Marking your big fish for weigh in during Northwest Bass tourney

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on June 20, 2015 at 6:49pm

When you compete in a tournament, be aware that rules are contained in several places, not just in printed text handed out at the event.  First and foremost, I suggest attending the Driver's Meeting at each tournament, no matter how many you have been to.  

My advice to anyone would be instead of talking to friends during the meeting, be sure to listen to the Tournament Director.  Rules and special procedures are often specified during the Driver's Meetings.  Also, knowing the State and Local laws are also important.

I haven't attended an event this year, but in all the past ones the rule to mark the big fish was clearly articulated during every Driver's Meeting.  

Congrats on catching a big bass!

Permalink Reply by Paul Schmitz on June 20, 2015 at 8:05pm

Marc. Trust me I know the rules. The big fish was clearly identified it was dead. Stick a call maker in a dead fish. I was been fishing northwest for 15 years and never heard such crap.

Permalink Reply by Jake Boomer on June 21, 2015 at 11:21am

Paul/Justin,

Where have you been?  The cull-tag rule has been a major source of drama for the last 3 years...  HUGE.  It probably removed 10 years off of Stiles' life span.  The whole purpose of the rule was to speed up the weigh-in's as anglers were rooting around their bags on stage, holding up the show.  It totally makes sense... but with that said, we used to do the same thing.  When the rule came out, we forgot to tag our big one a few times, but luckily it didn't cost us.  We just didn't post a big fish. 

Our biggest issue is paying attention at the driver's meeting.  Usually, we're talking to all of our buddies we haven't seen in a few weeks, and completely miss the whole thing.  I love it when Jason asks when our check-in time is, and I don't have a clue.  

The best story about the "big fish tag rule" was when Tripp/Lynch had a big one at Banks a few years ago.  They never owned cull tags, but knew they needed to tag this big one.  So Charlie found and old rusty chatterbait or something like that to use.  I think Stiles was pretty impressed with that one. 

- j.boomer

Permalink Reply by Bob Higbee on June 22, 2015 at 9:55am

I normally would not post to social media on an issue which directly relates to a business.  In this event however I feel it is necessary to apologize to Paul and Justin for the misinterpretation by the tournament staff on the issue of big fish identification.  There is no rule formally posted nor briefed during the tournament briefing about having a big fish identified to be eligible for big fish competition.  While most anglers are aware by identifying the big bass it expedites the weigh in process, it is not a formal requirement.

Upon recognizing that an error had occurred, I immediately asked Justin to stand aside so I could resolve the issue.  It was offered to Justin to weigh his big fish a couple times.  Recognizing that his fish weight would not beat the weight of a earlier larger fish that had been weighed by another competitor, he elected not to have his big fish weighed.

I apologize on this forum to Justin for any embarrassment this has caused him. 

Sincerely,

Bob Higbee

Tournament Director

Northwest Bass

Permalink Reply by Bill Roberts Sr on June 22, 2015 at 10:12am

Sounds like effort was made to correct this. So I don't understand why this is still being debated.

Anyone who has fished this circuit for the last several years knows you have to pin your big fish or at least declare it.

Sounds like Bob tried to help out.

The staff of Northwest Bass is doing a GREAT job and I for one believe, deserves our thanks!

Thank you Northwest Bass, Nixon's and crew!

Bill

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on June 22, 2015 at 12:39pm

Paul/Justin,

Forgive me, but I find it anti-productive when guys whine and moan about something but offer no alternative.

How would you guys recommend that NWbass expedite the weigh process?

Some states actually require multiple weigh bags be used for large fish. You get dq'd if you fail to abide.

My thought is that perhaps NWBass could provide 5-10 clip on markers at the tanks along with an updated white board. This way, we aren't putting tears and big holes in bass that normally would never get a culling buoy. (I dont put culling pins on 5lbers!). If theres an updated white board that says 7.03 is b/f, then that may decrease the number of guys who still weigh a 4lber.

I personally think that weighing fish that are well under the current b/f should be highly discouraged, unless its a kid who wants his big one weighed or something.



Paul Schmitz said:

Marc. Trust me I know the rules. The big fish was clearly identified it was dead. Stick a call maker in a dead fish. I was been fishing northwest for 15 years and never heard such crap.

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on June 22, 2015 at 12:44pm

Some good ideas there Snake, I really like the concept of keeping some tags at the weigh in tanks just in case guys didn't pin the fish or forgot. The only thing I'll add is that big fish is the tie breaker should there be one. Even if you aren't in it for the win and way down the standings there could be the scenario that guys are weighing for AOY points still and want to make sure they get that extra spot should a tie occur.  

Permalink Reply by Justin Kulbeck on June 22, 2015 at 6:49pm

Snake, to answer your reply, I don't believe I was whining or moaning just trying to make sure I follow all rules. If I was king for a day I would make a written rule that states you need to clearly mark your big fish as I agree that it speeds up weigh in and the weigh master already has enough to focus on. If one doesn't mark their fish after that than they have no one to blame but themselves.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on June 22, 2015 at 7:16pm

"The whole deal sounds stupid to me" was your quote that I perceived to be whiny.

It sounds like you don't actually think the rule is stupid, rather you would like to see the rule on paper. Seems reasonable and fair. This would take some heat off the director as well.

Permalink Reply by Justin Kulbeck on June 22, 2015 at 8:56pm

You are correct, I think the rule would make sense and take all the guess work and unneeded delays out of the weigh in process. The faster we can get the fish back into the water the better. This is the first time I have never tagged our big fish in 7-8 years of fishing tourneys and to be honest I would have tagged the big fish but unfortunately it was dead and never thought about since our other 2 fish were so small. A good learning experience since it didn't cost us anything.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on July 22, 2015 at 9:06am

Sounds like it got figured out but usually is articulated during the drivers meeting.