Ron,

I agree with you. So what is another say $5.00 for entry fee. I personally would like to have the chance to see everyone have a chance at the top 5, and that if you make the top 5 the prize money would be enough to pay for your expenses for that weekend. Man wouldn't that be great, do well and break even on your weekend.
I know our spouses would be much happier, not having to shell out between $200-300 bucks per weekend- just add that up. It would be a great bene to the top 5 to fish for free.

I know I am exaggerating a little but it is a great incentive and something to shoot for. Say you have 30 guys in a tourney, if what Ron says is true taking second and just paying for one expense during your weekend just doesn't make sense to me. Some of us have enough trophies to add dust to, I personally would like to see more cash-( As well as others) to pay for my weekend.

What are some of your thoughts?

Russ

Here we go!  Guys, paying an extra $5 bucks isn't going to change the fact that WBC tourneys will NEVER be "moneymakers", even for a first place win!  I never have looked at the WBC tourneys as a way to do well and get your money back.  If you are heading' off to a WBC tourney with the intention of doing well and recovering your funds, GOOD LUCK!  The April draw tourney, I won and the winning covered the bill for camping for 2 nights, didn't touch fuel, food, or tackle expenses.  That's not why I go.  I too, have a bunch of trophies collecting dust Russ, but the thought of raising the tournament entry fees, for me, would be to allow more places a chance to "get a little limelight".  WBC tourneys are CHEAP.  They should remain that way.  Upping the 1st place payout doesn't help the participation issue.  Again, there are a ton of "money making" tournaments to enter statewide.  If you want to compete, win a trophy, hang with the club and catch fish, that's what our tourneys are for and I hope that doesn't ever change.  I can go blow $150 and enter any number of tournaments, but few allow most the chance at a trophy.  Another of my .02

All three of us are loosers anyways, hanging out in this forum on a Saturday where it ain't rainin'...

I too am not fishing today, but at least I have a valid excuse....no boat! Ron, everything you said makes perfect sense...I like these ideas as well as the rookie of the year idea. All great ideas. Now, call me and lets go fishin

Danny

Whats your excuse for not being at the Fishing Kids event?    J/k.  It was fun though.  The weather was great, I guess you guys are crazy for not fishing today.
I love the Rookie of the year idea, and more trophys or certificates would be great also.  Might give me a chance at limelight 

Chris

I don't care either way whether we raise fees or not but keep this in mind.....When the fee was set at $20, gas was probably half the price it is now.

Inflation.....sucks

i'm new to tournament fishing, but been fishing for a long time. i don't know if i'd wanna hang a 5th place plaque on the wall. i would if it were a 3rd though. certificates for 4th and 5th would fit nicely in a photo album, i would think. maybe leave the entry fees alone, and raise the big fish entry? the beginners might have less chance at placing, but everybody who enters has the chance at getting the big one.