Re: Rockbass fishing in Western Wa lakes

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From: Chuckaluck
Date: 21 Jul 2000
Time: 23:14:10
Remote Name: 168.191.236.48

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Our group does an annual one day team tournament on Lake St. Clair in the Lacey area. Each contestant pays $20 to enter the contest and fishes with a buddy. Teams compete to catch and weigh in their 10 largest rockbass. Individual awards for largest rockbass and smallest rockbass.(smallest rockbass if fiercely contested every year by a few guys who specialize in long rods, tiny hooks and maggots fished directly in the bushes) We also award the largest of each of these other species: trout(any kind), yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, and catfish. Largemouth and Smallmouth bass are specifically excluded from the tournament and anyone bringing one in to weigh in is disqualified from the team portion of the competition. The state requires live release of no less than 90% of bass and walley in contests in Washington. Most of our group still use 5 gallon buckets and chain stringers for keeping their catch. To avoid problems with the Fish/Wildlife Dept we exclude bass. The team with the most weight in rockbass out of a 10 fish team limit with minimum size of 6" wins the Grand Championship. This usually consists of a very large trophy with the winners names emblazoned on a plaque and a pair of nice rods/reels, tackleboxes, and various other gear. We usually take 1/2 of the total entry fees to buy the Grand Champ prizes. Largest rockbass takes First Place with a large trophy and plaque as well as a tackle package similar to the Grand Prize. We take the remaining funds after the grand prize and half it to buy the first place prizes. Second Place goes to the smallest rockie and again is 1/2 of the remaining entry fees with a large trophy. The remaining monies are divided equally among the 6 other species. We have averaged about 10 teams each year and would like to increase the size of the field. We also are contemplating restricting the catch limit to just 4 rock bass per person, 3 large and 1 small, with no minimum size limit. It is our belief that anyone who can fish worth his worm dirt can catch at least 3 rockbass in a mornings fishing. This will make the contest more competetive and encourage more people to get into the fun. Most years only about 4 teams weigh in a limit. The rest of the group gets discouraged and does not enter the following year. It is our intention for everyone to have a good time. We always have a big BBQ at the weigh in site after awards. You can imagine 20 tired stinky fishermen telling stories of how that "giant rockbass" got off the line right at the boat and cost him the grand prize! Its a real hoot! If you are sincerely interested we may be conducting this years contest in September since we couldnt coordinate in June this year due to committee members work schedules. Email me directly at nailbros@earthlink.net and put Red Eye in the subject. I will send more info.

Last changed: December 14, 2007

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