Rush on back to claim the $200 for Big Red. But get a slam and win a Kayak for 1st 2nd or 3rd place. Not to mention the prize money that is greater with more anglers for 4th 5th and on which is most likely going to be more than $200. Remember Big Red or Big Trout does not win a kayak, just $200.

I don’t think it should be anybodies goal in a $100 dollar tournament to race back to win the $200 “big red”.

I think the rule was changed is so that this tournament doesn’t become a “soak-your-mullet-in-the-pass-to-catch-a-bull” tournament. At least now it takes some skill now that the trout actually matters. Either way you adapt to the rules, and I for one am glad I wont be at the pass bottom fishing.

Ahhh, I see said the blind man. I was not clear that top spot of combined inches took home boat. Mistaked it for biggest red, biggest trout, and combined inches. I now agree with change! Looking foward to this weekend and using artificals to land walter!

But looking at the results for the Jacksonville tourney for a hypothetical:

If the guy with the 27" red (2nd place overall) had actually caught a 34" red, his combined trout/red score should have given him enough for first place. However, he still would have only come in second because of the 27" max credit.

I don't want this to be a bull red tournament either, but I did want it to be about catching bigger fish. It just doesn't seem right that someone who catches larger fish should place lower.

Also, with only a one redfish limit, A guy that catches a 36" red will lose out to a guy that only catches a 27" red, but "weighs" it in first. It seems that the emphasized skill is getting to the weigh in first, not catching better fish.

My preference would have been for the tournament to be artificial bait only and any size reds.

Well that's not how it is--so be it.

I look forward to participatiing under whatever the rule structure is. I realize that this is new and there are bound to be some bugs to work out. Thanks IFA for doing the tournament and Hobie for sponsoring!

Jax is in the books, Skunked this one up couldn't even find a calm spot to soak my dead shrimp and frozen mullet, LOL but hey it happens I guess. Man it was some tough fishin with those hurricane force winds but oh well. This was definetly one of those days to hunker down with some fresh cut blue crab in a sheltered creek, a mud minnow under your favorite dock, or live shrimp under a popping cork !! No Doubt!!!!!

Hearty Congratulations to Roger, Dan, and Mike!! Nice fish on a rough day of fishing!!!

Frank, Blake and Jason, way to bring up the rear with the artificials!!!!

Just so everyone who wasn't there is clear the pole at the Captains Meeting was 30 people fishing and 5 wanted bait, so the other 25 wanted artificial only.

The tournament was classy and ran professionally just like in Titusville last year and everyone working the tourney were great. Really nice people and Thanks to the IFA and Hobie for putting it on. Packing up getting ready for the next stop I'm going to make in Charleston, S.C. Good Luck to all in Punta Gorda, and have a great time.

In my opinion the rule is good to keep this from being a bullred tournament. It would be even better if they disqualify any fish over 27" instead of count the bulls as 27". In my experience it is much more difficult to catch a 26.5" than a 30-36" fish.

I agree.

Maybe they were concerned it would be too much of a nightmare to bust folks who didn’t stretch out a 27 1/8 " red.

As someone the judges and participates in those kinds of tournaments with a max of 27". Thats a huge nightmare for CPR tournaments, because then you get into tail pinching and not tail pinching. Think about how do you judge if someone catches a 27" Red tail unpinched and someone else catches a 27" Red, tail pinched. Its a nightmare. Just let it go if its over and be done with it.

I like the rule. However, it ruined my original Plans. I'll be fishing the Gulf Division and had already planned to drive back to Alabama from Destin and Panama City to catch my Trout before 9 AM at Dauphin Island and take the Ferry across to Fort Morgan and launch with a Mullet and hammer one of our "Monster Bulls" off Dixie Bar. I feel like the little chicken on Foghorn Leghorn now. Now, I have to switch gears and focus on that "Gator Trout". Back to the drawing board. LOL!! I look forward to seeing you guys from the Northern Gulf.
Mize
Malibu ProStaff Member