ORC 2018

Even if it moved to CPR unless the "R" Portion was enforced I am certain folks would still harvest fish. Many of us don't get that many oceans days and I personally like to harvest fish as allowed to feed my family and friends.

I didn't mean mandatory release.  It would just be nice to have the option and still be able to score fish.  It is currently a mandatory kill.

I'd be down for CPR.  I would imagine length would be the unit of measure via kayak, as taking a picture of the weight and fish on a less than stable platform would quite the endeavor for many. If there was a way for support boats to be available to take weight measurements, that would be helpful.

I believe this is incorrect. 

"We have a limited quantity of Lings and Cabs (based solely on ODFW and how they manage our limits), yet we have a bit more of an abundance of rockfish available."

They shut down the bottomfish season last year due to the low numbers of rockfish (ODFW September 2017 News Release).  After reading more into the subject they actually said that the Ling and Cabezon population was better and improving.  They shut down lingcod fishing last year because they feared it would produce a large bycatch of rockfish.  The rockfish quota has been steadily decreasing over the years (2017 was 10% less than 2015) and they are decreasing limits as well.

I honestly think it would be better to have the format exclude black rockfish. I may be a bit biased though as i dont like the wormy meat that comes with rockfish.  And taking a large ling or cabezon has not bothered me too much in the past as I think my outlook is different. Lingcod taste better at the fish fry  .  I would like to see crab added to the list but would fear of the safety issues with that many people dropping traps.

Here is another quote from a news article from last year

"Federal managers lowered the harvest quota of the most popular target, black rockfish, by 10 percent this year after federal stock assessments showed the need for some protection.

Oregon managers believe the species is healthier than believed and are conducting research to improve the accuracy of future assessments."

"Even though just the rockfish quota is filled, the recreational fishing ban was enacted to protect against incidental catch and catch and release mortality."

Zach, my point with ODFW is being that we have only ever been allowed two ling's, and one cab (and cabs have a delayed season).  I have no idea how they came to this determination.

Even if it moved to CPR unless the "R" Portion was enforced I am certain folks would still harvest fish. Many of us don't get that many oceans days and I personally like to harvest fish as allowed to feed my family and friends.

Yup.  Take the Gimme Shelter event in Northern California for example.  A few years ago, the tournament director removed rockfish from the event so as to relieve fishing pressure on them.  A noble gesture, but was it effective in reducing rockfish harvest?  Judging from the dozens of photos from this year's event and past years, I'm not so sure.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=82336.0

CnR bonuses are cool, and I try to utilize them when they're an option, but I'm doubtful of their effectiveness in reducing harvest in these types of tournaments.  Best-case scenario is we may "save" a handful of fish up to the low 30-inch range, and that'd be on a flat ocean AND assuming everyone carries a measuring board with them.  Anything bigger would be a PITA for a clear measurement and photograph, and because of that would likely be harvested.  I can't imagine attempting to get a measurement and clear photo of a lively 40+ inch lingcod in my lap  .

Given that these potential changes we're discussing may only affect a handful of fish on one given day, these proposed changes sound more sentimental than anything.  Those few fish that are released could be harvested the very next day, or the day after that.  Catch em before they spawn next winter, and the CnR bonus wouldn't make a lick of difference.

Given that these potential changes we're discussing may only affect a handful of fish on one given day, these proposed changes sound more sentimental than anything.  Those few fish that are released could be harvested the very next day, or the day after that.  Catch em before they spawn next winter, and the CnR bonus wouldn't make a lick of difference.

I am all for CPR and mostly because I primarily bass fish. In my ~28 years of bass fishing and many thousands of fish I have caught, I can count on one hand the bass I've kept and that's primarily due to major bleeding or a fish that couldn't be revived for one reason or another. Also it's fun enough trying to keep a 15" bass on a board for a measurement on a calm lake day, good luck with a massive ling that's alive. The only way I would even try is if I already had my limit (a Cabezon taken for instance) and caught another trying to catch a ling. 

It's actually pretty funny because at ORC last year I only took 1 ling, 1 cabezon, and 2 Rockfish, as I tossed back any smaller than what I already had and didn't want to fill the limit. On a typical ocean day I would likely catch the limit and head in for the day. I know several others I fished around too had a similar strategy and outcome.

Even if it moved to CPR unless the "R" Portion was enforced I am certain folks would still harvest fish. Many of us don't get that many oceans days and I personally like to harvest fish as allowed to feed my family and friends.

I didn't mean mandatory release.  It would just be nice to have the option and still be able to score fish.  It is currently a mandatory kill.

I would keep my fish as i like to harvest them.  However, i do like the idea of the possibility to release the fish.  We would have to change the entire format of the tournament though from weight to length and point system.  I like the weight as it is impossible to argue the winner.  With length it is easy to argue that certain fish should be worth certain points 

Clayman, you are probably right and I may be taking too much of a sentimental approach with these bigger fish, especially cabbies.  After harvesting several very large cabbies over the years and now my more recent monster one, I just don't feel it in me to harvest them that big, let alone for a tourney. 

With lings it's a bit different, for one I've only ever caught one longer than 35", and it stole my lip gripper.  I realize lings grow fast for their size they seem to be decent breeders, and produce a nice weight to filet ratio (unlike cabbies). 

I can only imagine trying to CPR a 40" ling, it's hard enough to CPR a 35". 

It's a no win, no lose situation I guess regarding ORC.  It is fun to just stir the pot some times with random ideas and get the juices flowing, discussion shared and generally get focused on filling the freezer with sea kittens.

Here's a few more ideas to run a muck in your mind today. 

ORC winning weight to be an absolute random number generated right there at the awards.  Everyone submits the fish of their choice.  The weight, length and time is recorded at the weigh in station into a spreadsheet.  When the winning weight number is randomly generated (to whatever decimal point makes sense), this number is compared to the list of fish entered, and the fish closest without going over it wins first place.  If there is a tie, the length is the tie breaker. If the length is the same, then the time entered breaks it.  Not sure how remaining places would be figured, haven't thought that far ahead.

Ever thought of bobber fishing for lings?  Picture an A0 buoy on a make shift bobber stop, with drop shot suspended live greenling anywhere from just off bottom, to mid water column.  The A0 would certainly keep the greenling suspended and from diving into the rocks to hide, but would be crazy to see the A0 dunk as a big ling attacks it!  Bobber down! 

I believe this is incorrect. 

"We have a limited quantity of Lings and Cabs (based solely on ODFW and how they manage our limits), yet we have a bit more of an abundance of rockfish available."

They shut down the bottomfish season last year due to the low numbers of rockfish (ODFW September 2017 News Release).  After reading more into the subject they actually said that the Ling and Cabezon population was better and improving.  They shut down lingcod fishing last year because they feared it would produce a large bycatch of rockfish.  The rockfish quota has been steadily decreasing over the years (2017 was 10% less than 2015) and they are decreasing limits as well.

I honestly think it would be better to have the format exclude black rockfish. I may be a bit biased though as i dont like the wormy meat that comes with rockfish.  And taking a large ling or cabezon has not bothered me too much in the past as I think my outlook is different. Lingcod taste better at the fish fry  .  I would like to see crab added to the list but would fear of the safety issues with that many people dropping traps.

Here is another quote from a news article from last year

"Federal managers lowered the harvest quota of the most popular target, black rockfish, by 10 percent this year after federal stock assessments showed the need for some protection.

Oregon managers believe the species is healthier than believed and are conducting research to improve the accuracy of future assessments."

"Even though just the rockfish quota is filled, the recreational fishing ban was enacted to protect against incidental catch and catch and release mortality."

Zach, my point with ODFW is being that we have only ever been allowed two ling's, and one cab (and cabs have a delayed season).  I have no idea how they came to this determination.

Gotcha!  I am sure that the ling quota is smaller and that is why but the rockfish quota filled first. 

ORC winning weight to be an absolute random number generated right there at the awards.  Everyone submits the fish of their choice.  The weight, length and time is recorded at the weigh in station into a spreadsheet.  When the winning weight number is randomly generated (to whatever decimal point makes sense), this number is compared to the list of fish entered, and the fish closest without going over it wins first place.  If there is a tie, the length is the tie breaker. If the length is the same, then the time entered breaks it.  Not sure how remaining places would be figured, haven't thought that far ahead.

Love this for a side pot idea.  Or ~20% of winnings

ORC winning weight to be an absolute random number generated right there at the awards.  Everyone submits the fish of their choice.  The weight, length and time is recorded at the weigh in station into a spreadsheet.  When the winning weight number is randomly generated (to whatever decimal point makes sense), this number is compared to the list of fish entered, and the fish closest without going over it wins first place.  If there is a tie, the length is the tie breaker. If the length is the same, then the time entered breaks it.  Not sure how remaining places would be figured, haven't thought that far ahead.

Love this for a side pot idea.  Or ~20% of winnings

Might as well give everyone a participation trophy too!   

-Allen

ORC winning weight to be an absolute random number generated right there at the awards.  Everyone submits the fish of their choice.  The weight, length and time is recorded at the weigh in station into a spreadsheet.  When the winning weight number is randomly generated (to whatever decimal point makes sense), this number is compared to the list of fish entered, and the fish closest without going over it wins first place.  If there is a tie, the length is the tie breaker. If the length is the same, then the time entered breaks it.  Not sure how remaining places would be figured, haven't thought that far ahead.

Love this for a side pot idea.  Or ~20% of winnings

Might as well give everyone a participation trophy too!   

-Allen

Isn't that how everything is awarded now a days?  May as well keep the trend going.   

I have no idea why we still call it the Oregon Rockfish Classic. We had a few years there where we played around with the format to try and make rockfish more important and I got the feeling that most didn't like it as it was too confusing and made the strategy weird. My thoughts are just rename it to the Oregon Bottomfish Classic and be done with it. I liked the format we used last year.

Also, if the biologists at ODFW and other entities that set the quotas say we can harvest, I say harvest.

I have no idea why we still call it the Oregon Rockfish Classic. We had a few years there where we played around with the format to try and make rockfish more important and I got the feeling that most didn't like it as it was too confusing and made the strategy weird. My thoughts are just rename it to the Oregon Bottomfish Classic and be done with it. I liked the format we used last year.

Also, if the biologists at ODFW and other entities that set the quotas say we can harvest, I say harvest.

My OCD says rename it Oregon Bottomfish Classic and for some weird reason it works in my head. 

OBC has a nice ring to it. Google doesn't seem to show a lot of conflicts after a quick search. Oregon Business Council, Oregon Brew Crew,...

The Oregon Baton Council may get upset with us stealing their acronym.

INSAYN, on a personal level, I too get a lot of joy releasing the big ones.  My favorite eater-size lings are in the high 20 to low 30 inch range.  Those fish always taste great.  If someone were to offer me fillets off 30 inch and 40 inch lingcod, I'd take the 30 incher fillets because I enjoy the thinner fillets and tighter flakes.

That being said, I'm not entirely averse to harvesting a big ling.  They produce a lot of quality meat and the "glory shots" satisfy my vanity  .

How about "Oregon Bottomfeeder Classic"? 

INSAYN, on a personal level, I too get a lot of joy releasing the big ones.  My favorite eater-size lings are in the high 20 to low 30 inch range.  Those fish always taste great.  If someone were to offer me fillets off 30 inch and 40 inch lingcod, I'd take the 30 incher fillets because I enjoy the thinner fillets and tighter flakes.

That being said, I'm not entirely averse to harvesting a big ling.  They produce a lot of quality meat and the "glory shots" satisfy my vanity  .

How about "Oregon Bottomfeeder Classic"? 

In conversation over the years, many have said the same thing regarding the ling slot that works best for their table.  I prefer 26 to 35 inch for similar filet aspects as you mentioned, but if a chubby 25 inch is all I can scratch up for the day, it gets removed from the gene pool.  The larger ones are obviously the breeders, and returning these girls to the drink helps the population stay healthy. 

If we were to go with "Oregon Bottomfeeder Classic", we might confuse those that "choose" to live on EBT and that would just complicate things at the ramp.