2011 LEWT Early Bird Entries Begin 1-17

[Matt D]

2011 LEWT Early Bird Sign Up

The Western Basin Sportfishing Association (WBSA) Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) will begin taking Early Bird Entries on Monday January 17th and will go through January 31st. This sign up is for teams that are fishing all 4 events in 2011. Single event entries will be taken starting Feb 1st. Early bird sign ups will qualify for a $150 per event bonus for the highest finishing Early Bird team. Complete information, rules and entry forms can be found at www.wbsa.us

The 2010 LEWT schedule is:

Oak Harbor – Fenwick Marina/Happy Hooker LEWT – April 2nd (Blow date April 3rd)
Lakeside – Lakevue Marina/Sharpnack Ford LEWT – April 30th (Blow date May 1st)
Sandusky – Sandusky City Ramp – May 14th (Blow date May 15th)
Huron – Erie Outfitters LEWT Championship – June 4 & 5 (2 day event)

The WBSA is a Social based Club for fishermen and women that fish in the Western & Central Basin of Lake Erie and its tributaries. Membership is open to all fisher people no matter what their location. Our goal is to present information in a manner that will help sustain and improve fishing in one of the greatest inland sport fisheries in the world. Scientific information, fishing techniques, locations and presentations will be presented at our monthly meetings by expert and knowledgeable speakers and tournament anglers in our group. These anglers are very open with techniques and methods and will help any member that is trying to learn new methods.

For more information about the LEWT you can visit www.wbsa.us Listed below are the 2010 LEWT sponsors: Starcraft Marine, Crown Battery, Medina Plating, Tom Sharpnack Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac in Willard, South Shore Marine, Reef Runner Lures, Cranberry Creek Marina, Vics Sports Center, Sharpnack Ford, Happy Hooker, Erie Outfitters, Zink Calls, Jet Express, Ole Pete's Tackle, Yant Beef Jerky, Navionics, Fishhuron.com, Cyclops Lures, Bad Boys Tackle, Rednek Outfitters, Michigan Stinger Spoons, Jim’s Taxidermy, Cisco Fishing Systems, and Balboa Fish Cleaning in Port Clinton.

[ezmarc]

LEWT Early bird sign up and bonus particpation ends Monday night, Jan 31. 5 days to go. If your doing all 4 anyway, then get them in, there is a payment option available to keep the up front costs down.

Single entries start Feb 1st and are limited to 50 teams per event.

[Alex Stanley]

Will the rules for the NTC spots be CRYSTAL CLEAR this coming season, or will they be changed in the last minute, again?

[Ntc shaft]

That is why I am fishing the OWF

[ezmarc]

Will the rules for the NTC spots be CRYSTAL CLEAR this coming season, or will they be changed in the last minute, again?

Reminds me of the "Do you still beat up your sister, answer yes or no" question. You obviously have a bone to pick and to tell the truth i have no idea who Alex Stanley is. Have you ever fished with us?

NTC shaft...OWF has 2 good circuits, you'll have fun there too.

We never had any rules for the NTC, because they were never needed, it's only our 2nd year applying for them. We do now.

If it continues to be a big hassle for us then we will simply quit making the application for the spots. We will do our best to send the top finishing teams to the NTC no matter how many entries we get. But it's not that simple, life never is.

[ezmarc]

The LEWT had 25 teams sign up as Early birds, which is a new high number for us.

Single event entries are coming in slowly for Fenwick and Lakevue also and there are around 20 spots left in each of the first 2 events.

[Alex Stanley]

Reminds me of the "Do you still beat up your sister, answer yes or no" question. You obviously have a bone to pick and to tell the truth i have no idea who Alex Stanley is. Have you ever fished with us?



Easy there, big fella. I simply asked a simple question. You sure are quick to jump on the defensive on this subject.

[Ntc Shaft]

So, is there a rule? Is there going to be a rule? Or are you going to continue to use the Wild guess method? Just asking!

[WBSA Sec]

Yes there is a rule and it is in the 2011 LEWT rules which are on the WBSA site. It's a shame that every year we have to make new rules because some participants want to push the envelope. Every tournament circuit is a work in progress for just that reason! I for one am tired of having police each season because of a few. But because of that, new rules have to be created for all participants because of a few! If you have a personal problem with the way the LEWT is run, it might be better served if you put your name so we know who to contact, or better yet, contact us directly. At this point, I am looking for this to be a better season than ever! :) For me at least!

[Ntc Shaft]

Here is the rule! So it is not based on proformance? Interesting!!! Scientific Wild A-- Guess



19. NTC Qualification
Since we do not know from year to year how many spots will be available for the NTC they will be distributed in the following manner: First available spot will go to the team of the year from the prior year’s points standings. Any additional spots that the LEWT receive will be distributed subjectively and will not go down the points list. If a team has a qualifying spot from another club, and are not the LEWT points champion, they should accept that spot if they want to be guaranteed a spot at the NTC. Other than winning the team of the year there are no guarantees for who will get NTC invitations from the LEWT.

[REDWING1]

Stanley or NTC Shaft you might as well fish another tournament series!!! With out leaving your name or contacting any board members with your concerns you really have issues. Last year was my first available season to fish all events with my wife and I can't remember a local tournament ran as professionally or equal to the FLW /AIM/MWC/PWT. Since there is issues, try addressing them to the individuals in charge instead of hiding behind your computer screen using fake names! Maybe try finding the extra time to start a new series or be your own tournament director! Contact me with any concerns, I will leave my name and phone number! Walleye Central wasn't designed for bashing!!!

Joe Whitten
419-450-5380 (Cell)

[Ntc Shaft]

First lets clarify, asking questions of the tournament director is not Bashing! I merely asked what the rules, where and how those NTC spots would be handled going forward. And I am allowed to ask those questions before I put my money into any club or organization! That is my right!! And how I decide to do that is my business, this is an open forum and the person who started this thread is the tournament director!

[Get over it]

"NTC Shaft" - It is pretty obvious to anyone with a once of sense what your objective is. Mission accomplished. You already stated where you were fishing so go and have fun. Your mind has been made up and that is good. let it go. As I understand from looking at the WBSA board there were 7 spots available to them and 6 teams requested one. That doesn't look like a shaft to me????

[Ntc Shaft]

So, (Get over it) what you are saying is anyone can go on the WBSA message board and request a Ntc spot. They don't have to fish a single tournament or they can fish 1 tournament! It is very nice to know that I don't have to spend my money fishing these tournaments, I can just request a spot.

[Alex Stanley]

Mr Whitten, with all do respect, it's obvious you have no idea what has transpired over the last few weeks. I'll try to sum it up for you so that you have a better understanding of the situation. A certain member of the WBSA that fishes the LEWT, and also fished the OWF, was granted an NTC spot from the OWF due to his performance during the season. Since he thought he had secured a spot in the NTC from the LEWT, he gave the spot back to the OWF so someone else could have a chance to fish the NTC, since the OWF was only awarded one spot.

On January 7th, the President of the WBSA posted on their website, and I quote, "We have seven spots again for the NTC in August. We'll go by the highest finishing points winners that fished the Lorain Championship", end quote.

This certain person finished in the top three of the LEWT. Upon contacting the President of the WBSA, this person was told that he was not receiving a spot in the NTC, which he had rightfully earned. This person did finally get the spot he earned, but only after some 'outside influences' had lengthy discussions with the President and Tournament Director.

The sheer arrogance, spite, and jealousy the 'front office' of this club harbors towards the very people that support it boggles the mind.

[ezmarc]

The sheer arrogance, spite, and jealousy the 'front office' of this club harbors towards the very people that support it boggles the mind.

The "front office" as you say, has for the last 4 seasons asked for new members to step forward and to take part in the running of both the club and the LEWT. No one has stepped forward until very recently (on the club side). Why would somweone put thereselves up for public pounding by a small select few anonymous guys that may or may not have even fished with us.

Matt has wanted out for 3 years now(He is buried in lack of time due to family, business, his own tourney time, and now new personal wants) and is in his last year. None of us have asked to keep our crappy paying jobs, that do give some satisfaction when the days done, and have publicly asked for someone to step up and take over. None have. I'm sure quitting would please a few guys but overall I think that most look forward to it every year. I'm not ready to give the hecklers that satisfaction.

The angler you mention was never told he wasn't getting a spot, he was told he would have to wait until Feb 4th to receive it and that there were no guarantees other than the winner of our points race. The post I made on Jan whatever was a mistake on my part caused by extreme lack of interest in 2010 NTC spots compared to greatly expanded interest this year. That was my mistake, not Matt's, not Chris's or anyone else in WBSA it was my post and in hindsight could have been handled much better.

You want clarity but clarity isn't always possible. We may decide to give NTC spots in the Gator Classic this year and we feel that a reward for previous years performance in the NTC counts and enabling the club and LEWT to grow should also factor in somewhere, especially if performance was part of it. Maybe we are out of line with NTC regs, frankly I haven't read every ine of them. Could be that I'm wrong thinking on the whole thing but if thats the case maybe the simple solution would be to just go back to not applying for them.

I had a lengthy converstion with 1 mutual sponsor and while enlightening it had been decided prior to that conversation that the ticket would be given, there was no arm twisting done by this sponsor and the conversation was civil.

I took the last unrequested spot for myself even though I didn't "fish" any of them. If that bothers someone from our organization that has fished our series, call me and we'll make it right for you.

Make of it what you will. We have built a well run series where there was none before and are proud of what we've done. Has it been mistake and controversy free, not hardly, but the general consensus we get is Thank you's and not F U's.

[Alex Stanley]

Why would this person have to wait until February fourth to see if his spot was granted when others had their papers in hand weeks before that date?

If there was an 'unrequested' spot floating around, why wouldn't someone that placed in the top three have a 'guranteed' spot when you knew darn well he had every intention of using his spot?

I would think that a club such as yours would feel honored to have a person with the accomplishments and track record that this person has, plus the fact that he has supported your circuit for years, represent your club at the NTC, yet you felt the need to string him along, with no certainty as to whether he was getting the spot or not.

[adepinet]

Sounds like that certain individual should have contacted Marc before giving up his spot. Seems how only a few spots are guaranteed , it sounds like it was the presidents decision. Especially when this person already a spot elsewhere. Marc you do a great job on the LEWT tourneys keep it up and I always look forward to fishing them. This all seems silly to me. Aaron

[Papascott]

Sounds like that certain individual should have contacted Marc before giving up his spot. Seems how only a few spots are guaranteed , it sounds like it was the presidents decision. Especially when this person already a spot elsewhere. Marc you do a great job on the LEWT tourneys keep it up and I always look forward to fishing them. This all seems silly to me. Aaron

Aaron when the rules state seven spots and will be awarded by points what is there to communicate? We need a meeting of members soon!

[Ralph Monahan]

"I would think that a club such as yours would feel honored to have a person with the accomplishments and track record that this person has" If he was the upstanding guy you protray him to be he woudlnt need all his buddies to comeon here and start trouble. Not somthing a true "pro" would do. Guess I dont see what the problem is he got what he wanted. The entries are only avalible if that tournmet director apllies for them. Guess that problem has been solved. Get over it and move on.

[ezmarc]

OK now we have pro "Head Office" supporters making up names too. Is this winter blahs creeping in or what? Maybe they are all the same person???

Anyway no matter what we say we aren't going to stop our consistent and loyal stalkers or change any minds that are already made up. So... We have nothing more to say about this publicly. Phone calls and emails are welcome and always have been.

The count tonight was up to 35 I believe.

[bluedolphin]

Well i hate posting on open websites on issues like this( Ive been there done that) but since Nicholas and I have been singled out here i feel like I should say a few things to clear the air if there are any guessers and doubters out there. I'm not sure who my supporters are on here that started the Questioning and bringing up the story but thanks for sticking up for Nicholas and I whoever you are.

I'm only going to deal with facts here and not fabrications.

1. Nicholas and I earned two spots One with the OWF for taking team on the year and one with the LEWT for being runner up to team of the year
2. I publicly on WBSA website forum and email to the LEWT said that i was taking a spot>
3. It wasnt till several days after that that I was told from Marc and crew with a phone call that they had a problem with Nicholas and I taking a spot because we earned a spot with the OWF. I told Marc that the team that I gave the spot to was not only a friend but also sponsored by one of are title sponsors for both circuits and I was just trying to get as many people up there from here representing both clubs and that title sponsor. I also informed him at the time that my OWF spot was gone and I didnt know that there was going to be a problem with getting a LEWT spot because no one notified me that there was going to be and two I earned that spot according to there guidelines posted on there website that the top seven spots were going to have first crack at them
4. Three days after that phone call we get a Newsletter from the WBSA Secretary ( I believe Chris) and after scrolling down the page there is a paragraph or two stating that they were not only going by points standing but also other things like what that team does for the club etc.
5. One week goes by from that letter. Still know NTC bid in the mail when I know others have received there's. I call Marc i was informed at that time that we were not receiving a spot until the deadline of Feb 3rd to make sure no one wanted a spot before they gave it to us
6. After one more week of freaking out and trying to explain to my 13 year old Nicholas that we might not go to the NTC even though we rightfully earned one I get a phone call from Marc stating that noone took the spot so he was sending it to us!

Now that is the truth on how this played out. A few more things here and I'm done. We were not stretching the rules here or bending the envelope as the WBSA secretary stated were were going by there rules and guidelines at the time and thought we were doing nothing wrong ( WE WEREN'T).
To aaron and others who thought i didnt communicate with Marc or the club I guess now you see that I did and you might say this was silly! try explaining this to a thirteen year old when he goes to the mailbox everyday and theres no invitation that he thought he rightfully earned by there rules and guidelines at the time.

In closing. We are not going to take away from the fact the Marc and crew have put a ton of hard work in making this a great circuit Nicholas and I have fished it for 4 years now and its been a blast to be able to fish against some of the best anglers and some of are closest friends.
They have done a great job!
But what has just transpired over the last month should have never happened to Nicholas and I and should have been handled way different and we wouldnt be here today explaining ourselves. I guess the old saying goes you live and you learn and its time to move on!

If anyone has anymore questions they would like to ask Nicholas or I you can email me at Fignpz1@hotmail.com or Bluedolphinwalleye.com. Take care guys and hope to see you on the water soon. Gary and Nicholas

[enough already]

I don't see why you need to continue the drama over here at Walleye Central. You already got your entry from the WBSA that you wanted, so isn't it time to move on?

Why give up your OWF entry anyway? If you had used your OWF spot then presumably someone else could have gone from WBSA, right? But YOU wanted to decide who got the that extra spot which put you into the situation that you and your anonymous friends are airing out over here long after it is over.

[Ntc Shaft]

Get this!!! There wouldn't have been any Drama if the WBSA had done what they posted on Jan. 7th.

Period!!!!

Owf had 4 spots and Lewt had 7 spots, both with the same Title sponsor

So, enough to you!

[Really]

The NTC invitations should be handed out strictly to those (1) that have actually fished the necessary event or events to qualify. (2) to the teams that placed high enough in the predetermined qualifying even or events to receive a invitation.If the club received 4 invitations then the top 4 finishing teams will be offered first opportunity to go.If one of those teams cannot go for there own reasons then that invitation should be offered to the next highest placing team and so on.In a tourney you don't go paying out money to guys that did not fish the event nor do you pay out in some random fashion.If 3 spots pay then first,second and third get paid not first,second and fourth because number three did not do enough for the club.It should not matter who you are,who you are sponsored by,what you did for the club or what your position is.Only your performance on the water should matter.Regardless of whether or not the above mentioned got the invitation or not just reading through this post it is clear that the tourney committee handled this in a totally inappropriate way and put politics into it and might want to consider a apologizing to those involved personally.Also for the tourney committee to say we might not just apply for NTC spots next time is just acting like a spoiled brat taking his ball home because he can not have control of the ball the whole game.Get real and use some common sense and issues like this will not be a issue.

[Alex Stanley]

Period!!!!

Owf had 4 spots and Lewt had 7 spots, both with the same Title sponsor


I'm 99.9% sure that the OWF only had one spot for the NTC.

Really: Well put. From what I understand, the 2011 rules state, in regards to NTC spots being awarded, is that they will go to those teams that represent the club the best throughout the season. Really? Are they serious?

I was asked if I have ever fished this circuit before. NO, I have not. I do, however, know many that have. After hearing repeated stories on how they are treated like second class citizens, I'll pass.

[i like fishing the lewt]

It is too bad that all those people volunteer their time to create a tournament circuit for you to fish, giving up their weekends to run tournaments for YOU. But you get to anonymously sit back and rip the circuit on here. So I would say in regard to the NTC entry that first of all BlueDolphin shouldn't have given his OWF spot up so that he could dictate who got it..meaning he shouldn't try to arrange more prefishing buddies for himself for the ntc. Second, if you don't like the club or the circuit just go away. Don't fish it, dont pay attention to it, don't keep coming on here trying to rip on it. Maybe you are one of those people who got banned from the circuit for various reasons, I don't know, but just go fish something else. The rest of us enjoy the circuit and appreciate how much work goes into having something like this available.

[Really back for more]

It is too bad that all those people volunteer their time to create a tournament circuit for you to fish, giving up their weekends to run tournaments for YOU.So I would say in regard to the NTC entry that first of all BlueDolphin shouldn't have given his OWF spot up so that he could dictate who got it..meaning he shouldn't try to arrange more prefishing buddies for himself for the ntc. Second, if you don't like the club or the circuit just go away. Don't fish it, dont pay attention to it, don't keep coming on here trying to rip on it. Maybe you are one of those people who got banned from the circuit for various reasons, I don't know, but just go fish something else. The rest of us enjoy the circuit and appreciate how much work goes into having something like this available.

Agree with you totally that tournament committees and directors put lots of hours in that never get recognized properly by those that fish the circuits.But wrong is still wrong regardless of how much good you did before or during a given time and the way the NTC invitations are being handled is just plain wrong in my personal humble position and that is what this discussion is really about.The above mentioned earned the spots in the tourneys he fished and it should be his choice which one he accepts regardless of reasons.He earned them not you,not me,not the club,and certainly not some director or committee.When you say go away or just go fish somewhere else I can only wonder out load did this BlueDolphin guy and his boy really take all these guys money in the tournaments that they no longer can afford to have common sense anymore.

[dont understand]

i dont know if im reading this wrong, am i missing something, how can blue dolphin give his owf entry to whom he wants, shouldnt it have been turned back into the club and then given to the next person in line. seems to me like there were more than just one screw up here. the club i fish in doesnt give out the invitations until u accept them, they start with team of year, then second and so on they dont give u the choice to give it to whom u please. in my eyes blue dolphin shouldnt even be a part of this accept or decline the invite SIMPLE as that.

[Really]

i dont know if im reading this wrong, am i missing something, how can blue dolphin give his owf entry to whom he wants, shouldnt it have been turned back into the club and then given to the next person in line. seems to me like there were more than just one screw up here. the club i fish in doesnt give out the invitations until u accept them, they start with team of year, then second and so on they dont give u the choice to give it to whom u please. in my eyes blue dolphin shouldnt even be a part of this accept or decline the invite SIMPLE as that.

I could be wrong but I think he simply declined one clubs invitation which was then passed on to the next guy inline rightfully by the club which also just happened to be a fellow mutually sponsored team of his.

[Alex Stanley]

i dont know if im reading this wrong, am i missing something, how can blue dolphin give his owf entry to whom he wants, shouldnt it have been turned back into the club and then given to the next person in line.


Blue Dolphin declined his OWF spot to the tourney director, and they did whatever they did with it. He didn't accept it, then go, 'pssst, hey buddy, want an NTC spot?'

[Ralph Monahan]

Some Points to Ponder
1. The NTC applications wouldn’t be there if the director hadnt applied for them. So they SHOULD have a say in who they go to. NO director HAS to apply for them.
2. The teams going to the NTC are representing that specific group so ANY and ALL previous actions by that team CAN and SHOULD be considered when allowing them to represent that group.
3. There seems to be so much inside info out there about this situation that leads one to believe that maybe the actions of some teams would not be very good represntation for the group. If a team acts in a manner that would do possibel future damage to a group, would you want that person representing the group? My guess is they had their reasons. Theres always more to the story
4. I looked on the website and the giving of applications is based on the number of tournaments, how long it has been in operation, and the number of members. Those qualifications is why the LEWT got so many. And its my understanding that OWF DID get more than one entry. THEY just decided to give them to the inland group instead of the Erie group. THAT was THEIR decision. Shouldnt THEY have been split equally? Funny how no one seems to have a problem with that.
5. And last of all, I always find it interesting how people who have never even fished a tournament have so many opinions . Maybe those people need to go back to their armchiars and keep to yourself. Find a good movie to watch instead of trying to make trouble for something you are not involved in. And yes I have fished tournaments!

[Outsider Lookin In]

It seems to me that any true professional who qualified for the same event in two different places would automatically accept the invitation where he qualfied highest. If I were the #1 qualifier in one place and the #2 qualifier in another, I would feel obligated to accept the #1 qualifying spot and represent the organization where I was the Champion, not another where I was runner up. To do otherwise just doesn't make sense at all and is the only real conflict I have. I know if I were a sponsor, I would insist the person I sponsored go forward with that highest qualifying spot so it refelected more favorably on the product. Any sponsor who feels otherwise is obviously comfortable with their product being second.

If I were to write a rule for an organization, I would stipulate that be one of the requirements as well. That anglers who qualify for spots in more than one circuit will be passed over for their qualified position if they are MORE qualified elsewhere. Makes sense to me.

Bottom line is if my son and I were Champion of anything, you can bet we'd be walking across that next stage using our Champions position and not one lesser to it. Just doesn't make sense not to.

[just happened]

I could be wrong but I think he simply declined one clubs invitation which was then passed on to the next guy inline rightfully by the club which also just happened to be a fellow mutually sponsored team of his.


Exactly!!! "Just happened to be a mutually sponsored team" It "just happened" to be a potential teammate next in line. Just happened... Your description by the way, not mine.

If it isn't clear enough already, Mutually Sponsored Team = NTC 2011 prefishing Teammate. So let's stop with the idea that someone gave up their ticket only out of the goodness of their heart. Otherwise it wouldn't have been an issue whether he went on the OWF or LEWT ticket. But in the end, he did get the lewt ticket that he wanted so he and his friends should be happy, but apparently that is not enough. So since BD and friends insist on posting here about how horribly the club handled the lewt NTC bid, it only seems fair to show the forum the other side of what happened. I'm done with this thread so fire away boys.

[OWF]

Some Points to Ponder
1. The NTC applications wouldn’t be there if the director hadn't applied for them. So they SHOULD have a say in who they go to. NO director HAS to apply for them.
2. The teams going to the NTC are representing that specific group so ANY and ALL previous actions by that team CAN and SHOULD be considered when allowing them to represent that group.
3. There seems to be so much inside info out there about this situation that leads one to believe that maybe the actions of some teams would not be very good represntation for the group. If a team acts in a manner that would do possible future damage to a group, would you want that person representing the group? My guess is they had their reasons. Theres always more to the story
4. I looked on the website and the giving of applications is based on the number of tournaments, how long it has been in operation, and the number of members. Those qualifications is why the LEWT got so many. And its my understanding that OWF DID get more than one entry. THEY just decided to give them to the inland group instead of the Erie group. THAT was THEIR decision. Shouldnt THEY have been split equally? Funny how no one seems to have a problem with that.
5. And last of all, I always find it interesting how people who have never even fished a tournament have so many opinions . Maybe those people need to go back to their armchiars and keep to yourself. Find a good movie to watch instead of trying to make trouble for something you are not involved in. And yes I have fished tournaments!


Ralph here is how the OWF Ntc spots where distributed:
(We got 4 spots)

1. Ohio Walleye Cup Champ
2. ILC Champ
3. CBC Champ
4. The 4th spot was given to the ILC because there were more boats between the two circuits. NOTE: We would have then alternated back & forth between the circuits depending on how many additional spots we were granted. All being performanced based!

Due to privacy, we have removed their names from the post. Ralph, if you or anyone else has questions, please call 330-608-8161

[Really]

Exactly!!! "Just happened to be a mutually sponsored team" It "just happened" to be a potential teammate next in line. Just happened... Your description by the way, not mine.

If it isn't clear enough already, Mutually Sponsored Team = NTC 2011 prefishing Teammate. So let's stop with the idea that someone gave up their ticket only out of the goodness of their heart. Otherwise it wouldn't have been an issue whether he went on the OWF or LEWT ticket. But in the end, he did get the lewt ticket that he wanted so he and his friends should be happy, but apparently that is not enough. So since BD and friends insist on posting here about how horribly the club handled the lewt NTC bid, it only seems fair to show the forum the other side of what happened. I'm done with this thread so fire away boys.

1. Was the "just happened"team that received the unused invitation actually the next highest team finishing the qualifying events? If yes then I see no problems here.If that team was not next inline based on how high they finished for the invitation then that would be an issue
2. If you were able to fish in this large event would you not want to have as much help and info leading into the event to make the best run for the top that you can? Every top performing team out there has a network

Ok Ralph your turn

Originally Posted by Ralph Monahan View Post
Some Points to Ponder
1. The NTC applications wouldn’t be there if the director hadnt applied for them. So they SHOULD have a say in who they go to. NO director HAS to apply for them.
2. The teams going to the NTC are representing that specific group so ANY and ALL previous actions by that team CAN and SHOULD be considered when allowing them to represent that group.
3. There seems to be so much inside info out there about this situation that leads one to believe that maybe the actions of some teams would not be very good represntation for the group. If a team acts in a manner that would do possibel future damage to a group, would you want that person representing the group? My guess is they had their reasons. Theres always more to the story
4. I looked on the website and the giving of applications is based on the number of tournaments, how long it has been in operation, and the number of members. Those qualifications is why the LEWT got so many. And its my understanding that OWF DID get more than one entry. THEY just decided to give them to the inland group instead of the Erie group. THAT was THEIR decision. Shouldnt THEY have been split equally? Funny how no one seems to have a problem with that.
5. And last of all, I always find it interesting how people who have never even fished a tournament have so many opinions . Maybe those people need to go back to their armchiars and keep to yourself. Find a good movie to watch instead of trying to make trouble for something you are not involved in. And yes I have fished tournaments!

1.Yup your absolutely right they would not be there if the directors had not applied for them.But NO they should not be the ones deciding who gets them, that should be left up to the performance on the water.
2.Did the invitation qualifying team get DQ during the qualifying events? Did they get banned? Were they fined?
3. If he was not banned/DQ during the events he should still be allowed to go but if you still don't want him representing your group simply ask him not to wear or use any decals or logos of your group.It's not like you go up on stage at the NTC events and a big old banner of your club is carried out in front of you by a pair of models
4.If the club had totally separate divisions with each having it's own qualifying events but received just a blanket x number of invitations for both then yes they should split them evenly or come up with a formula based method based on boat participation in each divisions events
5.Sorry my friend I have fished tournaments.And guess what I have been to NTC events in the past and even earned on for the coming summer.Want to know how I got the invitations?? EARNED IT ON THE WATER!!!!!
How about a little more to Ponder
6.If you are going to allow the board to decide who gets to go and who does not then why would you even have NTC qualifying events in the first place

[Outsider Lookin IN]

Really, all you say is well and good. But for me, it illustrates quite clearly why children should not be allowed to fish competitively with adults; because the parents can't be trusted to put the kids first. By the examples given, the child involved here was considered least of all and made to suffer on his daily trips to the mailbox by his father's own admission and totally by his own father's doing. Had the father simply accepted the automatic qualifier from the Champion's position, this debate would not still be raging. One thing clearly evident is the child here is still the only one without ulterior motives. He just wants to fish and it's shameful he has to be subject to supposed adults.

Saying the WBSA, owners of those qualifying spots were poor custodians is no different than saying the Dolphin was a poor parent for handling the best spot earned with his little flipper. Per your own words, "EARNED IT ON THE WATER!!!!!" The Dolphin "TEAM" "EARNED IT ON THE WATER!!!!!" and should have kept it on the water. By any circuits rules or non-rules, the top spot is automatic. Not taking it and your rightful place is wrong and is a poor example to everyone, especially the child involved here.

Like you said, if you leave it to a board to decide, why bother. But when a team doesn't take the top spot it earned, this is exactly what you should expect. Again, you said it all, they "EARNED IT ON THE WATER!!!!!" and that first and foremost was at OWF.