Speed Matters in SKA. Why?

[dealmaker]

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Why is it that speed matters so much in SKA? I've seen this on several posts and I don't understand why.

Does the boat traveling at 5-7 kts per hour faster really really make the difference?

[paraman]

Originally Posted by dealmaker

Why is it that speed matters so much in SKA? I've seen this on several posts and I don't understand why.

Does the boat traveling at 5-7 kts per hour faster really really make the difference?

Speed allows an angler the opportunity to make it to the fishing grounds faster, hopefully making it to the fish that are in a biting mood. Speed allows you to fish more spots in a given time span. However the speed of your boat doesn't make you a better fisherman and getting to a spot faster doesn't guarantee you fish either, that comes with experience. If the tournaments have a line's in time policy and you don't have to travel far to your fishing spots then the speed of your boat is less of a concern. Your only concern is the scumbag cheaters fishing before the official line's in time.

[PurpleGold]

Hell no, but then again I don't King Mackeral fish...

I think it is just an outlet for the manufacturers to show off their top-of-the-line stuff.

[ElMar2530]

It only matters in boat sales.

[LuckyLady]

Speed, size and ride does matter in these tournaments. Speed gives you the ability to get to the grounds faster "more fishing time" oppourtunity to fish more spots. The best part is lines out is at a certain time, boats have to leave by a certain time to make weigh in. If you have a faster and bigger boat sometimes that can buy you another 15-30 mins of fishing. If the bite turns on late at the last minute, other boats have left and your still fishing maybe making the scale by 2-3 mins.

[FishDancer]

Team FishDancer has fished the SKA circuit for the past 12 seasons and the SKA Pro tour for the past 6. Speed is only one of a variety of variables that can influence the leadderboard. As an example while pre-fishing the SKA Pro stop in Port Fourchon, LA our team had found some big (50+) pound fish way to the west of the check out. Day one came and we headed to our 'secret spot' and were the 2nd team to arrive -- we boated a 35 and the first team there caught a 45. The bite never got better and those who got there after us had smaller fish. Although my example shows how speed can assist a team, if I were asked to rank the top 10 variables affecting a kingfishing team -- speed would not make the list. Angling ability, ability to find fish, find/catch bait, tie rigs, rig baits, set lines, fight fish, gaff, operate your boat, make good decisions and maintaining your equipment would all rank well ahead of speed. As for the '...cheaters fishing before official lines in time....' all SKA Pro (and many SKA divisional) events require a check out so this cannot happen.

Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDancer.net

[paraman]

As for the '...cheaters fishing before official lines in time....' all SKA Pro (and many SKA divisional) events require a check out so this cannot happen.
ASA tournament fishing has a check out time between 6:00 - 7:00 am. A fast boat can cover lots of water in that time window and still drop lines in early. The start of Tournaments should have check in prior to a shot gun start with the ability for lines to be in on the start and not a window which allows the fast boats who leave at the 6:00 am even more of a benefit. On a side note! I would definitely put speed on my top ten list on what will help a team do their best. I am guessing that if your fishing a Pro Circuit most fisherman fishing on the various teams, know how to tie rigs, find fish, gaff fish and make bait, etc. or they shouldn't be wasting their money. If all things are equal, speed will change the odds.

[fishfighter]

Originally Posted by paraman

As for the '...cheaters fishing before official lines in time....' all SKA Pro (and many SKA divisional) events require a check out so this cannot happen.
ASA tournament fishing has a check out time between 6:00 @ & 7:00 am. A fast boat can cover lots of water in that time window and still drop lines in early. The start of Tournaments should have check in prior to a shot gun start with the ability for lines to be in on the start and not a window which allows the fast boats who leave at the 6:00 am even more of a benefit. On a side note! I would definitely put speed on my top ten list on what will help a team do their best. I am guessing that if your fishing a Pro Circuit most fisherman fishing on the various teams, know how to tie rigs, find fish, gaff fish and make bait, etc. or they shouldn't be wasting their money. If all things are equal, speed will change the odds.

+1 on this.Only problem is alot of the SKA guys suck.I had to many of them think they own a spot I was fishing first.As far as anything south of the louisianas coast,I had fished it over the past 30+ years and kingfish are trash fish and I don't waste my time on them.

[FishDancer]

The internet is an amazing place - especially fishing bbs

In my response, I was attempting to provide a complete point of view regarding the need for speed on the SKA circuit and yes it can make a difference as my example indicated. My frame of reference was the original questioner who perhaps was uncertain about the SKA and my advice was to master the angling side and not worry about speed.

As I qualified my response with my SKA CV, it is hard not to take comments like "....alot of the SKA guys suck..." the wrong way, but I won't. There are not so nice folks everywhere --- even on SFC?

In my experience I have enjoyed the SKA 23' and under, divisional and Pro, made many firends, learned alot and fished in competition with some of the best of the best. As for Kingfish = trash fish -- to each his own.

PEACE and happy new year to all.

Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDancer.net

[dealmaker]

OK, so sounds like the SKA tournies are pretty much "run and gun" where you need to be able to fish many different spots and having the speed simply gives the team more flexibility. Is that right?