Etiquette On Fishing During A Tournament

[Bill Jr.]

Thanks for the responses and the fact that everyone seems to feels the same way in regards to the original question. There are plenty of rude people on the lakes. Some fish in tournaments, some fish recreationally, and quite a few who don't fish at all. I really try not to get bothered as I'm there to have a good time and unwind.

[bluebasser86]

I think as long as you are considerate with them like you are with other anglers you're fine. The only thing I wouldn't do is if a tournament guy is fishing a multiple day tourny is to go in and sore lip all the fish on the spot he was fishing. If he's a professional he's fishing for his livelyhood and feeding his family with his winnings in some cases. Not saying it gives them any more right to the water, just my feelings of how they should be treated.

[jeb]

At least year's FLW on Beaver, I witnessed something interesting on the last day. I was staying out of the way fishing spots they were not in, but was in a cove where several of the wrapped boats were fishing. It's the cove I launch on, so I had not gone looking for them. But what was interesting is that 2 of the wrapped boats were fishing a real hotspot area (at least it was last year), and neither of them had made the top 10. So they were just fishing, not tournament fishing. When Dudley came by, who was either leading or in the top 3, they would not move out of his way. He hovered around for a while, but it was obivous the other guys knew who he was and all but put the power poles down to block him out. Really an eye opener for me. I won't say who the other guys were, but at least one of them has a good rep towards being a "nice guy".

Take what you will from my story. I personally would still probably move out of their way if they were working towards me. But I'm not really sure why after seeing that display.

[edwin]

Just use your best judgement and be courteous to all fellow boaters.

[Quillback]

Wow, I find it tough to believe that, and I am assuming that you are talking about the Elite series event held on Bull last spring, the B.A.S.S. anglers would not buy a license. (Not that I don't believe you Bry) it just seems crazy any of those guys would risk a DQ for fishing without a license. Were you seeing these guys and talking to them during practice or during the tourney?

[Champ188]

F and F, I used the term "rules" loosely in reference to the unwritten rules that we all should follow regarding giving each other space on the lake. That goes for recreational and tournament anglers alike. And both groups have more than their share of ignorant and inconsiderate people.

[Bullshoalscat]

I was a Marshall in the event last year at Bull Shoals and for Brys information during pre-registration ALL anglers must go through a license check to make sure they all have proper License. same as this year, sadly Bry has again misconstrued the facts. Further more why would anyone much less a PRO tell someone he or she is fishing without a License. These guys fish for a living, with all sorts of sponsorships does Bry really believe somone would ruin their reputation and possibly their livelyhood by doing this. I will concede their are some in the sport who may do this but I Highly doubt the Elites or FLW Pros would stoop to this to save a few dollars

[balsabee]

LOL! No, I'm just sayin that in the large national tournaments where there are "fan boats" following the tourney guys, is there anything wrong with just recreational fishing in the same area?

If you are a "fan boat" and you are following the pros around I would not fish. If you are out on the lake just to go fishing, then do just that. I would not pull in to an area to fish if I saw spectator boats and pros fishing. Go find your own water. If a pro pulls in on you just keep fishing like you normally would. If he's respectful of my area and asked if he could fish near me I would pick up my trolling motor and move on and feel good about the fact that a pro wants to fish the water I've found, but you certainly don't have to!

[exiledguide]

Bill, I have found tournament anglers are far more inconsiderate of the recreational fisherman durring tournaments than anything else and the money involved makes them more aggresive and pushy. NOT ALL of Them but a large number. I have even had them come fish points where I was duck hunting decoys out and shooting going on. I lost all respect for those guys years ago. They DO NOT own the lake and if im on fish I will not move if i see one of them coming. I see it all the way down to the local club level and with a tournament dam near every weekend anymore it seems you might as well give up fishing if you want to try and be polite and stay out of their ways.

Its Public Lake and everyone has the right to be there even the dreaded Wake Boats and Jet Ski's. So enjoy the lake and fish when you are one them give people ALL PEOPLE respect and distance and if you get on fish and want to share it with others go for it I love getting others on fish, but tournaments IMO bring out some of the worse in people and if you want to not fish thats fine but dont be more concerned about them than you would any other angler.

F&F I guess you are a lot easier to get along with than I am, this makes me glad I stopped shooting dem ducks a loooong time ago. There is no way some one would run over my decoys if I,m holding my twice barrel shootgun I guarontee

[Feathers and Fins]

F&F I guess you are a lot easier to get along with than I am, this makes me glad I stopped shooting dem ducks a loooong time ago. There is no way some one would run over my decoys if I,m holding my twice barrel shootgun I guarontee

LOL, I run long lines when im hunting big water, they tend to seriously screw up props!

You can also go one step further

ARKANSAS CODE OF 1987 ANNOTATED

TITLE 5. CRIMINAL OFFENSES SUBTITLE 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE

CHAPTER 71. RIOTS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, ETC.

SUBCHAPTER 2. OFFENSES GENERALLY

And the Fishing part of its nice as well, but as to fishermen doing it to hunters they will be cited and can loose their license already asked about it. As they ( the fishermen) knowingly and willfully obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity. I really try to be understanding but when they run right into an obvious set after last year I decided to pull the camera and video it and turn them in. Some people do not diserve the privledge of fishing or hunting.