Thread: 1st WTCC Tournament

Originally Posted by jaxxman

Sounds like we aint got started and its already getting serious, I agree with Justin about those folks that fish Reelfoot and Sandy most likely dont want to leave thier honey holes in prime time , and I fully understand that reasoning. But I disagree about those folks that dont, I wouldnt think "why not give it a shot". Now in the initial tourney ,if the money went to the club, I might try to go to help the club, but if it was a prize thing, I wouldnt. If anyone won or even placed there other than those that know the lake , it would be pure luck. Might get lucky and get the big fish, lol, but I will place a bet now that is all a "foreigner " would win. And I would have the same feeling Justin does about leaving an area I know and have a decent chance of catching fish than to leave there and go to Reelfoot or Sandy..
I guess ( I Hope) I am getting a wrong impression of the direction the club is headed before it starts.. I know theres a core group of you guys that are already familiar with one another and thats great. But I was thinking this might be a place to learn to a better crappie fisherman, as Im not far from retiring and I would like to know more about catching instead of just fishing..lol .. but it seems thats the club is gonna be more about competitiveness and bragging rights..
Maybe you good have flights( like a golf tounry) your lake pros pay 2-3 places and novices pay one or two places.
Another point Justin made is totally right on, is having a core group, I have been in several groups or clubs ( non fishing) and if you dont have that core group to hold things together the club will not last very long. and another thing the club dont need to do, is rely on the same people to do every thing all the time, cause that gets old after a while. I have been there, done that, its not fun. and because of that, I will be willing to help in some capacity from time to time.
I hope this makes sense and you see where I am coming from. I am sure I rank as a novice to most of you, I have had my days, but they are not near close enough together. So I know if I go to their backyard, I dont stand a chance, shoot if they come to my back yard I will probably still get whupped, but at least I feel like I have a chance. If this club is just about bragging rights and points , then I will quietly go back to being a wall flower and enjoy yalls fishing tales and tell you about the days when I get on them. ;-)

Jaxxman,
Hey I fish the foot and there are plenty of times I have came to the boat ramp and folks have had there limit and I only had a few fish. I went to Ky Lake back in OCT. 2009 with my dad and we fished hard three days and only brought home 28 fish in three days! We came out of the boat ramp one day and there were to guys that had two limits and we had 6 fish in the wet well. I know for me the club is about building friendships and some good fish fry's, as far as the tournments I'll probably be bringing in fish like this photo. I have not even met most of the folks on crappie.com or the folks in the club but from what I have seen evrybody is just trying to make this club fun for all and a family thing. George has done a great job and has taken this bull by the horns!!! My hat is off to you George!!!
Lynn

I dont think I got my point across clearly never have been good at that. Anyway, I surely was not bashing the club or anyone, or meant to come off as an %&% hole .. Anyway I like what George had to say. I agree George is to be commended for the Hard work he has already put in. Like I said I have been there before, trying to start a club and keep it going, it takes time, hard work and a whole bunch more. I appreciatte all he and others are doing regardless of what I decide to do.
I would definitly be in the club for the fun and fellowship and learning. I guess going to Reelfoot can't be any worse than my first few trips this year anyway.. other than the longer drive ..lol
So if any of you are willing to help in my learning curve, and need a fishing partner, I will always help with gas, bait ,etc.. I can usually get off work if I know a day or so in advance.. plus I am off a lot during the week also.

Its gonna take the help of everybody to make it work effectively for sure.

I merely brought up the point about payouts and tournaments to give points about attracting more people. Obviously you want it to be about the fellowship and fun. But the fact is that the more people that show up to these events we have the more it helps everyone. You meet more people, you learn more tactics, you learn new waters, and you generaly expand your knowledge and thus your probably going to have more fun and show up for future events. Competition is very fun. It does not need to be the driving force but more a special added bonus. People that have never been or rarely been to one of the bigger lakes could easily come and gain tons of knowledge about the lake and fishing in general just by coming and being a part of the activities.

Even when you have get togethers and group activites that are not related to any competition it will make it much easier on some people if we have a general fund that is built on these paying events to provide completely for all the activities. This way all people are out when they attend is the drive time. You will attract more attention, sponsors, and a wider range of knowledgeable people if we keep a healthy competion flowing too. Even if only some people come for the competition of it, it still benefits everyone to get more people to show up. Less experienced anglers will grow thier knowledge. People that want to come just to fellowship and have fun will most certainly do so. And those that want to come just for the competition of it will have fun, enjoy themselves, and are more likely to come back for the fun of it next time!

I would be interested in all of these things. Learning more, getting to know people, and having a good competition. And I think that the more it grows others will feel the same way. I think you just have to consider all aspects if you want it to take off.

I agree with you Justin. If someone just wants to show up and fish tour. day just to see how they would do then that is fine. I think the tourn. should be competitive to draw bigger crowds for sure and the way to draw bigger crowds is with a little added incentive to show.

The excellent thing about this discussion, is it goes to show that we really are all on the same page. I don't think anyone was inappropriate with anything that was said, and I don't think anyone was offended. In the end, we are all talking about the same general ideas, just different ways of approaching it.

I would love to see some big money torunaments, that would attract some of the "big boys". For one thing, the few of them that I have met (at the Grizzly Spring Show, etc.), have been terrific. They are folks just like us, who love to crappie fish, share their knowledge, and learn new things. I, for one, would enjoy fishing a tournament with some of those guys; not to follow them around and try to fish every marker they throw out, but just to keep an eye on what they are doing, to see if I could learn something.

On the other hand, I would love to see some tournaments that everyone could afford to enter, and that the brand new guy with the second hand jon boat, 2 telescopic poles, and a handful of jigs would have an opportunity at winning. I might be able to learn something from watching him, as well.

Thanks to everyone who has had some input into this issue!!!!!! That's what it takes.

You better watch out for those guys in the 10 foot jon boats toting a sculling paddle. They probably have more crappie savvy than anyone else.

I'm in for wherever yall need me. I'm at a point right now that I am going to be somewhat side tracked though. With a baby due within a month, I am very limited on how much I can pitch in at the moment. Once I can get this little girl settled in I will jump in with both feet. I told Devon i would be glad to help him however I can. Just let me know what you need and when you need it.

Originally Posted by Bones

You better watch out for those guys in the 10 foot jon boats toting a sculling paddle. They probably have more crappie savvy than anyone else.

I'm in for wherever yall need me. I'm at a point right now that I am going to be somewhat side tracked though. With a baby due within a month, I am very limited on how much I can pitch in at the moment. Once I can get this little girl settled in I will jump in with both feet. I told Devon i would be glad to help him however I can. Just let me know what you need and when you need it.

Thanks, Jason. We are looking to the new addition to WTCC (your daughter)!!! We'll have that girl fishin' in no time!!! By the way, you are absolutely right about those old guys with the sculling paddles. I spent a lot of time in a jon boat with one of those guys (my dad) when I was a kid... GOOD TIMES!!!