Metro RATS ideas....

[Aquaman01]

Hiya - I could use some opinions.

What follows is a DRAFT of the rules and format for Metro RATS (Rough Angler Tournament Series), a once-monthly Spring/Summer FM event on the Metro rivers for all anglers which is meant to not only be Family-Friendly, but also provide a venue for shore anglers to fish competitively - even with boat anglers.

I could REALLY use some ideas for keeping the per-person playing field level between boats and shore.

FORMAT -
Conservation & family fishing fun are the cornerstones of RATS, like C&R is the cornerstone of LETS. A fish doesn't have to be pretty or tasty to be of value to the ecosystem or to this tourney.
This is an all-day event which can be entered at any time by either shore or boat anglers, and events are independant of each other; no need to register for a series. A "running tab" of fish weights will be kept by a stationary weigh/event master so that shore anglers can cull without distressing the fish. The two heaviest fish of each rough species (anything that doesn't have a limit per regs) will count towards total weight, with possible bonuses or special prizes for rare catches. A "no-weighable" lunch period will be in place.
A large percentage of the pot will be prize payout, and a smaller percentage would be used for a "tailgate" barbecue dinner after the event - for comeraderie, kid-time and just plain hangin' out.

RULES
-anyone may enter at any time during the duration of the event (9am until 4:00 pm with an hour lunch at noon)
-total weight of non-gamefish wins. Gamefish being anything the State of Minnesota has put a limit on.
-2 heaviest fish of any acceptable species will count towards total weight.
-a weight-to-point system should be in effect so that rare catches such as Bowfin and Gar can get bonuses
-fish may be culled but must be alive when weighed. A "running tab" will be kept by the weighmaster for each registered angler.
-fish may be harvested after being weighed alive
-entry fee is not per team, but $5.00 or $10.00 per angler with payout being per angler as well. (oh crap...I hope I'm gonna need a huge dry-erase board )
-payout will be an obtuse percentage of the total pot, with an acute percentage going towards the "tailgating"

That's all I have - any ideas, brainstorms or comments? All are appreciated.

I have two spots in mind for these events and I could use 2 more. I'm looking for river locations with a big parking lot close to the bank, a suitable launch, and enough structure & species spread to provide ample fishing opportunities.

Respectfully Yours,
Rob
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Aquaman01 (edited 01-11-2004).]

[riverbasher]

Rob,
Those look really good. As to the boat angler/shore angler thing.....I think for rough fish we all have about the same chances. Are the two areas you have in mind the Elk River park and that point park in Anoka out of curiousity??

Also, as for helping you with the events....our leadership is telling us we won't be back to Minnesota till late June or early July....so I won't make the first ones by the looks of it now. Hopefully in the future I can fully participate. Later

Sgt Riverbasher

[Aquaman01]

Lilydale ramp/lot on Pool 2, and the Hwy 101 park in Elk River.
We'll be here when you get back!

Rob

[CANOPY SAM]

I would suggest the park on the Minnesota river in Carver. There's a large, mowed area for picnicing (sp?) and running around, and hundreds of feet of shoreline access to the river, as well as a small boat launch. We've had catfish gatherings there and there's been an abundance of space for parking and people.

Looks like you've got the format down pretty well. I'm looking forward to these events.

[Lunker]

My suggestions are(and I will be at these events!sounds fun!)shorten up the time a little bit. Maybe have be like 6 hr. tourney from like 9-3 or something.

As far as locations: Hidden Falls Launch under ford dam. There is a boat launch here, huge parking lots, picnic tables, bbq's, good fishing opportunities, and not a whole lot of other fishermen.

[Aquaman01]

ALRIGHT! It's nice to see some interest! Shorter duration sounds good. 9am gives folks plenty of time to get wee ones (and late-rising LunkerBrothers ) to the location. If I have to take vacation days for this I might just bring camping gear and turn a couple of these into island overnights.

Hidden Falls Launch - I'll have to check that out. I like the centrality of it, and according to the Pool 2 forum there are plenty of species eager to satisfy.

Carver - Good idea! I was hoping to get one of these on the Minnesota. I was at the last Cat Gathering there, but we didn't hike down to the shore upriver from the rail bridge - is the trail easily negotiable?

So, northwest of the cities is Elk River (Upper Missy), south central is Lilydale (Pool 2 Missy), south central is Hidden Falls (Pool 2 Missy) and southwest is Carver (Minnesota).

I saw a launch at River Ridge Park in Fridley in my atlas. If that's any good I'd consider swapping that for Elk River. Keep it more centralized.

Maybe find an east side location to trade for the Lilydale?

Thanks for the input, gentlemen.

Rob

[Guest]

What about the Coon Rapids Dam Park? Plenty of parking, picnic tables, and shelter. No launch. It would be a shore fishing deal only.

[Fisher Dave]

The Lilydale area has plenty of rough fish species and quantity .. but theres some strange folks wandering the woods in that area.... its no place I would let kids tag along.

The Black Dog area on the Minnesota river has lots of opportunity, both for shore and boat.

The St Croix might also be an option .. maybe around the Prescott(Hastings) area.

Maybe a Minneapolis chain of lakes contest?( Calhoun, Isle's, Cedar)... tons of shore fishing opportunities .. and some true monster carp. Nokomis and Hiawatha have plenty of carp and dogfish also.

[Lunker]

I see our late arrivals to the LETS are not forgotten! Are you planning these things for saturdays or what?

[Aquaman01]

Sundays - so they don't conflict with LETS and so I don't have to miss my biggest $$ days (I work commissioned retail).

Hidden Falls in lieu of Lillydale it is, then. Does Lilydale need a few signs posted - "Please Don't Feed The Aqualungs"?

Two things stopping me from Coon Rapids Dam as a site -
1) park fee
2) according to the National Parks Dept, the CRD is the species barrier for the Upper Missy. That's why you won't find Sturgeon, Flathead Cats, Paddlefish, and hopefully Bighead & Silver Carp (ever) upriver of the CRD. I'd hate to be the guy who c&r's an invasive species, disease, parasite etc. onto the wrong side of the dam. Baaaaddddd Karma!

Black Dog - wherezat?

Rob

[Fisher Dave]

Black Dog(power plant) is located roughly where 35W intersects the Minnesota river. There are lots of fishing opportunities on the south side of the river between 35w and Cedar Ave including a couple spillways. There is ample parking for a gathering point below 35w on the south side of the river. There is a boat launch on the north side of the river which can be accessed from Lyndale Avenue.

[jparrucci]

Sounds like a riot!! You can count me in. I'm actually starting to like fishing for the carp and other roughfish. It used to be a way to kill time before walleye season, and now it's starting to turn into a good walleye alternative for those sunny, warm, windless days. I'll be sure to make it to the south metro events...just don't schedule anything for on or near walleye opener.

[Aquaman01]

I wouldn't dream of it, jparucci.
The dates haven't been set yet. I suppose early May would be better than after walleye opener. Might hit some likely pre & post spawn periods. I'll have to check that out.

Rob

[Fisher Dave]

On the St croix .. the only areas I can think of off hand with a lot of public area is Stillwater and Prescott (Hastings area). The stillwater area has so much boat traffic that would be a challenge in itself(more of a frustration). With all due respect, either location is about 1/2 hour drive from either downtown.. so for the most part they are centrally located.

I understand you(aquaman) live somewhat out of town and this would lengthen your drive time ... but others will be doing the same to join some events further from their back yard. Any event I can make I'm looking at 150+ miles..

[Aquaman01]

I will check that out - it sounds like a good spot. More central than Carver.
Any ideas for east-central? Stillwater or Prescott is kind of a haul.

Rob

[This message has been edited by Aquaman01 (edited 01-13-2004).]

[Aquaman01]

Okay - shoot me some Hastings/Prescott area or north of Stillwater ideas. I'm all ears.

Monday I'll recon River Ridge, Hidden Falls and Black Dog.

Dates will be set very soon, and I will be handing out fliers at the Walleye Expo Feb. 6,7 & 8.

Rob

Rob

[This message has been edited by Aquaman01 (edited 01-14-2004).]

[vern]

Ford Dam/Hidden Falls would be a great choice for something like this. There's a nice boat landing, a great variety of species & lots of shore space between the landing & the dam. As mentioned in a previous post, there's plenty of parking & nice picnic areas. The MN River at Carver would be a great choice too. This sounds like fun. I hope I can make it. Vern

[Aquaman01]

I'm also going to do my best to have everything on hand to record a possible Minnesota Master Angler fish for anyone who lands a monster carp (or other river beast). My 5 year old has landed two (unrecorded), so it is VERY possible to get a kid (or yourself) on the books in the Minnesota Fishing Hall Of Fame.

I have been reminded that some of these "rough" fish are in fact endangered species - so ID info will also be available.

[Lost]

Coon Rapids Dam has a boat launch but very limited boat trailer parking spaces. The park off of East River Rd and 694 also has plenty of room but again, not much for trailer parking. And not much for shore fishing unless you're wading.

[Aquaman01]

I still would like to hear some East Side ideas. Anything?

Rob