The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information

BERKLEY/WAFISH Open Results and Feedback

First off, I want to thank everyone who attended this year. The fishing was tough with a total of 34 fish for 36 boats. Below are the results:

We are going to do everything in our power to make next year's event even bigger and better to increase participation, and show the Berkley Corporate guys that we are for real up here in the Northwest! This all starts with you all here on WAFISH as the largest group of bass fishermen here in the state. With that said, what would you guys want to see next year that you feel would make this event something you would want to attend? With the exception of better fishing of course!

Our initial thoughts are:

Moving the tournament to Lake Washington
Trying to find a date that doesn't conflict with other events or holidays(very difficult)
More incentive either monetary, products, promotions, etc...

Let me know your thoughts and we'll see what we can do to make this happen. Again, the more support and participation we can show the more we will get back in return for years to come.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Brown on April 27, 2011 at 2:32pm

Jordan,

I fished this event last year and it was a blast! You always run a great tournament. The ONLY reason I didn't fish it this year, was because I had another event. Like you said, that's a hard one to navigate around though. I'd fish it regardless of where you hold it...Washington, Sammamish, Tapps, etc.

Permalink Reply by Adam Gablehouse on April 28, 2011 at 12:05am

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Permalink Reply by Mike Matkowski on April 28, 2011 at 6:33am

Jordan,

I think that you should consider moving the date and tourney site altogether. Most east side bass anglers are not coming to Seattle in April to drag baits around in the rain at either Sammamish or Washington, especially on the last days to prefish Nixon's Moses tourney and/or an ABA. As Taylor pointed out, Moses was packed, the river was also being fished-and apparently people were catching more fish. IMO, you should consider teaming up with Mike Meeseberg on the tourney he tried last year, which also wasn't a big hit, but for different reasons. He tried a mixed format Bass and/or Walleye Tourney on Potholes in October, after most major tourneys were over. He didn't get a big turn out, but I think it was primarily due to no advertising and a last minute idea. With good sponsors like Berkley, which should be happy that you are promoting baits made by them for Walleye and Bass, some outside sponsor and angler money in the pot, more advertising, and a tourney at a central location with normally nice weather, you could have a good tourney. Maybe make it more family friendly, since by that time of year we all know who the big tourney sticks were. I think PJ and Ben fished the tourney last year, so they might be able to comment on if they think it is feasible. I also think Meeseberg, and possibly a new Tricities walleye club, might help promote it. And don't stick anglers with a late registration fee.

Permalink Reply by Johnny Walker on April 28, 2011 at 7:27am

Great event man! Fishing was super tough though. Not sure if it was the beautiful blue skies or the pressure of the lake over the last months time. Either way count me in again as it was just like the other tournaments your involved in... GREAT!

My vote goes to Lake Washington in Late May through early June.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on May 2, 2011 at 10:45am

Was having a similar conversation over the weekend, as to why the qualifier turnout is so low.

I think it boils down to, the bigger the pot, the more anglers. So if a tournament cannot afford a bigger pot, then trying to figure out how to combine events, or follow another event on the same weekend, to benefit both tournaments. With fuel at the price its at, for guys to travel from one side of the state to another, it makes it more enticing to come for two events or a bigger single event.

Otherwise the focus has to be on one side of the state, if the pots don't draw both sides, or conflict with another good pot tourney.

I think the idea of a multi-species has some merit, especially on the west side, to get greater attendance.

There may come a time when there will have to be less opens, through consolidation. Clubs and events teaming up to produce a better pot/event.

Steve