2015 NYS Winter Classic Statewide Tournament

[Finders Keepers]

Just over 50 at this point. We're not going to put a count up until we get over 100 anglers. With the slow start to the ice season, everyone is in a wait and see mode. While a handful of anglers have seen our posts online, the masses will see our banners and billboards at the tackle shops once they start frequenting the shops when the ice gets going. Hopefully the cold this week is the start!

[Finders Keepers]

The 2015  NYS Winter Classic kicks off tomorrow with ice starting to set-up across the state! Here are a few pointers for the event:

1) Follow the leaderboard at: http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2015-leader-board.html

For those of you in the event, please bookmark the leaderboard site on your smart phones and check the board before keeping a fish to weigh-in. You will see a minimum weight for each species listed (roughly 25th place to account for a maximum payout and up to 5 disqualifications). This is the minimum weight for that species required for weigh-in based on the fish that have been entered already. If your fish is smaller than that minimum weight, there is no reason to bring the fish to weigh-in. However, if your fish is larger than that weight, it may be beneficial to bring it to a weigh-in. 

2) Due to the initial lower numbers of anglers, we be paying out the top 3 in each category to keep the prize monies higher. Once we reach 500 registrants we will include the top 5, at 3,000 anglers the top 10, at 5,000 anglers the top 15, and 10,000 anglers the top 20. In addition to increasing the payout structure, at 2500 anglers we will add a $1,000 random draw, at 5,000 anglers we will add a $250 cash prize for the largest fish of a particular species each week plus the a free mount for the overall largest fish, at 10,000 anglers we will up the weekly prize to $500 and include free mounts for all 1st place finishers, and we continue to add additional prizes beyond 10,000 anglers. 

3) Pay attention to weigh-in station hours of operation, which vary by location. We will be listing all those we have been informed of on the weigh-in station map for your convenience. If you catch a fish after hours, some stations may still weigh-in fish if you call them. ALL fish caught must be weighed-in on the day they are caught.  

4) All fish must be fresh, no frozen fish will be weighed-in. If it's brutally cold, use a bucket or cooler with aeration. Do not use stringers as these will mark the jaw area of the fish and may draw skepticism to your catch resulting in a LD Test if it places in the top 3.

5) All top 3 placing fish in each category must be kept until bumped to 4th place or lower. All top 3 placing fish in each category on Feb. 22nd must be brought to the awards ceremony on Sodus Bay by the angler who caught it, or else be DQ'ed. These fish will be scanned, verified, and used for promotional pictures and may be necessary for free mounts. It is also highly suggested that any fish placing in the top 3 be photographed with and without flash for use if a mount is given.

6) Any pics taken on the ice, at the weigh-in stations, etc. can be sent to us at: [email protected] and we will post them on our website, FB, and/or other media. Any photos sent grant the NYS Ice Pro-Am Corporation full rights to use those photos for advertising and promoting purposes. 

7) Spread word of the tournament and encourage any and all anglers to get in the event, as this will only drive the payouts higher. Anglers can register any day up to Feb. 22nd, but any fish caught prior to their entry in the tournament may not be used, and they must register by 7am for that day's fish to be eligible. 

Have fun, please exercise extreme caution if venturing out on the early ice, and stay safe this winter season. Good luck and tight lines!!

[Finders Keepers]

Check out the Outdoor Beat Show with Bill Hilts where we discussed and answered a ton questions regarding the NYS Winter Classic Tournament and the NYS Ice Pro-Am Series events:

http://new.livestream.com/LCTV20/events/2964614

 

[briggsy218]

i have to believe there is over a hundred in now but still no counter on web site to keep track ????

[Finders Keepers]

Not yet, after this weekend we should be, although quite a few anglers are waiting until the following weekend when they go to Chaumont Bay for the first Ice Pro-Am event, or other tourneys later in the month since they won't be fishing until then. We'll see - just have to let word get out about the tournament... And if all the anglers that are waiting until there are lots anglers to register were to just register, we'd have a lot more in the event! Just the nature of starting a new event though...

[Silver Fox]

 

Edited January 9, 2015 by Silver Fox

[Finders Keepers]

Our advertising campaign is right on schedule, but Mother Nature hasn't played nice with holding the ice season off so long this year. No worries! Ice is here and everything is rolling right along, including several new sponsors (including our open water season)!! 

[Silver Fox]

Good luck!

Edited January 9, 2015 by Silver Fox