Proposed Points Update (5/17/2010)
I'm proposing a new system of awarding points for the 2010 fishing season. Our current system assigns each species of fish a certain number of points per pound (PPP) - the total point value of a particular catch is found by multiplying its weight by its PPP. The problem with this system is that there is no reward for catching a lunker... an angler who catches five bass weighing one pound gets the same amount of points as an angler who catches one bass weighing five pounds. Shouldn't the five pound bass be worth more?
To fix this problem, I propose that we determine an 'average' weight for each species that we log, and then assign points based on how close a particular catch is to the average. For example, let's say we determine that our average largemouth bass is two and one-half pounds. Our current point scale awards 12 PPP for a bass, so catching a five pound bass yields 60 points - the same as two 'average' bass. Under the new system, the five pound bass would first be compared to an average bass of two and one-half pounds. The five pounder is twice the weight of the average, so the PPP are doubled to 24, resulting in a total point value of 120. On the other hand, a one pound bass is only 40% of an average for that species, so the PPP for this catch are reduced from 12 to five. See the chart below for a comparison...
I'm open to feedback, but it's important that we get this nailed down before we start logging this year, so let me know your thoughts.
| Catch Weight | Points (Current System) | Difference from Avg. | Points (New System) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | 12 pts | 40% | 5 pts | -7 pts |
| 1.5 lb | 18 pts | 60% | 11 pts | -7 pts |
| 2 lb | 24 pts | 80% | 19 pts | -5 pts |
| 2.5 lb | 30 pts | 100% | 30 pts | 0 pts |
| 3 lb | 36 pts | 120% | 43 pts | +7 pts |
| 3.5 lb | 42 pts | 140% | 59 pts | +17 pts |
| 4 lb | 48 pts | 160% | 77 pts | +29 pts |
| 4.5 lb | 54 pts | 180% | 97 pts | +43 pts |
| 5 lb | 60 pts | 200% | 120 pts | +60 pts |
* Only fish legally caught in the state of Minnesota may be logged in the LunkerLogger database.