Ketchup

Its good. Like MO stated above, along with a few of us, no one knows the effects of tournaments. We can all guess, but what does that prove? I promise if a study done over years proves to me that relocating fish has either had a major impact on the OVERALL population, or that a MAJORITY of the fish released die, then i will change the way my club does our fish care. Im not here arguing my point because im deaf to a better way, or that fish dont die. Im here saying that if the harm done has very little or no impact on the OVERALL eco system, then why get all up in arms? Yes im educated, college grad, so i understand that you have to be proactive with anything, but i havent seen the study showing me i need to be more proactive than i currently am. Guys, sorry if my views upset any of you. Im a staunch "factual" type of guy. Without much of that, your concerns mean little to me. We all have the same outlook, and thats to treat the fish, either released right away, or hauled all day, with great care. I have zero doubts that any of you are harming fish just to be a prick. We're a much better group than that. As kids i made alot of fish do a high belly flop back into the water. Im much older now. Now i love watching them swim away calm and slowly.

as always, a detailed post from Quill. Appreciate it and that was a great day.

Not saying its better, but is it any worse? Without facts an answer means nothing to me. I get you anti-tourney guys stance. Freedom is a wonderful gift we have all been given. I keep reading about tourney guys only high is adrenaline and weigh-ins. Man thats so generic that its laughable. Have you fished in a bass tournament? If no then you dont have experience to even be offering your input here, so go join Mocarp in his section. If so, then obviously you kept getting your tail handed to ya, got tired of donating your hard earned mony to the guy next to you, that left you with a sour taste, so here you are, offering your reasons why your anti. And if you have enjoyed the great memories of what tournament fishing brings, and feel the. way you do, then please share what made you quit. It wont be that you simply got tired of seeing fish transported, so dont even come at me with that garbage line.

Thats the same luck i have. Sometimes prefishing hurts, as we "think" we got it figured out, then BAM mother natures says "oh no you dont". Sounds like you married a keeper.

Good info TR. This subject gets alot of us excited, no matter which side your on. We all have our own ideas "mostly without any data to back it up" so until any of you, or others out there show me that placing fish in a livewell, providing everything they need while in there, then placing them in a weigh bag, placed into a weigh basket, then released back into the water is bad, or heck any worse than ANY other type of fishing, then i will continue to operate the way i have for years, without ever being sad about those poor little fish. Some of you sound like these fish have no chance at all once placed into a livewell. Like i said before, alot better chance of survival with me catching them in a tournament than a guy skinning their sides.

Thanks for the replies guys. Appreciate it. Well i called Geico. The price i posted is accurate they said. That does cover the basics, including lower unit. He said that most claims are paid out within 2 weeks. I asked about theft, or in my case loosing the trolling motor/bow electronics/fishing equipment while fishing, he said thats all included in the price they provided. Heck it cost me 4 years of rates to replace that stuff. I told him i would get back with them. He said since im a current client that its just a click away online. Reading your guys info makes me want to dig a little deeper. Quill i watched a youtube video i found while searching boat insurance, were Bob gave a talk about it. Guy seems very knowledgable. Thanks Ranger i appreciate the offer. I just want to make sure i get the coverage i need for whatever comes my way. Never had a claim on a vehicle or anything. Have only hit 1 floating tree in all my years of running boats that i recall, so my time is coming soon.

My brother had a claim 3 years ago against them and he was impressed by how easy it processed, and how quickly they payed. His was a vehicle claim where he was towing his trailer with his Jeep on it headed to Moab and a dump truck had broke down in the lane on the highway and he rearended it, complete loss to his Dodge dually, the trailer. He still has Geico. I use them on 3 vehicles.

I find it totally opposite. Seems that it would be a very easy way to cheat. Maybe im just clueless on their actual rules.

Ouch. I have looked at this quote, and every single small print i could find. They provided a phone number, which i will call tomorrow before clicking the "pay in full" tab.

no reg needed. Happens daily

Its ok to disagree. but your 100% incorrect. I enjoy the sportsmanship, the competition, the thrill, but what i enjoy the most is outsmarting, outwitting, caving into the temptations to trying other ways to catch them, the companionship of fellow tournament guys, seeing what was caught at the end, shaking the hands of those that were able to capitolize better than myself, and to see the beauty of the fish themselves. I have done, do, and will continue to help in my small little way by drowning brush, removing litter, cleaning up shorelines, and getting kids/newbs into fishing. The tournament aspect is a small, but important part of my enjoyment.

There are "limits" for tourney guys, just like any other fishermen. What your questioning is "culling" which allows tournament anglers to replace a fish with another of greater size/weight. That same rule could apply to any other fish, not tourney related, that a guy puts in a livewell, ice chest, bucket, etc. I have fished hundreds of tournaments the past 26 years, and cant recall ever having a fish injured moreso that those being stuck in a skillet. I personally dont recall loosing more than i can count on 1 hand due to issues stemming from handling/livewell/transporting. Yes i have no clue what happens after release to them, but i know they have a better chance with me, than with those that plan to eat them. "i dont eat fish, for the most part".

I tourney fish atleast once a month, 9 months a year. Does that have a bearing on price? I didnt see anywhere that gave me that option to click.

Maybe the "guide" part was the kicker? Trying to get an idea if it is a fair or average quote.

If i recall, it was a yak tourney a year or so ago where a guy cut the first 4" or so off the cull board, welded it back together, repainted it. Still got caught, but after causing how many honest guys money, or memories?

This has been beat to death. Look in the archives. Im 100% pro-tourney. Im also the "yes" crowd for keeping it the way it is. Theres a reason why its this way, and has been for decades. Cheating will and is going to happen no matter what. You cant beat a dishonest person enough to make him honest, but statistics would show you give an honest guy a shot at money and the temptations start. Sad but true. Im sure most are honest fishing tournaments "including carp tourneys" but to weed out the few idiots, is the biggest reason for no change to most clubs.

Aarchdale listens to alot of them. Maybe he will chime in with some info.

Just did a Geico quote. $15000 value, $500 deductible, $1000 fishing gear, mechanical "lower unit" coverage, $100,000 liability, etc. for $477 a year. Thinking thats not bad. Anyone care to share their coverage and amount?

you may want to start with a dino on there.

Seen this? Something to think about with that pistol.

Polk County. Guess im glad i live 4 miles from the county line. Stay away deer.

650 thru the Prowler already? Holy crap rifleman. Thats close to what i've got total in all of mine, well maybe a few hundred less, butthats some serious dino killin. As soon as work slows, fishing slows, i stop buying cattle, and catch up on chores, i may get to start shooting more. "all excuses on my end".

Welcome duck hunter. The best part of your post was that your wife was out enjoying it with you. Nothing compares to having a wife that enjoys the outdoors.

Yea what he said. ^^

We had our tourney out of Cape saturday. I think everyone went the opposite way, which turned out good at the scales. Word seems the jig did most of the damage. My partner and i never put the wiggle warts down and ended up with 38 fish for the day, with 9 keepers. We had our limit at 9:35 including the big bass at 4.4 lbs.