2014 Oregon Rockfish Classic Official Announcement

Any chance of changing the format to something different that largest only?

+1

I'd like to see it more like aoty mutiple speices with points per inch.  If you wanted to you could do a catch and release with pictures and bonus points for cnr.

There's already a contest like that 

Any chance of changing the format to something different that largest only?

+1

I'd like to see it more like aoty mutiple speices with points per inch.  If you wanted to you could do a catch and release with pictures and bonus points for cnr.

There's already a contest like that 

Yes there is but that doesn't mean another tournament can't use the same criteria.

Use of Barbie (kiddie) poles ONLY!   

Would love to take part in ORC this year. Hopefully dates come out soon so I can take that time off of work

Any chance of changing the format to something different that largest only?

+1

I'd like to see it more like aoty mutiple speices with points per inch.  If you wanted to you could do a catch and release with pictures and bonus points for cnr.

There's already a contest like that 

Yes there is but that doesn't mean another tournament can't use the same criteria.

I'll just toss into this what I have in the past.  ORC, as I understand it, has always had as at least some of its purpose the role of giving newbies (to kayaking, fishing in general, doing so in the salt, etc) a large group to have that experience with in safety, while maintaining the excitement of possibly actually winning a prize.  Until 2013, IIRC, ORC was always won by a first timer at the tournament, and often that person was also a kayak or at least salt water newbie.  Heck, my first time out I came in 5th. 

Single heaviest fish gives the newbies a legitimate shot at winning and thereby adds excitment to help keep them hooked on the sport.  AOTD requires more skill, so I totally get why the advocates of that style want it.  But if you're still trying to figure out the whole fishing from a kayak in the open ocean thing it would seem overwhelming to a lot of people to also have to try to chase down 4 (at least) species of fish, and try to get good examples of each.  I'm not sure that as a newbie I'd have wanted to drive 6-7 hours and spend $40 to enter a fishing contest with a group that formatted that tournament in such a way that I knew I had no chance of winning any prize.  But for the single heaviest format I knew I just needed to luck into 1 decent fish, so that did draw me to do that drive and spend that entry fee.  Not to mention get involved in the taco feed as heavily as I have.

My opinion only:  I have no problem with AOTD styles, but I'd much rather see that as a seperate event from ORC.  Make that the Sunday after ORC, or the Friday before, or (most likely) on a totally different weekend.  Yeah, especially if it was a different weekend you'd have folks that can't make both.  That's the case anyway when it comes to fishing tournaments.  If I could only make one, I'd probably do the single heaviest fish format.  If I could spare the time for both, I'd do both. 

I think that is kinda the point. It isn't so much a fishing tournament as it is the luck of the draw. Why don't we just all put our names in a hat and draw names for the grand prize.
Winning the largest kayak tournament in the NW should mean something more than you showed up and got lucky.

Any chance of changing the format to something different that largest only?

+1

I'd like to see it more like aoty mutiple speices with points per inch.  If you wanted to you could do a catch and release with pictures and bonus points for cnr.

There's already a contest like that 

Yes there is but that doesn't mean another tournament can't use the same criteria.

I'll just toss into this what I have in the past.  ORC, as I understand it, has always had as at least some of its purpose the role of giving newbies (to kayaking, fishing in general, doing so in the salt, etc) a large group to have that experience with in safety, while maintaining the excitement of possibly actually winning a prize.  Until 2013, IIRC, ORC was always won by a first timer at the tournament, and often that person was also a kayak or at least salt water newbie.  Heck, my first time out I came in 5th. 

Single heaviest fish gives the newbies a legitimate shot at winning and thereby adds excitment to help keep them hooked on the sport.  AOTD requires more skill, so I totally get why the advocates of that style want it.  But if you're still trying to figure out the whole fishing from a kayak in the open ocean thing it would seem overwhelming to a lot of people to also have to try to chase down 4 (at least) species of fish, and try to get good examples of each.  I'm not sure that as a newbie I'd have wanted to drive 6-7 hours and spend $40 to enter a fishing contest with a group that formatted that tournament in such a way that I knew I had no chance of winning any prize.  But for the single heaviest format I knew I just needed to luck into 1 decent fish, so that did draw me to do that drive and spend that entry fee.  Not to mention get involved in the taco feed as heavily as I have.

My opinion only:  I have no problem with AOTD styles, but I'd much rather see that as a seperate event from ORC.  Make that the Sunday after ORC, or the Friday before, or (most likely) on a totally different weekend.  Yeah, especially if it was a different weekend you'd have folks that can't make both.  That's the case anyway when it comes to fishing tournaments.  If I could only make one, I'd probably do the single heaviest fish format.  If I could spare the time for both, I'd do both.

+1 sumpNZ has a very valid point here.....2013 ORC was my very first time kayak fishing ever....I have been hooked, making both AOTD and ORC since then. AOTD is a huge challenge for newbs but ORC is anybody's game newb or old salt. Personally its really not about winning, its about the people.....although I did win the lightest fish 

The reason we go is to all hang out and have fun. Winning should be more that a cap shoot.

Winning the largest kayak tournament in the NW should mean something more than you showed up and got lucky.

I will just point out that in its current format is how it became the largest kayak tournament in the NW.  Change the format and might not be the biggest for very much longer.

IMHO - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

One possible way to tweak the tournament without breaking it would be to assign the Grand Prize to the largest fish of the day but award the 2nd, 3rd etc prizes for the largest fish of each of the other species.

With this format, the salt newb would still have the same chance at 1st place overall but they'd also have a shot at 1st place for other species.  If you don't cap people at one prize, one person could sweep all the species, which could be good or could be bad depending on your perspective.

To seperate the men from the boys, you could award Trophies for 1st thru Xth based on total species value but award prizes based on size/species.  That still keeps the newbs in the running for 1st place but gives the seasoned guys a more advanced target (Hobby World Tournament entry for example).

-Mark-

Winning the largest kayak tournament in the NW should mean something more than you showed up and got lucky.

I will just point out that in its current format is how it became the largest kayak tournament in the NW.  Change the format and might not be the biggest for very much longer.

IMHO - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'm going to have to disagree with you here .... the format/location has been changed several times.
It has become the largest through its longevity, organization and reputation of being a fun even to be a part of.

It is a $40 kayak tournament with free beer. I don't think the underlying reason most people show up is to win. It is to have fun and get out on the water.

Saying you won ORC should be a big deal.

I'm completely on board to revamp things a little because of it's size. As of this year it became a Hobie qualifier even! If this continues to be as big as it is or bigger, it needs to be a fishermen's tourney, not a lucky lotto drop. I watched a guy boat a 25" black this year. It's hardly a "Rockfish Classic" when that beast can't compete against even mediocre cabs. If it stays single heaviest fish, than it should be revamped to only target/allow ling and cab to compete. Otherwise we should change the scoring to allow a 20" greening to best a 33" ling.

Winning the largest kayak tournament in the NW should mean something more than you showed up and got lucky.

I will just point out that in its current format is how it became the largest kayak tournament in the NW.  Change the format and might not be the biggest for very much longer.

IMHO - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

It became the largest tournament in the PNW last year for one main reason:  It was a hobie world's qualifier.  The reasons for the organic growth prior to that were the enthusiasm of a select few as far as I can tell, Jammer in particular.  The format had nothing to do with it, good bad or indifferent, as far as attracting people to participate.

I think that a single biggest fish is a fine tournament format in general, but i think its a ridiculous format for a world tournament qualifier.

How about this balance?

Go fish, and bring in whatever single fish YOU want to compete with. Turn a single fish that YOU determine is your highest scoring. The weigh station will determine final score based on AOTY ppi measures, and that’s your competitive number. No taking multiple fish to the weigh table for them to decide. If you’re not smart enough to use a calculator to rough score your own fish and you turn in a 180pt fish over a 200pt fish, then sorry about your luck. Now all big fish are eligible to compete, and it’s still noob friendly.

I personally like the single biggest fish format; it's just so simple.  Honestly, I'll be going regardless...I just enjoy being out there with so many like minded people.