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Fishtails

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Everything posted by Fishtails

  1. Looking forward to this event!! Always one of my favorite weeks of the year.
  2. Just a heads up for those of you who are, or may be considering fishing the AM division of The Kevin Davis Memorial Oswego Pro Am that there will most likely be some very positive and much needed rule changes for this year. This is very unofficial, as the powers to be have final word but a group of us regulars have been talking with the committee about unifying the Oswego rules with the Sodus rules for this year and it sounds like it should happen. The main changes would be AM teams would weigh in a 7 fish box, consisting of 6 silver fish ( salmon, steelhead or brown trout) and one bonus lake trout that would be worth 10 points. The advantage to this format is it opens up the tournament to two person teams ! In the past, the 9 fish limit required a 3 man team. This is huge !! I fished Sodus with just myself and my son for years, taking both a second and first place finish as a father/son team and It's one of my fondest life memories. I'm sure they'll make it official soon, so with the outlook favorable for reseeding water in July and the incredible fishing this season consider signing up and honoring Kevin Davis by making this a great turnout !!! It's sure to be an amazing time !!!
  3. Nice Abe !!! See you in Sodus.
  4. Where you there ? I think a lot of times we can answer our own questions lol It was a 50 team limit, but I have no idea why the turnout was low ? A lot of guys are intimidated to fish big tournaments but probably should't be. A few guys dominate the leader board, and I know that plays a big role. Not really clear on where things are heading, but it would appear something needs to change. On a positive note, I was among a great group of regular AM teams participating in a discussion this afternoon about The Oswego Pro Am and it was very refreshing! Good things potentially coming this year, so keep your eye on that one if you're an amateur.
  5. Shoot me a text with any questions you might have. My cell service sucks at the house. 215-356-8534
  6. Yup, I still have it wildman97
  7. TTT, thought it was sold, turns out they didn't have the cash so still available. Taking off boat on Monday.
  8. Yes...still available. Things I forgot to mention, but was just asked. No, it does not have power trim It's a long shaft (20") More Pics...
  9. I have a 2004 15 hp Merc 4 stroke electric start with controls in perfect running super low miles condition. It doesn't have 100 hours on it. New carb last year (not rebuilt....new carb) because motor sat so many years without hardly running it just wouldn't idle right but new carb cleaned that right up and it runs perfect! Not tiller control, set up to be kicker. I also put new plugs in last fall, changed the motor oil and filter and gear oil. It's ready to go. I bought it from a dealer that serviced it since new. It came off a bass tracker. Dealer told me the owner bass fished, and never used a kicker and as far as he knew it hadn't been run except periodic servicing. Since I owned it, 3 or 4 years now, I only used it for trolling maybe 5 times. I just prefer my main outboard motor over a kicker because I can dial in my speed better with the main. Comes complete with brand new 4 blade prop, wiring harness and controls ready to install. I will also include my ez steer to attach to the main. The bracket on the main broke though when another boater hit it last year at the dock. I might have some spare parts though to fix it, or just order new bracket. Since its complete low hours package with new carb, 2 props, complete controls and wiring plus ez steer, I'm asking $1500. Great motor, Someone's gonna be very happy I can take vid of it running as it's still on the boat. I can deliver the week of the LOC, as I will be in NY starting the 10th. Motor is outside Quakertown Pa right now.
  10. No Culling according to the Pro Am rules means you cannot release any fish that has been caught / boated, unless it is under the tournaments legal size limit. Rules also state no shaking fish off, releasing out of net, cutting line or any act to aid in the loosing or release of the fish. Its a good pro rule, but a terrible AM rule when no observer is on board.
  11. These are very standard tournament rules : Weigh-in: - Upon returning to port the cooler containing the day's catch must be immediately transported to the weigh-in site, Oswego Marina. Weigh-in starts at 12:00 P.M.. A team representative must be in line for weigh-in no later than 3:00 P.M. with catch. I personally wouldn't want it any other way. From boat to weigh in....no exceptions. I would take it a step further myself and also add to the rules that two team members should remain with the cooler at all times (am standard Pro Am rule) The rule is there to deter cheating. We all know foul play occurs with a small percentage of participants. I think all that can really be done when the honor system is in play is to police ourselves and not have rules in place that encourage or aid cheating. If a team is allowed to drive their catch to another weigh station for an LOC entry first (per your suggestion), then who's to say they cant also stop and pick up a drink and some lunch, some gas for the truck, then get to the LOC scales the same time as their buddy whom just so happened to also catch a nice fish whom lets just say didn't want to keep his fish and voila, "someone" ends up with a nice addition to the cooler. Then off to weigh in they go.... Just one scenario in 100's of similar scenarios that could take place. So....by policing ourselves we can keep an eye on each other. No stopping at a friends house, or stopping by a friends boat, or going for gas, lunch, LOC scales, the bar, etc. From the boat to weigh in.....keep it simple and make it more uncomfortable for that very small minority to do their dirty work. I have nothing to do with this tournament, nor am I even fishing it so it's just my opinion but I do fish a lot of tournaments and totally support any rule that keeps the foul play to a minimum. I just fished the Oswego Pro Am on the Amateur side and the rules stated no culling, yet there were no observers to enforce it. A few boats came in with huge 9 fish boxes both days, so we are to believe they caught zero small fish out of the 18 in two days? A truly difficult task !! Is it possible, sure. But that margin of doubt shouldn't exist because its an unenforceable leftover rule from the days am's had an observer. Overall I loved fishing the Oswego Pro Am and thought it was a GREAT event. It's just that my team was basically done and pulled lines with 8 of our 9 (mostly smaller) at 9:45 am Saturday so we went to scout waters for the next day. We finished off our 9th around noon and went in early feeling we probably got beat by teams who culled a few and upgraded their box throughout the day. Culling should ALWAYS be allowed if there are no observers on the boat or it just becomes a tournament that favors the cheaters, and also puts the honest guys in a position to either have to break a rule that shouldn't exist or get beat by those who do. Hopefully it gets eliminated from the 2019 Am rules because I really did love the Oswego Pro Am this year !!!
  12. Its always been separate Nick. Normally we sign up at Captain Jacks.
  13. How are entries being accepted Matt? By mail or in person only ? No online registration, correct?
  14. 10 guys will give you all different answers. How many riggers depends on your boat and how you fish. I had 4, went down to 3, and now normally run 2. I'd like more for Brown Trout, but 2 is all I need for salmon. With the clear water, fishing has changed. Getting some of your baits further away from the boat can be more productive for salmon once the sun comes up so most guys are down to 3 riggers max. If you fish browns much, they love riggers! Some guys still run 4-5 riggers with lots of success, but its really just a different style of bait presentation. Depends on how you like to fish. Its hard to deny that a rigger fish is much easier to reel in than a 600 copper fish.
  15. I feel the same Abe. 5 or 6 fish seems to be the magic number. I experienced a similar fate last time I fished Niagara. The 3 fish format The Niagara Pro Am has for the Am's is more of a derby format than a tournament. I'm not knocking it, I think it's good for plenty of guys and a great starter event. That format just isn't for me. I do however, like that each day is a separate event so you have the option to fish just one day. That's a really smart idea.
  16. Was great seeing you as well Mike ! I didn't see it either Mike. Couldn't even tell you who won. We were last to get in line at weigh in, only made it with maybe 5 minutes to spare. Once we knew we were not top 10 and wouldn't cash, weighing in was going to burn up valuable time so we bailed to gas up the boat and run back across the lake. Even so, the gas dock had closed and we almost had to stay the night. Luckily, two other boats were also stuck without gas and the marina got someone to open and pump gas for us.
  17. Its an invitational type of tournament Bob. The spring event is capped at 60 teams. The summer event is capped at 40. There is normally a waiting list. I actually don't know the exact number of teams this past Sat but 55 rings a bell. I could be off a few either way. Regardless it was either a full field or around 90%. We actually attributed their different "viewpoint" of competing in small boats at least in part to a couple of very successful captains on the north shore who regularly win and do so in aluminum boats. Canadians just seem to have a different mindset in that regard. It would be interesting to hear from a few at some point on the subject.
  18. I gotta say, some really good feedback guys ! On a side note, the past two weekends I was able to participate in the Oak Orchard Open in Point Breeze NY and The Tightlines King Of Kings in Toronto Canada. The OOO is an absolute blast!! We had so much fun. It's an incredibly enjoyable and challenging format. Very well run and one worth checking out! Tightlines is great, but a big $$ event on the north shore so only a half dozen or so of the approx. 55 team field is from the USA. I've fished it a few times now and one thing that really jumps out at me every time I fish it is the large number of SMALL boats that enter the Canadian events. As we all staged out in front of the harbor awaiting the shotgun start, I counted around 15 - 18 aluminum boats 18 to 20 ft and a few more smaller fiberglass rigs. Those guys are not intimidated one bit going up against the big boats in a one day six fish high dollar shootout. I wanted to snap pics but its no communication and my phone was off. A totally different mentality on the north shore and those little boats often times not only finish in the $$, but even win ! Not saying I think 3 guys PLUS OBSERVER should pile in a 20 ft Aluminum boat and fish a 20k tourney, but they not only do it in CA, they do it well!
  19. A thought for some of you guys that may want to check out what the bigger tournament fishing is really like. Three upcoming tournaments will be requiring observers. The Pro side teams in Oswego and Sodus Pro Ams and The A-Tom-Mik Invitational. You can get on a team as their observer and get a front row seat to truly see what it like, plus its the best way there is to learn from some of the best fishermen on the lake. I'll be fishing the Am division this year in the Pro Ams. Am's don't need observers, but two of my team members on this years team have been past observers of mine, so you just never know where being an observer will take you?
  20. That was a great response Frogger, exactly the kind of healthy feedback I think coordinators reading this post can digest for future events. Thanks for your input !!
  21. I missed it this year, but that situation Sunday was too bad. See you in Sodus Abe!
  22. Tournament fishing isn't for everyone, and I'd go as far as to say it's not for most. I hear you on your complaints and I also took in your issues with The Niagara Pro Am and their payout structure. We all have opinions, both good and bad on practically every subject. I asked what's the reason some of us don't fish tournaments so that we can have a healthy conversation mostly because I am genuinely interested. I don't necessarily agree with all of your opinions, but that's the thing about open discussions and opinions I'm not looking to change anyone's mind. The great thing is that there is something for everyone that has an interest. The LOC derby is perfect for kingpossible and tons of others. Choose your days with weather, low entry fee, fish any port, etc. The small one day events like King of the Oak in Point Breeze, The A-Tom-Mik Challenge, The Fairhaven Challenge, The Sandy Creek Shootout, The Little Salmon River Challenge, etc are perfect for those wanting to take a step up from the derby thing. Low entry (lets be honest, if $50-$100 is too steep, than derby fishing is for you), one day event, choose one in a port close to you, a chance to compete and add a new dimension to your fishing adventures and test your skills against other anglers. If mother nature wins, it's only $50-$100 and you can choose not to fish. Often times entry doesn't need to be paid until the day before the event. For the many who want to participate in a true tournament format and step up from the smaller shootouts there are the Pro Ams and Invitationals which from my expedience can be the most fun by far !! I personally think most committees do an extraordinary job and I have fished many events in the last ten years. Sometimes the wind blows. We fish a big lake. I agree they don't get it right every time in every event when it comes down to the wind issue, but I know they do their best with the info they have and there's a lot more to it than most of us know. .
  23. There are lots of options for you that fall under your requirements. You are describing more of a derby or shootout more than a tournament. They can be lots of fun.
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