I'm not going to just go and fish another lake because there is a tournament on a lake, but when their is a classic spot on the line I will not be on the lake. Why catch a fish that could change someone else's life forever? The bassmaster opens are not just any tournament.
With that being said, I will in absolutely no way fault anyone for deciding to fish during a big tournament because I can see it from both ways.
But I do think those jackasses you see on tv that go fish the pro's water during the classic are complete idiots and an embarrassment to the sport.

I think the thought or intent here was a larger scale tournament. Those do not happen every weekend. I feel the same way, if their is an open or everstart or bass champs, (that calibur) I'll just go to another lake or not go. Yes I have the right to go fish where I want, but I exercise my freedom of choice and make alternative plans. I don't worry as much if it's a 20 boat club tournament but will let some of those guys go around me or leave a given area if there is an entire lake I can leisurely and fish. I dont expect everyone to agree with me, that is just my opinion. I just cannot believe all the negativity on here, someone posts their opinion and others go ballistic on them, or better yet call them derrogatory names and tell them to "go back to where you came from"

It's a tournament....it happens. Part of being in a tournament. Better have that TM ready to roll 100% on 36 volts!

(Oh and I didn't read all 6 pages....too much back and forth! LOL)

In my personal opinion the intent of the OP was to state that if a tournament was being conducted on a lake all not participating anglers should stay off the lake and let the tournament anglers have it to themselves.

I have seen comments posted on here from quite a few people that think tournament fishermen should have priority over other people fishing on the lake. I just do not agree.

I am considerate of other people on the water. I Stay as far away from boats that are fishing when I am moving from one spot to another and try not to create a wake that will disturb their fishing. I do not move in on a area they are fishing. It does not matter if they are other fun fishermen, pros in a tournament or amateurs in a club tournament, they all deserve the same consideration from me and I deserve the same consideration in return.

If you want to fish tournaments or even turn pro, then more power to you and I hope you do well at it. Just do not expect other people to give up their choice of where to fish just to help make sure you fish where you want and when you want.

What difference does it make if the person fishing a spot you want to fish during a tournament is participating in that tournament or not? Would you go ask another tournament angler to leave the spot so you could fish it?

People out fun fishing should not be viewed as interfering with tournament anglers being able to get a check for a tournament or viewed as preventing pros from earning a living.

http://www.bassmaster.com/2012-bassmaster-opens-official-rules

Rule #2. There isn't a rule about being cut off or fishing too close....but there is rules about Angler Code of Conduct.

6. SPORTSMANSHIP:

(ii) Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy, may be reason for disqualification.

Yeah Rule 6 is good for the "post within the post!" LOL!

I thought about posting it too.

Does it really sound like the same scenario Doug? I go to the other end of a bankline almost quarter mile long[check your map] and I pull in behind him,not in front,on the furthest point on that bank sounds like the same scenario?? Thats your issue??

No Doug,I think your issue is I dropped you as a partner.You need to get over it.

I am sorry we have not been able to remain on a better level of friendship.Lets let this go for good.How about it?

I don't turn over for tournaments!!!I have been fishing for 55 yrs ands will reaspect anyone's space,however I expect the same.We all spend our money and time in different ways,No one's spot is their's unless they are on it and noway will I tread on it but I expect the same.

For some reason I'd be willing to bet there will be a rebuttle coming soon!

The entire thread just has some..really? This thread is what is wrong with Bass Fishing and Bass Fishermen.

If you cant see it from the very first post to the last one, then Bass Fishing will continue to be looked upon as it is today. Change starts with you

group hug?

TexansFL, not specically about cutting off or fishing too close but this rule should cover this situation.

6. SPORTSMANSHIP:

Competitors in B.A.S.S. tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification.

Dam, I missed a golden opportunity. I never thought in this manner, but I could have filled up on weigh points for this lake!!! Instead of zeroing in a tourney at Waco yesterday!! What a way to think. It sounds like you hold these Pros’ to a higher admiration than a person getting on the water to fish for fun?? The waters are open (YES THERE ARE ETHICS THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED FOR ALL) but the lake is in use for all to enjoy and NO ONE should take a presidency over the other. I am sure that most all tournament anglers would have NO problem with either another pro or EVERYDAY angler fishing around them as long as they keep a respective distance and hold to the angling ethics we all should be using. This guy that cut in on them was NOT using the common ethics required and deserved more than a tongue lashing!!!

Just mt 2 cents worth.

I was simply posting about your admitted response when somebody "encroached" on your water. Is the proper response "yelling" and acting like a fool?? Basically acting like a classless child.

Not sure why you changed it to "you dropped me", actually that was a blessing from God.

Do what you want, continue to yell and scream, you know if you read the BASS rules, I think if someone saw and/or heard you acting like a fool, that violates some if not all of their conduct rules. But oh well, once again "Nervous Nancy" knows best..

good luck and see ya on the water ,"PRO".

Will there be another thread like this in 2 weeks ? Or will this one last for 2 more?

I think the tongue lashing was what it took t move the other guy on. Otherwise you'da got your lines tangled (panties in a wad )

Yall got way off topic on this one. Jerry was in the tournament. He was fishing for the same money that the other "Pros" were. I would have had some words to say whether it was KVD or any of you if that had happened to me. And no, you don't need to go to another lake if there is a tournament there, and I tournament fish. But I think there should be some sort of ecception for a big tournament that has a lot of money up for grabs. When I am fishing a tournament I don't get pissed if someone is fun fishing. I get pissed when some jerk flies by me on a jet ski.

I realize he was in the tournament and he did the right thing. Big money TX or not, if they want priority then BASS would have been forced to go through proper channels to get it. This is a slippery slope.

It's threads like this that make people find another place to talk about fishing. This is starting to look like my daughters FaceBook page....

This is now personal conversations that should be dealt with in a PM or through another means in my opinion.

Show courtesy and respect to those you are on the water with(or the TFF) and everything will be fine.

And lastly Mr Shipe , perhaps you should have took it up with your fellow competitor or even perhaps the officials of BASS, like a man, instead of getting on the net and crying like a b***** ...


good day "pro"