slimshady

It's your tournament, run it as you see fit. I think the rules sound great, including the 24' and under part. I think you'll have the 30+ teams easy. Trying to please everyone on the internet boards will only drive you nuts.

A Ustream live feed of the weigh in and results might give those who never experienced a tournament a window into the action. Those among us that are techno-savy, particularly the up and coming youngsters with their smart phones might just sign up for the next tournament. I'd probably have never gone to a professional football game if I never saw one on TV. Many thanks to all the volunteers that help make these events possible.

No need for a meeting for the open. Just a few simple rules: Catch the fish legally per NYS regs Follow the size and specie requirements of the tournament Be in line by 12:30 No more than 3 fish in the box when you get in line I think that's about it. Good luck, sounds like there will be some real competition in the open for Sodus.

20 chances on day one, 40 on day two. In a field of 70 boats, you need to beat 60 of them in any one category to reach money.

More opportunity for a payout with 60 overall, but based on 70 teams, you need to be in the top 15% in any one catagory to cash in. I think the old formula paid through the top 25%.

I’ve fished the pro-ams over the years, mainly as a member of an am team and I feel very disappointed with the elimination of a separate am division. I got into these primarily for the friendly competition and to meet some of the best on the lake with the intention of upping my game a little as a weekend fisherman. Although I consider these events as one of the highlights of my year, I have always been a “donator†and have never walked away with a check. I’m ok with that, to an extent. The thrill of the am division for me is to try and compete with a similar rulebook as the pros without breaking the bank. It’s tough enough coming up with gas money most weekends as it is. I considered entering the open division when it started because it offered a somewhat “easier†route in regulations and possible money. I decided against it because in reality I thought in time I would be able to “move up†in competitiveness. I understand there comes a time for change, but this new setup sure doesn’t seem conducive to encouraging and developing new blood. Let’s face it, most of the teams in any tournament, don’t walk away with money. That’s the name of the game. Where I feel this new setup went off track is that is was put together by people who were already money contenders. If I was a money contender already, I can see where this new change could be exciting. I’d be willing to bet the committee putting this together wasn’t 75% comprised of people who have never won anything, which are the likely stats of most of the tournaments. If that were the case, I think things would have been different. High priced elite tournaments are fine and if that’s your deal, more power to you. I just felt that the pro-ams were different than that. Making changes to the open division might make some happy, but in reality I think most of the am teams that are feeling “priced out†of this new setup would really just like to have the am div back, with similar rules to the pros even with significant changes.