DeeperBlue.com Announce Guernsey Meet 2012

[foxfish]

Mike can we discuss this a little more...

I personally would like to see a specimen competition based on the overall winner being the diver who catches the most number of different species.

I am quite happy to see concurrent competitions running alongside the main concept.

I use the word concept because I feel we as conservationist need to get away from the heaviest bag competitions!

However my main concern would be making sure everybody is happy & having a good time while on holiday & on that basis I would like to see some form of recognition for the biggest specimens caught.

Lets assume, as this is our first attempt at a specimen style competition, that we use this opportunity as a learning curve.
How many & what species do you think we should use for the "biggest of" prizes?
Bass is an obvious one, mullet is also obvious but, not really a prime eating fish, who want to clean & eat a 8lb mullet?
Plaice would be good but maybe a challenge to catch? etc...
How about lobsters?
What do you suggest?
I really am open to any suggestion & by no means wanting to dictate the final decision!
I would like to get the rules finalised ASAP & suggest a dead line of next weekend!

 

[misterlizard]

who want to clean & eat a 8lb mullet?

Me me me! I love mullet. In fact, given the choice between a 5lb bass and a 5lb mullet I would find it quite a hard decision.

I like the idea of a species comp, with recognition for the widest variety of edible species caught. I also like the idea of a prize for the biggest specimen for each species. And I totally agree that we should avoid any type of 'heaviest overall catch' type of category, as that would go against the sustainable ethos that most of us are very proud of.

 

[Jonny250]

Maybe worth posting on the fishing forum to let them know the proposed venues? just as a courtesey.

Personally i would rather see mullet on the 'banned' list as they are relatively easy to shoot and we will end up with excess fish taken. People can still shoot them if they want to eat one, but perhaps not for the comp?

 

[Jonny250]

Alternatively, just throwing ideas, how about a speccie hunt where the entrants have to nominate which species they will be hunting and target just those. then biggest of those species wins. Say a max of 3 nominated species per person. This would promote targeted hunting and reduce excess fish catches.

 

[foxfish]

Me me me! I love mullet. In fact, given the choice between a 5lb bass and a 5lb mullet I would find it quite a hard decision.
Great - you can have that job
I like the idea of a species comp, with recognition for the widest variety of edible species caught. I also like the idea of a prize for the biggest specimen for each species. And I totally agree that we should avoid any type of 'heaviest overall catch' type of category, as that would go against the sustainable ethos that most of us are very proud of.

If we give a prize for the biggest of each species caught that might be a lot of prizes that someone has to supply!?

Alternatively, just throwing ideas, how about a speccie hunt where the entrants have to nominate which species they will be hunting and target just those. then biggest of those species wins. Say a max of 3 nominated species per person. This would promote targeted hunting and reduce excess fish catches.

Not enough fish in the sea for me to that pacific apart from Bass & mullet?

 

[foxfish]

Alternatively, just throwing ideas, how about a speccie hunt where the entrants have to nominate which species they will be hunting and target just those. then biggest of those species wins. Say a max of 3 nominated species per person. This would promote targeted hunting and reduce excess fish catches.

jonny we could post somthing on the fishing forum. I think there will be about 12-14 divers but I hope posting wont cause any hassle before or during the competition?

 

[denian]

I am still trying to make it! just time ,travel ,money, work,holiday, wife, shh and the fact im crap at drinkin and swimin doesnt help !!!!some one say a little prayer for me please.

 

[foxfish]

Still got camping room in my garden mate....

 

[Jonny250]

I am still trying to make it! just time ,travel ,money, work,holiday, wife, shh and the fact im crap at drinkin and swimin doesnt help !!!!some one say a little prayer for me please.

It would be good to meet you! the drinking is optional, altho the swimming isnt!

 

[jerseymike]

Hi Martyn, Jonny, Tom,

We seem to be the only ones thinking about this!

Jonny, sorry but I am not keen on the nominated species idea.

If we are to have a competitive element, we all agree it has to be ethical hunting, and it has to be fun for all. It has to be designed to allow divers of all abilities to enjoy it and regardless of their diving ability, they should stand a chance of winning a prize.

Martyn, I think you got it more or less spot on in post 138, but as we discussed, if you recognised the biggest of every species you would need 16 + prizes. So assuming, there is a need to limit the number of prizes, this could be done in a way that will also give everyone, regardless of their diving ability a fairer chance of winning a prize. ie recognise the biggest fish of only the three main species, ie bass, mullet and flatfish. These are fish that all divers, including those divers/snorkellers that only hunt the shallows can catch.

1.Prize for Specimen hunt winner

You guys will know best as to what u r likely to find in your waters ( Martyn, I know ur views on mullet but a lot of people prefer them to bass).Perhaps it is easiest, and seems to make sense to me, as a starting point, to use the list that forms the current deeper blue monthly specimen hunt?

I agree that Lobster should be added, they taste good, and will go well at the BBQ! Most jsy divers (me included) have never tried to catch one under water. So that should tip the swing the balance even further in favour of the locals!

None of us want big hauls of fish, we all enjoy hunting good quality eating fish, so maybe there is a need to set minimum size and even catch limits for each species (size is easier than weight because divers can measure their fish in the water).

For the species hunt a diver need only catch one fish/crustacean of each of the eligible species. Once a diver has caught one, there is no point in shooting/catching another one unless it is much bigger, or they want more of that species to eat.

The winner of the specimen hunt would be the diver who catches the most species over two days of the specimen hunt. In the event of a divers catching the same number of species, the diver with the heaviest catch wins?

2) How about awarding a prize for best fish/specimen caught over the two days (determined by vote at the BBQ?)

In addition

3) Prize for biggest bass

4) Prize for biggest mullet

5) Prize for biggest flatfish

Also

6) Prize for bass nearest target weight

7) Prize for biggest mullet nearest target weight


my head hurts! cheers Mike

 

[Jonny250]

That's fine mike, i was just throwing ideas, i like to think outside the box sometimes...
It will be fun to meet up anyway

 

[misterlizard]

Excellent ideas Mike. Sounds like a good balance there.

 

[foxfish]

To keep it simple how about.....

1.Prize for Specimen hunt winner

For the species hunt a diver need only catch one fish/crustacean of each of the eligible species.

The winner of the specimen hunt would be the diver who catches the most species over two days of the specimen hunt. In the event of a divers catching the same number of species, the diver with the heaviest catch wins?



2) Prize for biggest bass

3) Prize for biggest mullet

4) Prize for biggest flatfish

Optional kitty..... for somthing?

Finally a limit of 3 fish per species per day? ( in the case of flatfish that would be 3 plaice + 3 sole + 3 turbot ect)

 

[denian]

I'm still working on coming down if a sea gull drops a small hairy hobbit in the middle of the lawn pat me down dunk me in the pond and give me a beer!

 

[alix.leclerc]

I know it's a bit late but i'm definitely up for this! If there is still room i'll come on over with Rowan and Chris (Trelawney) for the whole weekend. Is anyone camping?

 

[foxfish]

My two ferrets have a two story apartment in my garden, you could share with them?

 

[foxfish]

I know it's a bit late but i'm definitely up for this! If there is still room i'll come on over with Rowan and Chris (Trelawney) for the whole weekend. Is anyone camping?

Yes there is room for spearos mate but my garden is now full of campers so we would have to find you a camp site, there is a nice one only one mile from our base.

 

[alix.leclerc]

Sounds good, what's the name?

 

[foxfish]

Here you are Alix CAMPING IN GUERNSEY

 

[alix.leclerc]

Let's hope they're not fully booked!