Guess I'll throw my 2 cents in. 1st, tourney fisherman DO spend money at the places they go to. I currently fish Renegade and BFL so I see it first hand. We go to Ky Lake and stay for 3-4 days for each BFL tourney. So, gas to get there and back, gas for the boat, food, lodging, and a trip to the bait shops pretty much every day. I fish the Cave Run div. of Renegade so I have an area pass and we stop and eat before and after the tourneys. So you argument that tourney fisherman don't spend money doesn't hold water with me.

2nd, yes there are plenty of rude tourney fisherman. Everybody hear has seen it before. But I promise you I have seen more rude pleasure boaters In my 37 years than rude tourney fisherman. And a bunch of rude pleasure fisherman as well. I've had more ski boats on Cumberland come by less than 20 yards from me WAY back in a creek than I can count. A bunch of BIG cabin cruisers on KY/Barkley with the bow up in the air, etc,etc. And like I said, people fishin for fun cut me off, move in on me, pass beside me on plane.

3rd, I think if you limit the number of tourneys or size of tourneys, then you have to limit the pleasure boaters and recreational anglers as well. You can't put limits on certain groups on public areas. Tourney fisherman pay taxes and usage fees(that area pass thing again) and launch fees same as everyone else.

I also fish recreationally as well as tourney fishing, don't think i said that earlier. I keep fish from time to time for the table too. I just don't see the tournies hurting the fishing like you think it does. A few years ago FLW started(and BASS now follows suit) using pontoon boats with BIG tanks to take the fish back out and release them throughout the lakes. They put Rejuvenade in the tanks to help with the care of the fish. There have been articles about it in the last couple years. You should check out FlW or BASS website. I'm sure you can find something on there about it. I think the overall pressure that the lakes get is what makes the fishing seem slower. Also a lot of other factors there like weather, water temp, etc. Just enjoy the time you do have out there and be thankful for it.