June 6-7 Trout Tournament

[ozark trout fisher]

I was just wondering if any of you all were gonna fish the June 6-7 trout tournament at Montauk. This is my first trout tournament, actually first fishing tournament, so I'm kinda excited. I just have one question. For the tournament, can you weigh in fish that you catch on bait, or is it fly only?

By the way, I don't think that any of the other tournament fisherman have anything to fear from me, I'm luck just to catch my limit of four little stockies. Heck, last time I was down at Montauk I only caught two trout each day, and nothing over 15", although that was one of my worst catches ever.

[laker67]

I was just wondering if any of you all were gonna fish the June 6-7 trout tournament at Montauk. This is my first trout tournament, actually first fishing tournament, so I'm kinda excited. I just have one question. For the tournament, can you weigh in fish that you catch on bait, or is it fly only?

By the way, I don't think that any of the other tournament fisherman have anything to fear from me, I'm luck just to catch my limit of four little stockies. Heck, last time I was down at Montauk I only caught two trout each day, and nothing over 15", although that was one of my worst catches ever.

It will be fun, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I have only fished 2 trout tournaments and got extremely lucky in both. The first one, I caught big fish for the tournament, at 3 pound 10 ounces, but I did not place for heaviest stringer. The second, I caught big fish at 9 pounds 11 ounces, and placed third for heaviest stringer with 29 pounds 8 ounces for 5 fish. Just because you didn't do well on your last trip to Montauk, June 6 or 7 might be your lucky day. I hope you beat out those Salem boys, they hate to lose on their home water. Good luck to you OTF.

[ozark trout fisher]

It will be fun, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I have only fished 2 trout tournaments and got extremely lucky in both. The first one, I caught big fish for the tournament, at 3 pound 10 ounces, but I did not place for heaviest stringer. The second, I caught big fish at 9 pounds 11 ounces, and placed third for heaviest stringer with 29 pounds 8 ounces for 5 fish. Just because you didn't do well on your last trip to Montauk, June 6 or 7 might be your lucky day. I hope you beat out those Salem boys, they hate to lose on their home water. Good luck to you OTF.

Thanks. I know there are some lunkers at Montauk, so there's always the chance I could get lucky and catch one.....................

[3wt]

tournaments are for bass lakes.

[3wt]

Okay that probably came across a bit harsh.

I just think MDC is doing a dis-service to the people who don't want to fish a tournament and plan a vacation around a weekend when fishing is RUINED by trournaments - I've been there, if you're not a meat hunter during a tournament you will be very annoyed by an awful fishing situation. Competition makes crowding acceptable, and walking through any spot where you don't see a lunker suddenly becomes the norm.

Get them out of the parks, make it free to fish if you're not interested in the tournament, do something. It really transforms the park into more of a zoo.

I'm just glad I'm arriving on the 7th and not leaving on the 7th.

[laker67]

tournaments are for bass lakes.

I suppose by that, you mean, that only bass fishermen are "good" fishermen. Trout tournaments are so few, and far between, that they add a little competative nature to the sport. I enjoy a challenge. Since there is no "big" money in trout, it's all about the competition. If the bass fishermen want a real challenge, they should fish for bass with 6 and 7x lines. They might actually enjoy it.

[laker67]

Okay that probably came across a bit harsh.

I just think MDC is doing a dis-service to the people who don't want to fish a tournament and plan a vacation around a weekend when fishing is RUINED by trournaments - I've been there, if you're not a meat hunter during a tournament you will be very annoyed by an awful fishing situation. Competition makes crowding acceptable, and walking through any spot where you don't see a lunker suddenly becomes the norm.

Get them out of the parks, make it free to fish if you're not interested in the tournament, do something. It really transforms the park into more of a zoo.

I'm just glad I'm arriving on the 7th and not leaving on the 7th.

At the same time that I was replying to 3wt, I see that he was clarifying his initial response. I think he is confusing "derby day" with trout tournaments. Derby day is a totally different animal. It is a rude, crude, and walk all over you event. It brings out the very worst in the trout fishing community. It is a waste of quality trout. 40 lunkers are released for derby day, and at least 39 will die by the end of the day. Those fish should be distributed through out the season. A true trout tournament is fished on existing stream conditions.

[Gavin]

Think they have 5 or 6 tournament weekends a year at Montauk and I'm not a fan of them. The parks are obnoxious enough without the added silliness that the trout tourneys add. I cant see why the state devotes so many fishing days, fish, and other resources to these tournaments. Cheers.

[ozark trout fisher]

Okay that probably came across a bit harsh.

I just think MDC is doing a dis-service to the people who don't want to fish a tournament and plan a vacation around a weekend when fishing is RUINED by trournaments - I've been there, if you're not a meat hunter during a tournament you will be very annoyed by an awful fishing situation. Competition makes crowding acceptable, and walking through any spot where you don't see a lunker suddenly becomes the norm.

Get them out of the parks, make it free to fish if you're not interested in the tournament, do something. It really transforms the park into more of a zoo.

I'm just glad I'm arriving on the 7th and not leaving on the 7th.

I actually agree with you somewhat. The last time I went down to Montauk, I was surprised there was a tournament when I got there. I still had a good time, but the amount of people was just crazy, and a few were pretty discourteous. But I don't know, I decided that it might be fun to try one. They probably stock more fish, which will be nice.

Its only a few weekends a year, I don't really see the problem. If you really don't like them, plan trips on weekends when there isn't a tournament, or if you get there and find out there is a tournament, and can't stand the crowds, you can always fish below the park, or down by Welch Spring.

[ozark trout fisher]

I suppose by that, you mean, that only bass fishermen are "good" fishermen. Trout tournaments are so few, and far between, that they add a little competative nature to the sport. I enjoy a challenge. Since there is no "big" money in trout, it's all about the competition. If the bass fishermen want a real challenge, they should fish for bass with 6 and 7x lines. They might actually enjoy it.

By the way, I agree about fishing for bass with 7x tippets. I've actually gotten in to fishing for bass with little tippets and small streamers and even nymphs. It works surprisingly well. But I guess I just hijacked my own thread.