Frequently Used Terms

Blast Off Start - This is the most common way tournaments start.  Anglers leave a given location at the same time and hurry (or "blast off") to their favorite fishing spots.

CPR Tournaments - "Catch, Photo, and Release" Tournaments.  See FAQ.

Fish-Off - In the event of an Angler of the Year tie, each has the right to challenge the other to a "fish off" if he does not want to share the title. 

First Cast Time - In a tournament that has a shotgun start, anglers cannot start fishing until a certain time.  This is the time when they can make their "first cast".  This is self regulated and takes a great deal of trust among competitors to be confident that their competition will not start fishing early.

FLY ROD - The FLY ROD trophy is the most coveted prize a TMTangler may win.  The angler who finishes a fishing season with the best results wins the right to hold the prestigious FLY ROD for a period of one year. 

Grand Slam: Winning 1st place, big fish, and trash fish prizes in a single tournament.

Host - The person in charge of organizing every aspect of a TMTangler tournament.  Our members take turns hosting tournaments.

Host Lottery - Once a year the Club randomly draws members' names to determine who gets to organize an Official Tournament.

Inshore Tournaments - These are saltwater tournaments the club holds where we target Speckled Trout and Redfish.  Unlike our bass tournaments, these are catch and fillet events.

Official Tournaments - Also known as "major tournaments".  These are the three two-day tournaments TMTanglers holds every year.  Ninety percent of the AOY race is determined by these Official Tournaments.  The three Official Tournaments are: the Spring Tournament, the Summer Tournament, and the Fall Tournament. 

Shared Points - System where AOY points are shared among teams who do not catch fish during a tournament.  AOY point are prioritized according to level of participation in a tournament.  (Example)

Shotgun Start - This term was borrowed from golf scramble tournaments where, rather than all teams starting a hole one, 18 teams can tee off at the same time by placing them on 18 different holes.  In our club a shotgun start means every angler can put their boat in anywhere on the lake and is bound by the honor system to not start fishing until the tournament starts at the first cast time.

Spotted Redfish: See the SPOTTED REDFISH FAQ

Wildcat Tournament - Wildcat tournaments are less formal bass tournaments the club holds.  Unlike the Official Tournaments, every member is free to organize a Wildcat Tournament.  These tournaments are one day tournaments similar to "pot" tournaments held at your local ramp.  Members can throw in unique rules to wildcat tournaments to increase the novelty of the event, e.g. one rod only or only 5 lbs of tackle allowed.  Due to our members living in different locations and everyone having busy schedules, it is hard to get more than 50% of the club to participate in a Wildcat.