August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (imcoolcatpat) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:30:17 GMT

I'm going to have to agree with guys about the no cull rule. I don't like it either. I think I would of starting fishing this tournament about 5 years before I did had it not been for the no cull rule. I thought it was just too easy for people to cheat. I first fished this tournament in 2005 and I have been back every year since. I'm sure there is some culling going on but after fishing it for 5 years and meeting the people there, I believe the vast majority of fishermen just...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Katchin Whiskers) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:40:10 GMT

Received some pretty cool correspondence from Cats Inc. in the mail today. Nice to see they are entertaining improvements. Not sure if this mail is Kyllo's doing...but a big thumbs up for it. The idea of a two lane boat ramp is very much needed...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Katchin Whiskers) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:07:55 GMT

Brad...you're concerns are valid with the line of business you are in. It's hard to say what effect it would have. It's a tough tournament with that much fishing pressure going on...so absolutely getting your butt kicked can happen. I've been there. My guess though is that the people fishing the tournament aren't your customer base. If you continue putting your customers on fish...I don't think they care what you do in a tournament. As for the other side of...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (CaptainBrad) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:47:24 GMT

Katchin Whiskers wrote: "I think in order to consistently be successful a person needs to continue to study and learn catfishing."

I could not have stated this any better!

I realize many people simply are competitive and I am no different other than I don't fish tournaments. You guys seem to have your heads in the right place on this issue. I made the statement that most people don't fish after tournament season and I still believe that but I will add...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Katchin Whiskers) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:05:36 GMT

Following up with what Brady has said......it's easy to misunderstand someone's opinion on forums as complaining versus suggestions. Several of us host tournaments and most have helped in some sort of fashion...we know how much work goes into putting on an event. Complaining is certainly not the intention.

As far as the fishing for money issue...I'm not sure where this got taken out of context. Brad stated somewhere that he thinks guys only fish it for the money. Brad -...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:52:48 GMT

No that's not what I'm saying Brad. Maybe you should re-read the sentence I wrote right above yours that states "THIS IS A GREAT EVENT AND TOURNAMENT". I'm suggesting improvements for the tournament. I wish the paybacks were better....don't you?

I'm responding to a post that hanson wrote, that is suggesting that I'm into fishing tournaments for the money. We all know that is obviously not the case. I just posted facts in regards to the...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (CaptainBrad) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:33:03 GMT

Big Cat Dad wrote:
$30, 000 collected in entry fees. $17,400 paid out 1st through 35th place. That equals 58% payback. Add on the $1500 for big fish awards (which are actually sponsored by Budweiser) and that's 63%.

That doesn't even include what the numerous sponsors kick in for the event. That my friends is highway robbery.

Let me state again......THIS IS A GREAT EVENT AND TOURNAMENT, that...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:18:32 GMT

$30, 000 collected in entry fees. $17,400 paid out 1st through 35th place. That equals 58% payback. Add on the $1500 for big fish awards (which are actually sponsored by Budweiser) and that's 63%.

That doesn't even include what the numerous sponsors kick in for the event. That my friends is highway robbery.

Let me state again......THIS IS A GREAT EVENT AND TOURNAMENT, that doesn't mean we should bend over for the Chamber.

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:52:48 GMT

Hanson wrote:
Increasing the payout can be done 1 of 2 ways- increased entry fees or sponsorship money.

A third way to increase the payouts is stop taking 40% off the top. This is one of the worst payouts for a tournament I've ever seen. The Chamber uses the tournament as a money making event and I guess I just don't agree with that. All the tournaments the Montana Catfish Association runs are 100% payback. We use the sponsorships we receive to actually...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (hanson) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:11:31 GMT

I'm probably a bit late to the heavy discussion here but I have one thought on the payouts, sponsorship, and tournies in general. This year was probably one of the worst financial/economic years since the Great Depression. I don't need to tell you that but that has played a HUGE role in general tournament participation regardless of species. Considering how bad the economic climate has been, for the Incredible to still fill a 150 team field on the 1st day speaks wonders to the quality...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:22:41 GMT

Just thought it would be interesting for everyone to check out the Day 1 standings

22nd Annual Cats Incredible catfish tournament team rankings as of Saturday, as ranked by total fish weight:
1st place: Troy Srnsky & Zach Srnsky, Warren, Minn., 46.88 pounds
2nd place: Jerry Sersland & Kevin Frohlich, Grand Forks, 43.29 pounds
3rd place: Pat Carter & Travis Carter, Elk Point, S.D., 42.05 pounds
4th place: Brandon Oby & Chris...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (mudd) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:03:53 GMT

thats no kiddin,if it were for making money us iowa guys wouldnt be comeing either.its about the friends we have made over the yrs and continue to make each and every time.and of course WE LOVE TO CATFISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.to bad that each and everyone of us knows that there is some cheating going on out there.

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Katchin Whiskers) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:12:48 GMT

I don't think taking better care of the fish is all that hard. The feeling I get from a lot of people though is they don't care. It's something that should be preached during the opening meeting and by the person monitoring the weigh in area. If a team doesn't have enough water in their container, send them back to the river. Also, BigSky's idea of a tank near the weigh in would be perfect. If someone shows up with a low amount of water, fill it from that tank. If the tank...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (CaptainBrad) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:25:18 GMT

Guys I will tell you now that I personally am against tournaments (even though I am on the committee for Cats Incredible) for a couple reasons. First I think they bring out the worst in some people in the fact that they only fish when there is money on the line and not because they love it. Example is a handful of catfish league guys will not fish the river again now that the tournaments are over for the year. Second I am so concerned about the well being of the fish. I agree with all of...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:55:52 GMT

I actually don't think the interviewing actually takes the longest. It's the measuring and weighing of each fish individually and the interview just takes place at that time, however, it might add some time with the interview.

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (BigSkyCatMan) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:37:18 GMT

First of all let me start by saying I have a ton of respect for the Cats Incredible and everyone who puts the time in to make the event run smoothly. It has a 150-team field that fills on the first day, which is unbelievable! It is unquestionably the most popular catfish tourney in the entire nation, and might be the longest running as well?

You guys touched on my 2 biggest problems and that is the payouts and the weigh-in situaion.

Unfortunately I think we will always be...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (BigSkyCatMan) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:23:46 GMT

Welcome to the board Brad!

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:49:36 GMT

Thanks for the insight Brad. It was really nice to finally meet you and Kent.

I know it's a tough deal with the boat ramp stuff. The area is just not set up to handle 150 boats. I know everyone is doing there best to think of solutions and I'm not necessarily complaining, just stating the obvious.

Nate brought up the possibility to have an "Express" weigh in line (a second line behind the stage) that would shuffle through the teams with lesser weights...

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (CaptainBrad) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:24:03 GMT

Hi guys, I wanted to thank you guys for coming up to Grand Forks/East Grand Forks and address some of these issues you brought up.

Big Cat Dad wrote:

Cats Incredible positives:

1. 150 teams every year.....so impressive. TRUE!!!
2. Great people and we get the opportunity to meet new catfisherman and see old friends.

Re: August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (mudd) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:11:40 GMT
very well said katchin.we changed alot of things but not enough.we found spinners with a from produced well close to shore but the fish were still large ones.over the week we changed so many things i really cant remember them all.met alot of new people and met up with alot of our old friends up there.gave alot of info to others and a cple of the ones we thought wld give some back just walked away with their noses up.but oh well all part of it....

August 1-2, 2009 - 22nd Annual Cats Incredible

feeds@yuku.com (Big Cat Dad) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:30:04 GMT
Nate and I are trying our luck one more year in Grand Forks. We are tentatively going to try to go every other year. We are in the lottery and will find out sometime this month if we are in.

Ferret is also trying his luck in the lottery this year....and he said he'd never go back.