the next guy, but I also have no problems keeping my limit when I fish. Fishing is about eating and my family and I certainly enjoy each and every type fillet that makes it to the table. Be it ground fish or game.

Karl
I certainly understand your comments about the accuracy of data that’s collected. I can’t comment on what people tell surveyors, what I can comment on, within the reports equations are correction factors to bring error within the data into a usable calculation. Is it 100% accurate? No. Is it reasonable? Yes. It’s science, and the type it is ends up being a very well calculated guesstimate. And a lot of decision makers heavily rely on it. If you please, I am in no way trying to defend it, or to convince anybody to its validity; I personally give it its due credit.

There has been a ton of great points brought up in this discussion, especially about other derby’s, one of which came to my mind, (not sure if it was mentioned) was the Shark Tournament on the Vineyard. Pretty useless fish kill in the grand scheme of things, yet not many jumping up and down about putting an end to that one. People’s passion about the striped ones is plainly evident. At times a bit over stated maybe but none the less, there is a very vocal group of bass fishermen that seem to sing the loudest all the time. And from what I have seen it’s always the favorable and politically correct C+R guys.
I have been trying my best to understand and maybe side with the majority on the board about the aggregate catch numbers. I just can’t. This may be a very unpopular statement I just don’t believe that this derby harms the bass stocks, and the keeping of fish that are caught doesn’t really bother me either. So long as the fish do not go to waste. I guess amongst reasonable men there is always room for debate. Big Dave

[Karl F]

Thank You for your answer Dave.

[Skitterpop]

This is a great thread/discussion. If it ever ends I`m printing it out for the info. scrap book.

Megan`s letter sounded like they were going to try to improve the format for this year? Did I read it right? My comprehension is temporarily at a low level...I hope its temporary .

Will they have separate surf and boat categories I wonder.

Great reading,
Mike