Yamamoto Open

[Jeff Huth]

Thanks to all that came out to fish this last weekend, great weather ,great fishing and a whole bunch of anglers that had a great time ! Great job from Anglers Press, Vince and his staff did a good job. Gene at the Hook, Chuck at Russo's, are always working their butts off and a Special thanks to Yamamoto Baits, with out them it would not have happened. Good Job by Andy "Coochamoto" also ! Also, the coverage of the event on Westernbass and Jody Only was amazing, checked the website when I got home and was impressed. Hope to see you all next year !

[jloo283]

Hi Jeff, a few friends and I were wondering (and some refused to enter due to that) why there should be a draw for the grand prize? Anglers work real hard to get to top 12, only to get beat due to not getting drawn, the one factor, luck, that is completely out of control is what gets the angler the biggest prize.

We'd like believe that various alternatives have been discussed by this origanization and finally came to conclude that the draw was the best possible way to go, though we still wonder about it.

We'd appreciate some input in this regard.

Thanks
James

[Cooch]

James, I'm not sure I understand the concern here. The only anglers who are eligible for that grand prize, are indeed the top 12 anglers of each hour. The Big Fish winner indeed gets a big prize for catching the largest fish of the tournament, this year Charlie took home a total of $2500 plus his $400 Hourly.

The concept of having a top 12 Grand prize award on top of the Cash payout awards, is to open the door for any angler who either has the skills to catch a big fish during one of the hours, or for those average anglers who get that "LUCKY" bite and win an hourly seat. The chance to win a spot in the TOP 12. This opens the door, to get more butts in the seats. The more butts in the seat we get, the more oppurtunities we have to attain additional sponsorships to sweaten the pot. It's all about drawing numbers to the event.

This is the second year of doing this type of event with the Yamamoto product line. We saw a very good increase from 170 participants last year to 278 this year. It's about growth and building. We understand that we can not just target the tournament angler for this type of event, that player pool is limited. We must target all anglers who enjoy using the Yamamoto products to draw larger numbers which inturn allows us to attain greater sponsorship partners and participants all which lead to greater marketting oppurtunities and pay outs to the participants for future events.

I can't understand why your friends would refuse to enter because of the way it's run. What tournament can you enter today here in the west, where a guy can plop down $150 entry fee and have a shot at catching one big bass over two days and get a $2900 reward for doing so, then also have a chance at winning an additional $9000 where they only have to be lucky over 11 other hourly winners? This format is layed out in black and white to all entrants and potential participants, it has indeed been well thought out with the sole intent of providing an exciting and fair event for all to participate in and to expose the Yamamoto product line. The Grand Prize Draw of the top 12 hourly winners is the allure to draw the numbers needed that will down the road in future events, afford us greater payout oppurtunities.

The goal is to get to the point where we can get the numbers that will get us a Grand Prize item like a boat, truck or some other big ticket item from a sponsor. Once we get to that point, more of that cash goes to the specified payout places. This is a "Specialty event", to get it to the point where it is a spectacular Special Event, we must offer something to the average angler that allures them into entering the event, that actually gives them a chance at winning something.

Hi Jeff, a few friends and I were wondering (and some refused to enter due to that) why there should be a draw for the grand prize? Anglers work real hard to get to top 12, only to get beat due to not getting drawn, the one factor, luck, that is completely out of control is what gets the angler the biggest prize.

We'd like believe that various alternatives have been discussed by this origanization and finally came to conclude that the draw was the best possible way to go, though we still wonder about it.

We'd appreciate some input in this regard.

Thanks
James

[Jeff Huth]

James, Thanks for the input. Andy made some good points, there is alot of stratagies and luck invovled with the event, catching the fish, picking the right hour to weigh-in, you could win a hour with a 7 lber', or be bumped to third chair with one, as has happened. This year was the first year that I can remember that we didn't have someone get a check with a 2 lb fish, the quality was amazing. Come on out next year I promise you'll have a great time and you and your buddies will get a kick out of the format. Looking forward to seeing you and your friends next year and keep the coments coming, everyone is always striving to make this event bigger and better every year !

[jloo283]

Hi Jeff, Cooch, thanks for your replies and education. I did come out this year and it was great. Looking forward to next year.

Thanks
James