Quote:
Originally Posted by MATTUSMC
I am new to the area, so I cannot comment on previous tournaments in the area. But I would say something along the lines of what TKAA has in the Chesepeake Bay area. Multiple Divisions with several prizes to include some high dollar kayaks, rods, reels, other... Plus a large donation to HOW.
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I'm curious Matt. With all those prizes and a big donation, what are you willing to pay for such an event? The Moyer was $60 at the end, with raffle tickets benefitting the American Cancer Society extra.
I covered the kayak fishing tournament scene for Western Outdoor News for years. I've pitched in (a little) at Plastic Navy events and the Moyer, and put together one poorly run but well supported tournament that raised something like $7000 (THANKS - that was huge!) when we were in the MLPA fight. I fished a lot of them, including the classic blowouts JAS put on and all the early Moyers.
Personally, I think any new events might need to grow up like the old ones, and start from the grassroots like the Money Between Friends events that spawned the Plastic Navy Tournament Trail. I'm pretty sure they still exist in some form. Wade tried one. It didn't draw well for some reason.
WON asked me to look into a Dana Pt tourney a few years back. Rather than the state park, the trick is to go through the harbor management and hold the get-together in the launch ramp parking lot. People can still camp at Doheny State Beach next door. It's doable, but we couldn't make the numbers work for WON. The entry fee would have had to be $100.
I think $50 is a more reasonable number, or even $35. After food, supplemental prizes, permits, insurance (a must!), weigh and safety boat gas, and jackpots, there isn't much left. Companies don't donate gear the way they used to. There has to be a return - I don't blame them.
Tournaments are a lot of work. The guys who did it out of love of the sport eventually burned out.
Back in the day, BWE managed to hold some events right at the Shores. They were outside the silly season. Were they before summer? I have no idea what the situation is now, whether it is still doable.
I haven't talked with any of the local shop owners about a tournament in some time. Convenient facilities exist. There are good reasons why the shops all pulled back a few years ago. For a shop to host a tournament, they need to generate foot traffic and sales - and not just from guys already in the sport. Novices need to be welcome too.
I've thought about it. I'm up for helping with a community effort, for instance, if we were going to bring back something like the Moyer. The magazine I edit might get into the game, but for now it's mostly a one-man shop. Maybe someday.
I'll be following this thread closely.