Bassmasters Open

[Chief Grey Bear]

Chief Grey Bear don't take it personal. Jeez. To call everyone that enjoys the lake (fisherman, boaters, tubers, waverunners) azzholes is a little offensive and generalizing.

Everyone??? Is that what I said???? But if you take offense, then.....

There is very little common courtesy on the lakes and even some rivers anymore. And that is what is bothersome to me. Are we so ate up with ourselves that we have lost all common decency???

It is not just on lakes either. If that makes you feel better. I also avoid the likes of the Elk, Current, and other popular float rivers. For the most part. I mean, everybody likes to go to the zoo once in a while. And holy cow, spend the afternoon in a trout park. Look for the fella dressed like a Cabela's model. I really enjoy watching those guy's. It is the classic 10 minute trout play for every 12 incher he hooks. All the while he is scanning the crowd just below the brim of his hat. Oh if only someone would ask him for his autograph. I just want to say to him "WOW, way to go Troutmaster! They just stocked that stupid fish this morning and you already caught him!"

Wow, I sure went of the trail this time. Any way, no, not all people that use the lakes and rivers are azzholes. But I think there are more than there used to be. It just seems to me the good boy's are becoming the increasing minority.

Now that is enough hijacking of this thread. If you would care to take this further, we better start another thread.

[denjac]

On another note, I have never fished a pro-am tournament and was thinking of giving it a whirl at some point starting next year. So thanks to all of your comments and opinions as it is VERY insightful and loaded with info that I needed. I want to be as polite as possible even if the pro is not. I have no idea as to what is the norm.

So a few more questions:

1. How many rods can you bring onto the pro's boat?

2. Is a large soft tackle box with the plano 3600s fine to bring aboard or should you downsize? Again no clue.

3. Food and Beverage? What is the deal here? Do you guys eat during a tournament? Small soft cooler with water and sandwich, etc?

4. If the AM is snagged is it rude to ask the Pro to go get the bait? Just break off?

5. Do you provide your own life vest?

6. Do you net each others fish? Seems polite but if a mistake is made netting on my end I would just assume jump in the water and swim home and feel awful.

7.. Do you arm wrestle for gas money fee at the end of the day?

Thanks-

Brett

Brett,

1. I think you can bring as many rods as you want, but would limit it to 4 . 3 baitcasters and a spin. Too many rods just get in your way in the back. You kinda know what the bite might be so plan accordingly.

2. There again you kinda know what the bite might be so be lean and mean. You also need enough room in your soft tackle for raingear, gloves, food ect.

3. Bring what you need to eat and drink, I seldom eat but do drink water. Most will let you use the cooler.

4. Be sure you throw towards the front, not the back. Most will turn around and get you unhung once or twice. Some guys that there pet peeve others dont mind.

5. Best to bring your own vest for fit and comfort.

6. Ask about the net before take off. Some will let you dip there fish others wont. Same with your fish. Know before it happens.

7. I think gas money should be settled before takeoff, so theres no ackward moments.

There will a few jerks, but most are a blast to fish with. Some of the so called pros arnt ant any better than you , they just have the money to play with the big boys. . There will be a few that chime in on there thoughts, but that mine.

[denjac]

And holy cow, spend the afternoon in a trout park. Look for the fella dressed like a Cabela's model. I really enjoy watching those guy's. It is the classic 10 minute trout play for every 12 incher he hooks. All the while he is scanning the crowd just below the brim of his hat. Oh if only someone would ask him for his autograph. I just want to say to him "WOW, way to go Troutmaster! They just stocked that stupid fish this morning and you already caught him!"

Now, thats funny, and so true !

[techo]

So a few more questions:

1. How many rods can you bring onto the pro's boat?

2. Is a large soft tackle box with the plano 3600s fine to bring aboard or should you downsize? Again no clue.

3. Food and Beverage? What is the deal here? Do you guys eat during a tournament? Small soft cooler with water and sandwich, etc?

4. If the AM is snagged is it rude to ask the Pro to go get the bait? Just break off?

5. Do you provide your own life vest?

6. Do you net each others fish? Seems polite but if a mistake is made netting on my end I would just assume jump in the water and swim home and feel awful.

7.. Do you arm wrestle for gas money fee at the end of the day?

Thanks-

Brett

Dennis pretty much answered your questions. Most Pros are nice though so.... all of the stuff above is a seldom thing. If you are snagged though you might be kissing the bait goodbye. Time is money and not fishing is expensive in a tourney. I usually paid the gas money up front.

When you are paired up, most Pros meet with you and give you an idea of what types of baits they intend to fish so you know what to bring. The price of gas kind of determines how much you pay too. Hard to fish in the big boats cheap. I usually ask about how much would be fair to them and throw in an extra ten or so. If the plan fails and you end up running all over the lake I would throw some extra in at the end of the day.

Most (not all) of the Pros spent a week or so making a plan on where to fish at what time of the day. Wise not to offer up your favorite fishing spot unless specifically asked for.

Hope you have fun. If you get into it you might want to link with a Pro so if there are more AMs than Pros you always get to fish.

[drew03cmc]

Wow, people thinking Chief is talking about rivers vs lakes, when he is talking about assholes vs good, laid back guys. What is the benefit of fishing tournaments? Is it the waste of money in hopes that you can get in the money at the end of the deal? I guess so, but honestly, there is no point in fishing competitively if you enjoy fishing for relaxation. Competition will serve to ruin something you love. I have been there and refuse to compete unless it is something like who buys the first beer that night.

[RSBreth]

I've fished the Am side of the pro-am type tourneys a couple of times - I had a great time each time, but being paired with anyone for anything is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.

I'm sorry Roland was such a jerk - I've heard that about him in the past. On a side note did you see where he finished? 12th. I'm amazed it was that high - he hasn't really been competitive in years.

(EDIT- He actually finished 8th. I don't why it was listed as 12th where I checked - it's fixed now.)

[Chief Grey Bear]

Whoa there Chief, guess that really hit a nerve.

How dare I? Talk about an ego. Roland Martin ain't got nothing on you, "cowboy"

Maybe you could take him on a guided trip of center creek or spring river and see who's ego sinks the canoe.

Says the guy riding on a Yellow, green, and purple, leopard print waverunner, with a mullet and turtleneck sweater.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I'm sorry Roland was such a jerk - I've heard that about him in the past. On a side note did you see where he finished? 12th. I'm amazed it was that high - he hasn't really been competitive in years.

And there in lies a good point. Does asking for more gas money than you expected to pay make a person a jerk? If you expected to pay any.

It was said further up the chain here that this person would rather fish a tourney with Babbler on the Rock than Martin? Well, in one sense they are right. If all you want to do is win some money, your best bet is to stay local with someone that fishes the lake most every day. But if your goal is to learn bass fishing and how to determine the different asspects, I don't know if you could be a much better teacher than Roland.

Roland made his way in this sport when it was still in its infancy. There were no sponsors, or very few of them, and there was no money so to speak. If you won, you probably didn't come close to making expences. Here is man that has dedicated his life to learning bass fishing not on one lake and being the local hero, but on the north american continent.

Roland earned his way. And I would suspect he expects others to do the same.

And you are right Randy. If indeed he did place 12, that is pretty good. How many locals that fish the lake more than maybe once a year did he go against??? Instead of sitting in the back of the boat pouting, I would have watched every move and asked has many questions as allowed.

[Flysmallie]

What is the benefit of fishing tournaments? Is it the waste of money in hopes that you can get in the money at the end of the deal? It's actually quite fun to fish against others. In most cases it's not about the money, not many can make a living at it, or even want to. But most people can't handle the stress of not being accepted as the best when they have to go out and actually prove it.

I guess so, but honestly, there is no point in fishing competitively if you enjoy fishing for relaxation. That's odd, I thought that's what it was all about, proving that your better than others.

Says the guy riding on a Yellow, green, and purple, leopard print waverunner, with a mullet and turtleneck sweater. How dare you make fun of Kenny Powers aka The White Flame.

I'm truly not trying to piss you guys off (again). But to come in and make statements about it when you have no idea is really childish. Just because you don't agree with or feel the same about something doesn't mean that it's stupid. A lot of people love fishing tournaments and a lot of people love fishing rivers. That doesn't mean that one is better than the other. If you have a bad day at a Pro-Am tournament then deal with it, you should know going in that it's a possibility. I know the pros get stuck with some real idiots on occasion so it goes both ways. It really is too bad that the big names like Roland Martin act the way they do when they haven't been able to compete in years.

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Three simple things to remember when fishing in Pro-Ams, front or back of the boat.

1. Don't throw your toys.

2. You can't control how other people act, only how you act.

3. Treat others like you want them to treat you.