Diamond Jim Question

[dwcustomrods]

I have some questions about this program and not sure if it has been covered or not. They do this every year and only say a maxium of 20 out off 200 is caught. When the next year comes and say another 200 are released, how do you even know if you have a fish that is in the running? Is the other 180 from the year before and years prior even included? Meaning the fish from previous years, are they still included into the Diamond Jim for that year?

I have never caught a tagged fish so I don't know anything on this. I'm guessing the tag colors change from year to year?

[reds]

First off, are you even eligible at all?
One trip as a mate and the commercial stamp is applied.

As far as number of fish, 200 is plenty. The lacking is advertisement. Not enough.

The Maryland Charterboat Association doesn't even have it on their website home page.

[Skip]

DW - Don't hold me to it but I think DNR offers a small prize for Diamond Jim tags after contest ends.

Must be full moon - as I agree 100% with Reds about the contest needing much more publicity / media coverage.

Charters could really promote it - get a client an award size fish , safe bet they'll book again.

How hard would it be to print up fliers and put them in baitshops , liquor stores , donut shops , strip clubs , sporting good stores , gas staions , 7-11 / WaWa , ice houses , etc - all places fishermen go to.

How many know the 2012 contest is now open ? Award size fish caught now count in the next contest. Think late November and a 40 inch Rock or December for a fat 13 inch White Perch or January for a 14 inch Yellow Perch.

Great chance to get into the contest plus FREE admission to everyone in your car to the Seafood Festival.

Heck of a deal for a FREE contest.

[5th Tuition]

Skip; putting flyers in strip clubs is a BAD idea.

How many drunks can you see checking strippers for tags.

5th

[Spot77]

Originally Posted by Skip

DW - Don't hold me to it but I think DNR offers a small prize for Diamond Jim tags after contest ends.

Must be full moon - as I agree 100% with Reds about the contest needing much more publicity / media coverage.

Charters could really promote it - get a client an award size fish , safe bet they'll book again.

How hard would it be to print up fliers and put them in baitshops , liquor stores , donut shops , strip clubs , sporting good stores , gas staions , 7-11 / WaWa , ice houses , etc - all places fishermen go to.

How many know the 2012 contest is now open ? Award size fish caught now count in the next contest. Think late November and a 40 inch Rock or December for a fat 13 inch White Perch or January for a 14 inch Yellow Perch.

Great chance to get into the contest plus FREE admission to everyone in your car to the Seafood Festival.

Heck of a deal for a FREE contest.

Well....we're sort of paying for it....

I'd like to see more promotion too. I don't recall seeing much about it anywhere except on these types of forums. A good start would be the PSG in Feb, and the Tri State show down in deale. Both of those were great events with a lot of turnout and I think DNR alreay attends both.

Same with the Timonium fishing expo....if it's even on again this coming year.

[Southerly]

we're definitel paying for it when groups of state employees go out to tag, pay for their charters etc when it would otherwise be a working day. i'm not faulting it on this point, just saying.

now,as far as opinion goes; if they're considering 40% reduction in catch, why pay to promote catching them at the same time? and this next part is my greedy opinion but it sometimes feels like too many boats out there already. i'd like to see them spend our money promoting the many golf, baseballl, and football-watching opportunities this great state offers.

but if they're determined to spend money on promoting catching fish - i say it should be the dam snakeheads. not sure if they're stoppable but if we're going to put a bounty on someone's head,...

lastly re diamong jim - no one got diamond jim, so each of the 11? imposter-catchers split $25K and won a topaz gemstone from local jeweler.

[crabby and son]

The Diamond Jim fishing challenge is a fun event. I have gone for the past 5 years and always have a good time talking with friends and other folks there. Like Skip said, the parking and entrance fee for all in your vehicle is free for the MD seafood festival. Charter boats should advertise more because 2 out of the 11 were caught on charter boats. Got to meet Lefty Kreh this year too.....Gary


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[Southerly]

was it 2/11? i thought he said 7/11 were caught on charters, but i'm really not sure. i remember him going on some bit about it being unprecedented before announcing that number.

i agree that charters should be advertising the potential for big $$$ fish. do you think otherwise non-fishermen somehow hear about the contest, buy a license, etc to fish on their own rec'ly, motivated by the diamond jom contest?

ps - imagine how much more tackle would be sold if there was an entirely different species featured as diamond jim, more opp's for charters etc,..