[erayyak]

For the past four years, prior to moving back to NC, I ran an Event series called the One Lure Challenge (OLC). It was made up of 4 events that ran from fall to spring. I ran it off a website called Paddle Fishing at Paddle Fishing - Home Page and it was for members of that site.

Pretty simple concept. I picked the lure (either actual brand or style) and the boundaries for fishing. The Entry fee was $10. The Sign In was the morning of the event, anglers stopped by the sign in location paid their money, got their angler number then could leave to go to their launch location. There was a designated time for lines in the water. Then there was a "weigh" in at a designated location at a certain time. This was usually held at a local watering hole for the area we were fishing. Typically it would be as follows:

Sign In: 6:00 to 6:30 am
Lines in the Water: 7:15 am
Weigh In: 2:30 to 3:00 pm
Awards Ceremony: 3:30 to 4:00 pm

All events were catch, photo and release. Bring your own digital camera. Obviously a great deal was on the honor system. It was best three fish in total inches of any of the following species: redfish, trout, and snook. You got points (because it was a series). But the payout was as follows:

1st Place: 50% of the Entry Fees plus trophy
2nd Place: 30% of the Entry Fees plus trophy
3rd Place: 20% of the Entry Fees plus dontate prize

Then I had prizes donated for each of the species for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The prizes for the series winners were kayaks, paddles, rod/reel combos, seats, and other kayak accessories. And other misc prizes. Now it didnt start off like that, it built to that over 4 years. The first couple of events were cash and trophy only. And I think we had around 30 anglers compete. But in the last couple of years it really took off and grew to around 70 or so participants in each event.

Anyway, I miss doing it. They are actually holding "The Erick Bell Memorial" the weekend of Oct 27th in Tampa....which is me, and I am not dead. I did pick the lure that will be used in that event as well and I will be driving down to Florida to fish in it. However, I wouldnt mind starting up the OLC here, not a series really since I live so far from the coast. But maybe one or two events a year. One saltwater and one freshwater. Obviously with everyone so spread out, it would require travel and accomodations. And I am not sure how many would be willing to travel for such events, or where even to host things like this.

So I am looking for indications of interest and any input. The format has been successful in the past. I dont make a dime off these. I did make a little selling t-shirts, fishing shirts and hats, but just enough to cover my cost. I pay back 100% of the Entry fees and everything else is donated. Here are some pics of the OLC stuff. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[skooteri]

I am all up for it. I will pretty much drive 3-4 hours for a day of fishing. Ashley (Drumniator) put together a meet and greet this past Summer, which was pretty succesful. No tournry, but about 30-40 people showed. It was at Fort Fisher and people from as far as Durham showed up (Maybe further- I guess).

 

[Jeffonc]

I'm still laughing at "The Erick Bell Memorial". Those are people I think I'd like to fish with! Its a nice gesture on the part of the memorialized to attend.

I'm with Scott - if the calendar is open and my beloved approves of my absence, I'll drive 3-4 hours for something like this. The problem is always the calendar. I missed the meet & greet in June (due to work, of all things). Day trips are much more likely for me than weekends/overnights.

There are several lakes in the Triad which isn't a bad day trip for the westerners, Charlotte and raleigh folks. We all know where the coast is. Tough drive from Charlotte and points west.

I like a couple of things about the one lure format - primarily that it takes all the lure switching and decision making out of my path - probably gives me 60% more lure-in-the-water time. It also evens out some of the advantages of more experienced and better equipped fishermen and gives the newbies a better opportunity to compete. Plus its an added challenge. Face it, if it was just about fish we'd go to the nearest McDonalds for a $1.59 Filet-o'.

Do you limit competitors to 1 physical lure or 1 lure at a time? 1 color scheme? 1 size? Can you give some examples of the lure choices used in the past?

 

[erayyak]

Those guys down there are funny for sure....two people actually sent emails asking if I had really died.

And let me back up a few years. When I started it, I did so to try and prove which Gold spoon worked best. And since I didnt play poker, this was kind of the "boys poker night" but on a Saturday during the day, and a girl won. So the first ever OLC was "The Gold Spoon Challenge", and Capt Mikes Gold Spoon outperformed all others with both winners using that one. So some of the other events have been:

The Space Guppy Challenge.....Bass Assasin 3 inch shad in Space Guppy Color
The Zoom Horny Toad Challenge....you could only use white (tons of saltwater fish caught...flounder, grouper, snook, reds, trout, jacks, bluefish)
The 1/4 Oz Near Clear DOA Shrimp Challenge
The MirrOLure Challenge....got to pick your favorite 3 in any color
The Silver Spoon Challenge (to offset the prior Goldspoon Challenge
The Spinner Bait Challenge
The Funky Chicken Challenge....had to use Exude Jerk Bait in Funky Chicken color
The Topwater Challenge....self explanatory, but chose 3
The Love Lure Challenge....pink tandem Love Lure

But the key....this is supposed to be a CHALLENGE. Which is why the one lure. Usually I limited the number of lures you could bring.

 

[erayyak]

Had to leave for a minute. But the thing most liked about it, it evens the playing field. Your limited to one type, brand, color of lure and you have to fish in a certain area. The boundary was always big enough to accomodate the large number of anglers, but you couldnt go to your honey hole. Now fishing in Florida is different, there is a high concentration of kayak anglers in the Tampa area...probably 400 or so...so it was easy. Plenty of launches for people to spread out.

But it was low cost, fun yet competitive, and with 70 plus, the winner could take home $350 and the trophy's were nice engraved glass.

Just thought I would bring it up for discussion. If I did it, the first and possibly only event for 2008 would be in the spring. And we try it a few times, if it doesnt fly, no problem. I have some other ideas of events that I have always wanted to do as well. And I enjoy doing it. And maybe they would be better for this area. Its just I already have the logo and format for the OLC. And I do have a way to expand it further as well.

 

[sundrop]

As a non kayaker I'm willing to help out (if schedule allows) with any "hands on day of" kinda stuff... That lets the yakkers go fish!...LOL...

 

[johnnyc]

I'd be interested sounds like it would be fun. never particapted in any kinda turney before but I'm game and depends on better half

 

[lefty]

Sounds fun! I like the idea... sounds like it'd probably teach me to throw some different stuff -- heh heh, not like my "bench" is particularly deep today...

 

[Big Osh]

Sounds like fun!

I am game as long as I don't have to work and it is not my wifes Birthday. So count me in. The drive doesn't matter to me either.

 

[kgwest]

Sounds like fun. I'd give it a try when it fits my schedule.

 

[ecugman]

I'm in, schedule permitting!

 

[Druminator]

I'm up for it. I think it would be fun. I've read about the one lure challenges before in other forums.

I'm getting ready to plan next year's get together too if anyone has any input. We could add one of those tournaments to it if you want to eryyak.

 

[ogrefish]

ABSOLUTELY, I`m in just name the time and place.......peace

 

[straps57]

Sounds like fun. I would fish it.

 

[erayyak]

Well, everyone will get a chance......working out the details but I think it will be part of the Meet and Greet in June for those who are interested.

 

[dalton]

Sweet, this looks like it will be a blast...

 

[RickZ]

Works for me too, especially June at the moment. Good excuse to get my yak fitted for fishin' and get into the game. Great chance for all to compare yaks, gear, and all. Thanks

 

[Grayson in Boone]

yes, thanks

 

[yak4fish]

Erick - sounds like a good, fun event and I'm all for that. Are you in the Concord, just N of Charlotte? If so you'll have to try and make it to Greensboro for a tourney Get Outdoors will be putting on. It'll be real low key fun targeted event with decent prizes. I think it'll be the weekend before the Ft. Fisher meet.

 

[lefty]

If so you'll have to try and make it to Greensboro for a tourney Get Outdoors will be putting on. It'll be real low key fun targeted event with decent prizes.

Make sure you give us the details on that tourney!