Originally Posted by
bullmerc
I didn't say anything about shutting down tournaments all together what I said is that the free-for-all that has materialized here in Kentucky needs to be controlled via some form(s) of oversight.
The number of tournaments throughout the state on a weekly basis is staggering. Tournaments tie up parking and ramps at our public waters causing the casual fisherman to either go somewhere else or stay at home. Trouble is on some lakes there will be some form or fashion of tournament held at about every ramp on a given body of water. This leaves the family very little opportunity to go fishing on a weekend.
Tournaments should be defined as a commercial gaming enterperise and should follow the same rules as any other form of gambling in the state. Win a couple thousand bucks at the track or the lottery and see how long it takes the state to stick their paws out for their share. Tournament fishing is no different. You put up your money chancing that you will win more in return. That is by definition gambling.
I have been told that other states do exercise oversight on the tournaments held on their bodies of water through permits and fees. Maybe this is why so many out-of-staters come here to hold their tournaments.
I'm not into any more oversight by authorities since in my mind there is plenty and asking for more means asking for more taxes.
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