MLF High School results

[Flysmallie]

18 minutes ago, ness said:

 

I'll admit I'm a sentimental sap; I kinda like the low-tech approach. Whether hunting or fishing, I enjoy being outdoors and the experience much more than the tally. I'd rather fish a small stream, be immersed in it all and get skunked, than cruise around a huge reservoir looking at a screen and have a big bag of fish to talk about afterwards.

Same. Ive been to the same creek the last 4 of five weeks and not only have I not caught anything, I haven’t even made a cast. It’s been the coolest experience ever. 
 

But I am happy about FFS. I think if that’s how they want to do it then I am happy for them. I’m happy for me too. As long as they are out there they won’t be somewhere cool, bothering me. 

[bfishn]

22 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

...As long as they are out there they won’t be somewhere cool, bothering me. 

That's exactly how I feel about golf.

[Terrierman]

High School sports - you pick which one - are nothing like what any of us ever had growing up.  Those guys fishing instead of football, basketball, or baseball work just as hard and deserve just as much respect.  They're all on another level now.

[Quillback]

When Ray Scott started the whole pro bass fishing thing, the guys all fished out of identical boats, identically equipped.  Those days are gone of course.

I'm still enjoying fishing without FFS.  

[fishinwrench]

The only thing that bugs the heck out of me is that as soon as you mention the words BASS FISHING then it's immediately all about COMPETITION.  And as soon as a guy gets a bite then they gotta IMMEDIATELY get it in the boat.    God Forbid it JUMPS or anything.  Keep its head down and GET IT IN THE BOAT !!!! 🙄  Hurry !!! 😳

If you see someone bass fishing then they are either in a tournament......or they are pre-fishing / preparing for one.   It's as if that's the ONLY reason to target Bass. 

Bass fishing looses all of it's coolness when they become just a scorable point.   

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

4 hours ago, ness said:

Whether hunting or fishing, I enjoy being outdoors and the experience much more than the tally. I'd rather fish a small stream, be immersed in it all and get skunked, than cruise around a huge reservoir looking at a screen and have a big bag of fish to talk about afterwards.

I believe those who feel this way, are the ones who will be long term in the hobby.  Then ones who jump in for glory seem to fade quickly.    Exceptions to every rule, of course.  

[shark bait]

On 4/7/2024 at 6:45 AM, Champ188 said:

This is a competitive arena in which FFS should certainly be banned. These kids need to be able to compete on ground that's as level as possible --- and not be disadvantaged because their boat captain didn't have FFS and others did. 

You learn a lot in high school competitions ... losing gracefully is one of the most important. When you get beat on level ground, the lesson you take away is (a) someone is usually going to be better than you and (b) to be top dog, you have to outwork the others. You shouldn't be able to "buy" first place at that stage in life. Those hard lessons --- that often in real life, money is the determining factor in who wins --- will come soon enough. Let the kids play on equal footing. 

I totallyagree!

[rps]

All of you, good comments and excellent opinions.

The only tournaments I have ever fished were the ones where we took children with disabilities from the group homes that no longer exist, and took them fishing in our own boats. Did that 5 or 6 years before insurance problems and changing laws shut us down. I did win one year with a boatload of carp from a hole I baited myself. Not exactly sonar circumstances. Took me many cleanings to get the slime off the floor of the boat.

It seems to me, based upon what I remember from fishing with my father, he always used the best tools he could afford. His first boat was a laquered canvas made by Pinion. He bought one of the first Lowrance green boxes. He hired guides in Canada. I was the beneficiary of this. Had I fished against young men of my age who fished from the bank, I would have had an advantage.

I once played a high school football game against a team from a nearby small town, one created when the Tulsa race massacre caused most blacks to flee Tulsa. It was a bitter cold and rainy night in November. They, and their coach, did not have rain ponchos. Their uniforms were old and torn. We won, but it wasn't a fair fight.

In both of the two paragraphs above, to say that the same rules applied does not change reality.

Same boats, same electronics will show the best skill. Any other way, not so much pure ability, as it is a combination of tools and ability to use them.

Just my $.02.

 

 

 

[waterpossum]

My last serious bass tournament days occurred in the 80s and 90s. Because of my lack of talent and work schedule I only occasionally cashed a check. However the guys I competed against nearly all had decent jobs to support a family without going broke with a bass rod in their hand. Charlie Campbell, Jerry Ruark, Terry Thomas and Bobby Sullivan were all regulars that I was privileged to share a boat with. The High school bass circuit seems to be a fun experience for the kids. I just hope the 99% that never make a living at it have a trade or profession other than fishing.

[STLbassbuster]

I know Kolton personally and his parents. They live and own a business at Lake of the Ozarks. Kolton's parents instilled a work ethic into him which he also applies to his fishing. That young man has put a significant amount of time into fishing on & off the water. He is ate up with it and I think he has what it takes to become a pro if that is what he wants to do. FFS or not I was impressed with the tournament win.