Weight It In Or Keep Your Mouth Shutt!

[Tom Spence]

No problem Sam. I defend what I love and that being said, I would have torpedoed those cheaters you saw (not with a torpedo but a cell phone call-don't want you guys thinking I'm homicidal). And before the spoonbillers get on me let me say this. While I'm sure one or two of them were drinking out there Sunday, I know the majority were not and were out there enjoying something they love (hey, thats a resounding theme here isn't it). I grew up snagging every Spring on Lake of the Ozarks with dad so I had no problem picking my way through them Sunday to get to my spots and I tried to do it as courteously as I could.

And I have no problem griping about jet skiers!

[techo]

Hey! I need more patches on my shirt, and i like jetskiers fine.

Seriously, I do enjoy visiting with the tourney guys in the morning and at the end of the day. Met SkeeterP and Nitro at a tourney and they were quite the pair. I can't say as anyone shakes in their boots when they see my name on the list of anglers. I do wish they would stop thanking me for the donation though.

We seem to circle over the same debates over and over, keep bass or catch and release, fishing fish beds, tourney versus non-tourney anglers, jetskiers and some I am missing. Seems we always come to the same conclusion....to each their own as long as they respect themselves, others and our lake.

[brownieman]

Then how do you know cheating happens all the time? Are you just guessing that it does because you don't like tournament fishing?

I'm just saying... you sure are making alot of judgements about something you don't know or care anything about. I'm like t1365, I fish tourneys also-- so I guess that makes me an ahole and a cheater and everything else bad that you can imagine

Whack'em

It's all good and I am throwing out some speculation there, apologize for that...just cause It's not my thing I don't have anything against it and I'm sure most participants are good honest guys. That being said seems they have always had a problem with the FEW that do try to cheat...all I'm saying some have been caught cheating and I'm speculating some have cheated and not been caught (these guys are a perfect example)...don't think drawing that assumption is to far out there.

The tourneys aren't my thing but I have nothing at all against the ones who fish them...I can see where they are alot of fun for some folks...as long as fisherpeople are respectful of each other on the water that's all that matters.

Whatever the reasons may be we are all just trying to catch fish...we each have our preferences and there is no right or wrong method with the exception of cheating...there is no honor concerning that.

[Whack'emGood]

It's all good and I am throwing out some speculation there, apologize for that...just cause It's not my thing I don't have anything against it and I'm sure most participants are good honest guys. That being said seems they have always had a problem with the FEW that do try to cheat...all I'm saying some have been caught cheating and I'm speculating some have cheated and not been caught (these guys are a perfect example)...don't think drawing that assumption is to far out there.

The tourneys aren't my thing but I have nothing at all against the ones who fish them...I can see where they are alot of fun for some folks...as long as fisherpeople are respectful of each other on the water that's all that matters.

Whatever the reasons may be we are all just trying to catch fish...we each have our preferences and there is no right or wrong method with the exception of cheating...there is no honor concerning that.

It's all good brownieman... I apologize if I got a little snippy there.

We are all fishermen and that makes us a family here-- whether we fish for bass, crappie, trout or something else... whether we fish in tourneys or not... doesn't matter what kind of boat we own or tackle we use...

Let's all just go fishing and have some fun!

Whack'em

[Tfsh4bass]

Boy, where to start...

I imagine every single time an Elite or FLW event goes to a lake the "local pros" have a tournament where they catch them as good or better than the "national pros"... and they freakin should considering they live by the lake, fish the lake all the time and have fished the lake for a number of years. The fact they are called "local pros" should tell you all you need to know and it is a dumb argument to compare a local tournament weight to the weight of some national tour guys. Some of these guys have never seen Table Rock except on a map and we have people on here talking smack because they didn't catch them as good as guys who have fished the lake for 30 years...unbelievable. Take some of us Missouri boys over to the California Delta and try to figure out tidal water in a week and see what happens.

I tried to help out several of the tour guys by taking them out showing them patterns and making baits for them...they were nothing but respectful to me and just plain good guys. Lumping guys into one category based on the actions of a few is shallow minded and there will always be good and bad people at every level.

All I have to say is if you think you are as good as the national tour guys then put your money up and go play with them...I am sure they would be happy to take it

[ColdWaterFshr]

I don't mean any disrespect, I really don't, but I can't help myself.

A dude in a $40,000 glitter boat, with the latest in high tech sonagraphs/fish-finders equipment, sponsorship and endorsement deals, paying huge entry fees and running up and down the lakes (all over the country) to fish the "circuit". TV boats to follow the action . . . the suits, the patches, the weigh-ins and award ceremonies, the fame, the glory, its all too much. Even the phrase "pre-fishing a tourney" cracks me up. Its an odd mix of geekiness, NASCAR, and hoosier, and its begging to be made into a movie like Talladega Nights. Shake and Bake, baby.

If there exists a more severe perversion of an otherwise relaxing past-time, I'd like to know what it is.

[brownieman]

CWF,

You're makin it sound more and more like 'Bassemania'...'glitter boats..lmao

[bigredbirdfan]

I stayed out of this as long as I could. I am not a big tournament guy as some already knew because I don't think the fish should be hauled around all day. Bill is correct about professionals complaining about the ones that get away. When you fish like that for a living just go on to the next tournament. That is why you are a professional.

BTW if anyone feels they are up to this level go get your sponsers and so how far you go. This might be the most difficult professional sport ever created. Some of you are darn good fishermen, but this is a league you are way out of. Maybe someone can provide the percentage of all tournament fishermen this is but I think most people haven't a clue what it takes. Performing week after week on new water.

[cofobasser]

All you guys need to stop crying about the same issue. I have got on here and read about all this and it makes me sick. I dont know if some of you guys are jealus of the pro's or what the deal is but lets just stop talking about it and grow up. Its over now. I can only imagine what somebody getting on this site for the first time is thinking about this great sport I love after reading this topic. I talked to one of the pro's before and after he won the flw tour event. Before, during and after the win he was as humble as anybody I know. It says something when a pro will take an hour out of his day to talk to a college kid. All the FLW guys were really nice and it did do a lot for our area economy. We also had 32 college basketball teams in town for the NAIA D II tourney. It def. brought in some money. Anyway my rant is over. I think nothing bad about these anglers. Most of them are class acts.

Ohh, and I dont get what the big deal is with the pro's saying that they had a bunch of fish hit but get away. SERIOUSLY, if it bothers you that much dont listen. I listened to it all weekend and it didnt effect me at all. I dont worry about what they say. Im me, let them be them. Ive heard those stories ever since I was born and the tournaments have just gotten bigger and bigger. Dont think the public cares too much if they say that they lost fish.

[ColdWaterFshr]

This might be the most difficult professional sport ever created. Performing week after week on new water.

I would suggest to increase your pre-fish time whenever approaching any new water. Call the boys at Febreeze or M & M's, or Midol PMS . . . whoever your sponsors are, tell 'em you need an extra nights stay and an extra days guide service, too, and to loosen the purse strings . . . this is afterall the most difficult professional sport ever created.