Looking for Freshwater Kayak Fishing Input...

[SnookOne]

OK Guys...I need some feedback. Out of respect for this forum, I will leave out certain info. A company that sponsors me is looking to possibly launch a series of freshwater tournaments strictly for kayaks, canoes, etc. Saltwater kayak tournaments are a dime a dozen...but freshwater in wide open. In your own opinion, I need feedback on the following:

1.) Would it interest you?

2.) Where would be a good centralized location in Florida?

3.) What are the concerns?

4.) Should it be strictly limited to Largemouth?

5.) If the tournament benefited a charitable organization, what do you think a honest entry fee should be?

I appreciate any feedback you may provide!

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

I do all my bass fishing from a kayak so I'll give what input I can.  I can't answer everything, but here's my two cents.

1) Absolutely

2) That's tough.  The Central Florida area, is pretty "central" and popular for bass fishing, but with the number of local and major tournaments on many lakes here I'm not sure the added congestion would be a plus, so I can't say for sure.  Much like "motored" tournaments, it might be a benefit to have regional tournaments.

3)  There are plenty of concerns.  Since many saltwater kayak tournaments are based on length totals and bass tournaments are based on weight totals there are some hurdles.  Bass could not be kept for a weigh-in from kayaks so an honor system for catch-and-release (or photo and release) tournaments based on the best limit of bass would be best for mortality.  The complicated part would be assuring proper calibration of scales used by every participant.  Still do-able (and has been done), just requires more work for organizers.

4) Bass is certainly leading in popularity for tournaments, but kayak (and other paddle craft) fishing has grown fairly limitless in popularity.  I'm sure catfish, crappie, and multi-species tournaments would also draw interest.

5) Can't answer personally.  It might depend on the particular organization (some people would be more apt to spend more on an orphanage than a wildlife refuge and vice versa).  Smaller or more obscure charities might benefit from lower entry fees in order to draw more participants. 

Somewhat open-ended answers, but hope it helps. 

[SnookOne]

That is good stuff...Again, I am just looking for input as of right now. Thanks!

[SnookOne]

I am also thinking that Bass would be photographed and released. The fish would be based on length.

[gar-tracker]

How to establish the catch is your biggest obstical.

Maybe a one fish tourney without allowing to keep possession of more then one fish, in other words they have to make the decision if the fish should be kept when they catch it.

Or some sort of mobile weighing system, they all cant be very far from each other, a pontoon boat that goes to them weighs the fish logs it and releases it.

[cool breeze]

I like the idea of a one fish tourney.

[SimonSays]

Multiple fish by length with preapproved measuring devices with specific unique identifier issued day of tournament.

Trying to keep even 1 fish that's worth keeping is gonna be difficult in a kayak.

Or some sort of mobile weighing system, they all cant be very far from each other, a pontoon boat that goes to them weighs the fish logs it and releases it.

you'd be suprised how far kayaks can go. Especially with 20+ going in different directions.

[J Francho]

OK Guys...I need some feedback. Out of respect for this forum, I will leave out certain info. A company that sponsors me is looking to possibly launch a series of freshwater tournaments strictly for kayaks, canoes, etc. Saltwater kayak tournaments are a dime a dozen...but freshwater in wide open. In your own opinion, I need feedback on the following:

1.) Would it interest you?

2.) Where would be a good centralized location in Florida?

3.) What are the concerns?

4.) Should it be strictly limited to Largemouth?

5.) If the tournament benefited a charitable organization, what do you think a honest entry fee should be?

I appreciate any feedback you may provide!

1. Yes, but see answer 2.

2. I'm in NY, no clue, LOL.

3. Cheating, public perception, safety of contestants.

4. Whatever black bass spp. present, Sounds like Forida Strain LMB will win. You don't want separate divisions for spp.

5. $20, more if you want to 50-50 the payout to contestants. See HeroesOnTheWater.org!!!!

Keep it simple. A qualifying digital camera that records date-time in the image file EXIF, standardized measurement device, and standard pose, i.e. lips closed, tail spread. The tournament director or safety director can inspect the cameras for clean cards in the cameras, rulers are standard, as well as check that safety regs are followed.  Just like pre tx inspection for a bass boat, but different, kill switch, livewell check, insurance, PFD, etc.