RCL Day two cancelled

[Reels]

We are going home except for the top twenty. :-(


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[Reels]

We are going home except for the top twenty. :-(


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[Dman4]

Tommorrow's forecast calls for wind too.

[Dman4]

Tommorrow's forecast calls for wind too.

[Sunshine]

I wish there were more reports going out :-(

I called Shep (a WC member) and he said that they held them back twice this morning each time for an hour before they finally cancelled.


A good decision! I know that those who were in the running for the cut are very disappointed but their safety always comes first.

Weather forcast for Friday
Partly cloudy in the morning...then becoming mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph in the morning...increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Good Luck and be safe to all of those left.

[Sunshine]

I wish there were more reports going out :-(

I called Shep (a WC member) and he said that they held them back twice this morning each time for an hour before they finally cancelled.


A good decision! I know that those who were in the running for the cut are very disappointed but their safety always comes first.

Weather forcast for Friday
Partly cloudy in the morning...then becoming mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph in the morning...increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Good Luck and be safe to all of those left.

[fish under 6 footers]

OPEN LAKE FORECAST FOR LAKE ERIE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1000 AM EDT THU APR 29 2004

LAKE ERIE FORECAST BEYOND FIVE NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE

SYNOPSIS
A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE 30.20 INCHES ACROSS THE OHIO
VALLEY AND LOWER LAKES WILL GRADUALLY WEAKEN THROUGH FRIDAY AS A
COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE NORTHWEST. THE FRONT WILL BECOME
STATIONARY ACROSS LOWER MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS FRIDAY ALLOWING WAVES
OF LOW PRESSURE 29.90 INCHES TO DEVELOP ON THE FRONT. THESE WAVES
WILL RIDE ALONG THE FRONT. ONCE THE LAST WAVE OF LOW PRESSURE MOVES
INTO ONTARIO THE SOUTHERN POTION OF THE FRONT WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE
REGION AS A COLD FRONT SUNDAY FOLLOWED BY A SECONDARY TROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON. HIGH PRESSURE 30.30 INCHES OVER THE CENTRAL PLAINS WILL
BUILD EAST INTO THE LOWER LAKES BY TUESDAY.

THIS AFTERNOON
SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS DECREASING TO 10 TO
20 KNOTS. WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET.

TONIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS DECREASING TO 5 TO 15 KNOTS.
WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET EARLY...DECREASING TO 2 FEET OR LESS.

FRIDAY
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SCATTERED SHOWERS OR
THUNDERSTORMS...MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 2 FEET OR LESS.

FRIDAY NIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST. A
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 2 FEET OR LESS.

SATURDAY
SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET.

[fish under 6 footers]

OPEN LAKE FORECAST FOR LAKE ERIE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1000 AM EDT THU APR 29 2004

LAKE ERIE FORECAST BEYOND FIVE NAUTICAL MILES FROM SHORE

SYNOPSIS
A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE 30.20 INCHES ACROSS THE OHIO
VALLEY AND LOWER LAKES WILL GRADUALLY WEAKEN THROUGH FRIDAY AS A
COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE NORTHWEST. THE FRONT WILL BECOME
STATIONARY ACROSS LOWER MICHIGAN AND ILLINOIS FRIDAY ALLOWING WAVES
OF LOW PRESSURE 29.90 INCHES TO DEVELOP ON THE FRONT. THESE WAVES
WILL RIDE ALONG THE FRONT. ONCE THE LAST WAVE OF LOW PRESSURE MOVES
INTO ONTARIO THE SOUTHERN POTION OF THE FRONT WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE
REGION AS A COLD FRONT SUNDAY FOLLOWED BY A SECONDARY TROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON. HIGH PRESSURE 30.30 INCHES OVER THE CENTRAL PLAINS WILL
BUILD EAST INTO THE LOWER LAKES BY TUESDAY.

THIS AFTERNOON
SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS DECREASING TO 10 TO
20 KNOTS. WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET.

TONIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS DECREASING TO 5 TO 15 KNOTS.
WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET EARLY...DECREASING TO 2 FEET OR LESS.

FRIDAY
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SCATTERED SHOWERS OR
THUNDERSTORMS...MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 2 FEET OR LESS.

FRIDAY NIGHT
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST. A
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 2 FEET OR LESS.

SATURDAY
SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET.

[bw]

That weather report does not seem that bad.

[bw]

That weather report does not seem that bad.

[Juls_OH]

What it doesn't tell you is that there are gusts to 40mph right now too.

There was a small craft advisory out today, and it was on the Coast Guard's advice that Sonny based his decision on.

Some didn't like the call, and some did. You can't please everyone all the time, and it was wise to err to the side of caution, because of the locations most of the field was fishing.
They are ****ed if they do and ****ed if they don't. Ugh. Oh well.

It was a tough call, but they made a decision. I can live with that.

Time to get ready for the next one. See ya all at Devil's Lake!

Juls

[Juls_OH]

What it doesn't tell you is that there are gusts to 40mph right now too.

There was a small craft advisory out today, and it was on the Coast Guard's advice that Sonny based his decision on.

Some didn't like the call, and some did. You can't please everyone all the time, and it was wise to err to the side of caution, because of the locations most of the field was fishing.
They are ****ed if they do and ****ed if they don't. Ugh. Oh well.

It was a tough call, but they made a decision. I can live with that.

Time to get ready for the next one. See ya all at Devil's Lake!

Juls

[Hugh]

I commend those that made the call to cancel day 2. It's good to see the RCL putting their participant's safety as their highest priority. Good job.

[Hugh]

I commend those that made the call to cancel day 2. It's good to see the RCL putting their participant's safety as their highest priority. Good job.

[lobo1]

I second the motion. Sucks for some but it was a safety call - and the right one. I was out there yesterday. Someone would have gotten swamped today.
My day one partner got swamped at the launch yesterday got his ranger all busted up on the rocks. talk about a bad day.

lobo1

[lobo1]

I second the motion. Sucks for some but it was a safety call - and the right one. I was out there yesterday. Someone would have gotten swamped today.
My day one partner got swamped at the launch yesterday got his ranger all busted up on the rocks. talk about a bad day.

lobo1

[The Little King]

a ranger couldnt handle the big water???

[The Little King]

a ranger couldnt handle the big water???

[Juls_OH]

They can. No doubt about that.

He drifted into "little water" and got the motor or something stuck in the bottom of the lake to close to the shore. He had no more control at that point. That caused him to bang into the rocks on the shoreline. The waves were driving him into the rocks. It had nothing to do with "big water".

Juls

[Juls_OH]

They can. No doubt about that.

He drifted into "little water" and got the motor or something stuck in the bottom of the lake to close to the shore. He had no more control at that point. That caused him to bang into the rocks on the shoreline. The waves were driving him into the rocks. It had nothing to do with "big water".

Juls

[erie bud]

I don't really care but I think they pulled the plug cause the trollers couldn't get to Kelleys. But hey, this is a fishing tourney, they could have fished inshore waters and the reef bite and inshore bite is still on?? If you can't get to the honey hole you have to change tactics?????
I saw boats fishing inshore today????

Bud

[erie bud]

I don't really care but I think they pulled the plug cause the trollers couldn't get to Kelleys. But hey, this is a fishing tourney, they could have fished inshore waters and the reef bite and inshore bite is still on?? If you can't get to the honey hole you have to change tactics?????
I saw boats fishing inshore today????

Bud

[lobo1-not signed in]

Mr Little King -

I was down there since Sunday and had the pleasure/displeasure - (however you want to describe it) of riding in all three of the various brands down there - prefishing with a friend(s) etc and then coangler for the tourny.
The wind/weather was pretty bad on Sunday and has gotten worse every day since. I would not normally fish in any of the conditions I experinced but all three brands of boats came thru out there - and I'm talking BIG water mister. I was in a Lund 2025 Pro-V that caught an extreme gust maybe 50 mph while we were between waves and picked us up like a kite and darn near started to turn us end for end - WOW ! exciting to say the least (i'm doing my own laundry !) We weren't going anywhere in a hurry - just a freak gust mixed in with the steady 20-25 mph we were fishing in.

What happened to my pro is his motor got swamped one too many times and stalled for a moment. The wind was howling and he was already pretty close to the rocky shoreline in a very crowded launching area.
Boat/motor brands have nothing to do with what happened. His boat just happened to be a Ranger. I won't mention the motor brand - that'll probly get whacked next !
I saw metal boats come in with dents from the waves and I saw lots of broken equipment including several windshields. Maybe you were there or frequently go boating in these conditions but personally I was glad the man got me to the dock - what happened while he was waiting for his truck was JUST BAD LUCK.
I normally fish lake huron so what I'm referring to as "big water" is pretty tough conditions.

lobo1 (cant seem to get logged on)

[lobo1-not signed in]

Mr Little King -

I was down there since Sunday and had the pleasure/displeasure - (however you want to describe it) of riding in all three of the various brands down there - prefishing with a friend(s) etc and then coangler for the tourny.
The wind/weather was pretty bad on Sunday and has gotten worse every day since. I would not normally fish in any of the conditions I experinced but all three brands of boats came thru out there - and I'm talking BIG water mister. I was in a Lund 2025 Pro-V that caught an extreme gust maybe 50 mph while we were between waves and picked us up like a kite and darn near started to turn us end for end - WOW ! exciting to say the least (i'm doing my own laundry !) We weren't going anywhere in a hurry - just a freak gust mixed in with the steady 20-25 mph we were fishing in.

What happened to my pro is his motor got swamped one too many times and stalled for a moment. The wind was howling and he was already pretty close to the rocky shoreline in a very crowded launching area.
Boat/motor brands have nothing to do with what happened. His boat just happened to be a Ranger. I won't mention the motor brand - that'll probly get whacked next !
I saw metal boats come in with dents from the waves and I saw lots of broken equipment including several windshields. Maybe you were there or frequently go boating in these conditions but personally I was glad the man got me to the dock - what happened while he was waiting for his truck was JUST BAD LUCK.
I normally fish lake huron so what I'm referring to as "big water" is pretty tough conditions.

lobo1 (cant seem to get logged on)

[The Little King]

Just thought it was odd, that we also had a Ranger get swamped here on Lake Michigan this weekend.

[The Little King]

Just thought it was odd, that we also had a Ranger get swamped here on Lake Michigan this weekend.

[WAZZZ]

If you were not here don't speculate. No fish is worth a mans life. The foremost concern is for everyones saftey. The RCL staff did what they thought was best. The waves were crashing into the launch area. There was no way to even launch the boats safely.

[Dan from Mi]

Its hard to tell what the waves were doing 10 miles out. Yesterdays wave were close together and pounding however not overly huge. I think most of the problem today would have been at the launch site with s/w winds blowing in hard toward the ramp.
I wish I could have fished, but on the other hand I don't have to repair anything on the boat today.
Dan #488

[King Possum]

It is amazing that last year ( or was it 2 years ago ? ) for the RCL Erie when they sent everyone out and then cancelled the day alot of the people on this site went on and on about the evil RCL and they should have cancelled earlier.

Now this year RCL makes a call based on what appears to be good judgement and you have people going on about how they should have fished today or maybe the " inshore " waters. I will guarantee you if they would have sent them out today the majority would have gone to their big fish spots instead of staying close to shore.

No life is worth $$$$ in a walleye tourny.

[Trophy]

I went to the launch this afternoon, and it would not have been the wise thing to do by sending them out today. Yeah the close in water was fishable but we all know most guys would have pressed their luck, and somebody would have gotten in trouble, or worse. The real issue I believe with Erie, and early season tourny's is the weather usually isn't stable for 24 hours, let alone a week. Maybe a tourny in June would be more safe, more enjoyable, and less nerve wrecking should a guy have boat trouble.

[Vikings Fan]

A Small Craft Advisory for the area was in effect at the time of the call. You do not ignore that and send out you field of anglers. If tournament officials would have and accidents/injuries had occurred major liability issues would have resulted and rightfully so. Lawyers would have had a feeding freenzy on that. The right decision was made by the RCL for Thursday to not go out.

However sending 150+ co-anglers and 150+ pros HOME after one days fishing with no provision of a wind day was not the way to keep a circuit filled. Anglers came from as far away as New York, Washington State, Alberta Can, Montana, Colorado ect... Giving them the opportunity to fish only one day with no provision of a wind day for day two resulted in some very dissapointed people. Many co-anglers in particular showed up the day before the tournament and only got on the water Wednesday. As to the reply stating the tournament was held to early. I agree. Unstable early spring weather with low water temps on the Great Lakes is a bad formula for potential disaster. Last years RCL event was later and the water was about 10 degrees warmer. If you get in trouble and your boat does swamp, hypothermia would not be such an issue while waiting for help to arrive. At 48-50 degrees you have about 3-15 minutes, at 60 degrees you have 1-3 hours. That does make a difference. Early spring on the Great Lakes is no place to get into trouble and all tournament circuits need to take a harder look at angler safety when making their decisions as to dates.

[Erie bud]

Actually Mr. Wazzz if you read my post I WAS THERE I fished Erie Thursday in close with no problems. But if they can only have a tournament when the trollers can get to their honey hole fine, I really don't care. As for small craft -- the coast guard is very conservative puts out a SCA anytime the wind is over 15MPH. Have you ever fished on a day when there was a SCA?

bud

[CWS]

If you signed up as a pro or a co you know that a blow day is possible (especially on Erie). For me I fished on the pro side and was not too far out of the money, but I knew a blow day was possible and tried like #### to do well on day 1. I was not disapointed they cancelled, I was disapointed in myself for not getting it done on day 1. No sense in risking lives for $$, there will be other tourney's to redeem ourselves...see you there.

[Ric]

Why don't they add a provision for a blow day? Seems easy.

[DH]

>Why don't they add a provision for a blow day? Seems easy.
>
I'm not sure they need to schedule a "blow" day. The solution is simple, if the conditions are too bad to fish on day 1 or 2, skip day 3. At least let everyone fish 2 days. I have fished the RCL in the past as a co-angler but with what just happened I'll think again before I sign up for another event. If I were a co-angler or a Pro in this event I would be really P####. :-(

[mother nature]

I agree with your logic. Also if there was 2 blow days then the total 2 day weight of all the contestants fishing would determine the final standings. Sounds fair to me and everyone fishes two days. Let the best man win, not mother nature!

[Reels]

I agree on the call. I was bummed because we didn't fish, but I don't like the idea of being thrown out of a boat or swimming to shore, or seeing peple damage boats at the ramp.


I do think they should look at revising the rules and have a provision for a blow day. Let the field fish day three, and day four have the top twenty fish it off.




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[You are right]

I did not travel as far as I did to only fish one day either. For what it cost and the time that I had to use to be there, one days fishing was not enough. Before I drive that far again I will make sure that I am doing a circuit that will let me fish at least two days for all the expense and trouble. The RCL format is flawed and I would not have signed up had I been aware of this.

[Taw]

The best man this week did win! He proved it with three consistant weights and bested the rest of the field.

[taw]

I would suggest that if you enter any future events that you offer to pre-fish. A lot of the Pro's can use the help on Monday and Tuesday prior to the tourny. Then if there is a weather day you will still have got on the water a couple of days.

[You are wrong]

I was there 5 days. One day of competition is not enough for what we paid. Friday the whole field should have went out.

[Pond scum]

People should pay more attention to the rules. If they did, they would understand the risks they were taking when they signed up to fish Lake Erie.

[TAW]

If you are fishing only for the prize money then you should consider spending your money on something else. Out of the gate there are going to be 115 losers of 175 that go home empty handed whether its one day or 3 days of tourny fishing.

[KansasState]

I WOULD NEVER OF GONE IF I COULDNT OF PREFISHED, AND WOULD ADVISE ANYONE THINKING OF ATTENDING RCL events as a co-angler to set up Pre-fishing before they sign up for the tournamnets. There is usually always a Pro looking for help and you can post here at Walleye Central that you are interested in pre-fishin and will usually get a response. I got in four days of pre-fishing, but do agree they ought to have away to have everyone fish on day three. I also know it is not fesible because they have the weigh-in set for Wal-Mart and there is barely enough room for 20 boats let alone 174. The money is better on the RCL but you take the chance of days getting called off, which at Erie is a great possibility. I know the call on day two was good because many of the charter boats came in early and said it was worse than the day before. I also want to thank my day one pro for getting me back alive, although the references to the "Perfect Storm" while we where returning in were not necessary. :D :D ;-) ;-)
I do think it was bad that on day one the tournament was pushed back 15 minutes so everyone could get in the water. We had a high number and got there early to get in. Then then tell us not to motor in to the tournament boat which was parked right next to the harbor entrance for some absurd reason. We looked around for the boat and finally somone pointed to it. The tournament boat people said we called on the radio where we were well we had our radio up and were fighting 6 to 8 foot waves and could not hear much of anything -->if they really called we found it and got penalized when we were WITHIN 75 YARDS AS REQUIRED in time. I do believe the organizational skills are no where near the PWT and some of the volunteers are down right rude, and it seems encouraged to be that way. A volunteer should want to be there, I may be thinking some are volunteers who are on staff but regardless there where a lot of rude people. the tournament director acts like hes just a little to good for the average man,(although Mark Dorn seems to be a genuinally nice person) so for me i have decided I will not fish the RCL again but to each his own, AND IF YOUR IN IT FOR THE MONEY AS CO IT IS WHERE TO GO. :D :D

[pricey]

I agree that they should all fish at least 2 days.
This tourney and all the expense is a joke.
big money and big sponsors.
The little guy gets screwed.

[iamwalleye1]

Look at the stuff you are starting Ron!