In light of the events in recent years I believe it is time to look at the possibility that the time has come to make some changes to the Derby award structure.
I believe these changes will result in more revenue for the scholarship fund, foster camaraderie and eliminate the difficult decisions and awkward moments we have lived through during the last 2 Derbies.
I do not propose to throw out the current system, only enhance it.
There will be one change to the daily activity of the derby Standard Operating Procedures. The first place fish will still be checked Pins will be awarded for the daily and weekly winners. So bragging rights will not be affected and the integrity of the team and grand slam competitions will be protected.
The major changes will address the grand leaders and awarding of the grand prizes (the boat and the truck).
In essence the awarding of the grand prizes will now be a lottery, giving all participants who hang a fish in the event, a chance to win. This should increase revenue for the Scholarship fund and reward the participants who spend the most time on the water.
A plaque will be awarded for hanging the heaviest fish in each category. Which will last longer and provide bragging rights for the next year which is all most of us really want anyway? There can be an additional trophy made with all winners for display purposes.
This is only a suggestion which you may adapt in any way you see fit.
The committee may decide that every applicant will also get a ticket for simply paying an entrance fee.
At the end of the derby, the winner will be drawn for each grand prize. Virtually everyone will have a chance at winning and there can be no hard feelings.
Of course temptation may also be eliminated by removing the Truck and Boat from the award structure.
I agree with the silverfisher. Please! This is a bad idea. I love the way grand prize is set up; it keeps you going out there night after night with the your goal in mind. If you want to play the lottery go to Woodland.
The only exception to the awards structure that I think should be looked at is this: If you have gotten the hat trick and again weigh in a fish that is in the top 4 of the day, you should be recognized with a pin, but no more cash. Your fish should also be put in the correct order for that day, eliminating a contestant from taking that daily cash. An asterisk and a number count next to the name would signify that this contestant has already achieved the hat trick and the number reflects now many times the fisherman has placed in the daily top-4. This would also free up a small amount of cash for an additional prize/plaque that could be called something like the "fish ownership award." Awarded to the fisherman who entered the most daily winning fish. Come on now, can I get a hallelujah?
I have a question, but its about weeklies and not the grand prizes. What is the reason that only first place gets a pin/prizes for weeklies (whereas dailies get something for first, second, third, fourth)? Its much harder to get the weekly so it would seem to make sense to award at least first, second, and third. Just a thought.
The point of the post is to provide an option to protect the integrity of the Derby (which I love and first fished since 1975).
The original point of the derby was to bring people to the island.
Yes, it is good to fish hard and be rewarded, but luck is a big part of it ( 2 examples Molly's fish and I once won a weekly Albie because I moved when someone lit a stinky cigar up wind of me - no cigar = no fish maybe).
the economy is tough and for some 30-40k is a big incentive to try to get away with something when there is no down side. the old punishment was to be banned for 10 years for a heck of a lot less!
if the Derby gets a reputation that it is a locals only event and cheating is do-able, it is game over.
don't mind me, I am old and still think the proper punishment for treason is a firing squad.
Your proposed award change seems logical in theory, however it would lead to more fish that we release due to insufficient weight, being kept for the "golden ticket". It"s already bad enough that the M.V.B.B.D. grand prize does not go to the largest fish overall, now you propose to let a 2# bluefish drive away. If you want to make it seem more fair, than I suggest everyone who enters the derby with intent on winning, enter with the enthusiasm and dedication the derby requires,because that is what it takes along with lady luck. There are many nights I would rather be sleeping than out in foul weather again. "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
O.K. - my two cents: -Give the grand slam winners a key - they're the top guns. Aren't we tired of hearing about some bozo in a Hawaiian shirt catching a winning bonito on a just- purchased lure the size of a hood ornament? Let's award real skill and long hours as well as luck.
-Couldn't agree more that shore anglers don't want a boat. We're not a bunch of poor suckers dying to get off the beach.
-It seems mose entrants love pins - they're like medals to military lifers. Why no special pins for weeklies?
-No dailies for albies stinks. Most years they are almost the whole show for shore fishermen. Can't we go to a 28" minimum and get them back where they were before the three fish limit? Albies are not exactly an endangered species. It's strange that the Derby will allow us to kill 35 stripers but only three albies each Derby when the bass species is the one showing stress.
Hi all, MMMMMM Sounds like all the other ideas that are causing a problem in our society today. Even though your not the best or didn't get the biggest you can still win nulifying the accomplishment of those that did do the best so that the loser can win the big prize. why then call any commpetition a competition. It all becomes a lottery so there are no more Icons for the kids to look up to and little or no incentive to try your hardest to win.If you are the luckiest then thats all that counts. Not good in my book. I work very hard to get on the stage when I do as do most of the rest that get there.we don't get looked up to for being the luckiest but for the sportsmanship and drive that we show.The gold ring of life is something you work hard to acheive and thats why it has the value it does not just because your the lucky one to get it. The Derby isn't only about the scholorship and the Island. Its also about the thousands of people who are now freinds and enjoy each others company every year because they fish the Derby and compete for the big prize and try to catch The Big One not just for buying another lottery ticket. But besides this we're getting closer. Time to start sharpening the hooks changing line and getting ready for another season. tight lines Ron
For the most part, I'm OK with the derby award structure. There is plenty of opportunity to get on the "stage"and i think it's OK that the average angler can get lucky and win the grand prize. It's good incentive to join and keep a line in the water. Hell, it takes a lot of luck for even the hardcores to get keys and many times the angler that has the skills and puts in his time ends up with a key anyway. What I also have an issue with is the fact that the Grand Slam winners do not get a key. They deserve it for the time they put in and for my money, they are the top anglers in the Derby. I also agree about the shore/boat, boat/shore thing. I'm a shore angler who has no desire to switch to boat fishing. If I ever win the boat, it will go up for sale immediately.
One thing for sure is that the sponsors that give the boat and the truck are sure appreciated. Thank you to the Clay's and Eastern.
But, maybe we could take whoever opens a lock for the boat division and whoever opens a lock for the shore division and then take those two fisherman and have one pick out of a hat with two grand prize keys in it - one to the truck and one to the boat. This way the shore guys would have a fair chance at the truck.
