Etiquette or NOT?

[The Outdoorsman]

DO NOT MOVE this is for non Tournament Anglers as well..

Today a couple of good ole boys decided to fish against the tournament fishermen. Came to the ramp curious about what was going on asking about the BFL National Championship out of Louisville.
They then took off ahead of the gentlemen in the tournament and proceeded to fish some water in Harrods Creek. NOW... they themselves were not fishing a tournament.. just fun fishing.
When POLITELY asked to allow one of the tournament anglers to fish a bank they refused and proceeded to put 3 fish in the LIVEWELL and not release them back into the creek. As it ended up the Angler caught fish and did well but the upshot is this..
To me.. this tournament benefits everyone especially the anglers who were in my opinion being rude by continuing to fish water after being asked politely to allow the Amature Angler fishing for $100,000 to fish it. Beyond that is the simple fact that when local anglers are polite it reflects well on the community and helps in bringing tournaments like this to town. This helps provide tax money to Louisville and to Kentucky and the FLW is as I understand it making a nice contribution to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Am I wrong in believing that a basically rude answer to the request and continued fishing was out of order and unethical especially when the boys were not fishing a tournament and proceeded to put the fish in the livewell.
(They SAID they were not fishing a tournament)
This is for all anglers to chime in...
Bank Anglers in another situation were NOT asked to move, so I can not tell you what that situation would be.. but most bank anglers do not fish for bass.
Jim Dicken

Just because a person is fishing a tournament, doesn't make them "better" than that same "good-'ol-boy" that refused to give up his spot. This kind of mentallity is what turns other fishermen against the tournament angler. If this same guy came to the "honey hole" of the tournament fisherman, who was catching loads of fish, and asked if they would please move aside so that he could fish the spot, in hopes to feed his familly a nice dinner, do you honestly think he'd get to fish? It's NOT the anglers fault that money/fame was on the line. Besides, most GOOD tournament fishermen would have found multiple spots from which to catch their fish, just in case this very scenario was to happen to them. To even ASK someone, regardless of whether they are fishing a tournament for fame and forturne or for fun, that question is, in my opinion, lame. Just wait them out and fish the spot when they're done. It's that simple. If anyone was rude and unethical, I'd point MY finger at the tournament fisherman in this case.

[fishbum]

Just because a person is fishing a tournament, doesn't make them "better" than that same "good-'ol-boy" that refused to give up his spot.

OK, I should explain more fully... IN THIS CASE.. the tournament angler was fishing down a bank. 2 Good old boys decided to jump in front and fish the same bank. IT IS ONE THING for the good ole fishermen to be asked to leave and totally different for 2 boys in a bass boat to jump in front and fish a bank. The guys that jumped in front KNEW what they were doing. They had come to Cox's Park and seen the commotion and were heard by the Camera Man to say they would be seeing if they could beat the "PRO's" Except these are NOT PRO's. These guys are average anglers who qualified through hard work and a LOT of expense for this tournament. This tournament series has been a launching pad for several pro anglers.
I see nothing wrong with explaining the situation and asking politely. Especially when the boys were fishing for pleasure and not to change their lives and that of their families. I am fairly sure that a guy with a Stratos Boat fishing the river is more than likely a FELLOW tournament angler... at other times. He should appreciate the work this boy has done to get to this point and at least not cut in front of him to fish. I know if I am working down a bank and someone cuts in front of me by less than 50 yards I am not thrilled. Less than 25 they will hear my comment and at 10 yards, I accidentally will hit their boat with my bait. There are over 200 miles of banks and creeks to fish.. why not be generous?
Does he have to let the guy fish? No.! But once you catch the fish RELEASE them which these boys did not and there in lies my biggest problem although I do believe that a guy who is fishing for $100,000 who is polite should be able to ask someone not to fish in front of him on a bank.
The lack of Etiquette is removing the fish from the creek..
BOTTOM LINE.. tournament anglers do not have more rights than others and should NOT.. however if another man is at this point in his career, I am not sure I could live with knocking him out of $140,000 and having a chance to live the dream. I believe everyone has a right to the water, but when another man can change his life, for the better, I AM ALL FOR him and others should be happy to see him succeed and NOT impede that success if possible.
I liken it to a guy standing in line to buy a lottery ticket, and finding out the VERY NEXT ticket will win, only to have someone jump the line. (yeah lame but the closest I could come..)
Jim Dicken