I have mixed feelings on the rule. I like it just because those who know the areas and will soak bait for hours, do have a slight advantage without it. But hey if that is how they prefer to fish, then by all means. Being an artficial guy (because I cant sit still long enough to soak bait), I think when and if the tournament goes to artificials only....then you can get rid of the 27" max. But I have caught plenty of big reds on lures. Having run tournaments, being a judge at the Jax Classic and fished in many......you can't please everyone all the time.

Erick
I wish I could go to the SC tournament to test your theory about beating me. But I want to sit back and see if Chappy can win without going to Mill Cove. I don't want to be in his way in South Carolina, because then he might have an excuse for not winning. So good luck there and we will see you in my home waters March 26, 27.

Question about the SC event. Will max red length be 24"?? That really makes it a trout tourny!

Help, I need some clarity.
Can some of you "artifical bait purests" help me understand why it matters if live bait is allowed. If you prefer fishing artificials fish artificials. People who prefer to use live bait use live bait. What is the "fear" or problem with live bait. It really doesn't matter to me if its a live bait inclusive tournament or not. However, I would like to know what the rationale is behind making the tournament an artificial bait only tournament. If all are following the same rules then the choice is yours and may the best strategy win. Personally, I've caught my largest Redfish and my largest Speck on artificials.

A 27" Redfish should't be a problem in our area, so now this has become a (Who can catch the biggest Speck?) Tournament.

I say we make it a Sheep Head tournament with no peddle craft allowed. Especially, since it's the Redfish Tour and Sponsored by Hobie. (Tongue in Cheek)

Really, this is my 2 cents for what it's worth. I think it should be a Redfish only event with 27" being the max length (since for what ever reason, that seems to be the consensus on length). Then take the aggregate inches of all the fish caught during the day and the one with the most aggregate inches wins. That way it's still a Redfish tournament. If artificials (for what ever reason) aren't allowed then so be it. That way the tournament still follows the theme as a Redfish Tour event.

If making the Tournament more of a "challenge" is what your after then we should just make it a true Slam Tournament and include Flounder and use artificials only.

Better yet, make it a Croaker and Hard Head Catfish Tournament and only allow dead bait, spark plug sinkers and safety pin hooks.

I've included my Alabama "artificial only" Redfish for your viewing pleasure.

Mize
Malibu Pro-Staff Member

seriously!

You can catch 50 reds in LA in a sightly above average day, and over 100 on a good day. Nightmare! They are like cockroaches; the trout separate the men from the boys.

Choup,
Then put a minimum length on the Redfish. You don't catch 50 a day over 27" on artificials in the bayou. It's the Redfish Tour. Not the Trout Tour.

Make it a five fish limit.

That was my 2 cents, I'm through with the politics. I look forward to seeing you all in Destin. I'm Jonesing to do some fishing. I'll be prefishing Sunday and it's been a while.

Mize

Have you read any of the other post?

Name one professional Redfish tournament that allows bait.

Name one professional bass tournament that allows bait.

If this is going to be the MAC daddy kayak fishing tournament series, then we want the same respect, and make it artificial only so elite fishermen can compete. If you don't think it makes a difference then ask how many of the 12 fish caught in Jax last week were caught on bait in the 15-20 mph winds and 35 mph gust. You don't play golf on the PGA tour and ride in a golf cart, and you don't have professional tournaments and allow bait. Its pretty simple.

Hate to say I agree with Suber, but he is correct. Some of the guys that are fishing the IFA are on Pro Staff's and will be picking up more Pro Staff. We have spots around Charleston that are full of Redfish, but most guys just soak bait and wait for the bite. It takes more skill to hook one of these big Reds with artificial than to just throw some cracked crab or mullet.

I'm with you on this one. All artificial for me. I dont fish redfish tournaments to use live/dead bait. If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't fish these. But thats just my two cents. Not really worth much. lol

Dude, read the post where 95% of the people who have joined the forum have overwhemingly voiced their opinion that they would prefer aritficials only for this tournament series. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9 I personally know many of these anglers, and most of them are not "artificial bait purests". As a matter of fact, I and many others on this site will use live bait for many types of fishing. No one here should feel threatened that most of us disagree with the rule that allows live bait in this tourney. That's not the point. The point is that if everyone used artificials only, then most of us agree that is the best way to have level playing field that pits us anglers against each other in the most sporting manner.