Opinions on Tournaments

[artcarney_agr]

I really don't see why there is so much concern. On any given day there are plenty of bass boats out fishing. The only difference is that a tournament concentrates them to a single ramp.

Tournaments are nothing more than a group of guys putting their fishing skills against one another. It's a form of competition and recreation. If you want to play the game, good deal - if not, then don't be trying to downplay them.

[bassmaster]

OK here we go. Let's leave the above conclusions to the experts. I'm certainly not one of them but I do tournament fish (20 + years) and before that I bassed fished as much as I do now. Only thing was then I kept them and ate them. I found this study online so check it out. http://www.bamabassfishing.com/article3.html
Tim
bassmaster

[ironhead70]

here is what i think the problem is the ky fish and wildlife ask everone who is putting on a tourney to sign up on there web site and then at the end of the season to report their data of fish caught, then when the report come out and we see were the most and biggest fish was caught we all sechelude tourneys there that is why we r seeing more tourneys on some of these lakes, willisburg was ranked up there high last year i was down there a few weeks ago and talk to the guy there at the shop he said there has been more touney already this year then he has had in the past, i think the problem lies with the ky fish and wild life and their report not that it is a bad thing either, people just want to catch fish and have a good turn out and good weight so they r flocking to the lake with good reports based on that report IMO

[offdtop]

Pickwick Lake outta florence Alabama, they only allow so many tournaments a year and when their schedule is full move on elsewhere - no exceptions.

JMO - Tournaments or not there is still going to be guys coming and going, the impact financially for hotels,restraunts, guides, mom and pop grocery stores, bait shops is great and you know people who this helps and really it keeps doors open more times than not. When you live on or near a lake that people consider their "vacation destination" whether tournament or not, I'll give you this - Go to Lake of the ozarks in Missouri and try to comfortably bass fish during the day, the waves from the monster boats keeps that lake rolling and dangerous, in fact the only tournaments had in the summer months have to be held at night. the lesser of the two evils is....... still evil.

Obnoxious people? I can deal with that, but drunk people in 28 to 40 ft speed boats - no, the way jet skiers are becoming more brass - no, a ski boat roaring just to the edge of a no-wake area and doing a 180 and roaring out with no skier - definately not. We as sportsman have to chose our battles and the one to me is safety, safety and safety. We get people acting responsible by a show of force from our water patrols and no tolerance to "unsportsmanlike" behaviour will go a long way. How many times have you seen - Wakes in a no-wake, jet skies jumping wakes too close, fisherman flying on plane to close to a couple guys out crappie fishing a creek channel, these are all people REPEAT all people of all kinds, weekend warriors, just everyday guys out for fun , all of which shows little to no respect.

If it effects the fishing population changes will be made, as long as we continue to see 29lb sacks weighed in - I don't see changes in lowering amount of tournaments in our near future, so we can write to some of the clubs and ask them to tighten their competitors conduct while on the water and implement "no-tolerance". I fish tournaments off and on and I thoroughy enjoy them - It is 2 of the great ironies

Man against Man
Man against Beast (fish)