Cat Contest

[FishMcFisherson]

Haven't heard any news on when the cat contest is starting... What's the score here?
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[wiperhunter2]

It might be a little early but try contacting [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/community/community.cgi?do=user_page;pg=user_profile_view.html;username=CoyoteSpinner"]Coyotespinner[/url].
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[SkunkedAgain]

I thought he said it was March 15th start.... but my memory isn't so good so I might be wrong... Starting to see enough cats coming in, it should be time to kick it off.... Sometimes spring cats are the biggest... Later J
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[Tibbz]

I'm down. How long does the contest run usually?
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[FishMcFisherson]

I believe last year it ran from April 1st to October 1st. Good times.
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[Tibbz]

Well. Hell I got all summer to participate. Wut are the rules?
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[wiperhunter2]

Here is a link to the rules:

EDIT: [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=869468"]New rules posted for 2014
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[FishingLunatic]

My Butt needs to enter this contest this year..even if you lose, it is fun to lose doing something you love.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

[center]Itching to fly those Kitty Banners!

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Last year's rules, results. [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_Fishing_Forum_C55/gforum.cgi?post=810091;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]2013 Catfish Contest[/url]

[left]Below is a link to this year's rules. You can peruse past pages on the contest board to see the catches, and the smack talk. It was a fun contest, and we had some serious Whisker Hunters out there. Look forward to more of the same this year.
Expect to be starting earlier - I don't see any real reason to change up the rules (I'll take input). I think we actually cracked it open in April last year, but I don't mind opening for earlier entries.

SO - I'll lay it down. Starting March 15th, and going until Sept 30th (unless someone shows me a +30 they caught in October - talk is cheap!).
I'll encourage prize donations, or if anyone can drum up support from local vendors, sports shops. For ease or return - I'd just as well offer the prize awards as "stuff" rather than cash. I think last year's winners enjoyed the mystery packages. I'll see what other part-way prizes we can come up with, even if it's just my home-made CoyoteCapSpinners! Think there ought to be an offer for a Kid-under 15 - best catch. Not dollars, but "gadgets, gizmos" or maybe a video (aka DVD).
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[center][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_Fishing_Forum_C55/gforum.cgi?post=869468;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]2014 Catfish Contest[/url][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_Fishing_Forum_C55/gforum.cgi?post=869468;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"] [/url]

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[left]I'd like to keep the N. vs S. concept going, cuz face it, them southern boyz need a chance for redemption (last year was a TEAM PUSH - fwiw). I still think it'll take 30+ fish to nail it down.

Entries can start after Mar 15th, but I won't begin scoring until April 1st. Once your entry is received, your name should go from Red to Green on the list, and your submissions will qualify for points.

So - one week to find your big poles and big baits, and get ready for Whisker Time! Look forward to another fun contest, you folks have been great and very entertaining the past couple years, and I'm honored to be able to roll it out again. Shoot me a PM if you want to get a head start with signup, or questions.[/left]

[Boatloadakids]

I'm in and I have a couple of crew members that are anxious to have at it again. Yote did a great job last year with setting the contest up. I was kinda counting on winning a new truck or boat as a first place prize but I'm okay with "stuff" instead. The prizes last year were incidental to the fun and banter back and forth and showing off pics of the big ones. I know the Youth Champ last year was very happy with his "mystery winnings."

I want to go on record right now by saying the South will win it this year!! Bank on it!! 3-15 to 9-30 sound great to me.

Let it begin!

BLK
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[Johnr]

How long/big was the largest fish last year? From what region? Thank you and have a wonderful day!!
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[CoyoteSpinner]

33" from the South, but we'll call it a lucky catch. [:p]
Not as big as the C&R record that was landed and released from Cutler in the North. (i.e., she's still out there, bigger and badder)

From the map I posted - you can see the state is not "exactly" divided in half. Gotta give the south a fighting chance I guess.

Secret weapon, beads and bling
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Should we have a special prize for Bullheads?
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Correction: 33.5 from the NORTH. My bad.

[setthehook]

you know im in!! I could throw in a prize for the northern boys (cache county folks). 20$ in free dry cleaning for the biggest cat that comes from the north!

I will pm you yote to arrange the pick up of my entry fee and dry cleaning gift certificate.
I have a feeling another record cat comes from the north this year!!!
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[setthehook]

The current state c&r record catfish replica mount

Bar set pretty high
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[Boatloadakids]

Very nice rep mount there Sethook. I'll shoot you an e-mail after I break that c&r record later this year for details on getting one of those rep mounts done.

Johnr-- I hurts to have to correct Yotespinner..... but, actually the longest cat last year was a 33.5 inch toad UTcatman caught aaa....... up north. But.... the State Record remains a 39.75 inch monster from Utah Lake -- Utah Lake being in the south!

Let it begin.

BLK
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[TubeDude]

[#FF0000]SO - I'll lay it down. Starting March 15th, and going until Sept 30th (unless someone shows me a +30 they caught in October - talk is cheap!).

[#0000FF]Here are a couple of pics of some cats I caught in November, 2006. The largest was 32 inches and 12 pounds. For reference, the "sushi board" (apron) is 24 inches wide. And the basket from which the tail protrudes is 30 inches deep.

I catch cats over 10 pounds almost every year after the first of October.

But I don't do contests.
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[Johnr]

Sounds like some fierce competition! Also just curious as to why you do not do contests Pat?
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[Huntinfool18]

I catch cats from the gorge and live in wyoming. Am I able to enter this contest???
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[TubeDude]

[quote Johnr]Sounds like some fierce competition! Also just curious as to why you do not do contests Pat?[/quote]

[#0000FF]I enjoy friendly competition...between family and friends. But not against others who take it far too seriously.

In my earlier days I was very competitive. When I lived in California I fished bass tournaments and several salt water tournaments. I won my share but was also beaten out a lot by guys who "bent" the rules...or outright cheated. When money is involved it brings out the worst in some folks. Even just going for bragging rights or prestige is enough to turn some otherwise decent anglers into crazed enemies.

At some point, I took a good inward look at myself and reminded myself that I fish for fun. And when fishing produces more stress than it eliminates then I am doing it wrong.

These days I enjoy fishing with a select few other folks...and I really don't mind if they catch more and/or bigger fish on any given trip. In fact, I kinda like it when my wife or a fellow fishing buddy scores the biggest fish of the day...and I even let them gloat about it. Happily, I don't often have to swallow my pride and let someone else whup me. But it doesn't ruin my day when they do.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

[quote TubeDude][#ff0000][#0000ff]But I don't do contests.
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These days I enjoy fishing with a select few other folks...and I really don't mind if they catch more and/or bigger fish on any given trip. In fact, I kinda like it when my wife or a fellow fishing buddy scores the biggest fish of the day...and I even let them gloat about it. Happily, I don't often have to swallow my pride and let someone else whup me. But it doesn't ruin my day when they do.
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And therein St Patty - YOUR big fall cats don't count. I mean they do, but they don't.

And it's nice of you to "let" the Mrs win the tugs and bragging rights.

As for the "competition" aspect of THIS contest - I for one like to keep it lighthearted and fun. One of the reasons I decided to go with prizes of bling and bits instead of cash this year is exactly as you say.

I'd rather light up a kids day with a box of toyz and "holy carp - look at this stuff, can't wait to use it" than "aha, NOW I can pay the rent! Or run to the liquor store... hmm tough choices." as usual, I kid.

I enjoy the smack talk, because I'm like the little dog barking, while I got my team mates to haul in them BIG BAD kitties from the marsh and save my bacon. [blush]

TD - we'll all still enjoy your "entries" as inspirational demonstrations of what a true cat whisperer can tame!

AND HEY - FAIR WARNING - ANYONE GETS TOO SERIOUS - I'LL TOSS YOU FROM THE BOAT AND THE COMPETITION! (kidding again, sort of) [mad]