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In starting this post I am probably going to make some people on BOC very angry with me, but I am used to doing that so I am not really concerned about it. My topic is the Pros and Cons of Fishing Tournaments, including Cat fishing tournaments.
My stand is that I am against them. Although in my younger days I did fish in Bass Tournaments. I began to see where, in my opinion, they were not healthy for the sport of bass fishing or any other type of fishing. I am sure you are all asking how I could draw that conclusion. I saw it grow from a few people fishing tournaments to large numbers. I have seen tournaments where they would field 100 boats or more. These tournaments would usually yield at least 3 fish per boat. That is 300 bass caught from areas as far away as 15 to 20 miles and then all released in one area. I have read that this doesnt hurt the fish, but I have seen the outcome several days later. I have purposely patrolled within a ½ to ¾ mile area of these release points and saw for the first one to two weeks after many dead and dying bass of all sizes floating on the surface. How many of those fish died and sunk to the bottom that werent visible.
That is my first reason against tournaments. I feel that the only reason that most people fish tournament is not for the sport of it, but for the money or chance to win money. If this be the case then these tournament fishermen are no different than the commercial fisherman that we all condemn. I can almost guarantee that if prizes and money wasnt awarded at tournaments, the number would dwindle to the point they would no longer be held.
Ladies and gentlemen we need to decide if we want to catfish for the sport of it, trying to outdo our PB, with a side challenge once in while with our friends and enjoy what we are doing or do we want to jeopardize our sport by unnecessarily traumatizing the fish population so we can be the big man on the hill. It may take a few years for Cat fishing tournaments catch on to the extent that bass fishing has, but it will happen . Just as soon as bigger sponsor, with deeper pockets find out they have another way of getting into our pockets. It is a money maker for a very few and the end results is frustration and failed competition for many. I dont really think that bass tournaments has helped the bass fishing anywhere in the country where they are held. If anything they have only produced more regulations on all of us.
The choice is yours, Snatch and Drag fishing or enjoying your sport. Which is better, sitting out under a full moon leisurely waiting for a Flattie to bite or beating yourself up into a frenzy because they are not biting fast enough and you have laid money to be able to do so. Sport or commercial, there are no other choices.
As an Ex-Game Warden I would enjoy hearing your views on this subject.
Garry-
My stand is that I am against them. Although in my younger days I did fish in Bass Tournaments. I began to see where, in my opinion, they were not healthy for the sport of bass fishing or any other type of fishing. I am sure you are all asking how I could draw that conclusion. I saw it grow from a few people fishing tournaments to large numbers. I have seen tournaments where they would field 100 boats or more. These tournaments would usually yield at least 3 fish per boat. That is 300 bass caught from areas as far away as 15 to 20 miles and then all released in one area. I have read that this doesnt hurt the fish, but I have seen the outcome several days later. I have purposely patrolled within a ½ to ¾ mile area of these release points and saw for the first one to two weeks after many dead and dying bass of all sizes floating on the surface. How many of those fish died and sunk to the bottom that werent visible.
That is my first reason against tournaments. I feel that the only reason that most people fish tournament is not for the sport of it, but for the money or chance to win money. If this be the case then these tournament fishermen are no different than the commercial fisherman that we all condemn. I can almost guarantee that if prizes and money wasnt awarded at tournaments, the number would dwindle to the point they would no longer be held.
Ladies and gentlemen we need to decide if we want to catfish for the sport of it, trying to outdo our PB, with a side challenge once in while with our friends and enjoy what we are doing or do we want to jeopardize our sport by unnecessarily traumatizing the fish population so we can be the big man on the hill. It may take a few years for Cat fishing tournaments catch on to the extent that bass fishing has, but it will happen . Just as soon as bigger sponsor, with deeper pockets find out they have another way of getting into our pockets. It is a money maker for a very few and the end results is frustration and failed competition for many. I dont really think that bass tournaments has helped the bass fishing anywhere in the country where they are held. If anything they have only produced more regulations on all of us.
The choice is yours, Snatch and Drag fishing or enjoying your sport. Which is better, sitting out under a full moon leisurely waiting for a Flattie to bite or beating yourself up into a frenzy because they are not biting fast enough and you have laid money to be able to do so. Sport or commercial, there are no other choices.
As an Ex-Game Warden I would enjoy hearing your views on this subject.
Garry-