Official 2012 AOTY Thread

The designed value of the AOTY program is that it forces us to put effort into fisheries that might not be that interesting to us.

I'm with you 100% on this.  I was hoping to get to the coast 2-3 times this summer but was only able to make one trip. 

It all comes down to what you want out of it. What are your personal goals? Are you most interested in posting ten fish as quick as you can? Do you want to win it all or just have fun on the water? There are different strategies for just catching a fish vs catching large fish.

Me personally I have never posted ten fish. I'd rather catch my preferred species than chase boring fish unless I have a legitimate shot at winning.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Which you have! bring on the rest!  A Washington guy needs to win!

I'm not trying to bitch, I knew what fish were on the list before I entered.  I was hoping that I could spend more time on the road this summer trying to catch them but I wasn't able. 

As for where I'm located, there are really only 4 species within 1.5hrs (each way) of drive time:
14. Rainbow trout
15. Smallmouth Bass
16. Largemouth Bass (kind of rare)
17. Panfish

Everything else is 2hrs+ if I want to use a kayak.

You just need to move 

AOTY, for most of us, is a fun competition among friends that allows us to support the site. It does not provide insight to the meaning of life's mysteries. Let's not take ourselves too seriously.

. Let's not take ourselves too seriously.

I couldn't agree more.

I could have gotten 37.5 points today with my three inch surf perch. Alas, I did not have my measuring device along for the picture. I'd still be 29th or whatever, so it's just for fun. I'm just competing with myself or my aspirations.

It is fun! I think it is serious fun! As for not having fish close by... Well, I think you should just put up what you can. As it has been said, it is a great way to support the site and a great way to get to thinking about trying to catch different fish. It a great way to track personal bests and gives you a chance to harass each other a bit and celebrate great fishes when they are caught. Well, that my 2 cents.

Me personally I have never posted ten fish. I'd rather catch my preferred species than chase boring fish unless I have a legitimate shot at winning.

I hate to tell you this Fungunnin but you've got a legitimate shot at winning......

-Spot-

Up to 14 baby!

Me personally I have never posted ten fish. I'd rather catch my preferred species than chase boring fish unless I have a legitimate shot at winning.

I hate to tell you this Fungunnin but you've got a legitimate shot at winning......

-Spot-

And with that ... Bill goes on a monster perch hunt!!!

-Allen

... and today my boss told me he would cover me for this weekend, but not to plan any more weekends from now till the end of November.
This weekend is opening day for hunting season .... so no fishing unless I tag out early.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

... and today my boss told me he would cover me for this weekend, but not to plan any more weekends from now till the end of November.
This weekend is opening day for hunting season .... so no fishing unless I tag out early.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I don't want to hear your excuses kid..... 

I can see it now...Christmas,  and most of us are kicked back opening presents and whatnot...but there's a half dozen or so guys out there feverishly fishing in secret.

I can see it now...Christmas,  and most of us are kicked back opening presents and whatnot...but there's a half dozen or so guys out there feverishly fishing in secret.

That's happened more than once in the short life of the AOTY.  Ask me how I know.... 

Yeah... I won't be... If we leave the house it will be to go watch les mis... But the day after.  May need to go pull crab pots.