Weight It In Or Keep Your Mouth Shutt!

[Whack'emGood]

Don't know much about it but why are there camera boats ? To keep these 'Pro's' on the up and up ?? If that is indeed the reason that does not speak well for the 'Pro's.

For T.V.

[Whack'emGood]

I get the impression you dont like tourneys or the guys who fish them. The vast majority are great people, just like the rest of the fishing community. I love to fish... period. Like to go with my dad, my kids, my wife, my friends. But I like to fish tourneys too because they add another element. That being time constraints, competition, not being able to choose the weather you fish in etc. The majority of the tournament fishermen are "just simple country boys" too. They just have a diferent way of enjoying their sport.

Amen Brother. I'm with you.

Whack'em

[Fly_Guy]

What? A bunch of ego drivin competitors complaining about the circumstances of the 'game'? That's what happens when you make what should be a recreational activity a sport. The most passionate fisherman is one that does not care if he catches more and bigger fish than the other person - that is not the essence of fishing. That's not how you "win" in fishing.

Here's the problem - a true fisherman is also the master of fish stories. "The one that got away" should be the first and foremost story of every fisherman's mind when they get off the water. "Hey Bob - ya catch anything?" "Yeah - a few, but you should've seen the one that got away." If a fisherman hasn't memorized this story by the time he/she is roughly 12 years old, there is little hope for them.

This story, as Bill most effectively pointed out (in a round about way), only holds merit when you are fishing for FISH, not a pot of CASH. Telling the 'One that got away' story makes you sound like a true fisherman when you are fishing for FISH, you sound like a whiny brat when you are fishing for CASH. I respect the professional anglers who aren't blowhards (and I expect that the majority aren't).

As for me, I will keep my story of the Missouri state record smallmouth I lost right below the Table Rock Dam. I'm allowed to after all - I am fishing for the FISH.

[Whack'emGood]

What? A bunch of ego drivin competitors complaining about the circumstances of the 'game'? That's what happens when you make what should be a recreational activity a sport. The most passionate fisherman is one that does not care if he catches more and bigger fish than the other person - that is not the essence of fishing. That's not how you "win" in fishing.

That is your opinion, and I respect it.

However, I (and alot of others) am as "true" a fisherman as anybody and I love to fish tournaments. Don't get me wrong, I love to go out and fish (not in a tournament) and enjoy catching whatever I catch (or don't catch) even if it is very few fish or small fish. But I also really enjoy the competition of a tournament.

To me, fishing can be BOTH a recreational activity AND a sport. The "essence" of fishing is a little different for everybody who fishes. Just like we all have different species of fish that we like to fish for.

Also, whether you like it or not, fishing is a competition every time you go out. Whether it is a competition between you and the fish, you and yourself, you and your fishing partner, or you and other tournament competitors-- it is still a competition... and passion is involved (and equal) in all of the above.

In my opinion, the challenge and competition (no matter what kind) of fishing is what makes it fun.

Fishing in the manner that you enjoy fishing is how you "win" in fishing.

Whack'em

By the way-- that's a nice fish in your avatar... one to be proud of. If it doesn't matter if you catch bigger fish, then how come you didn't use a pic of a 3" bluegill?

[Gradyh]

WOW! I am little surprised at the shot tournaments and particularly tournament fisherman are taking on this post. Realizing I am probably going to get blasted as a board rookie for questioning one the elder statesmen here it goes-

“The one that got away” or the “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda” are two of the pillars of fishing. It is what keeps us coming back for the next day, the next tournament, or the next fishing vacation. Imagine what would happen if you went out had the perfect plan and executed it flawlessly. Sure it would be fun for that to happen a few times, but wouldn’t things get boring after a few trips? The stories would sure be less than exciting. I went to the lake, stream, pond caught a bunch of big ones and came home.

Tournament fishermen are just like every other group fisherman or outdoorsmen. The vast, vast, vast majority are good ol’ guys and gals who care greatly about the resources that allow all of us to enjoy the great outdoors. Every group has a few Aholes. I have met pretentious fly fisherman, duck hunters, deer hunters, pheasant hunter, walleye fisherman, musky fisherman…..you get the point, but does not make everyone of their peers a jerk for enjoying the same activity they do.

Competition is what drives many people. If that is not what floats your boat, that is fine. Fishing at is core is competition, you against the fish. Tournaments are simply of a measure of how each angler’s competition went. I may be way off base here, but I have to think almost everyone us that visits this board would prefer to catch fish to pay the bills rather than doing whatever we are doing today. I know if competitions against the fish fell my way more often I would love to give it a shot. I would call it a battle of wits with the fish, but that make me fell DUM.

Tournament fishing has turned into big business and generates large amounts of revenue for tournament organizers, hosting communities, sponsors, outdoor retailers, equipment manufactures and last but not fisherman who win these derbies. Tournament fishing, not just bass, has also bought to market many new products that make fishing better, faster, stronger and safer for all of us. It called capitalism and like or not it is here to stay.

At the end of the day I bet the benefits of these larger events visiting the Rock far outweigh the costs. This event alone brought a minimum for 350 people to town to spend, spend, spend in the middle of March. The broadcast of the show is going to put the beauty and attractions of the areas on display as well as the quality of the fishery. This in turn will bring more spenders to the area booking resorts and hiring guides.

[brownieman]

I don't disagree with anything anyone has stated.

Just from what I have seen in my days money puts a different twist on things that otherwise wouldn't matter as much...no matter what it is. Just the nature of the beast.

Fishing is a great sport, job, activity, hobby, whatever and to each their own.

Sometimes I feel money gives fishing a different motive than just enjoyment which I feel it should be for each of us.

I'm not gigging anyone...just question the motives involved sometimes. Guess it's the world but I think it's too bad money has such an influence on many things...one of the best motivators I know of...just wish it were not that way sometimes.

[Fly_Guy]

I should've stated that the above opinions do not reflect the majority on this post I, like brownieman, am of the opinion that when you factor in cash, it changes it a bit. Also, there is a difference in the weekend angler that fishes the occational homelake tourney, and the person who does it for a living. Fishing for a living means fishing for cash - which is fine for some - don't get me wrong - it's just different than what I picture fishing to be. And trust me Wackem - little bluegills are the norm for me Tournament Fishermen are great people! (for the most part) I just think that money CAN be a corrupting force. It makes for a different brand of fishing. MY OPINION of course!

[Whack'emGood]

I should've stated that the above opinions do not reflect the majority on this post I, like brownieman, am of the opinion that when you factor in cash, it changes it a bit. Also, there is a difference in the weekend angler that fishes the occational homelake tourney, and the person who does it for a living. Fishing for a living means fishing for cash - which is fine for some - don't get me wrong - it's just different than what I picture fishing to be. And trust me Wackem - little bluegills are the norm for me Tournament Fishermen are great people! (for the most part) I just think that money CAN be a corrupting force. It makes for a different brand of fishing. MY OPINION of course!

Well said. I agree with everything you just stated... especially the money thing. I would like to fish for a living, but only if I didn't get caught up in it and lose my passion and forget why I love to fish. I think too many of those big tourney guys do forget about why they started fishing and that is wrong. Money corrupts everything (to a degree) and that is sad.

Good post Fly Guy.

And I was serious about your fish in your avatar... nice one.

Whack'em

[Fly_Guy]

Oh yeah - huge fish She was one of the wash-ins on Taney when it flooded last year. 19 inches - and super fat! - I'd guess at least 15 lbs, but I didn't have a scale Of course though - ya should've seen the one that got away! hehe. And I hear you - tournaments do give a different dimention to fishing - and I would guess that Bill was irked at the tone "Man - if I hadn't lost the big-un, I'd've been in the money" rather than the good ol boy's "Man - you shoulda seen the one that got away" Just a guess.

[denjac]

Seriously? There's an area posted on TR- no outboard motors?? Or am I missing something.

Best I can figure out its the Piney creek wilderness area. Never been back that far to see a sign that prohibits motors on boats. The guy said he saw the sign but doesn't read English that well.