http://bassfan.com/news_article.asp?ID=4146

I see both sides of the subject and really dont know if one way or the other is better. It is nice I guess that BASS listens to its anglers and try's to work out the best situation.

I like it.

I guess next they're going to ask KVD to only fish for about 2-4 hrs during the day so other anglers can feel they're on a level playing field.

Then they need to give out a trophy to every angler so no one gets their feelings hurt like they do with kids sports now days. I'd hate for someone to feel like they couldn't compete with the big boys.

I like it as well. Anything that can be done to keep the playing field as level as possible is good for the sport.

I like it.

Works for me

Is there any rule against dropping the lower unit off your 250 and putting on a jet drive for those "special" occasions?

Rojas' comment about Nascar is a little off. During the course of the season, a Nascar driver uses many different cars built for specific tracks. They have road course cars, short course cars, restrictor plate cars, etc....Some of them use a car one time for a specific track and never use the car again. The cars look the same but are completely different in their purpose.

I love Biffle's comments. "The boat he used to win the Open on the Arkansas RIver was just more convenient" give me a break! He new exactly what he was doing and where he was going which we all know was controversial in it's own right.

Exactly Z520, that's why I'm wondering about the lower unit switch for certain tournaments. FLW restricts jet boats in general, but it looks like BASS just wants you to stay in the same "boat". Does switching out lower units on the same boat keep you in the same "boat" rule?

By the way, there was a Z9 up there that final day of practice, I have no idea how he got up there either.

I had a similar discussion a couple days ago about "level playing field" with my brother. Back when this all started, they showed up at lake X and their boats were waiting, all rigged identically. That's where the competition is in my mind. No previous knowledge of what lake you were going to til you got off the plane and everybody had the same stuff except what was in your tackle bag.

I agree it may add uniformity to the field. Can't deny it's a crybaby rule. "Your 6" worm has one more sensual rib in it than mine, FOUL !"

It's coming.

I laughed at Biffle's comments, too Brady. About changing lowers, I'm not sure that's gonna be much help as the big glass boats aren't getting into the areas the little aluminums could anyway, jet or not. IMO.

Yea, I got a good laugh at Tommy's comment too. "It was convenient" However he was against it before the tournament. A bit hypocritical I think.

Will be a good rule. It should be most about the fishing and not a major factor like who has multiple boats or friends with multiple outfits.

Good rule for many reasons but the biggest being that they fish such a large geographic area. You dont want to give the locals any more of an advantage than they already have with the knowledge of the lake or river. I guess it would be different if they could guarantee every angler a "home field advantage" at some point during the season but thats impossible when you have anglers from idaho to jersey and south florida to Cali. The elite series is about being the best "overall" fisherman throughout many types of situations, lakes and rivers across the country. This rule can only help.

Don't like it at all, If I have to fish shallow on certain lakes I will run a jet boat...........

They are pro's it shouldn't matter if they fish in a tin can or a decked out rig, all of them have access to the smaller boats they just choose not to use them.

Excellent! I'm in favor of common-sense rules which reduce the work AND the cost.
The playing field? If KVD is there, the field tilts.

Those little aluminum boats are not the ones putting up sponsor money for these events. My guess is that it ruffles a few sponsor feathers when a 16' aluminum boat takes home the big prize, part of which is funded by sponsors of the big glass boats.
I see the need for leveling the playing field but as long as KVD keeps fishing, it will always be tilted his way. He could pull off a win in a kayak.
I am sure a big percentage of the anglers could jump into a smaller more versatile rig but they too have to keep there sponsors happy.

Not if you're a pro you won't.

I like it... Levels the playing field for the guys who dont have unlimited resources like KVD.

I don't get the comments about it Biffle being hypocritical. Menendez had the same view and has used his aluminum rig a lot more than Biffle ever has. Same for Kennedy. Biffle played by the rules that governed the game, he didn't bend them, nor did he break them. He even asked for clarification from the TD about legal fishing waters and was told that he was in the right.

Sorry for the deflection...carry on.

Levels the playing field? Not really sure about that. Most of those guys could get an aluminum boat if they wanted one, but it is still a catch 22. You sacrifice a lot of time fishing in an aluminum boat when you are going 40 miles down river, and the boat only goes 35 mph. I am fine with the rule though.

You said it yourself. Most"""" could get an aluminum but certainly not all. Majority those guys are broke. Therefore leveling the playing field

...... bawhahahaha what about opens?