Paper Tournament? Thoughts please

[18'stratos]

I have been trying to get a 12" size limit for tournaments ONLY on Beaver Lake (Anderson County). The commissioner of the KFWD said that that is not going to happen and suggested a Paper tournament. When fishing, the anglers would keep track of their longest 6 fish and decide winner with total accumalitive length if no keepers were brought in to weigh. Beaver lake is easy to catch bass but a keeper is rare. Honesty is the big issue here and with the crew that usually fish that lake I don't think it will be an issue.
Has anyone on here ever fished a Paper Tourney and what were your experiences? Thanks, Bill

[biggw]

Sounds like a Honest Abe tournament-They have been done over the years-GL

[Cobra190]

Having knowledge and trust in those fishing with you is a must. Any doubt and you have a recipe for disaster.

[joebw]

I have fished paper tournaments in the past, no problems. Of course, we were fishing for plaques and not money. Two guys in the boat competing against each other will or should keep it honest.

[DJD]

I have fished paper tournaments in the past, no problems. Of course, we were fishing for plaques and not money. Two guys in the boat competing against each other will or should keep it honest.

That's the only way I would fish a paper tourny. An intentional cheat might not happen but having someone watch how the other measures the fish or even have the competitor measure the fish with your approval of the length would work. Honesty or lack of it could ruin that tournament quickly. IMO

[shakey_head]

A cheater will cheat no matter what the tournament format is...I like the idea. They seem to be popular up north where there is an actually fishing season for bass...

[MsgMills]

I've fished them at Turtle Creek Lake over by the Illinois line. The participants must observe the measurement of each others fish and has to be a draw type tournament. But they are fun to be in, especially on a body of water where you catch a lot of small fish.

[18'stratos]

Thanks for the input everyone. This might be an option for next year. There are some good things about it and some bad. I'll bring it up at the year end for a vote and let everyone who fishes these decide. Thanks again...................Bill