Suggestions for WABT

Bear · #1 15-05-2007, 08:01 AM

As always Breamers, we only grow with your suggestions. Don't hesitate to let us know what ideas you may have.

seano · #2 15-05-2007, 10:20 AM

Hey Bear

How about a wild card entry or two for the grand final maybe as a reward for those who have made it into positions 11 – 16

Just a thought

Seano

Bear · #3 15-05-2007, 10:49 AM

That's something we may do at the end of this season Sean. Leon had a good suggestion last year about letting the anglers vote for the spots, something we're seriously thinking about.

Brad Y · #4 15-05-2007, 11:37 AM

You mean voting for the wildcard spots? Surely not the entire positions 1 through 10??

I know its hard to do, both in a sense of actually seeing it all happen and trying to keep people doing comps without storming off in anger, but cutting in and speeding at starts/finishes or no wake etc is still occurring. Sometimes in full view of organisers and competitiors. Nobody wants to be a complete whinging brat but when rules are broken they need to be enforced. It has been good to see weight penalties for late anglers being enforced more and more, but we are all mature and responsible people. If we break the rules we should be punished and we shouldnt complain about it. I know it takes away some of the social aspect, but thats what I believe the summer night series and social days are for. We all get warned at briefings and we are all guilty of it (and I personally got caught and paid the penalty

)

Apart from that, its been and should continue to be enjoyable. Ive had my ramble, theres other issues that other people can bring up.

Bear · #5 15-05-2007, 08:35 PM

I not had ONE angler make an official complaint to date. We can't act if we don't know. It is unfortunate that we have had to penalise several people for time penalties this year, but the rules are there for a reason. If people are doing the wrong thing, then report it.

There will be a new penalty system introduced in 2008 that I'll release soon as I don't believe the 'disqualify' at all costs approach is the best idea.

Bear · #6 15-05-2007, 08:36 PM

Oh, of course I mean 'wildcard spots only'.

Tony Ireland · #7 15-05-2007, 09:33 PM

I would like to see an end of season formal dinner to cap off the year and start the new, and I will even have a shave.

Bear · #8 15-05-2007, 09:53 PM

Hoping to do that this year Tony. Will have to now if you're going to shave

Hooked · #9 15-05-2007, 10:30 PM

l dont know if this is a worthy thought or not but maybe some simple signage ,say at popular venues,shop's or notice board's in the town to be fished to encourage people to come see weigh in's at day's end so as to promote the sport more.Something spiffy to catch young and old's eye as they pass.
lm not sure how much of this is done already but maybe a small add in there local paper to encourage people to come have a look and speak with competitor's, it may just spark some interest in people to get off the fence.

Steve...

Bear · #10 15-05-2007, 10:47 PM

Don't know about moving fence sitters Steve, but we do hope to have an extra bod this year to help out with radio interviews and so on around the day and before. We do that to some extent at the moment via 6PR and local radio, but I agree we do need to get something in the shops to spark more local interest.

We also put out cards in tackle shops this year which has had some success, maybe something along those lines again next year.

We are also still hoping to have the series on air through Channel 31 this year which would be a major bonus, but these things never seem to be done quickly.

I have been surprised by a few regular retired travellers this year who actually approached us and said that they actually time their holidays to see each event, so you guys do have a growing following.

In the end, I suppose our biggest asset is people like you. Word of mouth is still our biggest seller.

brad mcdonald · #11 15-05-2007, 11:34 PM

i think this may have been done in past wabt events, but not while i've been fishing them anyway. what about a "mystery fish" inclusion.

the way i see it this will not only add another element for the anglers but also promote the systems we fish in a more wholeistic (sp) way.

by catch is always spoken about at the weigh-ins but rarley seen alive, having some skippy @ walpole or flathead @ perth or mullaway @ albany could spark a bit more interest come weigh in time..... of course the murray would have to settle for the biggest blow fish hehe

thought i'd throw the idea out there anyway..

macca

Bear · #12 15-05-2007, 11:43 PM

That is something we are definitely doing for the teams events Brad, but not sure about the AOY series. Our biggest concern here is longevity of the other species. Skippy don't like livewells, in my experience, and flathead can be a bit hit and miss. It's something that would have to be done by pic if we wanted to keep our C&R system in place.

We are also looking into other ideas to make things interesting, if you have others don't hesitate to post them up.

brad mcdonald · #13 15-05-2007, 11:52 PM

fair call bear, i would imagine if it was done in the AOY rounds it would be completly seperate to the bream wieght and aoy points. perhaps just for spot prizes or sim, to spice up the weigh ins a bit.

also would have to pick the right species as well as you say, maybe whiting rather than skippy for example....

Bear · #14 16-05-2007, 12:16 AM

True Brad, good idea for those who may not be shooting for a top 10 so much.

Brad Y · #15 16-05-2007, 07:45 AM

Maybe some of the wildcard spots could be taken from the winners of the walpole challenge and the boatshow challenge as well bear.

Its kind of daunting thing i believe to go and complain about a fishing buddy. The one main one I was thinking of happened right in front of everyone including orgainsers. Not trying to make things difficult as it didnt affect me personally but was a general break of WABT and state laws.

It happens in every comp so please dont feel as its a dig against anything WABT is doing.

I do think an end of year presentation function is a great idea. A night that involved the partners more and glam it up as an annual ball or something. Seems they come to the events alot and while Im sure they enjoy sitting down enjoying a glass of wine and chin wobble a couple of times a year, they do follow us around and support us heaps. I think it would be a good night out. You could change theme each year (formal, hollywood, masquerede etc) and MBSC seems a great venue.

And tony the girls love a bit of stubble mate, no problem with it at all.