Welcome to the 2011 SRTT

The Bass Classic tournament for September 17 & 18 has been cancelled. After discussion with the Park Ranger, the park will be closed through the weekend.

We would like to welcome back Robbins Marine who will be a sponsor of the SRTT this year. Please take the time to thank them or better yet, give them some business.

I have also posted a link for the application for the 2011 Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Benefit Bass Tournament held out of City Island and hosted by Capital City Bassmasters. Please support these tournaments and let's show the PA Fish Commissioners how this can be done effectively, safely and without incident.

For those who are looking for other tournaments to fish, I have some info on a tournament series running out of the Juniata River in Lewistown. For info contact: Jason Halfpenny 717-953-4993 jasonhalfpenny@yahoo.com  Click "here" for an application.

The "trail" this year will have some significant changes that will be adopted for the 2011 season. First, the trail will not have an accumulated points system. Every tournament is a standalone event. Second, the tournaments are strictly a "buddy" event. You may fish as any two person team. Third, all tournaments are "CASH" only paid at the ramp on the date of the event. Boat position will be determined by a draw for number by any team that has registered by a determined time approximately 1 hour before the start of the tournament. The entry fee will $110 which will include a $10 1st place lunker & a $5 2nd place lunker. The SRTT will have a 90% payout. Every participant will pay a one time-good for the year, $10 insurance fee. The "Optional Pool" will be $50 this year.

Please see 2011 Bylaws for a more comprehensive listings of rules & regulations.

We are currently facing the biggest threat to tournament fishing that any of us has ever faced.

The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has initiated a change in regulations that would place a significant amount of the Susquehanna River and Juniata River under "Catch & Release". This effectively would put a halt to tournament fishing for 98 miles, from the Fiber Dam in Sunbury to the Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River. The Juniata would be effected for 32 miles with the regulation governing from Port Royal to the Susquehanna River.

The problem being stated is that the "Young of the Year" have been in decline and currently are at "reduced densities". The problem as we see it with the regulation is that their solution does not address the problem. The problem has been identified as poor water quality & predators, (Cormorants.) The new regulation will not impact the "Young of the Year" at all. The real root of the problem appears to be money.

We have always considered ourselves as "Catch & Release" but the proposed regulation change would prohibit any fish to be put in to a livewell. I have received a letter from the Pa Fish Commission advocating "paper tournaments". Though we can appreciate the effort, this would never work for us.

I am going to post many items for you as we work through our concerted effort to fight this. The key to making ourselves heard is to write many letters, make many phone calls and put as much passion into our fight as humanly possible. I am imploring you to stand up and make yourself heard and noticed. The letters and calls must be addressed to not only the Fish Commission, but our State Representatives, State Senators, the Governor and any other Public official that can join us in our fight.

The Susquehanna River Tournament Trail (SRTT) is the best tournament circuit on the Susquehanna River. It provides a competitive fishing opportunity for anyone interested in bass fishing. All of our tournaments are considered Buddy tournaments and are open to everyone. Our tournaments are well organized, run professionally and are inexpensive.