MFL 2012 Lake Suggestions or Rule Changes

[rjruda]

Just wanted to get some talk started for this year's league. Please let us know of any lakes you think we should fish (remember that it needs to large enough for 15 boats to fish for 8 hrs, and hold decent populations of most fish species not just bass). and any rule changes.

We are also looking for some additional officers so let either Dan, Steve, or I know if you are interested.

thanks for the input

[Teng]

I would like to suggest Forest Lake and St.Croix River.
Forest Lake has plenty of launching spots and St.Croix, we can launch from St.Croix Bluffs

[rjruda]

What would thoughts be about allowing a 3rd angler in the boat? thinking if some of the registered members have a young child ( 15 and under) that would want to come with and fish?

[AllenW]

Minnetonka, Pool 4, Clearwater (if launch big enough) Waconia maybe for starters.

Three in a boat brings up how do you score??

Al

[Scum Frog]

I fully support the idea of a third person (15 and under). I think it promotes the sport and it will likely not affect the outcome of any tournament.

Scott

[Teng]

3rds person. Thats a tough one being that there would be 3 lines in the water vs 2.

As for Pool 4 suggestion. Thats a possibility too but launching anywhere that would accommodate 15 boats would be down in Red Wing. Everts would be too small for the launch so it could be tough.. Plus its a little far isn't it for Metro? Especially for the members thats coming from the West. Just a thought.

What about Indepence as a West Lake? We've never done that lake?

Can we do a Tournament Of Champions on a final lake? so say, a small purse gets set aside from each tournament "although some guys have bigger purses then others" haha.. but set aside a purse from each tournament and then use that as a final payout for the TOC tournament.

[rjruda]

The thought behind the 3rd person would be that of a younger kid who wants to fish with dad, more than likely if they are younger they probably won't fish very hard compared to an adult

[Steve Wood]

Be careful what you ask for guys. Dan's 8 year old son Gavin is a pretty good fisherman and he usually pulls in a keeper or two when he goes with us pre-fishing. Just warning you!
I have no objections to allowing a kid under 16 to tag along. We'd probably want to have some restrictions on who could come I'd think. The payouts and prizes are still aimed at a 2 person team.

What would thoughts be about allowing a 3rd angler in the boat? thinking if some of the registered members have a young child ( 15 and under) that would want to come with and fish?

[AllenW]

3rds person. Thats a tough one being that there would be 3 lines in the water vs 2.

As for Pool 4 suggestion. Thats a possibility too but launching anywhere that would accommodate 15 boats would be down in Red Wing. Everts would be too small for the launch so it could be tough.. Plus its a little far isn't it for Metro? Especially for the members thats coming from the West. Just a thought.

What about Indepence as a West Lake? We've never done that lake?

Can we do a Tournament Of Champions on a final lake? so say, a small purse gets set aside from each tournament "although some guys have bigger purses then others" haha.. but set aside a purse from each tournament and then use that as a final payout for the TOC tournament.

Pool 4 would be Coville, they can handle that many boats, plus it's a nice launch with space to do the end of the day thing.
Maybe set the times back a hour to make up for the drive some have?

If your going to allow three in the boat, make it a three man tourny, like Teng says, it's three lines in the water versus two.
No offense, but you want to take the kid out, do it while you prefish or make them your partner.
Just to much chance of problems imho

Al

[John Pearson]

If I fish it this year it will solely depend on the dates. I had to burn almost two weeks of vacation last year. Im not going to do that this year. If it works out I am all for letting a kid tag along. Like others have said it gets them involved in the competitive side of things! Everyone can do it so as for an advantage I see none.

I will see what it looks like for dates when they come out.

[rjruda]

The kid in a boat was a suggestion made to me about someone thinking it would be a fun way to get some kids involved, just thought I would offer it up for some feedback. In my opinion it won't be a bad idea but I wouldn't be able to do it because of the size of my boat, too small of boat for 3 people. If the idea is too controversial I have no problem with not allowing it.

[MikeyRaymond]

I was reading this and just thought that I would suggest a way to get the kids involved. Let them fish in the boat, But each boat can only weigh in a 2 man limit. I fished a walleye tournament in South Dakota and it was 2 man teams, but you could only weigh 1 limit of fish. then there is no advantage other then the extra line in the water.

[AllenW]

"then there is no advantage other then the extra line in the water."

No advantage?
I would think that's a big advantage.

Al

[rjruda]

MikeyRaymond, we current only use one person's limit to weigh.

Allen, I guess when I first thought about the idea I thought of my 12( as an example) yr old nephew who would probably fish with his dad and partner and Nathan wouldn't fish the full eight hrs. He would fish maybe half that time and get bored. The only way there would be a third line consistently fishing the full time would be if you put rods in holders and trolled the whole time.

[AllenW]

I have no problem with it as long as everybody trusts everybody to play fair.
We're not a closed tournament, so while I don't think any of us would cause problems, I can't say that for new members, some take every tournament way to serious and it's them I worry about.

It does also create a advantage as you can then run three different baits.

Up to you guys, Teng and I are gonna win it this year anyway...

MikeyRaymond, we current only use one person's limit to weigh.

Allen, I guess when I first thought about the idea I thought of my 12( as an example) yr old nephew who would probably fish with his dad and partner and Nathan wouldn't fish the full eight hrs. He would fish maybe half that time and get bored. The only way there would be a third line consistently fishing the full time would be if you put rods in holders and trolled the whole time.

[Steve Wood]

OK then. To summarize the suggestions to be considered by the MFL Officers for 2012:

• Lakes/rivers - Forest, St Criox River, Minnetonka, Pool 4, Clearwater, Waconia, Independence
• Rule changes - allow 3rd person in boat, must be under the age of 16.

I'd like to suggest Sugar Lake or Pelican Lake in Wright County. The MFL has never fished Sugar Lake or Independence before but we have been to all of the others one or more times.

For rule changes, I'd like to take all size limits off of the bonus fish. As written now, bluegills, crappie, perch, bass, northern, walleye, and muskie must all be a minimum length to earn the bonus point, but a rock bass or sheepshead or a goldeneye can be 3" long and count for a point. I'd like to award one point for every species caught regardless of size. Size limits will still apply for anything to be weighed (bass, northern, walleye, muskie).

Any thoughts on these suggestions? How far is too far to drive for an event? We plan to keep travel distances to a minimum, but there are some really good lakes between 30 and 60 miles from the cities. Some people I know would prefer to drive a little farther if it means catching more fish.

[Teng]

Well, Al and I will be fishing it this year again and will most likely use Al's rig so its up to AL as to how far he wants to or would like to drive.. I don't mind a 60-70 mile radius.

As for Lake suggestions.
Never fished Sugar Lake but Pelican is a good one.. For some of the guys, they just gotta be careful for the lower units and the stumps is all. Also, I think that Pelican would be an unfair advantage because alot of the Pro Staffer's know this like inside and out, where the honey holes are etc. so that would be an unfair advantage, in my opinion.
I think Independence or sugar would be a better pick? Just my opinion..

Here's what I would suggest..
Pool 4 - First Event because Walleye, Bass etc is open year round. Plus alot of multi-species to be had.. That would be a good starting point to get everyone excited for the year.

Second Event, I would suggest Independence or Sugar.

3rd Event, Somewhere down south, like Marion? Whats that lake down by Lakeville?

4th Even, Up north like Forest Lake.

5th and Final
Set aside a pot/payout from each of those events and then hold a Tournament Of Champions on the St.Croix to close out the 2012 MFL..

Thats how I would do it..

[AllenW]

Well, Al and I will be fishing it this year again and will most likely use Al's rig so its up to AL as to how far he wants to or would like to drive.. I don't mind a 60-70 mile radius.

As for Lake suggestions.
Never fished Sugar Lake but Pelican is a good one.. For some of the guys, they just gotta be careful for the lower units and the stumps is all. Also, I think that Pelican would be an unfair advantage because alot of the Pro Staffer's know this like inside and out, where the honey holes are etc. so that would be an unfair advantage, in my opinion.
I think Independence or sugar would be a better pick? Just my opinion..

Here's what I would suggest..
Pool 4 - First Event because Walleye, Bass etc is open year round. Plus alot of multi-species to be had.. That would be a good starting point to get everyone excited for the year.

Second Event, I would suggest Independence or Sugar.

3rd Event, Somewhere down south, like Marion? Whats that lake down by Lakeville?

4th Even, Up north like Forest Lake.

5th and Final
Set aside a pot/payout from each of those events and then hold a Tournament Of Champions on the St.Croix to close out the 2012 MFL..

Thats how I would do it..

I'd go for Sugar over Pelican for the same reasons, Independence would be nice, but hit it before the weekend water skiers and such get out, so maybe Sugar, Independence, pool 4, and forest lake I guess.

Launch area, not to crowded, variety of fish and deep water, whatever works..

Al

[AllenW]

Any front runners so far??

Al