MSSA Tunament Circle Hooks?

[Squidnation]

Well - Just called the MSSA headquarters and asked them about there marlin category and the new circle hook rule. Under the new NOAA fisheries/NMFS rules - any tournament that awards a prize for billfish kill or release must mandate the use of non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits or natural bait/artificial combo regardless of targeted species. Well needless to say I ended up speaking with a confused gentleman who didn't know how to answer my question and he honestly said that they have not determined if it was a circle hook tournament or not. I should have an answer when I call back to sign up.

I will report back as to what they decide. I really can't believe that they have not decided this prior to printing up the brochures and promoting this event.

[deadbird995]

So if you fish the Ocean City MD Marlin Club Canyon Kick-off tournament and wanted to fish inshore and play the bluefin calcutta you must use circle hooks correct?

[SeaMent]

Originally Posted by deadbird995

So if you fish the Ocean City MD Marlin Club Canyon Kick-off tournament and wanted to fish inshore and play the bluefin calcutta you must use circle hooks correct?

Circles are required for "BILLFISH" only, any other species is not affected by the Circle ruling.

[Squidnation]

Originally Posted by deadbird995

So if you fish the Ocean City MD Marlin Club Canyon Kick-off tournament and wanted to fish inshore and play the bluefin calcutta you must use circle hooks correct?

No Sir - As seament said it only affects tournments that award a prize for billfish. the OCMC Small Boat Tournament has no prize for billfish.

The MSSA (different Organization) and completely diffwernet torunament does have a prize for billfish release so the entire tournament must use non-offset circle hooks when using natural bait or Natrual/artificial bait combo. Seems pretty silly to me and I hate to say it but I am probably gonna skip this tournament. The MSSA is mostly comprised of small boats that are tuna fishing nuts. These guys live to catch tuna and most couldn't give a rats ass about a billfish. Nothing wrong with that at all. But according to Co-executive director Dave Smith - they are not going to inform the fisherman of the rule until the captain's meeting the night before the tournament. This going to piss some people off and cause a big stir. When I pressed Dave Smith about how they plan to police the use of circle hooks he said through the polygraph test. Hate to miss this tourament because its one we have been lucky in a few times in the past. But I don't think the anglers will be informed in a proper time frame to change up the tackle.

[whitey]

Originally Posted by Squidnation

But according to Co-executive director Dave Smith - they are not going to inform the fisherman of the rule until the captain's meeting the night before the tournament. This going to piss some people off and cause a big stir.

So they are not going to tell anyone untill the captain meeting which is after they pay the entry and calcuttas? By the time the meeting starts most of the boats that are fishing the following day will already have all thier baits rigged on j-hooks. Thats messed up!!

[Jthib]

Originally Posted by whitey

So they are not going to tell anyone untill the captain meeting which is after they pay the entry and calcuttas? By the time the meeting starts most of the boats that are fishing the following day will already have all thier baits rigged on j-hooks. Thats messed up!!

MSSA is messed up if they dont give these guys notice. Plan and simple.

[Squidnation]

John - I was on the phone with the Co-executive director of the MSSA. I may as well have been speaking russian to this dude. He did not have a clue as to what I was talking about. He did have the courtesy to call me back and tell me that I was correct and the tournament would have to use circle hooks but that he could not police the actions of the anglers. He would just hope that they were honest. He also told me that the tournament abides by regulations set by the state. I called the state DNR and asked if the state follows federal regulations. He said absolutely and was surprised to hear that the MSSA did not know about the law nor did they plan to enforce it. That was prior to my last conversation with Dave Smith.

I even suggested that MSSA hop on all the forums and make a public announcement, place a ticker on their website and even call the entrants that have already signed up. His response was that they would make an announcement at the tournament and that these anglers should already know the rules. Kinda like a tournament should know the rules. I wonder if they have even registered their tournament with NOAA fisheries. My last suggestion was to simply remove the marlin category (which only awards a $500 gift certificate and a trophy) and they would be able to use J-hooks. I know these guys have had problems in the past with Kirby's bluefin and Kayvan's status that caused protests. I was just trying to help them avoid a potential problem. If I were to enter this tournament I would hand in my protest form along with my entry fee.

[frankypettolina]

Just to clarify the question about the Canyon Kickoff- circle hooks are mandatory- even if you are only entered in the bluefin calcutta. IF a tourny offers a prize for marlin the circle hook is mandated.

[homewrecker]

Can you please give Dave a break,he is new to all of this and he is trying his best while our Director is recovering.


First of all it was MY MISTAKE,I am the one who fumbled the ball here.These rules as well as the marlin category have been in place for the last couple years and it was an honest mistake.I as well as others were under the impression that since it was a Tuna Tourny the circle hook reg would not apply here and we never heard otherwise from NMFS.

Now,I nor anyone else from the MSSA can make any changes or announcements on their own without board or committee approval.

I AM TRULY SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED ANYONE.I would ask that you would refrain from bashing the MSSA as a whole and take your frustrations out on myself as I am to blame for this.I am only human and make mistakes,if anyone here has any suggestions to make things better feel free to let loose.

We are working on getting a news release up on the MSSA website


Now for the resolution:

We have dropped the Marlin category from the tournament.


Again I AM SORRY!!

Good Luck and be careful out there!

Tight Lines
Will

[catchemup]

I'll watch this one from the sideline.