Merc. Nationals - WOW, what a twist

[Orange Barrel]

Whoever plans on entering the tournament this year, read the new rule. "Main outboard & Kicker must be a Merc. or Mariner" to enter. It looks like I need to sell my motors on my Ranger and switch to a Mercury. Could this be a new trend? RCL, Merc. Nationals, whats next, will I have to own a Yarcraft to enter the otter street tournament?
Oh well, stuff happens
Orange Barrel

[ITroller]

Maybe you should fish the OMC Nationals instead...

It is Merc's name on the event, why shouldn't their name be on the back of the boat?

[JoeyO]

I argee that since Mercury is the major sponsor and TJM Production runs it they can make the rules.
The Walleye Weekend (as was originally named)and Otter Street Tournaments are two of the largest and oldest tournaments in any type of freshwater fishing.Both tourneys were originaly organized to get local fisherman together for bragging rights, maybe a little cash and to raise money to fund local projects. Both have always had a large contingent of father - son(daughter),brother - brother, cousin-cousin etc teams.Otter Street doesn't always fall on Fathers Day weekend by coincidence.
To end the generations of memories that have come from this and to deny future memories for the family teams that orginized and raised this tournament to its current level based on the color of the motor is a TRAVESTY !
You can rest assured that I would fight until my last breath if any Sponser were to try and force this rule for the Otter Street tourney.
To the marketing people At Mercury and TJM all I can say is
"grab your ears and pull" that isn't sand your heads are in

[Triton]

We need the other manufactors to start events now too! I have a Triton and it is leaving me wondering where I can fish? I have a Yamaha on back too? Help is needed. COME ON TRITON and others start something up so we can play. Triton Man!

['eye spy]

Does anyone know if that is so for the Merc Classic on Leech?

[Bayside]

I'm starting to wonder what all these manufacturer's are afraid of, someone with a brand other than their's actually winning or doing well in a tourney they sponsor?? Heaven forbid that should happen the world may end. I own a Mercury but will not fish the tournament this year and one of the reason's is I think manufacturer's requiring you to run their product in order to fish the tournament is rediculous. I am not afraid to fish against anyone anywhere, I don't care what kind of boat or motor they have. I'm really not sure what these boat and motor companies are scared of!!

[Doc_wi]

To me it reduces the significance of the tournament itself by limiting the field.

IMHO

Doc

[walleyechaser]

I fished the merc nationals last year with my son, we had a great time. It's to bad mercury is changing the rules. i think we should have a tournament at the same time and place. And call it walleye central walleye weekend.

[Just Me]

Merc is the only American outboard manufacturer left so you are going to have play by there rules. If you don't you will have play with yourself. Think about it, OMC isn't even cold in there grave and this is happening. Just Me

[Do you mean?]

Do you mean TFM Promotion's? If so, don't take it out on them, they run a fine organization and are closely linked to Walleyes For Tomorrow.

[BAKndaPAK]

I don't think Mercury has anything to be afraid of. I fished Merc nationals last year, and I'd say better than 90% of the boats had Mercs anyway. I think RCL was much worse limiting to only 3 types of boat; you've got Merc's on all kinds of boat.
Merc Nationals has "over" 100% Payout, So I think they are entitled to a few stipulations in the rules.
I personally feel the old manufacturer "Bonus" technique is a better way to go. Evinrude had that in RCL, but very few contestants were eligible, they all had Merc's.
I guess it's the old "My ball, my rules!" routine; if you don't like it, go home and get your own ball. ......Why can't we all just get along?!?

[Orange Barrel]

How can you say that Mercury is the only outboard motor manufacturer in America. Did you not know that Mercury's 4-stroke technology is built by Yamaha? Did you not know that OMC's 4-strokes were built by Susuki. It does not matter who built there motor, because none of it is ALL built in America. It is all what they call, "DIVISION OF LABOR". Pieces & parts are built from all over and are assembled in different plants across the board. I don't belive there is one major piece of machinery these days, that is built from the ground up with nothing but American parts, labor, and pride. Unless it's my Grandma's awesome Pistachio pudding, and she's dead.