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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | October 14th-16th are the dates to remember for the October "Musky" Fest Tournament in Rhinelander. There is still time to sign-up for this unique style of tournament. Fun, Money, Big Fish and a Great Benefit; what more do you want.
Some anglers have said that they do not want to fish this tournament because "using suckers for musky fishing is like hunting deer at night." I would LOVE to fish with these guys.
Other anglers do not like the fact that they cannot choose the lake that they fish on either of the days. Well, this playing field is as even as you are going to find in tournament fishing.
The layout of the tournament is to make it a fun event with BIG fish and the opportunity at some money. This tournament is going to be fun, but it is also for those that are up for a challenge when it comes to musky fishing. We would love to see "Big Name" tournament anglers and large tournament winners come and give it a shot. A few of the guys that are signed up have heard these remarks and find it funny that "these guys must be afraid of us little guys".
I know that Mr and Mrs Worrall are planning on fishing it on 2 different teams. More and more entries are being picked up and dropped off almost daily. Remember, locals may be familiar with the lakes, but unless they fish all of the lakes they will be no better off than those guys coming in. If you can adapt to lakes and know how to read a map, you will be just fine. Also remember, those afraid to ask questions are afraid to learn. Ask people about the lakes and you will learn a lot about a lake really quick.
If you have any questions about the tournament post them here, give Kristy a call at the shop (715-369-1900), drop her an e-mail ([email protected]) or post a message on her message board (www.nelsonsbaitntackle.com). This tournament is going to be great fun.
Hope to see you there,
Chuck | |
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | Chuck,
Jason, and I are tentatively planning to fish your tourney. I talked to a bunch of local guys at the Hodag and asked them if they where planning on fishing it. Some are some aren’t, but there seemed to be a genuine concern about the use of suckers. Not that they don’t want to use them as this group of guys regularly uses suckers on quick strike rigs.
The concern is money brings out the worst in people. $3,700 is not pocket change to most and there is worry that some people, with only their eye on the prize will let a fish have a quick strike rig, longer than necessary. Resulting in a deep hooked, as good as dead fish. I think you should have some provision for deep hooked fish, I know the rules state quick strike rig, but if left to long a quick strike rig can be swallowed just like any other rig.
In my opinion if a fish is hooked in the gut or gullet it should be treated as a dead fish and not be counted. This would make it clear to all in the contest.
Just something guys have been talking about, that may be helpful if you address.
Thanks
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | Hey Mike,
Thanks for the response. Yes, that has been considered and will be discussed at the rules meeting on Friday night. John Stellflue actually brought it up at the Musky Bar the league night there. As he said he would judge, it will be to the judges discretion as to the call on the fish. We want to handle these fish with care. Suckers is just another way to catch these critters and we wanted to keep the option of using suckers open.
The way it will be is that if there is ANY deep hooked fish by either sucker or artificial, a leader sticking out of the mouth, ripped and bleeding gullet, it will be considered a dead fish. If everyone recalls, there was a 47" or 48" musky that was killed during the WMT on Pelican a few years ago as it inhaled a Suick. There are situations that cannot be controlled. Those using quick strike rigs must be smart and have the resource in mind when using them; whether during the tournament or just when they fish.
Bulldawgs are another GREAT bait this time of year. Musky are notorious for inhaling these baits as well. A good hook cutters, long needle nose pliers and TLC for these fish.
Will there be any fish killed? We certainly hope not. Everyone needs to remember though, that no matter if it is during a tournament or just fishing for fun, there is always that chance of killing a fish whether it is intended on being killed or not.
We WILL be stressing the fact that all anglers need to be smart and use their best judgement when on the water.
Chuck | |
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| The fonze and i are in.
we're traveling from laona,crandon to fish a very exciting tournament,for an excellent cause.
How can you beat this?
No one has a prefish advantage unless they're extremely lucky and guess right.
its $75 per person.nothing compared to of a weekend of truck gas,boat gas and oil.
there is some great raffles fri. and sat. night with a chance at: lures,gear lots of guide days or half days( i donated one)
and all the money goes back to the cause..........
its a non transport tourney and you can use suckers.
i honestly believe when a sucker rig is used properly(quick set) its no more dangerous to a fish than most other lures.
i had a client nail a 39.5 on a bulldawg this summer. the fish inhaled it. i worked fast,cut leader,hooks and released it. the lure was done. i gave it to client as a momento.
the fished looked ok. do i know its still alive?nope.......
will i use bulldawgs?yes. very effective bait.
i can't guarentee with any release on any of my lures the fish will live. studies are showing a mortality rate highr than any of us want on releases. but you do the best you can. its always better than keeping it.
not trying to get on a box here but.
join in. i am also sure the fihermen and women in this tourney will do there best on releases. much better than the common angler out there.
its our job as musky freaks to help them if they need some tips or lessons but not alienate them by being too aggressive and getting labled as many in the sport have as elietists..
good luck to all......
dannyboy | |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Chuck,
Thanks for the reply. MuskieFIRST is pleased to be a Sponsor of the October 'Musky' Fest tournament. We will cover the event with pictures, a live leaderboard, interviews, and more AND fish it. I'm sure you have made all the necessary adjustments allowing for the reasonable and careful use of suckers and quick strike rigs, and it's not necessary to worry about sportsmanship or care of the fish. No one will intentionally take a chance at killing a fish for 'the money' as was brought up, becuase a dead fish won't get you 'the money'. Nelson's will run a tight ship, that's certain. You won't find more concern for Rhinelander's Muskies anywhere.
Guys, this will be a top shelf event. OutdoorsFIRST has covered and sponsored literally dozens of events across the US, and it's always been the media's position (and therefore ours) that questions or concerns about rules, contestants, money, etc. should be discussed with the Tournament Director presonally, not batted about on a public internet discussion board for obvious reasons. If you have suggestions about the rules, I'm sure Chuck will be happy to respond to your questions and concerns via email. Sign up!
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Location: minocqua, wi. | Wish i could make it .... gotta go to China the 14th. Good luck to everyone | |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Dang it, Sled, I was hoping for a bit of a side bet....you kicked our behind during League this year, was hoping for some payback! China?? | |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i would term it the "rookie mojo" .... after the WMT on Boom and the Hodag, humility reigns in the brain! | |
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Location: Rhinelander, WI | Thanks for the response Chuck, I know you will do everything possible to ensure the safety of the fish and the Anglers.
Steve, I brought this issue up because I have specifically heard people say they will not fish this tourney because of this fear. I figured Chuck would have a response that would maybe persuade people to not feel that way. Some of these guys read this board regularly but don’t post. I will also make it a point to pass along this info when I run into these guys.
Sucker fishing in a tourney is new to most of us and there are going to be questions. This forum provides a perfect place to ask these questions, especial since it is advertising the event. The general fishing public should know how things are going to be run so they don’t start assuming the wrong things.
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Agreed, Mike, but questions and comments that are sensitive and might raise temperatures in some quarters are best asked and answered directly by the Tournament folks via phone or email. Believe me, I'm speaking from experience here. Observations are fine, but challenges and possibilities about what MIGHT go wrong, questions and ideas that may have already been addressed or are already part of the rules structure should be asked and answered directly with the Tournament Director, not on a public message forum.
This will be a top shelf event and I'm looking forward to fishing it. See you there, sir! | |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | Hey Steve,
Dropped Darrick off at the store after school and Mike came in when I was about to leave. He wanted to see the new reel and then we got talking about the tournament. Sounds as if most of the negativity is coming locally. Guys are concerned that fish will be killed on purpose for the money. If they would read the rules, any dead fish are zero points and that angler is done for the day. As stated above, dead fish will also be considered when it is obvious that a fish has swallowed a live or artificial bait. These same guys do some guiding locally and use suckers. They are not worried about what they do, but what others do. The dead fish part is no different than other musky tournaments. I would hope that people would have enough respect for the resource and not kill a fish just for some money.
Hopefully with the information that is getting out here many false ideas and negative attitudes will come to pass and they consider fishing the tournament. I know that Mike is going to talk to them more when he sees them.
I told Mike that on Friday night at the rules meeting it may be a very good idea to get someone besides the direct tournament people to speak about the proper use of suckers and quick strike rigs. This would also be a good review for the rest of those that use suckers as most have probably not used suckers since last fall.
Thanks Steve for not pulling this thread. There are some good discussions that are going here. Will it be a perfectly run tournament? Nope. I do not think that there is a perfectly run tournament out there for any species of fish. To transport or not transport musky. Culling of bass. Transporting walleye in extremely rough and warm water. The big 3 when it comes to fishing tournaments right now and just a few questions on how the tournaments should be run. What is the best way to run a tournament? It is in the eyes of the beholder as to what is best. We will adjust and change the tournament in minor ways to make it better and better.
There will be a questioneer for all contestants to fill out on what they liked and did not like about the tournament. Ways to make the tournament better. What to keep the same. If someone is not open to suggetions when doing something, then they might as well stop doing what they are doing as it will not get any better.
Chuck | |
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Still time to sign up for the October "Musky" Fest Tourney