Fishtails

I'll have the downrigger, wire, leadcore rods plus a couple casting rods. I'll probably have 14-16 rods. I think We'll have it pretty well covered between us, but everyone should bring their favorite casting/jigging rod for some bottom fishing while we are anchored or drifting for stripers. Like Rick said, the Sea Trout are around, porgies, blackfish, lots of others too.

You had to go tell them about the nude beach, didn't ya Rick. I'm not sure bout the NY line.....I'll look. Btw...where we gonna put all these rods....

I think the culling issue has been duly noted.

Just got back from the store with my new chest freezer....gonna need it for all those fish. I rarely even eat fish, let alone bluefish. Some people do like them though...just gotta trim off the dark meat and eat them fresh. The make good chowder actually....give em to Musky and he'll work his culinary magic on them Sure I'll come In and get you guys....not a problem. I'm fishing by myself during the day on Wed...then taking a party boat out for stripers on Wed night. I'll take my handheld gps along to mark waypoints along the way. May do that on Tues night also.....just to find out where the fleet is fishing

And Wednesday....And Tuesday Hey Rick....don't be such a sissy. You got all winter to catch up on your sleep I'll have the Cabin all cleared incase anyone passes out on the boat. I'll make sure we have plenty of Red Bull on the boat to. You have to watch it though, last time I had coffee In the morning and a Red Bull for lunch without much food Inbetween I think I had a mild heart attack... We'll obviously find time to sleep. Hell, I'll probably be the first one down!

Styx, I'll send you a pm also, but here is the info thus far. The boat will be at Atlantic Highlands Marina Address: 2 Simon Lake Dr Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 Website address Is: http://www.ahnj.com/ahnj/Harbor It's looking like I will be staying at Fairbanks Resort. I am calling today to book a room. My family will be staying there on the weekend so I will need a room for myself...same situation for Rick I believe. You, Ray and Jason can decide how you guys wanna work it between you. You may find something inland cheaper. If that's how you go I'm sure you could just book It when you arrive. You decide, but here Is where I am staying: http://www.fairbanksresort.com/aboutus.htm Hope this helps They actually have docks there, but they are seasonal and when I staid there last year this time of the year there was nothing Avail....I'm guessing the same.

Of course we're still on Ray.....just staying real busy getting ready! Everything Is just as planned. Hoping to take the boat over next weekend. As soon as we get the rooms lined up we'll let ya know. As It stands we are a team of 5....that's perfect!! Gonna be an absolute blast!!

Information you should all know....I have been assured the Pro Am committee (while silent) Is following this thread, and I quote " with great interest in the comments that have been coming in". So again....now Is the time to voice your opinions....not after the rules are set. Also....So far the feedback has been great....so try your best to stay on subject to keep this within It's intended context. That means Please read the first, then subsequent postings. I will not be able to continue following this very closely, as I have a fishing tournament to prepare for. Lets help the committee get new teams In the Pro Ams (which seems to be the goal) while still keeping It the best tournament on the South shore of lake Ontario!!

Mark....As it stands, entry fee Is $500 for pro and $250 for Am. Any team with a licensed captain must fish pro. However, it is not required you have a captains lic. to fish pro.....any team can fish pro. It's simple math...higher entry fee $$ = more prize $$. It separates it from just being just another tourney and thus far has made the Pro Ams the class tournament series of the south shore....thus far!! It's funny....I said during a similar discussion last year to get rid of the observer and guys baulked that everyone would cheat! What a difference a year makes. Heck....as long as their was a lie detector test I think that would be great! We all know getting observers sucks! I had the observer from hell In Oswego last year. I don't see why that would be a big deal, since Dave Chilson Is Involved with the pro ams.

Great....Keep it coming guys!! Every opinion counts and this Is our chance to make a difference. The Pro Am committee wants to hear from us!! My .02, I really don't think the entry fee Is a big Issue for the regulars. If It were, you would not have seen the amount of boats enter the Friday Pre Derby that did. Many teams threw In the Extra $100 without batting an eye!! Your team was maybe one of the fewer teams that opted out Gill T. In the FHC, out of (I believe) 70 teams, EVERY single team choose to pay the extra optional $$ for big fish award....EVERY TEAM!! Lowering the entry fee is probably not gonna happen, but It doesn't have to go up either. Just one suggestion among many. I may be wrong, but I think the crowd of "regulars" that would fish the Semi Pro would support $50 more to increase the return.....I may be totally off base on that though, I don't know? Let's not forget.....The Pro Am Is 100% payout.

They do look similar. Mine is smaller (24 ft) than yours with twin 6 cyl mercruiser 165's. Very stable boats In rough seas...your gonna love it! My solution was to have a friend build me a custom arch that easily folds back with the removal of about 6 bolts. I went with a Raymarine 48 nm radar that's on it's way, as is a new bimini that should allow us to be on the bridge with the radar operating. It should all be done within two weeks and I'll post some pictures when it's done

I know we are planning on fishing three of them in 09. It will be our first year fishing the Scotty and I can't wait!

While talking with Dave and Chris, and listening to their reasoning for considering a "revamping" of the Armature division, I countered with a different plan that I think would be a good alternative, while keeping the current Am division unchanged. I'm not sure how they felt about my suggestion, but they listened. My Proposed changes were as follows: Pro Division stays "as Is" with the entry fee still @ $500 with no major rule changes Current Armature division is renamed Semi Pro Division with an entry fee of $300 and no major rule changes from the "current" Pro Am rules. To draw new entrants: A "new" Armature division is added to the event, with an entry fee of $100. No Observer and no boat size restrictions in this division. This division would be simple with very limited rules. It could be a "Biggest fish" division with prize money going out to the winners of both day one AND day two, with a trophy and prizes going to the overall big fish winner of the event as well. I propose the teams should consist of three team members, though I'm sure two man teams would be acceptable. That's my "basic" idea of how we can get more teams involved, without dismantling the current structure. Please feel free to add to this proposal...or post your own thoughts and/or Ideas that the committee can consider over the winter.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in some lengthly discussions with both Dave Turner and Chris Kenyon about the 2009 Pro Am (armature) rules. There are talks on the table of making some radical changes in the armature division for 2009. The Pro division will be staying the same, with no major changes that I am aware of. I'm not at liberty to discuss the current proposal on the possible changes in the Am division, but after hearing it I was asked for my opinion and how I thought It may be accepted by the Am teams. My opinion Is It won't go over well at all. I can say this about the proposed changes....If the new rules went through as anything closely resembling what is currently proposed, my team has agreed among us that we will move to the Pro division. There is also "talk" of eliminating the challenge cup for the Armature division. I personally would be disappointed If that happens. Now, the idea behind the change is to try and simplify the Am division and draw in more teams. The committee wants to get more teams involved without making more work for themselves. They do a great job and I know they are trying their best. I am grateful for all their hard work. The committee would like our input on possible changes in the Am format to draw in more Am teams. Their current proposal will push some of us to the pro division because the am division will become very "amateurish" and no longer resemble the events we have come to love. I'm sure some would live with it, a few will embrace it and some will quit fishing them altogether. So please give your ideas on how to implement change that would be designed to grow the Am division and draw new teams without complicating the event for those In charge. Also, for those who don't fish the Pro Am, tell us why you don't fish them? What keeps you away and what would need to happen to peek your interest and get you involved. I will then forward your Ideas and opinions to Dave Turner. Thanks....I will follow up with my proposal.

Thank You JBB, now I get why they make the arch to fit above the bimini top.

Jet Boat Bill, Yes, I trailer it often to tournaments around the lake. Could you expand on the dangers of having someone on the bridge with the radar. I seldom use it, but my kids love to ride up there. I don't see any reason I would need it on In those situations though. Are you talking about a strait verticle pole with a top and bottom plate? If I were to go that route....how high? Not sure how that would look? Rick....I'm affraid yours would be overpowering for my bridge. I think It would look out of place, but I could be wrong?

Not tall enough Rick. Ya gotta take into account a 6 ft person may go up on the bridge, so even to duck under it I'd think It needs to be around 5ft If It were to be an arch. The top of the boat Is already 11+ ft off the ground on the trailer :shock: It would have to collapse or be easy to remove.

Wtf....I posted a message twice......you think I'd have the hang of it by now :roll:

Hey....that was a cheap shot There's one or two guys on this board that will get a good laugh on that one though. I promise not to be a net hog Ray....got the snoopy pole covered! In fact, I got two incase you tangle the first one.

I'm looking into putting radar on my boat. I'm a little stumped as to where to put the dome on my boat. The flybridge takes up my hardtop space and I really don't want it mounted on the front of the hardtop/bridge If I can at all avoid it. Do most of you have a 2kw or 4 kw ? I'd like to go 4 kw, but that presents me with an even larger dome. I don't want it to look out of place on the boat. I'm concerned the smaller Kw domes and smaller displays will just be a waste. Here is the boat......Any thoughts?

Pack really light when it comes to what you all are bringing on the boat guys. We are gonna have a full boat, esp. the first evening. Rick and I will have tackle and rods for all of us....just bring a good med/hvy casting rod If you want. I'm sending in the entry form and fee today. As far as striped bass, we are allowed to keep 2 per person on board per day. With our crew, that's pretty many fish. However, Rick has informed me that we can each get a bonus permit for a third fish for $2. Your choice if you want a third daily fish or not? Here is the link: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonusbas.htm Rick and I will already have the bonus permit.

Check with Bahrs and get a price if they have some. I'll drive over one day next week and decide where to stay and pick a marina. I'm definitly planing on fishing Thursday....sounds like a plan.

Cool guys! I'm going to get there probably on Tuesday. I will run the boat over the weekend before (18th) and put it in it's slip. Rick....I'm guessing we should still keep the boat at the Atlantic Highlands...right? Stan....we use a lil bit of everything here in the east. I'd say the majority of guys use live bait, followed by things like Ava jigs, crippled herring, etc. The thing we have a lot of here this time of year are bluefish, and they will destroy many baits and plugs in just one hit, thus the use of the Ava's and other flashy metal jigs. Most times the bluefish and stripers are competing for the same pods of bunker, so where you catch one you will usually catch the other. Can't wait....I think we'll be showing the Jersey boys a thing or two about trolling

I'm Still awaiting confirmation from a couple guys, but as of know It's looking like our "all Lou" Striper team could be: Deiselhp Reeljerks Fishstix Ray K Fishtails Jason That would be a pretty impressive team!! Like I said, a couple guys had to still clear it on their schedule, so anyone else that's interested should still let me know and I'll keep you on the list as a back up If someone can't make it

Here is a good site I like to keep an eye on for the fishing reports.....sounds like the stripers are showing up in decent numbers http://www.vitinc.com/nn/freport/freports.html