I am planning on holding a carp fishing tournament in May and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how it should be run, things to do or not to do. I 'm thinking of keeping it local this year, may be State wide next year.what do you think? MIKE

I,ve been carp fishing ,and it sure is alot of fun.Looking forward to doing it again this year.I could imagen that a tournament must be cool.

Allow up to 3 people per team, if you do team shoots.Keep the entry fee reasonable. The tourneys I attend usually have a $50 to $100 entry fee. Cash prizes usually mean bigger turnout.Women and children shoot free. I like the overnite shoots. Like from 8pm to 8am. Award prizes for biggest haul, largest single fish, and maybe even smallest fish.Anybody complaining about anything gets instantly disqualified.Make sure you got a way to dispose of the fish afterward. Thats about all I got. Thats kind of how the shoots I attend go down. Hope it helps!

I don't know about your area, but you may want to add a bank-shooting category for folks without boats. You may get a few more participants that way.

i fish/shoot in one every year year in green bay its alot of fun it they kip it simple its 10 bucks to get in they pay out 4 biggest carp the smallest carp and largest gare your only allowed to enter one fish per person man its a blast i would also recomend that it be held during the day because most people probably wont have lights on their boats the "hard core" guys will depends on the crowed yoru trying to get.  way to go for putting this togeather have fun with it and let us know how it turns out

Lots of good advice keep it coming  Mike

Around here the tourney's usually run $10 to $15 a person. Up to three people in a boat under 16 is free.  Keeps it fair when you have some teams that are only two man. Sometimes the club that holds the shoot takes a cut of the entry fee and pays out the rest.

 Usually have a total numbers division and a big six or ten. You can enter either or both.

 Almost always have a big fish pot for Carp, Buffalo, and Predatory rough fish. The big fish pot is optional $5 per boat per catagory. All the big fish money is paid out.

 One format that was a lot of fun was to weigh the five biggest fish of each speices that were legal to shoot. This can be a really challenging format because you have to hunt for several types of fish. Anybody can get lucky and accidently shoot a big one but not several different ones.

 Mr. Gorilla has a good point with fish disposal. It is a real problem here in MN. Fish can't be put back in the water or left on the bank or shore.

 Hope this helps.

Here in Mo. some fish have a limit so fish disposal is big because if everyone throws them in trash cans to be hauled away the disposal team would be over the limit. This is solved with a waver each person signs giving their fish away.
Best way to dispose is a farmer with a idle field and a backhoe or bucket to dig a trench.

If you have a category for smallest fi9sh everyone feels they have a chance.
Ron

I'm looking for a lake you can shore fish to get more people involved (not enough boats)The best spots have no shore fishing rules .I'm thinking about getting the bait shops involved in measuring fish at 5 of the area lakes 2 of witch allow shore fishing (your thoughts?)

A weekend deal, or a month long window of opportunity?       Mike

Way to go Mike....Can't wait for the details.

Mike,

Depending on how many folks would be involved and how you ran it, the Grand River might be a good place to hold something like this in the summer.  Good numbers of carp in the big holes and in the riffles too.  Just about all of it can be waded from Harpersfield down.  No need for a boat.

Tim
Thanks for the Info. Ill  definitely keep that in mind! Hope to see you at the turkey shoot!Mike

Northern Ohio Bow Fishing Tournament
        Saturday May 16th at West Branch State Park
            Hosted by Geauga Bowmen Archery Club

Pre Register for a $10.00 Donation or. . $ 15.00 day of event  
Registration at Shelter house on Rock Springs and Cable line rd. day of shoot  
Pre registration & Tee shirt orders must be received By May 3rd
Contact Mike Ballash (440)227-6756  www.geaugabowmen.com  

For park rules or Camping Info Call (330) 296-3239 or  www.westbranchstatepark.com  

Prizes for biggest Carp, largest stringer of five fish, and smallest eligible fish
Tournament begins at 8:00 am sharp, Registration ends at 10:00, lunch available 12:00 noon till 1:00 pm, Weigh in by 4:00 pm  
Awards will be presented to winners on June 6th   if not already clamed  

It is the responsibility of tournament participants to know and obey state and local   fish, game and boating laws. Any violations will result in disqualification.

1-   Fish entries must be taken with bow, compound, recurve, or long bow and single point arrow only.
2-   Release forms must be signed and on record for each participant of a tournament.
3-   Tournament boundaries will be determined by the tournament director. Tournament director will designate no fishing where safety is a concern.
4-   Alcoholic beverages are PROHIBITED during tournament hours.
5-   Tournament hosts and sponsors will not be responsible for accidents or lost property.
6-   All participants must check out upon leaving the tournament. If leaving early,
7-   Failure to comply with tournament rules will result in disqualification and entry fee
8-   The decision of tournament officials will be FINAL.
9-   No un-sportsman like conduct will be tolerated. Shooters will keep a minimum of 25 yards when ever possible.
10-   All arrows must have a line attached to it for retrieval. This line must be attached to a reel on the bow.
11-   No snares, no dip nets, and no gigs will be allowed . Gaff hooks with single hook may be used for landing big fish.
12-   Only legal rough fish are to be counted.
13-   No baiting or chumming of fish.
14-   No shooting on tournament waters 24 hrs. Prior to the start of any tournament.
15-   When arriving at the tournament PLEASE register in as soon as possible.
16-    A valid fishing license is required to bow fish in the state of Ohio.
17-   Registration will close 2 hours after tournament begins
18-   All fish taken are the responsibility of the participant.
19-   Always be careful-think safety!

went to a fishing site and posted a question is there any carp @ west branch? the answer was a resounding yes! from quite a few avid fishermen .Mike