Quote Originally Posted by Devils Horse View Post
Yes, you are certainly allowed to state your opinion. Wish I had a nickel for every time people ask for more laws to address an 'issue'.

Due to the outcry for more laws to protect our fish by yourself and many other concerned citizens, there will eventually be laws governing tournaments. That has already happened in many other states. In fact other states have gone much further to protect the fish.

Many states don't allow bass fishing at all for several months of the year, and their rule book resembles federal income tax code.

I wonder how you'll feel when you're snared in the same net you want the government to cast over the tournament bad guys?
I agree 100% and it's not very different from other issues in our country like environmental, gun control etc, where peoples passion and outcry have lead to more government involvement. These things tend to snowball once the government get it's tentacles into a situation.

However in todays age of awareness because things like social media etc whether tournament fisherman agree about whether how many died is significant number or not, or if there is a problem or not is really irrelevant. Debating things like whether it was 3800 fish our pounds of fish won't win the argument because if this continues the appearance of a problem and abuse will take hold and once it does there is no putting that back in the bottle.

This is why many have suggested that tournament organizers are better off taking the lead and look to make the necessary changes to head this off while they have the power to make changes themselves and not other people making the changes for them.

Regardless whether anyone believes if there is an actual genuine "fish" problem with tournaments they apparently are starting to have an image problem and the sooner they accept that the better off they will probably be when looking at the long term. Right now this type of complaints pop up occasionally on fishing boards and now some local Facebook. If it ever goes viral and becomes "news" the pressure will be 1000 fold and that's when government may decide to step in. Doing nothing is like Russian Roulette, maybe it never happens, maybe it takes ten years, maybe only one. IMO fisherman should be the ones out in front of this making the necessary improvements while they have the power to do so.