What I feel is an alarming trend

[dabassking]

I completely understand your concerns and I agree that some tournament guys can let it go to their head. Some of them feel entitled to more because they feel like they have more invested in the day's catch than the guy fishing for fun. I do believe that it is not just tournament guys that are disrespectful to guys not fishing tournaments, though. I think that some guys out fun fishing automatically lump all tournament guys together and feel like they are out to get them. I think that the best way to look at it is that not all tournament guys are d-bags and not all guys out fun fishing are good ol' boys. Just treat everybody with respect and hope you get the same in return. If you don't, screw them. If you do, then it's all good.

[fishincreek]

I completely understand your concerns and I agree that some tournament guys can let it go to their head. Some of them feel entitled to more because they feel like they have more invested in the day's catch than the guy fishing for fun. I do believe that it is not just tournament guys that are disrespectful to guys not fishing tournaments, though. I think that some guys out fun fishing automatically lump all tournament guys together and feel like they are out to get them. I think that the best way to look at it is that not all tournament guys are d-bags and not all guys out fun fishing are good ol' boys. Just treat everybody with respect and hope you get the same in return. If you don't, screw them. If you do, then it's all good.

I kinda feel like this guy. I try not to lump them all together, but they make it tough not to sometimes. If things get out of hand, one cal always shoot a pic or two with your cell and take it up with the tourney director at the weigh-in. Can also mention bad behavior to the tourney sponsors in hopes they will bring it up to their fishermen.

[Dave Stewart]

I completely understand your concerns and I agree that some tournament guys can let it go to their head. Some of them feel entitled to more because they feel like they have more invested in the day's catch than the guy fishing for fun. I do believe that it is not just tournament guys that are disrespectful to guys not fishing tournaments, though. I think that some guys out fun fishing automatically lump all tournament guys together and feel like they are out to get them. I think that the best way to look at it is that not all tournament guys are d-bags and not all guys out fun fishing are good ol' boys. Just treat everybody with respect and hope you get the same in return. If you don't, screw them. If you do, then it's all good.

Right on the money. I live on the water making a living bass fishing. I see and experience people with no sense of etiquette virtually every day out there and it seems to be more so the past few years....and they are in bass boats, pontoon boats, pleasure boats etc....I don't see it coming anymore from tournament angler than I do others. I mark it up to their upbringing....seems less folks are taught manners and respect for others now days than in the past.I will however also say majorty of those out there are respectful..just seems more not now than in days past. Kind of like driving in traffic now day..more people weaving in and out of traffic and cutting folks off etc.

[SLP]

Right on the money. I live on the water making a living bass fishing. I see and experience people with no sense of etiquette virtually every day out there and it seems to be more so the past few years....and they are in bass boats, pontoon boats, pleasure boats etc....I don't see it coming anymore from tournament angler than I do others. I mark it up to their upbringing....seems less folks are taught manners and respect for others now days than in the past.I will however also say majorty of those out there are respectful..just seems more not now than in days past. Kind of like driving in traffic now day..more people weaving in and out of traffic and cutting folks off etc.

That's a good point. It likely has as much to do with the state of our current society as anything else.

[kyriverblues]

My father fishes bass tourneys some and he even gets pissed at the way some, not all, but some of the guys act and treat other anglers. I usually fish for cats and hybrids at Taylorsville and do get treated like I am not even there by a lot of tourney fisherman. I also get treated bad by others too. Sometimes it seems like if u don't fish for bass than you are second class to some fisherman. I have a nice boat and equipment so it is not that. I wish people would just slow down a bit when running by others. I have had crappie fisherman wake me so it is not just bass guys but is does seem some of the tourney guys think the lake is there own when they are at the lake. I don't understand why all fishermen can't treat each other with respect. It does seem like all fishing tourneys need to be regulated though. There are so many at the smaller lakes that is makes it impossible for others to fish on weekends. I think tourneys should be limited to one per day at small lakes with only 1 or 2 ramps. I have seen the waiting line at Guist Creek be backed up to almost the road on Saturdays. Hell that is my day off too, I should not have to wait 2 hours to put my boat in. I don't mean to piss anyone off but try to think of others that are trying to enjoy the lake too.

[gocards40]

Right on the money. I live on the water making a living bass fishing. I see and experience people with no sense of etiquette virtually every day out there and it seems to be more so the past few years....and they are in bass boats, pontoon boats, pleasure boats etc....I don't see it coming anymore from tournament angler than I do others. I mark it up to their upbringing....seems less folks are taught manners and respect for others now days than in the past.I will however also say majorty of those out there are respectful..just seems more not now than in days past. Kind of like driving in traffic now day..more people weaving in and out of traffic and cutting folks off etc.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I would like to say the more you are on the water the more of this you will see but I have seen similar situations on small lakes, big lakes and rivers. I have had guys in kayaks paddle right next to me on small lakes and 20 foot bass boats do the same at taylorsville. I guess when the guy in the kayak does it you tend to think he does not know any better and the guy with the 50,000 dollar rig should.