IMPORTANT UPDATE to 2013 AOTY rules

After receiving much feedback and after a lot of deliberation within the AOTY committee, we have decided to relax the mouth shut rule.  We realized this change is being made after the start of the competition.  If anyone has signed up already, but now has issues with this change to the point that you would prefer to not compete, we will refund your money at your request.  If you've already made an entry that was previously disqualified, we will reconsider them, and re-instate the entry if need be.  Here is the rule update:

Mouth may be slightly ajar in a natural position.  Any entries with indication of manipulation or unnatural mouth position will be disqualified.  Examples of manipulation include, but are NOT limited to:  flared gills, extended lips, lower jaw is noticeably longer than the snout.  Final determination will be made at the judgement of the AOTY committee.  Entries that are judged to have violated this rule with be disqualified.

-Allen

Probably a good change. Sometimes after rigor sets in, you would have to glue them or tape them to keep them shut.

Probably a good change. Sometimes after rigor sets in, you would have to glue them or tape them to keep them shut.

So you're playing this year?!!! Watch out folks!

The "Picture of the Month" is a perfect example of the impact of rigo on a ram-flow ventilator like the King Salmon.  It would take vise-grips to hold that mouth shut for a proper photo.  In that case measurement from the upper jaw to the tail would be the best you could do...if you can't take a photo before rigo sets in. 

Overall. Good rule change.

We did briefly discuss measuring from the snout, but mouth reasonably open is just easier.

I like the change.  I try to get the photo as quick as possible so I can do  a proper CnR.  Trying to make sure the mouth is completley shut would have made that even harder.

Fair revision IMO. If mouth wide open is advantageous, then every one can measure that way. If u don't, that's your choice. Playing field is even either way.

Fair revision IMO. If mouth wide open is advantageous, then every one can measure that way. If u don't, that's your choice. Playing field is even either way.

Ummm ... no.  The change does NOT allow mouth WIDE open.

-Allen

Question.  I was trying to get a picture of a greenling, and the little bugger would not shut his mouth no matter what I did.

I ended up loosing the fish over the side fighting with it and trying to be gentle at the same time. 

I would consider the mouth to have been wide open. 

Would that picture be disqualified? 

Question.  I was trying to get a picture of a greenling, and the little bugger would not shut his mouth no matter what I did.

I ended up loosing the fish over the side fighting with it and trying to be gentle at the same time. 

I would consider the mouth to have been wide open. 

Would that picture be disqualified? 

Sinker, I would just do the best you can. If you look at all the other pics submitted for greenling, they all open their little mouths slightly in the relaxed position. I would pinch closed as much as possible prior to taking the pic, then quickly move your hand and take it. I think most of past issues where anglers would benefit from stretching open their huge mouths are the bigger fish like lings and cabbies. Just do your very best and submit it.

Question.  I was trying to get a picture of a greenling, and the little bugger would not shut his mouth no matter what I did.

I ended up loosing the fish over the side fighting with it and trying to be gentle at the same time. 

I would consider the mouth to have been wide open. 

Would that picture be disqualified? 

Sinker, I would just do the best you can. If you look at all the other pics submitted for greenling, they all open their little mouths slightly in the relaxed position. I would pinch closed as much as possible prior to taking the pic, then quickly move your hand and take it. I think most of past issues where anglers would benefit from stretching open their huge mouths are the bigger fish like lings and cabbies. Just do your very best and submit it.

Here's what I'll be looking for first and foremost.  Are the gills flared?  Likely when a fish is doing this, their jaws and lips are extended, which are the other 2 things I'll look for.

Post the pic and we'll give some feedback so we can all learn.

-Allen

I had the same problem with a greenling as Sinker and the little bugger got away from me, too.  I lost close to 200 points.

I guess I should have shot photos of my fish with both mouth open and mouth closed the other day. I could have deleted and resubmitted.  Stupid me...trying to follow the rules.  Hopefully, it won't matter, it's still early.

Fair revision IMO. If mouth wide open is advantageous, then every one can measure that way. If u don't, that's your choice. Playing field is even either way.

Ummm ... no.  The change does NOT allow mouth WIDE open.

-Allen

My apologies, I thought I had read what it was being changed from, not to.