What does AOTY mean to you?

Having been involved in NWKA AOTY for the 5th year now, and NCKA AOTY for the 6th year now, I'd like to add some perspective on what I've seen AOTY to mean to various people.

AOTY started out to see who was the best kayak fisherman.  At the same time, it was structured to encourage participants to partake in fisheries they may normally not have done in the first place.  It sort of pushed the bounds of peoples comfort levels and at the same time sort of leveled the playing field a bit  Over time, it has morphed into different things for different people.

Some people took it very seriously, putting 100+ days a year on the water in an attempt to win.  Some succeeded, many failed.

Others took it as a personal challenge to hit personal species bests.

Still others were overjoyed to place in the top 10.

While others were simply happy donating to the site.  This is the only structured fundraiser we run.

And others just enjoyed watching the competition, which has more often than not, come down to the wire.

What does AOTY mean to you?

-Allen

When I participated, it pushed me to fish for other species.  Made me think about what lakes I was driving by on business trips, vacations, etc.  I definitely put more mileage on the Hobie as a contestant than I have as an observer.

It means every few weeks someone PM's me because their score doesn't add up right (the two fish with the same score bug).

It means a near ulcer this time of year trying to decide on whether any of the fish entered need to be disqualified or not.

It means October is "can we add this species next year" month and November is "this species is worth too much or too little" month and December is "don't you think this person (who is ahead of me on the leader board)'s fish pictures aren't good enough".

In the past years AOTY has just been a way to contribute to NWKA and show off my biggest fish from my favorite fisheries.
This year it morphed into something completely different. It turned into a bit of an obsession.
My girlfriend looked at me a bit strange when I told her I was stressed about not getting enough days on the water this fall. I put more time into silvers than I have in the past and was questioning every fisherman I could talk to about where big chum were holding.
My kayak has spent 3 weeks on top of my car and my gear loaded so if I can grab an hour or two of fishing after work I'll be ready.

I have had a blast this year and definitely been bitten by the bug. This is a great contest among friends and something that definitely adds to the NWKA family.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

So far I've been an observer.  Still learning tons about yak fishing.  Felt I needed this year to figure a few things out then try to compete next year.  I have no illusions about winning, or even making the top 10.  With kid #4 on the way I know I won't have time to fish enough to even get 10 species, nevermind competitively sized examples of each.  But it'll be fun and a good way to actually track my successes (both in getting on the water in the first place, and in catching fish)

"While others were simply happy donating to the site.  This is the only structured fundraiser we run."

I do watch the AOTY board and find the competition very entertaining. But, I do think that the above quote needs to be addressed.
I cannot stress to the moderators of this forum how much this site means to me and any other person I have ever talked to or corresponded with since joining a year or two ago. The camaraderie and helpfulness, that is evident every day, has made me a better fisherman (some would argue this point) and an active member in a community of like minded enthusiasts.

The discussions are lively and entertaining. The information and advice is freely given and dispensed with encouragement. Finally the moderation is balanced and fair. To me and others, this forum  is the Ambassador to kayak fishing.

What I am not very elegantly asking is (Andyjade you can step in any time):

Can we come up with another option or fundraiser in which we can donate to the continuance of the site and all of the benefits it provides?

Wobbler

I'm fairly confident that a polepole would be happy to take your money for the site.

I tried!

Wobbler

I've been fishing my entire lifetime and kayak fishing for three years now.  AOTY is more about envy to me as there are people that get to fish more than I do. 

I would probably not sign up for AOTY as the time involved would be too much of a commitment.   I love to fish and promote the sport of kayak fishing.  This blog has provided a great resource for engaging in conversation, sharing information and meeting fellow kayak fisherman.  I'd be happy to contribute in other ways, outside of AOTY.  Perhaps a local kayak fishing derby, tshirts, merchandise, etc.

Reading though the thread for AOTY 2013, it's hard to please everyone when you're casting a big net and being all inclusive to every state.  When there's money, prizes and bragging rights involved there's going to be competition and people not agreeing.  I can see where there is an advantage to folks fortunate to have more time, more money and time off to travel and fish.  Perhaps limiting the AOTY to the state you reside would be only fair.  Just my three cents.

On it's simplest level, the NWKA AOTY is a fundraiser.  A way for us to pay the expenses on a resource we've all benefitted from.

On another level, the NWKA AOTY is a measuring stick.  A way of determining not only length and girth but stamina.  You don't win by catching 10 fish.  You win by milking every last inch out every species at your disposal.
AOTY is a measurement of your abilities, a measurement of your determination, a measurement of your committment.

-Spot-

On it's simplest level, the NWKA AOTY is a fundraiser.  A way for us to pay the expenses on a resource we've all benefitted from.

On another level, the NWKA AOTY is a measuring stick.  A way of determining not only length and girth but stamina.  You don't win by catching 10 fish.  You win by milking every last inch out every species at your disposal.
AOTY is a measurement of your abilities, a measurement of your determination, a measurement of your committment.

-Spot-

I would add it can also be a measure of a participants character.

My number one reason for participation is it's a way to support the site.

After that a variety of reasons come to mind. It's fun. It causes me to fish for species I normally wouldn't pursue with different gear and techniques than I'm used to.  The quest for knowledge has something to do with it.  You never know when something you learned fishing for a species you wouldn't pursue outside of AOTY can be applied to one of your favorite species.
 
There is the element of competition also.  While I may not catch enough or large enough fish to be competitive in the over all AOTY, I can still see how my fish compare to others on an individual basis.

A guy almost doesn't want to post anything "non-inspiring" after Spot's post.   AOTY is fun for me... it provides a place to compare catches, some good natured bantering, an opportunity to cry or cuss (depending on where you are in your therapy plan) because someone posted a bigger fish than you - yes, I'm bitter, it provides an unspoken challenge to become better, it provides a common point of connection with others of similar interest and it gives me just that much more of a push to fish when I might otherwise do something not nearly as fun.

While it is not my primary reason, I am also aware - and thankful - that it provides an avenue through which to support the site that has equipped me to be a decent (I think) kayak fisherman.

In no order of importance.

Support the site. If 40 bucks isn't  worth it, you don't get it. IMHO

AOTY is way to track and measure my personal success kayak fishing. If I were currently in first place, I would be no closer to, or beyond my goals for the year. But yeah. First place would be awesome!

Support the site. If 40 bucks isn't  worth it, you don't get it. IMHO

...it push[es] me to fish for other species.  [It makes] me think about what lakes I [am] driving by on business trips, vacations, etc.  I definitely put more mileage on the Hobie as a contestant than I [do] as an observer.

Those two sum it up for me.