I guess I should be a representative or my wife and I so we can cast a vote to so we can cast our thought also. But did not know that until now.
We are entered into the rodeo for the second time. I had such a good time with it last year and looked forward to it this year. For us, its purely about making sure my 8 year old and 5 year old get up on the stage with a fish that they truly caught and are proud of. (not some junior angler pulling in a 35lb AJ, freaking joke). I cherish the picture from my boat looking up on stage with them two little dudes holding their fish up with a crowd in the background. Fish that they actually fought and landed, a king fish and a trigger. What sucks is they take out the redfish and I may be wrong, but only allow the yakkers to turn in triggerfish. These are both fish that are very kid friendly and a blast to catch that feels like they are fighting a shark in a kids world.
Here is where I am confused because I have heard several people say shady things are going on with the rodeo.
A. redfish was removed due to people cheating. it being a popular fish to turn in that has a slot limit. So the scenario is two people catch 36" redfish it comes down to who's weighs more. So because you know people will catch 36's, people have caught 37's or 38's and trimmed the tail down to 36 and have gotten it weighed in. Now it makes it tough to catch a 36 that can keep up with the weight of a 37 or 38.
B. Knowing this, I bet the reason trigger was removed except for kayaks is because they know kayaks have to stay in state waters to catch them. They suspect people will go out to federal water and bring them in to weigh and say they caught them in state.
If this is true I think it really sucks!!! And the people cheating are pos! Especially when all I want to do is have some family fun. Something the rodeo was supposively founded on. If cheating like that is happening, its turned into a joke.