tournement director

Question for the tournament guys. I recently fished a tournament and wont mention the director or the circuit but prior to the takeoff he literally raked all the participants over the coals and ripped them up an down for doing things he didnt think was right. Everything from not idling properly, to not being courteous enough on the water to each other and other boaters and everything in between. Alot of guys were looking at each other like "who the h#%% is this guy. We are all adults and not school kids. What right does he have to P%%s everyone off and why would he take that approach? Guess he doesnt realize that if everyone gets mad and doesnt come to his tournaments then he is out of business!
I have fished other circuits where DNR has complained to the directors and they basically told DNR that it was their job to police the water not his and that he could not control what peple did on the other side of the lake or 50 miles up the river. If you are speeding and get caught then you get a ticket whether you are in a tournament or not. I just think it is a little ridiculous to be "scolded" by someone that is solely depending on us and our money

I think I fished the same tournament. I was in the group that thought it was ridculous!!

I was there too, I think it was an interesting approach, but the way I understand it is there were a lot of people that came to the ramp the previous day and complained about "tournament" fishermen setting up right infront of them while they were working a bank.

You are correct we are all adults, I think the message was sound though. I have been fishing in these tournaments and had other anglers cut me off by 30 or 40 feet. I have also had people come inside of me while fishing a point and set up on the bank.

Tact may not have been used, it was a more direct approach i.e. (former military) but the message to respect those fishing in the tournament as well as those that are there recreationally was not a bad message to send. Just because we are out trying to earn a check does not give us priority over other tournament fisherman or recreational anglers.

We all have seen the jerks out there, hopefully you took offense because you are allready doing the right thing, if so THANK YOU, but there are still a lot of aholes out there screwing things up for all of us.

Besides, all the DNR does not really regulate anything other than checking your stickers when you come through a ramp. Its the CO's that are suppose to be out there enforcing boating regs, and all they seem to do is want to check your license while your fishing.

just my opinion

I think I was there as well and agreed with everything he said. If tournament participants keep bringing negative attention to themselves then there will be no more tournaments. And yes he will be out of a job, but you will be out of an opportunity to fish competitively, so he was looking out for both of us.

I agree certain rules need to be followed but it doesnt matter if you are in a tournament or not the publics view is anyone in a bass boat is associated with a tournament so it wouldnt matter if all of the anglers followed the rules if there were others breaking them we are going to catch H#$$ for it. As for his approach the threats and military style tactics was wrong. All he needed to say if he is that concerned about it is if you get a ticket your disqualified!
That is all that needs to be said. As far as fishing there are plenty of other circuits out there to fish as well. I know one major circuit in Indiana that the director was approached by DNR and c.o and was told to do something about the participants and he told them it wasnt his job to police the water it was theirs and there were just as many pleasure boaters and jet skiers breaking as many or more rules than his fisherman. That was the end of that conversation. Also if I am guessing right about which circuit this director is in wasnt he the one that was running in a no idle zone a few years ago and got hurt?

He got hurt last year. I don't think it was in an idle zone and he was not driving, he was the coangler.

I hope that it is not being taken as I am supporting the method. I just support the message.

Thanks,
Jeff

You don't think tournament angler's don't need to be reminded about these things?

Some are A-holes who cut you off from fishing down a bank, run too fast in idle zones, and definetely run on throttle too close to other boats.

He was probably dead on as to what is going on out there, so it might have been good for those morons who just don't get it. Then after the rules are laid out, it is time to start DQ'ing the violators. Take them out of the tournament with no money back and maybe they quit being A-holes out on the water.

topwater

[QUOTE=topwater2007;332165]You don't think tournament angler's don't need to be reminded about these things?

Some are A-holes who cut you off from fishing down a bank, run too fast in idle zones, and definetely run on throttle too close to other boats.

He was probably dead on as to what is going on out there, so it might have been good for those morons who just don't get it. Then after the rules are laid out, it is time to start DQ'ing the violators. Take them out of the tournament with no money back and maybe they quit being A-holes out on the water.

topwater[/QUOTE]

Not some are Aholes............MOST are.......I've ran into my share. AND I've also ran into some guys that fish them that are GREAT.

The GREAT ones used to be the majority..........10-15 years ago, I actually used to look up to most.......NOW, well......I can't say the same.

Later,

Geo