Is it ok to fish a tourney you are running?

I don't often reply to these type of posts but felt compelled to do so this time because the post made by Cra97 were, in my opinion, uncalled for. My name is John Sabo and I along with my father run the Green River Bass Club. We also fish our club tournaments. On behalf of all tournament directors, whether small or large tournaments, the comments of Cra97 were totally out of line. I know the directors of the R & W circuit, bottom line, they are very good fishermen. I know the directors of the USA Bassin Green Division. They also fish their tournaments and usually do quite well. Bottom line, they are good fishermen. Most of the fishermen who succeed in tournaments, whether they are the directors or participants, do so because they have done their homework over the years and put their time in on the water. A few of us, on occasion, get lucky. If you don't like the rules or format of a tournament, it is quite simple, don't fish. It seem very clear that Cra97's comments were implying that something contrary to the rules has been happening and that is why the R & W directors have been winning; otherwise, the question "is it ok to fish a tourney you are running?" would never have been asked. There would be very few circuits or clubs around if the directors were not allowed to fish. Although I don't have enough time to fish a lot of other tournaments, when I do, whether it is a small or large tournament, I appreciate the work and preparation put forth by the directors. Also, if they choose, I think they have every right to fish the tournament. In conclusion, to all tournament directors who give their time in preparation and conducting of tournaments and what my father and I often hear from the many fine members of the Green River Bass Club ..... "THANK YOU!"

John Sabo
Green River Bass Club

Folks I have not fished in a tourney in over 25 years, mainly over stuff like this. Someone rocked the boat by simply asking a question. While it does not sound like much, when someone stands up and ask do you think it is fair for a those in charge of the contest be able to enter the contest, and have a chance of winning the prizes. We all have a different angles on things and sometimes when a club gets a little too relaxed. Some folks wonder how can you be the guy who writes the winners check, and then put your name on the check, and like Rob ask do you think it is fair. He wrote nothing about green eyed joe, or any certian club or person. I know in any fund raiser that I worked and there were going to prizes given out I felt like my chance of my ticket being the one drawn was the same as anyone else's but with out a doubt if my ticket was for a hundred dollar bill and I was the chairman, director of even a committee member some one would say well that hey maybe no one else had a chance, that is human nature. I like most of you on this board believe that 99% of the fishermen have a strong sense of pride and honesty. With that being said there is always that 1% who are going to take advantage when they get a chance to. As for Rob I can tell you this, He donated a substantial amount of materials and prizes that were given out at the WKU Black Bag on this past weekend. he even bid on several items that he gave the class to help with the fund raising. I know he had more than enough of this stuff at home but the auction was running slow, and to help folks to get in the mood he bought back several items. The plan worked and the auction picked up momentum and the group raised alot more money for the Red Cross. In fact with out his support the group would haved to close down the tourny, The Class spoke to several of the marine services and sales for help and got the cold shoulder by every single one in a 75 mile radius of Bowling Green. So when he ask a question he is not crying sour grapes but looking for answers to questions that concern him and the sport.

i myself dont have a problem with ne one fishing a tournament i dont think cra97 post was uncalled for either that what were here for i belive that he fells this way he needs to find a series that he like for him IMO i think its a mind game we have all fished tourment were u had a team that all ways did better that ne one else right and u all ways wonder what ur doing wrong now u take that team and make them the directors of the tourment now what do u think like big poppy said some of these guys do thier home work and it works for them, let say that dave has his own tournement at ky lake and his fishes it also, who do u think has got that one in the bag, now say i have one at ky lake and dave fishes it will it would probably be the same out come. not to many of u would think about my tourment but what kind of fillings would u have about his tourment some of u would say it was unfair but it aint the only differnce is he put one on him self i hope u all can see were im coming from i belive its just mind over matter

I used this particular trail as an example because I did not know of any other trails I fish that had this set-up. Evidentally I am fishing in more than one that allows it since USA Bassin does as well, so I guess I could have used that as an example for the question also. I do not much care about "Bashing" anyone in this, it was the QUESTION I was posing I was looking for input on, not how "good" or "not good" ANY director is at fishing. I will admit having someone, with over 2 hours less time on the water than you and, beating the next best team by 10 lbs in humbling BUT I have seen that happen MANY times before in all kinds of events. My question was, should it be allowed and that is it.
I agree with John and Jeremy, and can see how it works out BOTH ways in the respective situations. A touney the magnitude of FOM requires way to much preperation and work to allow for fishing, and I believe that to be true after fishing these events. I also see John's point of view with USA Bassin. I LOVE the USA Bassin events and REALLY think they are run as well as any I have participated in, but I did not even know they fished in them to be honest. The quality of events put on under the different "rules" seems to be totally dependent on the set-up. Someone wrote, above, that I should "not fish it" if I did not like the set-up, and if you read my second post I think I said that someone would write that and I understand the fact, but I was just posing a question to see what others thought besides me.
Thank you to those of you who responded with insight into the QUESTION to help me see why, when and how this WOULD BE appropriate to happen as I can see both sides in this and am compelled to not give it a second thought in the future (much like I had never before asking this question).
Thanks again for the thought provoking responses.

Rob

[quote=ironhead70;365824]i myself dont have a problem with ne one fishing a tournament i dont think cra97 post was uncalled for either that what were here for i belive that he fells this way he needs to find a series that he like for him IMO i think its a mind game we have all fished tourment were u had a team that all ways did better that ne one else right and u all ways wonder what ur doing wrong now u take that team and make them the directors of the tourment now what do u think like big poppy said some of these guys do thier home work and it works for them, let say that dave has his own tournement at ky lake and his fishes it also, who do u think has got that one in the bag, now say i have one at ky lake and dave fishes it will it would probably be the same out come. not to many of u would think about my tourment but what kind of fillings would u have about his tourment some of u would say it was unfair but it aint the only differnce is he put one on him self i hope u all can see were im coming from i belive its just mind over matter[/quote]

Actually if I did put on a tournament there is still no guarantee that I would win it....in fact I do fish one tournament a year...and will do so again in about two weeks. I was on the winning team the first year and one of the losing teams last year. Of course I do have a disadvantage in the fact that I am also guiding for the tournament and others that are held at the same time so I can only go fish water that I have not given away to my clients...which is always the best spots and patterns I know.

Before anyone gets shocked that I am actually fishing a tournament, let me explain, there has been a rally here by the In/Oh/Ky/Tn club from bassboatcentral.com for the past two years and will be another one next month. They have their big tournament (big as in 25-40 boats) on the last day of the rally. I do not really get into their tournament...but I do challenge the participants to put up some money into a side pot and fish against me and my partner...it is strictly voluntary and has nothing to do with their pot....the point of the side pot is that if my team wins, we donate all the winnings to the Trooper Island Summer Camp for kids. If we lose the winner can keep the money....of course you know I am gonna prod them into donating the money. The team that beat my team last year (me and Elwood) did not need any prodding...they readily handed the money over for donation to this good cause. What they did win though was "bragging rights" that they beat me on my own lake....which they did handily. It is all in fun and for a good cause if anyone is interested. My wife is my partner this year..that way if they beat my team again this year they can say they not only beat me but beat me and MY WIFE on this lake....lol.

I think they should be able to fish. I have taken their money and I have been beaten as well. To me its no different than the "local boys " that are on the lake 4 nights/days a week that keep up with the fish and know their every move. All lakes have the "local boys"and those are the ones I'm worried about beating.

i dont fish tournaments either,although i do kinda have the itch a little i must admit.i also think that the cra97 question is a fair question,and some of the responses i have seen have cured my itch.i really liked the one response saying if you dont like the setup-dont fish.that is classic.i had really thought about joining my local club just to be a part of it and learn,but i think i will keep my money and buy some bait and gas.cra97,thanks for asking this question,i know the responses helped me and mite have some others.

Here is my opinion on this Rob,you didnt have a problem with it until they won 3 of the tournaments.Probably wont be the last either.They are as tough as they come around here.If you fish enough tournaments you will find that out.You will have to beat them every tournament because they will have there limit.When the fishing is tough is they will catch them when no one else will,thats a fact.Just trying to understand what you have a problem with them running the tournament or them winning.If you fish against them in another tournament you still have to beat them or someone else.We all get beat,your time will come one day until then dont knock someone else who is winning because every one else had a tough day.

I think that its so stupid the way some people think.... this type of situation has went on for years down here on c-land.... a team cant catch a big bag every week or so without be accused of cheating or something... i fish a local tournament here every month with some very large prizes and our tournament direcor has won 3 out of 4 and has had a 5 plus every week.... this guy is my buddy and is a hell of a fisherman and wouldnt think he was doing anything wrong like cheating or anything even though he is the rule maker.....