Release boats?

[Quillback]

8 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

What would be wrong with giving everyone a specific numbered token, something 2 inches long (for reference), not easily copied or reproduced, that has to be placed on the fish when photographing.  And scoring by 1/2 inches.  With either no limit on number of fish allowed to be scored, or set the limit to the 10 best fish per angler.   It might result in the occasional tie.....but hey, what's wrong with a few ties?     The results can be scrolled on a big screen TV for all participants (or spectators) to see.    

It would work just fine.

That's pretty much what the yakkers do.  Nothing wrong with it IMO.  I believe they also have to pass out rulers for them to use or inspect the ones they are going to use.  I remember a cheating incident where someone made their own scaled down ruler and used that to measure their fish. When it comes to cheating, people can get pretty creative.  Sad thing is it is probably  less than %1 of the anglers who will cheat, but it sure complicates things for everyone else.

[MOPanfisher]

57 minutes ago, Quillback said:

Sad thing is it is probably  less than %1 of the anglers who will cheat, but it sure complicates things for everyone else.

Now that is a fact in all of life. 

[Terrierman]

I don't think bass are so instantly adaptable as a population as to change their feeding habits due to a recent pressure.  No species is.  Fishermen on the other hand probably are capable of learning to chase and catch fish now where previously they had no idea a significant population lived, fed, and could be caught.  This from a guy who remembers when electronics had a dial, flashing red lights to show bottom and structure fishing was revolutionary.

[Terrierman]

4 hours ago, Quillback said:

That's pretty much what the yakkers do.  Nothing wrong with it IMO.  I believe they also have to pass out rulers for them to use or inspect the ones they are going to use.  I remember a cheating incident where someone made their own scaled down ruler and used that to measure their fish. When it comes to cheating, people can get pretty creative.  Sad thing is it is probably  less than %1 of the anglers who will cheat, but it sure complicates things for everyone else.

I hear it all the time.  It's not a perfect solution so why bother.  Perfect should never be the enemy of good.  Or especially better.

[Mhyde]

On 4/11/2018 at 2:01 PM, Teddy said:

I am coming down tomorrow to be in a club tournament.  There will only be 10 boats in the tournament. I am guessing that each guy will spend between $200-$400 on our fun weekend.  You are crazy if you think that club tourney's and the big ones don't help the local economy.  I agree with tjm, I enjoy getting away from the stresses of life and just being on the lake.  The last thing you local residents want is to push away the fishing tourist due to your obnoxious view on live wells.

Good example... I have a friend that owns a hotel/lodge and Guide service on Stockton. They have 10 rooms at their place. so far this year he's seen about half the business he had this time this year. The weather is some of the issue, but the other issue is that arguably the 2 biggest team tournament series are NOT coming to Stockton this year. (Heard its due to the ramp and parking fauclities) He's not the only one, he's spoke to other businesses in the city of Stockton area and there down too. Why are they down it's because guys that would have been making trips to the lake to practice multiple times up until tournament day  aren't coming and spending that money this year. A place like the City of Stockton is a good example of what tournament fishing does to boost the local economy and keeps food on the table for families. There are only so many rooms in the Stockton area  to go around and when these series come to the lake most if not all of these get filled because MOST of the fisherman are from out of town and HAVE TO book rooms, and when they book rooms they eat at locally owned resturants because in city like Stockton most everything is locally owned and the $$$ goes straight to the local people and in the local school system.

Rant over have a nice day and good luck on the water! 

One last thing, on the stocking of TR.  I 100% believe if Johnny Morris wrote the MDC a check for $3 million towards the stocking of Texas largemouths and California spots in the lake they would start Monday at dawn.

[Boobie]

I wouldn't go near a lake that had a large tourn. or multiple tourns. because of traffic,rudeness,etc. What happened years ago with these local economys before tournaments.        I fish because I love to not because I want to beat the next guy. I don't think tournaments are good for any lake no matter the size. Just my opinion.

[fishinwrench]

I don't think anyone is denying that people are making money on bass tournaments, if they weren't then there certainly wouldn't be so many of them.  I make quite a bit because of them myself.  But by saying that they are vital to lake area economy's is to assume that none of those guys would hardly ever go fishing....if it weren't for tournaments.      

The way I see it is just the opposite.  If they were here fishing for FUN then they'd probably spend MORE than they spend while competing in a derby. They'd eat more, drink more, sleep more, and shop more.   Most would likely have more fun and be more likely to come back sooner.   So in all actuality a case can be made that tournaments may be detrimental to the economy in the long run.  More guys leave a lake with a bad taste in their mouth (defeated and sad) after a tournament, than leave with the desire to get right back ASAP.    

How many times have you heard tourney trail followers say things like...."gar hole", or "If I never see that pond again it'll be too soon" ?   

[Ketchup]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I don't think anyone is denying that people are making money on bass tournaments, if they weren't then there certainly wouldn't be so many of them.  I make quite a bit because of them myself.  But by saying that they are vital to lake area economy's is to assume that none of those guys would hardly ever go fishing....if it weren't for tournaments.      

The way I see it is just the opposite.  If they were here fishing for FUN then they'd probably spend MORE than they spend while competing in a derby. They'd eat more, drink more, sleep more, and shop more.   Most would likely have more fun and be more likely to come back sooner.   So in all actuality a case can be made that tournaments may be detrimental to the economy in the long run.  More guys leave a lake with a bad taste in their mouth (defeated and sad) after a tournament, than leave with the desire to get right back ASAP.    

How many times have you heard tourney trail followers say things like...."gar hole", or "If I never see that pond again it'll be too soon" ?   

I say that EVERY outing at TR, you can ask any of our club guys.  

That being said, those people who fun fish area lakes, stay because they are fishing for food, family time, and fun, that have zero interest in tournaments, are still going to do so, no matter what.  That being said, you said the derbys could actually hurt the area in the long run?  Please explain more.  So if those fun angler guys are there no matter what, spending money, how does derby guys ADDING when they come, ever hurt an area? I guarantee you that without the income to any lake area in this nation, that tournament people bring in, there would not be as many tackle shops, ma-pa motels, public access areas "yes i said that", small eatery places, etc. if tournaments were to stop.  Luckily for myself, and the hundreds of thousands of others that enjoy them, they are not going anywhere in my lifetime. 

[Ketchup]

8 hours ago, Boobie said:

I wouldn't go near a lake that had a large tourn. or multiple tourns. because of traffic,rudeness,etc. What happened years ago with these local economys before tournaments.        I fish because I love to not because I want to beat the next guy. I don't think tournaments are good for any lake no matter the size. Just my opinion.

I fish lakes no matter what is going on.  In my thousands of trips on the water, i have MAYBE encountered rudeness from fishermen types on 1/2 dozen times.  Now the pleasure boater people, i cant count that high.  So dont let a tournament, no matter the size, keep ya away.  If your fishing, your not worrying about a guy fishing for money anyways. 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Ketchup said:

I say that EVERY outing at TR, you can ask any of our club guys.  

That being said, those people who fun fish area lakes, stay because they are fishing for food, family time, and fun, that have zero interest in tournaments, are still going to do so, no matter what.  That being said, you said the derbys could actually hurt the area in the long run?  Please explain more.  So if those fun angler guys are there no matter what, spending money, how does derby guys ADDING when they come, ever hurt an area? I guarantee you that without the income to any lake area in this nation, that tournament people bring in, there would not be as many tackle shops, ma-pa motels, public access areas "yes i said that", small eatery places, etc. if tournaments were to stop.  Luckily for myself, and the hundreds of thousands of others that enjoy them, they are not going anywhere in my lifetime. 

I was simply responding to the tired old comment of  "Hey, our tournaments are what keep you Hicks fed".    That kinda attitude pretty much pisses me off.   

The big-time Tourney crowd are always looking for handouts and freebies (sponsors).  No disrespect to any of ya, but I don't care to have MY business name on your boat, or on your shirt.   I'd rather just have YOUR name on a check. 

I get boats ALL THE TIME with Sport Boats USA, Munganast, Fishin'Hole, CowTown, ect. plastered all over them, and on the shirts of the guys that own them.  Well if THEY are your "sponsors" then why aren't they working on your boat?  I mean, I'll gladly take care of whatever the problem is, but I'm not interested in doing it in trade for putting yet another sticker on your rig.