Define Kayak

Personally I could care less if canoes and SUPs were included in AOTY. 

I think I care more about weather double kayaks (and other watercraft) were allowed.

Note there is no official ruling yet, so don't take my personal preference as law.

-Allen

+1.  SUP's and canoes are essentially the same thing as a kayak and don't provide any more of an advantage to fishing IMHO. 

Yup snopro, you do need a PA12.   

I know, super close to doing it.  Ran into a flyfishing situation last summer where being able to stand would have been a lot more effective.

Why no love for double yaks?

Why no love for double yaks?

I just think of kayak fishing more as me against the fish, not me and a buddy against the fish.  Also, there are many cases in which having a second paddler offers an advantage not available to a single paddler.

-Allen

Maybe I should qualify that statement ... double kayak with 2 paddlers.  I could care less if a single person was paddling a double kayak alone.

BTW, where do we draw the line on this one.  Cobra has Triple and Quad kayaks.  I somehow think those cross the line.

-Allen

I see what you mean but the mirage adds significant advantage, or would seem to, over a paddle.

I see what you mean but the mirage adds significant advantage, or would seem to, over a paddle.

Significant Advantage? I couldn't figure out how to reverse with a mirage drive, or move sideways, or pivot the boat from center point. And ask BallardBrad about the Coho that cut itself off on his mirage drive last September.

I see what you mean but the mirage adds significant advantage, or would seem to, over a paddle.

I think that is sort of a moot point.  There is no way we'd ever be able to exclude Mirage Drives and still have an AOTY.

Besides, 1st and 2nd place in 2012 AOTY were from kayaks not using Mirage Drives.  Significant advantage?  Really?

-Allen

Another thought because of the many craft variations and the concern for rowboats/driftboats would be a freeboard height restriction?

Great yak (sorry...Baidarka) to troll drano with.

Andy Jade might, but other than that, not that I am aware of at this time. I could see it coming up in the future and having an solid answer ironed out now would save future hassle.   You guys have the stick, might as well draw a line in the sand..

While I normally paddle prone boards and SUPs, and can vouch for the notion that said craft offer no distinct advantage for anglers, I am fine with them being excluded. Given the rise of V-hull boards and fishing-specific SUPs, defining the classification may be hard. Likely easiest to ban vessels propelled by single-bladed paddles (SUPs) or hands (prone).

If I used either vessel in an event or AOTY, I'd be happy to do so in an exposition fashion, and not play for prizes or whatnot...

i would think that if someone used only a Prone board and was close to winning AOTY that they win in my book-

I'm not suggesting the exclusion of a mirage drive. I was trying to point it out as an advantage... Further, farther, faster... With regard to a two person yak.

I use a tandem, but fish it solo. IMO, two people fishing out of a tandem adds as many difficulties as advantages, but I would be OK with allowing only single occupant entries, as long as tandem craft fished solo were allowed
 
 I think a width constriction - 42" or whatever - plus propulsion constriction. Propulsion method must be by either a) a single paddle (single or double bladed) or b) a single leg drive system - i.e. Mirage or Propel.  This should allow kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards, but not rowboats.

Modified to add hand propulsion, per andyjades comments.

Not related to AOTY, but on Labor Day 2011 we all fished up at PC. Pelagic got his limit and headed in when he discovered the sheriff ticketing our vehicles for parking on the sand in the boat launching area. Pelagic talked him into taking the tickets back, but somehow my vehicle was still cited.

It would have been easier to pay up, but on principle, I decided to request a trial by affidavit. Sent in a date stamped pic of me holding the citation in front of my truck on the sand. Also sent a notary stamped explanation of why I felt we had a legit reason for being there. After 3 months or so I called to see what happened. I was told it was still under judicial review. About a month later I received a notice from a collection agency. I called TCC and they said it's still under review, and that it was mistakenly sent to collections. I made one more call to TCC a few months later and surprise, it was still under review.

After all the time had lapsed I figured it got dismissed or whatever, but middle of last month (12/12) I got another collection letter. I called TCC and they said I was eventually found guilty. I said I was never notified. She looked in my file and she didn't see any notice that went out either, so she dismissed the citation.

Long story short, the sign says "boat launching activities," and according to the TCC judge, a fishing kayak is NOT A BOAT.

I've parked there with a sign in the window a half a dozen times since, and not been cited.