Posts: 10
Location: WI | Fished Boom Lake. Saw two boats fly into the Dog House registration station to register fish that were not transported in a livewell or large container filled with water. They were both transported in the net in the bottom of the boat. Then placed in the net in the water as the boat raced into the dock, they were going at a minimum of 7 mph. Both boats caught the fish from a good distance away from the registration station. If the boat does not have a proper container to fill with water the boat should not be allowed to be used in the tournament. Just another reason to use the Pelican lake registration rules for every lake. Said something to the officials on Sunday about it too.
Really considering not fishing the tournament next year with how poorly I thought it was run this year. Hats, raffle prizes, winnings. Especially if the date is moved to later in the year. It wasn't just the Hodag that was low on boats, the tournament in Eagle River the same weekend was short several boats too.
Go back to the 08 rules. Keep the 7AM start. I'm in favor of the shotgun start, it was more of a mess with a bunch of different boats going in every direction. Resulting in more opportunity for an accident. The officials didn't even go by the date of registration anyway. Shotgun start everybody was usually pointed in the direction they wanted, then up and moving quickly to get out of everybody else’s way. Moving the date is a bad idea unless it is earlier in the year. Just checked for forecast for next weekend, which might be the date of next year's tournament...A high in the middle 40's and a lows in the low 20's. No Thanks. |
Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | Had the first of a serious of meetings. Looks like the chamber is really working hard to fix things for years to come. They had lots of feed back with the questioners and lots of comments many very similar to the comments made here. I also printed this thread and gave it to them for consideration. I would not expect major sweeping changes, other than to at least get back to where they were in 2008, but they are planning to evolve as best they can. I think what we will see first is a guaranteed % payout based on participants, rather than the guaranteed first place prize money. Those percentages will be published so all know exactly what to expect. They want to be as transparent as possible.
Some of the major problems they are facing are possible changes in the enforcement of regulations regarding the lake groups and lack of volunteers. It takes a bunch of volunteers to run a multi lake event like this and people just don’t appear to be volunteering like they used to. There are many more conversations to be had regarding these items and things are in the works. I believe there is no doubt there will be an event next year, and is should be better organized.
I am hoping they will be able to send a letter to all participants after the next meeting. To get the ball rolling for 2010.
Thanks for all the input it was very much appreciated.
Mike
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