New On The Water tournament rules

[Back Beach]

Personally, I think the tourney is just about right as it stands now. With the surf conversion lowered to 1.2, it levels the field pretty closely IMO.
OTW has been pretty diligent in terms of assessing the competition and making needed adjustments based on the data generated from the tourney. Remember, the tourney has only been in existence for two seasons and is continually being evaluated and tweaked for the better. OTW does listen and respond to the concerns of the participants. You can’t expect them to turn this thing on its head and start from scratch each season. My feeling is with time the necessary adjustments will be made based on the data, which will result in a level competitive platform for anyone who enters.
For the people who are questioning the system’s fairness, it’s really a fun tournament as far as the team totals go and anything can happen on a given year, particularly from the surf. Look at S-B’s first two years if you need any further proof. The boat heavy teams will consistently produce the biggest poundage each season, while surf heavy teams results will be lumpier.
Eliminating yo-yo ing is merely a conservation minded gesture. Its not going to reduce any team's abillity to produce poundage IMO.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Personally, I think the tourney is just about right as it stands now. With the surf conversion lowered to 1.2, it levels the field pretty closely IMO.
OTW has been pretty diligent in terms of assessing the competition and making needed adjustments based on the data generated from the tourney. Remember, the tourney has only been in existence for two seasons and is continually being evaluated and tweaked for the better. OTW does listen and respond to the concerns of the participants. You can’t expect them to turn this thing on its head and start from scratch each season. My feeling is with time the necessary adjustments will be made based on the data, which will result in a level competitive platform for anyone who enters.
For the people who are questioning the system’s fairness, it’s really a fun tournament as far as the team totals go and anything can happen on a given year, particularly from the surf. Look at S-B’s first two years if you need any further proof. The boat heavy teams will consistently produce the biggest poundage each season, while surf heavy teams results will be lumpier.
Eliminating yo-yo ing is merely a conservation minded gesture. Its not going to reduce any team's abillity to produce poundage IMO.

Most sensible post in this thread..
Must be the golfer in him..
Question,, where u in the contest the last 2 yrs..??
Last yr I had my own personal numbers restictions.I killed enough bass in my lifetime. I wanted to give some of em a break.So instead of killing 2 per day as the law allows.I only kept one good one an let the others go.Last yr, 4 of my 5-30 lb fish could have been upgraded a few lbs at least..
In the past 2 yrs I have 9-30 lb pins.
For what...that is the real question..
I was gonna stay out of it last yr an the Jersey team got me to enter.
I'm gonna take a long hard look at joining again this yr.I might join for the crack at a VS monthly prize but I doubt I will kill any more fish for the sake of the striper cup thing.Yes IMO,a striper is worth a 700 dollar reel..
I think they do a nice job an all.I just like to think this is my natural progression as a sportsman..I really don't feel I need to do it anymore.
Good Luck to all that do enter...I hope u find what Ur looking for..

[Sea Dangles]

[QUOTE=Back Beach;
Eliminating yo-yo ing is merely a conservation minded gesture. Its not going to reduce any team's abillity to produce poundage IMO.[/QUOTE]

Mike, eels were almost put on the endangered species list.If they had been,I am sure it would not reduce your ability to produce poundage either right?

[BassDawg]

Soooooooooooo

Does that mean that my, hypothetical, 35# Shore Division Striper
becomes a 42# Striper ? For the Tourney Poundage Totals, only right?

Wouldn't change things as i like the idea of going for one CUP, winner take all. Team and idividual awards are fine just the way they are, but I would extend the deadline until Oct, or Nov.

I also like the separate divisions and making us declare either/or to encourage fair and reasonable competition between the divisions; as we all know that Boat feesh doan count/are one helluvalot easier to land and stay on LAAAAHGE with the aid of electronics, fiberglass, twin mercs, and the added leverage that the boat provides. Not trying to stir the pot, merely stating why I agree that a handicap is necessary and equitable.

I also think that the Pounder Pins for C&R are a nice touch to encourage and promote those of us who agree with NIB's Philosophy. I, too, am debating whether or not i want to kill more feesh; however the shot at excellent gear AND a Toyota Tundra within the fishery mngmt regulations is both exciting during the competition and spiking to the adrenylin factor as the deadline approaches. I know that it gave me some extra ooomph as Sept rolled around last year .

GREAT Tournament!! GREAT Fishing!!
GO S-B..................GO S-B!!! Back to Back, Gentlemen??

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

Mike, eels were almost put on the endangered species list.If they had been,I am sure it would not reduce your ability to produce poundage either right?

No eels would alter my approach from a surf fishing point of view without question.
IMO, it’s easier to circumvent obstacles when boat fishing than surf fishing. My point is, they could ban the yo yo technique, but there are still a number of good ways to fish bunker besides the yo yo rig.
The only other suggestion I have for leveling the field would be to limit the team entries to one fish per angler versus the two they allowed last year. The downside to this is obviously that some teams don't have ten members.

[Sea Dangles]

Troll it. Three way it. Chunk it.Fish it live.But if you are in fast moving water with a lot of structure and the fish are down 25' or more what is the best way to present the bait?Anyway,it's off topic now and I certainly don't expect OTW to change so I guess we will find a way to make due.The yo-yo thing doesn't bother me as much as the way the tournament is formatted but I doubt it will prevent participation. Rant over.