2017 NYS Winter Classic Tournament

[Finders Keepers]

This year's event is really coming together!! Early Bird Registration is currently underway at all registration locations (see website for map of locations across the state) where the first 12 anglers to register at each location will receive an Early Bird sign-up bonus item valued up to $100. Registration is only $25 for this 8-week long (Jan. 1 - Feb. 28), statewide, all waterways (ice, open water, streams & rivers, tributaries, etc.) event - visit your local shop and register today!!

 

Here are many of the details for the 2017 NYS Winter Classic Tournament:

1. Prizes to be won:

Grand Prize = $2500 Cash (sponsored by Clam Corp) given to one of the 1st Place Fish by random draw

Overall Largest Fish = Graphics Wrapped Case Canoe (approx. value $5,000+)

Largest Steelhead = Stainless Steel Trout Sculpture by Steve Nielsen Art (approx. value $1000+)

General Placements (up to Top 20 in each division) = cash payout based on # of anglers

Lunker Pool = Top 3 in each division place in a breakdown of 50%/30%/20% (100% cash payout based on number of anglers entered)

Weekly Awards = 7 cash and/or prize awards every week for the largest of each species

Monthly Awards = several monthly cash and/or prize awards for the largest fish each month

(4) $250 Automatic Fisherman Awards (general tournament) = Largest Pike/Walleye/Pickerel/Trout caught on an Automatic Fisherman unit (photo or video required)

(2) $100 Automatic Fisherman Awards (C&R Divisions) = Largest Pike and Trout caught using an Automatic Fisherman unit (picture or video required)

(3) $50 Maki Plastic Awards = Largest Crappie/Perch/Panfish caught using a Maki Plastic bait

Angler Achievement Awards: 

Any angler who catches and enters any of the following:

-Pike greater than 20 lbs

-Trout greater than 20 lbs

-Pickerel greater than 6 lbs

-Walleye greater than 15 lbs

-Crappie greater than 2.50 lbs

-Perch greater than 2.25 lbs

-Panfish greater than 1.50 lbs

Free Fish Mount: 

Hirsch Taxidermy will be mounting one of the 1st place fish (chosen by random draw at the awards ceremony).

Early Bird Promotion:

-Every weigh station will be outfitted with 12 or more items valued from $5 to $100. The first 12 or more anglers to register in September will be allowed to pull an envelop and receive the item listed inside. First come get first dibs until all prizes have been drawn at each location.

Local Shanty/Shelter Contests:

-All weigh-in locations will be outfitted with a shanty or shelter to give away in a local contest as they see fit (largest fish weighed in, drawing from those who enter the Winter Classic at their location, etc.). Shanty/shelter values will range based on model and manufacturer.

In total over $60,000 in sponsored cash and prizes to be awarded (not counting the general payouts or Lunker Pool).

2. New Catch & Release Division

-For Pike and Trout only, anglers submit entries via pictures. Cash payout similar in structure to the main event but with its own prize pool funds based on participation. Registration options will be available online and at specific weigh-in locations. Full details disclosed in the 2017 Rules & Regs.

3. For those who fish in the evening or at night, we are now allowing those entries to be entered using following protocol:

a. If caught between 4pm and 11:59pm, angler must take a photo at the time the fish is caught and immediately send to headquarters via cell phone to (585) 330-0494 and include angler’s name, time and location of catch, and approximate weight. The fish must then be weighed in by 7am (or as soon as the nearest weigh-in opens) the following morning at an official NYS Winter Classic weigh-in location.

b. Angler must let the weigh-in know the fish was caught the previous evening to be paired with the photo information sent.

 

 

 

 

 

Feel free to ask questions - it's time to put NY on the map with a major wintertime tournament! More information can be found at: www.NYSwinterclassic.com

 

[Finders Keepers]

Things are really starting to be put in place for an amazing event this winter! This week we picked up 17 Frabill shanties and received word that we have 15 more coming later in November. When combined with the other 20+ shelters from other manufacturers, anglers will have a shot at over 50 shanties/shelters spread across the state where every weigh-in location will have one to give away! More announcements to come as product continues to flow in to headquarters!

 

[Finders Keepers]

At this point we have 54 weigh-in locations, each with a shanty to give away! Most weigh-in locations still have some gear to give away - stop in to your local weigh-in and register to score some free gear and gain an entry into their shanty raffle! Follow the event on Facebook for daily updates, promos, and tournament information!

[Finders Keepers]

I appeared on the Outdoor Beat show last week discussing many of the details of this year's event, the prize structure, and many of the new products being given away! Have a listen and learn why this event will be one of the largest tournament events in the NE this year! 

https://livestream.com/LCTV20/events/2964614

Edited November 28, 2016 by Finders Keepers

[Finders Keepers]

The 2017 event is off to a great start! Some monster fish have already hit the scales including a 21.51 lb northern and 2.25 lb crappie! There's over 6 weeks left in the event and lots of tourney action to be had - weekly prize packages are shipping out each week, monthly awards given out at the end of the month, and 60 shanties to be given away at the conclusion of the event along with a ton of cash! 

 

Keep in mind, you can fish the open water as well as the ice for this event, so if the warm-up over the next week opens things up, anglers will be taking to their boats and hitting the tribs! Registration remains open so anglers can register at any time, but the rule is you must register before 7am on the first day you wish to start entering fish. The sooner you get in the sooner you can start accruing shanty entries at your local weigh-in locations - there are 58 total this year!