2016 AOTY

I'd like to see the number of participants increase.  More entry fees = more money to HOW.

I completely agree. I think having more prizes would help, but in lieu of that I think that A.) Being proactive about communication about AOTY, and B.) Making it well-organized (instead of an after-thought) will go a long way towards keeping it running and (hopefully) attracting new recruits.

I'm fine with sails.  Tgere are some restrictions seem silly with a contest that relies completely on participant honesty.

Tgere are some restrictions seem silly with a contest that relies completely on participant honesty.

I agree, but I'm also impressed with how honest (most of) the participants are. If people didn't take it seriously it wouldn't be much fun at all.

I hear rumors of people doing questionable stuff probably half a dozen times a year.

I hear rumors of people doing questionable stuff probably half a dozen times a year.

Well that's unfortunate. Like a "big year" for bird-watchers, if you're cheating, what's the point?

I used to see AOTY on the left side bar and was pretty excited to see people posting their catch.  When that went away, I didn't take the time to make the extra click at the top to view AOTY.  So, if the goal is to increase interest and participation, I'd suggest the AOTY banner on the NWKA home page. 

Prizes would be nice, but something useful would entice me. Cash is good for first prize.  I really like the idea of a Bottle Cap Opener -- keychain style or fish shaped one -- engraved with AOTY NWKA and person's name for all the participants:
https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/tradeshow-promotions/fish-bone-bottle-opener.htm?variant=BLANK&imageID=239910&gclid=CKWN5O6-yskCFVKEfgodVFAJdg

Looking at NCKA's prize list for AOTY and DOTY makes me wonder "Why can't we do this?"
What does it take to get the same type of amazing donations? How can NWKA members help make this happen?

Is AOTY participation possible via mobile/tapatalk, or does it require a real computer?  I'm in a weird situation right now where I only have computer internet access at work, for two weeks at time. No internet on my days off, when I can fish. Is there a how-to and rule guide that is easily accessible? As someone who is moderately interested in AOTY, but not enough so to actively seek out how to participate, I have not seen the kind of promotion and accessibility that says "come on in, the doors are wide open".

Is there a prize? If so, it I think it would help to say so on the AOTY page somewhere.

Also, if the $25 entry goes to Heroes on the Water, I think it would help to have a description of what HOTW is. Even a web link would be helpful for people that don't know.

I plan on participating in 2016 for sure. I think that if I had known more about it last year while I was just getting into kayak fishing, I would have participated.

Looking at NCKA's prize list for AOTY and DOTY makes me wonder "Why can't we do this?"
What does it take to get the same type of amazing donations? How can NWKA members help make this happen?

Hey Chris, thanks for volunteering! I think there needs to be one person working to solicit from vendors. I have no idea how to do this but maybe Alan can chime in on some advice. 

Is AOTY participation possible via mobile/tapatalk, or does it require a real computer?  I'm in a weird situation right now where I only have computer internet access at work, for two weeks at time. No internet on my days off, when I can fish. Is there a how-to and rule guide that is easily accessible? As someone who is moderately interested in AOTY, but not enough so to actively seek out how to participate, I have not seen the kind of promotion and accessibility that says "come on in, the doors are wide open".

You can make it work but it's a little hard to use.

Is there a how-to and rule guide that is easily accessible?

The home page of the AOTY has everything on it. You can view it from your mobile browser:

http://aoty.northwestkayakanglers.com/

Additionally you have up to 2 weeks to enter fish caught, so there is no need to have internet access from the water in order to participate, you just need to follow the rules and get adequate pictures, and submit them within the 2 week time frame.

Is AOTY participation possible via mobile/tapatalk, or does it require a real computer?  I'm in a weird situation right now where I only have computer internet access at work, for two weeks at time. No internet on my days off, when I can fish. Is there a how-to and rule guide that is easily accessible? As someone who is moderately interested in AOTY, but not enough so to actively seek out how to participate, I have not seen the kind of promotion and accessibility that says "come on in, the doors are wide open".

You can make it work but it's a little hard to use.

I know several people who participate in AOTY primarily via their mobile devices. You need to go to the AOTY page (http://aoty.northwestkayakanglers.com/) in your mobile browser and participate from there as though you were at your desktop. Additionally you may need to size down your images in order for you upload to not timeout. I'm guessing this varies based on the device and connection.

From the desktop it is a fairly straightforward webpage, although you should still size-down very large images.

Hey Chris, thanks for volunteering! I think there needs to be one person working to solicit from vendors. I have no idea how to do this but maybe Alan can chime in on some advice.

I really get tired of how every time someone brings something like this up the response is "Thanks for volunteering!" as though the person shouldn't dare to bring up an idea without a concrete plan on how to contribute. This happens all the time on the tournament threads and I'm sick of it. This is supposed to be a discussion; ideas, thoughts, and civil critiques are welcome as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not going to speak for Chris, but he has already volunteered to help be an AOTY judge, and I would be willing to bet that as a Hobie Pro Staff for Waxer's he'd be open to a conversation about securing some prizes. Without some level of organization this will never happen.

I think much greater than the issue of not having man-power is the issue, as you pointed out, that most of us don't have a relationship with the various vendors or even know where to begin trying to track down sponsors. In an industry driven by relationships, I really doubt that cold-calling a bunch of kayak equipment manufacturers will get us very far.

Is there a prize? If so, it I think it would help to say so on the AOTY page somewhere.

Also, if the $25 entry goes to Heroes on the Water, I think it would help to have a description of what HOTW is. Even a web link would be helpful for people that don't know.

I plan on participating in 2016 for sure. I think that if I had known more about it last year while I was just getting into kayak fishing, I would have participated.

I hope you participate in 2016! In order to address some of the issues brought up here (which are great, keep the feedback coming!) I will write a 2016 "kick off" post when we're closer to January 1 which will hopefully help new users and provide information in one central place.

Regarding the prize(s) that is one of the issues that I'm hoping starting this conversation now will address. In years past there have been prizes, but the people who got those things together are unfortunately no longer able to, so we need to figure that out or at least define that the only prize is bragging rights.

More recently the top participant(s) have received a part of the entry fee money as a cash prize, however because no one ever announced this or anything it's just tribal knowledge. I personally really hope to help increase the communication about AOTY this year.

Regarding Heroes on the Water (HOW), there is a lot of great information on their website: http://heroesonthewater.org/who-we-are/programs/

From that page:

Heroes on the Water helps our Nation’s warriors and veterans from all branches of the United States military unwind using the therapeutic qualities of fishing from kayaks. What looks like a day trip of paddling and fishing is in fact something much deeper and long-lasting.