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Finders Keepers

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  1. Finders Keepers
    Still does on occasion, or if there is a questionable catch.
  2. Finders Keepers
    Agreed Justin, that is why we do not give mandatory lie detector tests, but rather if someone wants to accuse another of cheating, they can put down a deposit for us to issue one, then if the angler fails it the accuser receives the deposit back, otherwise they have paid to verify the anglers truthfulness. In 4 years of running events, we have yet to issue a test, but the option is there should it be needed. As this event becomes substantial, payouts will soar into the $1,000's and even $10,000's with additional substantial prizes like vehicles, boats, etc. (similar to the Great Ontario Salmon Derby run in Canada). With great prizes comes great temptation, so polygraphs have to be available to be enforced if necessary. Nature of the beast...
  3. Finders Keepers
    Here is the first draft of the Catch & Release options proposed for the 2017 NYS Winter Classic statewide tournament event. Please let me know what you think, especially any potential issues we may have overlooked in its design. All suggestions are welcome as this will be a working entity for the next couple months as we solidify next year's event. We want to get as many anglers involved in the event as we can as we will have some major sponsorship opportunities once this takes off! So let me know what you think! 2017 Catch & Release Options 1. Anglers who wish to practice Catch & Release (C&R) for the Pike and Trout Divisions have the following registration options (for entire 2-month long tournament event): a. $30 – Main tournament plus both C&R Pike and C&R Trout Divisions. b. $15 – Only the C&R Pike & Trout Divisions. c. $10 – Only the C&R Pike Division. d. $10 – Only the C&R Trout Division. i. Those that enter the main tournament with the C&R option will not be able to enter fish into the general tournament for the Pike & Trout Divisions. 2. Fish must be caught on the day of submission via legal angling methods as defined by the NYS DEC. The NYS Winter Classic is not responsible for any delays in picture submission. 3. Fish are to be measured using a high-contrast, easily read measuring tape with the beginning of the tape measure lined-up with the snout of the fish. Measurements will be determined to the nearest ½†rounded down. Tails may not be pinched for this measurement. Final official measurement will be determined by the tournament committee based upon the pictures submitted and will be deemed as final. 4. All fish entries must include the following: a. Two pictures: one of the fish with the tape measure, and one with the angler holding the fish. Both pictures need to be taken with the same side of the fish facing the camera for fish verification and taken with the same camera device. All submitted pictures must be taken with a hi-resolution digital camera or phone, must be clear/in-focus, and be imprinted with date/time information (i.e. data information must not be disabled for pictures on the camera device). Any blurry or illegible pictures will be disqualified. Only electronic pictures submitted via the methods below will be accepted: i. Pictures are to be sent to Tim Thomas via text to (585) 330-0494 and/or via email to: [email protected] b. Angler’s registration # (SS# or birthdate, whichever was used during registration). c. Phone number. 5. Longest fish will place, up to 20 places pending # of anglers entered. If tied, first to be submitted will take the higher place. 6. Pictures may only be submitted once per fish. Anglers are encouraged to take multiple pictures as quickly as possible and submit the best two as defined above. All submitted pictures become the property of the tournament and may be used in any way the tournament sees fit. 7. Cash awards will be given out initially to the Top 3 anglers in the C&R Pike Division and C&R Trout Division, and will increase according the to the payout schedule listed at: www.NYSwinterclassic.com The C&R Divisions will be a separate pool of funds from the main event, based on angler participation. 8. All anglers within the C&R Divisions are expected to respect the honor code and acknowledge that these Divisions will operate under this premise. Anglers may still be subjected to lie detector testing should a dispute arise in line with and through the same process as the main tournament. 9. Any angler who fails a polygraph test or who alters any pictures, tape measure, or any other facet involved with determining the winners within the C&R Divisions will be disqualified from this tournament and all future tournament events.
  4. Finders Keepers
    Looks like we will have Field & Stream on board this year as a sponsor of the event, possibly with spooling up reels with line for free. If that is what they end up doing, what type and poundage of line would everyone like to see them bring?
  5. Finders Keepers
    Would you like me to look into Jack's Nick? I have their banquet coordinator's contact now - or I can forward her email to you...
  6. Finders Keepers
    Anyone been off Maiden Lane or ventured out to the deep waters on the west side of Eagle Island? If so, have you done much and what is the ice like? Thanks in advance for any info!
  7. Finders Keepers
    This year has sucked for planning events period. So many cancelled tourneys across the state, we were lucky to have them but it was a last minute call based on ice conditions. It is what it is and we have fun running them whether there are a few teams or a lot. We're ready to pack this weekend's event with giveaways since we have a ton from Sodus now - I have a post up on the Oneida Diehards Facebook page to see what anglers would like us to bring for prizes/door prizes/giveaways, what prize structure people would like to see, and what fish species. We are open to suggestions while keeping the integrity of our events in tact. With machines being allowed and warmer weather I would think we will have more teams come out. We'll see!!
  8. Finders Keepers
    Apps will be open at 2:30am Sat and will be fully stocked with bait. Luckily they missed the big snows last night only receiving 6-8" and that is being blown off the lake currently.
  9. Finders Keepers
    The NYS Ice Pro-Am Team event planned for Saturday on Oneida Lake is a "GO" as a walking only event. Due to the continued open water near and around the point at Apps, plus very questionable ice conditions elsewhere around the lake, we will not be allowing any motorized transport. We will also be using a trickle start for the shotgun lining all teams up on land and then training out onto the ice. Once on the main lake ice (5-10"), teams may split to go where they want. Order in the starting line-up will be determined on a first come/first registered basis, so pre-registration is encouraged off of the website: http://www.nysiceproam.com/OnlineProAmRegistration.html Since this will be a walking event, there will be no running in fish to weigh-in on the ice, all anglers are to cull their fish throughout the day and bring their catch to the final weigh-in starting at 2pm (all teams must be in line by 3pm) at Apps. Fish still need to be fresh and non-frozen, so the use of coolers is highly recommended. Any questions, please feel free to post a response to this post or drop me a PM.
  10. Finders Keepers
    I believe the event is being planned for August 20th.
  11. Finders Keepers
    The NYS Ice Pro-Am Team Event this Saturday 1/30 is on and will likely be the largest event of the series this year! With good ice reports, machines will be allowed, however due to poor ice conditions at the State Boat Launch area, the registration/check-in and shotgun start is being moved to the Beach Access just past the bridge before the Launch on the left as you head north out of Chaumont. We will have signs posted tonight to guide anglers. I have also posted electronic files of the registration, liability release, and rules so teams can print them and fill them out ahead of time to make check-in much faster. You can also pre-register and pay online off the website: www.NYSiceproam.com For updated info on the event, please visit: http://www.nysiceproam.com/ChaumontBay-TeamOnly.html Rob Venderwerf from NYOutdoorTalk.com will be there taking video and pictures, as well as Ken Strimple from Bayside Boat & Tackle and host of the radio show Let's Catch Fish to capture all the excitement and report on the event. The owner of Automatic Fisherman (Kerry Paulson) will also be there either as a competitor or simply to experience the event with us at the weigh-in. Come be a part of NY's largest series of ice fishing events!! Remember, each IPA event is a separate tournament (unless going for the Series Triple Crown Title) so teams can fish just this event if they wish. Any questions - please let me know!! Here is last year's shotgun start from Chaumont Bay (was -23 degrees at the time): Good luck to all the teams coming up tomorrow and we look forward to seeing everyone there!! If you can't make it, check out the ESPN Rochester show Let's Catch Fish as the tournament events will be featured on this Saturday's show! http://www.espnrochester.com/
  12. Finders Keepers
    Between the time we iced the fish Sat to the time we reached Clingerman Taxidermy yesterday afternoon, it had regurgitated 2 large 5" shiners, 2 4" bluegill, 1 8" bluegill, a small 3" crappie, a 4-5" bass, and several small minnows. It was well fed! I am sure there was more in there too - had a 19.5" girth! Speaking with the DEC officers they said last summer when they were electro-shocking they got a 26 lb northern in one of their nets, so there are some monster fish in that lake for sure! Always hate to hear about anglers going through, but glad they made it out ok. Just reinforces why I put a northern boundary in place last weekend! Safety first...
  13. Finders Keepers
    Ok, don't fish that lake and locals had not heard of one this big ever caught. Interesting that they have not been in that lake for that long, yet some are getting this big?? I would think these fish are 15+ years old, so were they introduced as a large fish to begin with or do they have an accelerated rate of growth? Thoughts?
  14. Finders Keepers
    Check out this beast my brother-in-law caught on a tip-up near the weigh-in station today!! 20.34 lbs, 40.25" - might be a new lake record!
  15. Finders Keepers
    The NYS Ice Pro-Am Tournament Series Honeoye Lake Team Event is ON for this Saturday, Jan. 23rd. Teams can register online or at check-in tomorrow starting at 3am at the SE State Boat Launch. Shotgun start is at approximately 5am and weigh-in at 3pm. Get all the details at: http://www.nysiceproam.com/2016Files/Events/Honeoye/HoneoyeTeam-Only.html
  16. Finders Keepers
    I won't know the boundary until tomorrow night when Jim Pollock drills to find the northern edge of the 4" thickness. Ideally with the cold nights it will build beyond 4" all over in which case he won't find a northern edge and there won't be a boundary, but I would guess it will be off the 2nd point north of the launch... Yes, most teams will register at the launch that morning. To expedite the process, you can either register fully online, or at least pre-register to give us your team's info and save that step the morning of the event: http://www.nysiceproam.com/OnlineProAmRegistration.html Again, if anyone has questions, please post them, drop me a PM, or give me a call!
  17. Finders Keepers
    As tournament director, I am responsible for the event. There is a 4" minimum ice thickness rule in place to ensure participant safety to the best of our ability. This isn't to say there won't be places with less ice (underwater springs, gas pockets, etc.) but with a general 4" thickness anglers should still be ok even on the thinner spots. The northern boundary will be strictly enforced for the event, and any angler venturing beyond the boundary will be DQ'ed. Angler safety is a top priority when it comes to running these events and I will not sacrifice their safety for potentially better fishing. All participating teams will have the same opportunity to fish any area within the boundaries and the field will remain as level as possible.
  18. Finders Keepers
    As stated, the ice thickness is 4-5" in front and south of the launch, thinning as you go north. So the NYS Ice Pro-Am event is a "GO" but will have a northern boundary - ice will be checked Fri evening to see how far north the 4" thickness runs. It will be marked and then extended across the lake with cones to make the boundary for the event. I hope to see you guys there!! Also, Dave's Automotive near the NE end of the lake on East Lake Rd will have bait, and is going to be outfitted as a NYS Winter Classic weigh-in location after the event this Sat.
  19. Finders Keepers
    I will be personally making ice measurements on Honeoye Lake later this afternoon and then making a final call on the event. Stay tuned for announcements on the event tonight...
  20. Finders Keepers
    Not 500 yet - but there is a good possibility we will so we are posting the Top 5 fish weighed in (current Top 3 leaders and next two so that when we do reach 500 and the payout switches to Top 5 we don't have anglers who would have placed 4th or 5th and didn't weigh-in because they didn't know where #5 was. We got a good jump of registrations the last few days and hopefully that will continue through this week and into next weekend as the ice tournaments start to occur.
  21. Finders Keepers
    Thanks for the updates fellas! We will likely deem the event a "Walking" event with no machines allowed (need 6"+ across entire waterway to allow motorized transport). Main thing is that there is safe ice for a walking event (consistent 4"). Please keep the updates coming especially going into next week!
  22. Finders Keepers
    Yeah, we'll have to see how things play out over the next two weeks. I am hopeful, but worst case we may have to wait until next year to get an event on Honeoye...
  23. Finders Keepers
    The Week #1 winners will be announced Tuesday 1/12 after we have verified all entries and allowed for any late submissions by the weigh-in locations. Week #2 is underway and the fishing has been SLOW with winter setting in. There are still 48 days left in the event and lots of awards to be won!! Register today and make every day this winter a tourney day!! If you are fishing any of the ice fishing tournaments across the state this season, many have the ability for you to weigh-in for both that tournament and the Winter Classic allowing you to score double with the same fish! Only $25 gets you in for the whole season! www.NYSwinterclassic.com
  24. Finders Keepers
    Yes on FB and website. Thomas O'Connnor won and was delivered today. We also had some nice fish weighed in today: Raymond Linsky - 5.18 lb Walleye Dan Jackson - 1.59 lb Yellow Perch Catherine Gumtow - 1.39 lb Yellow Perch 58 Days left of tournament action!! Lots of gear and cash to be won every week!! Check it all out online at: www.NYSwinterclassic.com or https://www.facebook.com/NYSWinterClassic/
  25. Finders Keepers
    So here is a run-down of what the $25 entry fee for this year's tournament is for: -A chance at a new Frabill Bunker 250 Thermal Shelter (if registered by midnight tonight) -A minimum of 21 Cash Awards in the main tournament -21 additional Cash Awards in the Lunker Pool (if entered in the Lunker Pool) -A $500 Bonus Cash Award for one of the 1st Place Lunker Pool Winners -56 weekly prizes for the largest fish entered in each of the seven categories that include: CASH, Automatic Fisherman Kits & Sweatshirts, Bite Buddy units, Dry Hands Minnow Buckets & Minnow Hookers, Cold Snap Covers and Gift Certificates, Addya Gift Certificates, HT Ice Combos, Hardwater Custom Rods, Signed Steve Nielson Prints, & 12-Packs of Mad River Sports Lures -An 8" Jiffy Pro-4 (when we reach 500 entries) -A $1,000 Signed Steve Nielson Stainless Steal Replica Mount for the largest Steelhead entered -An HT Polar Fire Suit for the largest fish entered by a female angler -A Frabill Bunker 250 Thermal Shelter for the overall largest fish entered EACH MONTH -An Automatic Fisherman Kit for the best video or picture submitted EACH MONTH -Door Prizes and Giveaways at most of the 40 weigh-in locations for registering and/or weighing in fish (some weekly, some overall) up to $250 -Tournament Door Prizes that include: 2 Frabill Bunker 210 Hubs, 2 Frabill Panfish/Crappie combos w/ case, 2 Frabill Panfish/Crappie combos w/ case, and an Aqua-Vu Micro Plus DVR unit All of which is guaranteed to be given away in this year's event!! That's 144 prizes minimum to be given away totaling over $12,000!! RECAP: $25 Entry, all waterways in NYS using any legal angling methods (open water, shore fishing, ice fishing, etc.), 59 days long, 40 weigh-in locations, 7 categories, Top 3 place to start (up to Top 20 with enough entries), 144+ prizes totaling over $12,000 to win!! What a way to start the new year!! www.NYSwinterclassic.com
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