Official 2013 AOTY thread.....

I'd like to point out a few things regarding Alaska.

The halibut like the one Bill entered are not common.  I've done 2 trips to Foggy and have spoken with Howard in detail about all the trips over the past 4 years.  We're lucky to encounter 1 fish of Bill's size per year.  That's 7 anglers fishing 5 days on 2 trips per year ... in other words 70 man days per year for one 80# butt (if even that)  Similar story for 40+ inch lings.  They are not common.  It took a lot of skill for Bill to do what he did, and he got the job done for both halibut and lingcod species.  While I do believe that Alaska offers good potential, I don't believe it offers an unfair advantage.

-Allen

My personal opinion is that its a bad idea to keep fish (any fish) required to be released out of the water for extended periods of time while a contestant tries to get an accurate measurement and multiple photos.

Exactly.  I might add that in many cases, removing the fish from the water to get a valid measurement is illegal.  It's one of those areas that we said to ourselves, why do it and why put a fish at greater risk of mortality.  And the rule is just a lot cleaner if you apply it the way we do (if you can legally take it home and eat it, you can enter it in AOTY).

-Allen

ah yes, I keep forgetting that the fish have to come out of the water!  scratch that idea.

I'd like to officially welcome the committee.  Lee, revjcp, and Noah have volunteered to help out.
-Allen

Thanks for volunteering guys.

Now that we have a panel and a month for them to deliberate here is my semi-well-thought-out two cents.

1. Don't lump trout species.
2. Don't fret over having a round number of species, i.e. 20 or 25.
3. Add some eastside species maybe carp, or catfish, browns or whatever there is over there that isn't on the west side. Ask Justin. Catfish are six points per inch on Norcal's AOTY.
4. Maybe add Striped bass at 5 points per inch like Norcal.
5. +pinks. Seems like a popular idea.

That's all, thanks.

so those are the guys I need to bribe with beer huh?

I still think the trout should be put together.

Carp and catfish are available everywere except Alaska.  People west of the cascades just dont'  target them since there are other big fish all the time.

good like figuring this out guys. I don't envy you.

I'd like to point out a few things regarding Alaska.

The halibut like the one Bill entered are not common.  I've done 2 trips to Foggy and have spoken with Howard in detail about all the trips over the past 4 years.  We're lucky to encounter 1 fish of Bill's size per year.  That's 7 anglers fishing 5 days on 2 trips per year ... in other words 70 man days per year for one 80# butt (if even that)  Similar story for 40+ inch lings.  They are not common.  It took a lot of skill for Bill to do what he did, and he got the job done for both halibut and lingcod species.  While I do believe that Alaska offers good potential, I don't believe it offers an unfair advantage.

-Allen

I have heard tales of some really tall dude out of Bellingham catching big halibut in Washington from his kayak. It was on the internet with pictures so we know it is true.

I have heard tales of some really tall dude out of Bellingham catching big halibut in Washington from his kayak. It was on the internet with pictures so we know it is true.

Those pictures were clearly photo shopped.  There was no rain in the photo.

Btw, how will AOTY score canines  this year if they are included ?

Btw, how will AOTY score canines  this year if they are included ?

Viscosity

Btw, how will AOTY score canines  this year if they are included ?

Viscosity

Stuff will give you a hangover *while* you're drinking it.

Btw, how will AOTY score canines  this year if they are included ?

Viscosity

Stuff will give you a hangover *while* you're drinking it.

One if the most memorable kayak fishing trips yet .... "where did you guys come from" ... "La Push"

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Here's your chance...

http://www.groupon.com/deals/g1g-discover-alaskan-adventures-portland?p=1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=9149dbd2-492e-4791-9608-acecac843b6e&division=portland&user=cf9a167e509f6b533b5dd66ee0793aa688bb531ef50d5401ed3f43880b3d6ff2&date=20121201&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=g1g-discover-alaskan-adventures-portland


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While I do believe that Alaska offers good potential, I don't believe it offers an unfair advantage.

Absolutely agree -- the amount of country we have to cover to get to premium destinations is a significant impediment, as is the lack of road system. Upside potential is great, though. We likely have more of the huge fish dispersed throughout our waters, and face fewer restrictions on taking them.  But access is an issue for most of us, particularly outside of Southeast.  NOT complaining, guys. Just providing perspective from one who logged 54 days on those vaunted Alaskan waters this season. If I'd been in AOTY, I would have finished near the bottom.

I agree with AKFishergal. I will get my act together some point but many species are impossible without a boat shuttle here in southcentral Alaska where majority of us live.

Huge upside but getting ten species of any size here is a tall order.

In some ways it's part of the fun and I'm sure intent. But to place in the top five I think I would have to specifically schedule and target AOTY fish and take a few trips where we get shuttled to shore by boat to have a chance.

If all you had was a car and a kayak, I doubt you could crack the top ten here from southcentral Alaska.


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I agree with AKFishergal. I will get my act together some point but many species are impossible without a boat shuttle here in southcentral Alaska where majority of us live.

Huge upside but getting ten species of any size here is a tall order.

In some ways it's part of the fun and I'm sure intent. But to place in the top five I think I would have to specifically schedule and target AOTY fish and take a few trips where we get shuttled to shore by boat to have a chance.

If all you had was a car and a kayak, I doubt you could crack the top ten here from southcentral Alaska.


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Would adding any species give you AK folks a better chance to get to 10? If so which ones?