2014 Oakley Big Bass Tour Schedule

[OBBT Staff]

Mark,

Thank you for your facts, although I fail to see how any of them address my concern.

1. I think we can all agree that, given the fact that 2-pound fish sometimes take hourly prizes, practically any fish of that size or greater is going to be placed in a contestant's livewell upon being caught. As electronic updates are sent out and it becomes apparent that the fish is too small for prize consideration, many of those fish will be released. But if they were caught from a spawning bed, they've already been removed from it.

2. My point is not fish care, it's fish being removed from spawning beds.

3. My point is not fish care, it's fish being removed from spawning beds.

4. My point is not fish care, it's fish being removed from spawning beds.

5. Your tournament circuit is named the Oakley Big Bass Tour. The entire premise is to catch the largest (heaviest) bass possible. Are you really going to deny that big bass are targeted? REALLY?

James,

If you'll re-read your original post, there were a number of assumptions that you made that were answered in my reply. Yes, of course the premise of your post was the timing of our event but I wasn't arguing that with you was I? I was addressing the fact that while we may or may not (depending on a number of variables beyond anyone's control) be on Table Rock during the spawn, I addressed the real numbers and likelihood of bigger fish being brought to the scales.

This simple fact is regardless of the timing of the event the actual success rate of anyone who might be "targeting bedding fish" was relatively low. We simply only see 5-10 "large" fish per tournament event regardless of the fishery or time of year. Those are statistics proven from four years of Tour data. Therefore providing some facts against your blanket statement that OUR event is the most harmful. Any other event on the lake during that time frame would probably have similar data.

Now in regards to your latest reply let me respond:

1. Your reply assumes that only anglers in a "big bass" tournament are targeting bigger fish. This is ridiculous. ANY tournament angler fishing on Table Rock at anytime of the year is targeting "bigger" fish. That's the point in a tournament. Are you telling me that a five fish event on Table Rock in April/May/June time frame isn't? Of course they are. I guess if they see a fish on a bed they'll pass it by so that they can catch five three pound fish...

2. Our's is one event with factual data showing no more or less "big fish" being weighed in that any other type of tournament. So you might want to direct your issue to any tournament organization that visits any lake during April/May/June. Not just OBBT.

3. Last May the "facts" were that there were fish in all phases of the spawn. The winning big fish wasn't caught off of a bed. There are anglers fishing a number of different patterns and finding success.

Most likely that will be the same this May when we return. I can tell you there are a number of other events in and around that time frame that will bring a larger number of fish to the scales. So maybe take a minute and find the tournament schedule and let them all know that you disapprove.

Thanks again for the feedback regardless. We respect this sport, we respect the fisheries we visit and we are an asset not a liability. I take offense to anyone who attempts to portray otherwise. I respect your right to your opinion but I have a right to defend our Tour and our position as well. You came to my thread to voice your opinions and I addressed them respectfully.

We'd love to have you come participate in the event and I think your tune would change considerably. If not, that's okay. Good luck and good fishing to you.

We look forward to being on Table Rock in May and we will see everyone there. Thanks.

[abkeenan]

Champ,

I get where you are coming from and everyone can respect the fact that you are merely trying to protect the wonderful fishery that is Table Rock Lake. But I will have to agree with what Mark has mentioned. Sure there are a TON of boats that participate in this event. Based on my experience the last couple of years and from what I have seen during this tournament there is very little bed if any anglers targeting via bed fishing that I have seen. Are some fish being ripped of beds? Sure. But that can be said about any other tournament as well ran from March though late May and even early June. I can only speak from Long Creek up to Combs Ferry as that is where I have fished. Most of the guys I have seen and talked with at weigh in are using the standard seasonal TR stuff...top water, big worms, cranks and jigs, jigs and more jigs. Also I would think there is a lot less fish actually taken off their bed in this format due to the fact like Mark mentioned only 3 fish are allowed in the live well at any given time and the fact that if some does catch a fish that is 1-3lbs and full of eggs they will just toss it right back knowing that isn't going to cut it at weigh in to cash a check. In the standard 5 fish limit those same fish would be going in the box....maybe not eventually weighed in and culled 1,2,5 hours later but they are going to take a ride whereas in the Big Fish format....back in the pool they go after the hook is removed. Plus I will add in the fact that probably the majority of people fishing this event are amateur at best (like myself) and aren't going to be weighing in many if any fish over the weekend. I would have NO CHANCE to win anything in the 5 fish format like other VERY good fisherman (like yourself and Donna) would. This one cast wonder type event gives an average Joe like me a fighting chance. As accomplished a fisherman as you are I think you would have fun in this event as it is well ran by the Oakley guys. It's exciting all day knowing that the next cast could be the one. Also lets not forget what kind of money this pumps into the local businesses. In the end we all want the same thing....having a great day on the water while trying to maintain that natural resource that we are all chasing as best we can to continue to do it another day....the finned green and brown critters.

-Brett

[Champ188]

Mark,

First, let me apologize for the tone of my initial post. I can certainly see where you could take it as an attack, and in part, it was.

I do have considerable experience being around big-bass events on the lakes near my hometown of Hot Springs, AR, and they didn't leave a very good taste in my mouth. That was during the 1980s when the McDonald's events were popular and trust me, there was little thought/effort put into fish care. Frankly, that particular Texas promoter was rightly thought by most to be far more interested in his pocketbook than the well-being of any of the fisheries he visited. Yes, it was his living, but it didn't have to be made without regard for the very resources that were providing it.

I am confident that your events are different, and given the total numbers of fish weighed in last year, I will admit that the effect on the spawn was likely not significant. And I'm sure that you go to every effort to ensure that the fish are well cared for while in your possession, and hopefully that extends to your participants.

Donna and I will certainly consider your invitation to participate this year. If a particular pattern has developed by then ... not sight-fishing LOL ... I'd say the odds are very good that we will come join you.

Thanks abkeenan for your post. My concern indeed is completely for this fishery that we all love very much.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

[OBBT Staff]

Thank you. Love to have you join us James. We are on the road as "visitors" at 10 of our 11 events and we do take our fish care efforts seriously and respect the fisheries we visit. We believe our anglers do as well.

I respect your passion for The Rock.

Mark

[OBBT Staff]

Here's TV Show from last year.

[eyedabassman]

I am going to ask a dumb question, if I had 3 in the well can i cull from them 3 ?