patches

Just took a look at fpt forum.. he does seem to be trying to be the kingpin on there, probably because nobody is on his own site anymore. he's either banned them, or they saw thru him. he does appear to be a legend in his own mind. i can't believe that the owner of fpt forum permits hime to dominate and use that site as if it were his. that could well lead to the demise of fpt. Would be interesting to see how many people had been banned from his site. From what I saw, there is only a handful that even go there and practically every thread is started by "the man". How does someone like him get sponsors? If they only knew!!! I just hope he doesn't start thumping his chest over here... He has no following on his forum/site so he's jumping on others that don't yet know that his ban list probably far exceeds this site membership list.. You got to agree or you're OUT.

Leave the Sandbar where it is, but somehow need more participation.

Hotspot - does it do any good if the same person sends the form letter numerous times? Its going to the same people, right? Thanks

Is this dude for real? He had a Regulator that looked like Graffiti all over it, and Regulator was the best on the water. Now has a different boat but seems all the graffitti has moved to inside the boat, and the new brand surpasses anything out there. What gives with this guy? Is he that good? How does he get all those sponsors and freebies? I'd love to know.......I want some freebies too.

HOTSPOT - Do we have to wait another month before we, as a group start fighting this? Yes, I've had problems also due to ethanol, but nothing compared to some. I'm just waiting for it to create problems with my current boat. If it does, thats not gonna be a bill that I want to see. What as a group can we do NOW? Thanks

Just re-looked at the brochure. It has 4 or 5 different categories of entry and winnings. Diff. fish, weekend warriors, General, etc. Best I can tell is that each of these has an entry fee and taking the least entry that would be rec. (early entry), to me it seems that only about 60% of ANY/ALL categories are paid back in prizes. Now, in reality, most don't enter early, so the actual pay back is probably closer to 50%. Isn't this a rip off big time of the fishermen? Yet many still choose to enter, perhaps due only to getting some SKA points, others simply ask what is the entry and what does first place pay, while a few organizers are laughing all the way to the bank, with probably over 20 grand in thier pocket. Wonder how many that do enter actually take a close look at who is really getting the very large, " lions share" of the entry money? Might be time to take a closer look. It certainly isn't paid to the tournament winners, then the class of 23, junior, senior, lady, etc. is a total joke. I've read closely and no, I won't enter these type tournaments. Now on the other hand, there are some that are very worthwhile, pay back 80 or 90% and give the rest to charity. None of this personal commercialism going on, simply for personal gain. We'll watch as I think the first NC tournament is later this month. I also believe that the same outfit cancelled the Savannah tournament this year. (could it be that last year the winner of Savannah was caught off the outer banks of nc?).. and thats a Savannah tournament??????????????????? Oops - just saw that the calcuttas had a "retainage" fee. Didn't say how much. Another way to add to the bank account. No, count me and my team OUT!

Must not be any tournament fisherman over here. Most I know would never enter any with only about a 60% pay back. What was a community thing has evidently turned into a profit chain for some, not meaning the winners, as they are getting a minimal payout.

I guess I'm thinking about how and why tournaments got started. Yes, most often there was charity involved, but usually a fishing club actually did most of the work, got zero money for the club, and only gave charity money after the published prizes had been paid. Advertising cost was zero, as the sponsors money more than paid for that plus banners, brochures, etc. Guess it's now a commercial enterprise where a few guys make some fairly big bucks for putting on tournament(s). In my opinion, when approx. 40% of the entry money is not paid back out, but is held by the organizers for whatever, then that tournament isn't worth messing with. I know, if you don't like the way it is, don't fish it.. soooooo,,, the team that I'm on skips those.

Was recently reading a tournament brochure and it seemed that the numbers (prize money vs. entry money) didn't make sense. The prize $$ was based on a specific number of boats and had a $50 add'l charge if you didn't enter early, which only maybe 15% of the people do. I took the lower entry fee (early entry), and multiplied it by the required number of boats needed for the prize $$ published. The income was almost $55,000 and the prizes only came to $32,000. Where does the other $23,000 go? Actually it would be much more than $23,000, as probably 85% of the entries would not enter early and would pay the add'l. $50. and that would take the unpaid entry money to about $29,000. Do the organizers make that kind of money by putting on a one day tournament?

Since you're posting all your free stuff that your Sponsors gave you to use, why not simply give one price for everything, and tell the buyer what companies to make the checks out to. We all know that this mess about you buying it yourself is a joke . Hey, post it on Captain Stanmain Forum,,, then you can continue to bid against yourself. I bet it would bring attention on KFC.com too. Why not post there? This is a great site. Lets try not to hurt it by taking advantage of freebie posts. When you actually had people that signed onto your forum, didn't you charge each one before anything could be posted for sale? Just remembering.

Uh. How many forums can this dude post his "sponsored gifts" on for free. Seems everywhere I go, theres his For Sale posts, and all the items are from companies that supposedly sponsor him..?????? If not mistaken, he has a forum but most have either left or been banned, but pretty sure he charges per item to post items for sale on his forum. Notice that he's even answering his own posts to get them back to the top. Wonder if he'll join when there is a charge for being a CC member? I'm just saying.

If its listed on this forum as an auction, shouldn't the bidding also take place here, and Wiley get a %? Or, it being listed here to pull folks off this site to have to register on yours so they can bid. Comeon Mr. Stanman, most of already know how you operate, and why there are no active members on your site. (Isn't your name of the last few years Mr. Banman?). Is this a membership drive for you? Wiley - your thoughts?

Kingfish is spot on!!!! Now he's using any forum that he can get on to sell "his" items, thaat were given to him to USE by specific sponsors. (could be an item or two that were for general $$$ making, but not the case with most). It is difficult when you have a forum, then an auction and since you've banned everyone from your forum, nobody can bid.. Maybe ebay? Have you tried KFC? Last I heard they had caught onto your sly stuff and asked you not to come back.. Maybe I misunderstood? Try craigs list, ebay, your forum...dang.

Should the buyer of all your free given sponsored stuff make the check out to Shimano, Decka, Footcush, etc.? Isn't this called milking your sponsors? I thought you had your own site and didn't have to rely on other sites to do your "stuff". Whatever, I think Wiley will see your contributions, and usage reasons pretty quickly. You've pretty well driven off anyone from anywhere close to NC.. Now you've found a new site to milk? Sorry Mr. Stanman, but thats how you're seen by those that know you, and your posts on here support that. Good Luck!

Same story goes with all the new reels, the new battery, etc.? Man thats great.