FLW weigh in at Green Bay

[GM]

Like the way the walleye are weighed in with water for the FLW. In the pictures it appears that there are a lot of fish upright and swimming. Is there anyone on site that can verify that the survival rate is much better with this water weigh in system? I know Green Bay has always had a higher mortality rate in past tournaments but this seems to really make a difference. Every tournament should use this system if it means more fish get a chance to survive. Some really nice catches are coming across the stage. Good luck to everyone, it's nice to see Ted Takasaki back in the hunt for a win!

[budsbud66_work]

Alot of the articles are reporting dead fish because of the temps and alot of the fish are being cought early. Im sure the water weighing helps but it wont save fish that already kicked the can.

[Observer]

The water weigh-in is a great concept and it will really help survival in most tournamnets. Not this one. The temps on the bay are about 15 degrees cooler than the river and as soon as that warm water gets dumped on them, they go into shock. Even if the cooler water was being recirculated in the livewells, river water is being used for the weigh-in process. Couple that with 90-degree temps and it's a recipe for a lot of floaters and filets, not releases.

Only a small fraction of the fish will survive this weigh-in, but I am sure they are all going to a good cause.

[Juls_OH]

The water temp in the weigh in line tank was taken right next to me today while I waited in line...it was 74 degrees. The first two days were warmer though, but they got it worked out. There's still a glitch here and there, but they fix the glitches asap when they arise. It's still the best system used in my opinion.

Heck, my fish were kick'n when they hit the stage and threw some water out of the scale tank!! They had to recalibrate the scale for me, so it proves that fish can be released alive with this process, even in warmer water tournaments.

Juls

[Backlash 101]

Good report Juls. I also agree that this is the best way to weigh in fish to keep as many alive as possible. People need to give credit where credit it due sometimes and not always complain! Good luck everyone.

[Marble Eyes unlogged]

After having used the new method that FLW has put into use this year, I love it.

I think it was/is a great concept and it also is a better way to show off the catches to audience. Putting 40 lbs of live walleye in that tank is impressive!

Now If I can only do that...:)

Cudos to the FLW for that. Along with their computerized checkin system.

[brad b unlogged]

The water weigh-in does add a lot to the spectator experience and I'm sure it helps the survival rate of the fish. Kudos to the FLW for deciding to use it. They could increase the survival rate by allowing anglers to weigh in early, but the FLW does not current do that. I know the PWT did when they were at Winneconne and that a few people were a little disappointed that they missed some of the weigh in, so perhaps that's why the FLW doesn't allow it? Not sure which is better for the event as a whole.

Best of both? Take a short video of each angler that weighs in early and replay it during the scheduled weigh-in. Require the angler to be present to comment on his/her day on the water, just as they would during a normal weigh-in. That way, we help boost the survival rate AND the crowd still gets to see all of the anglers on stage.

[Backdraft]

Better yet, weight the fish early but don't let the angler see the weight. Put it on a sealed card to take to the stage to be opened by the MC. Or maybe take the biggest fish...

It would all be the same except for the live fish...