Bass Tournaments

Are guides typically allowed to fish amateur tournaments? I am not trying to start a debate and not trolling, simply curious after seeing the thread about a tournament just for guides.

They can fish any tournament that does not have a guide rule... Personally a guide does not have any more of an advantage than these guys that fish locally for a living. Typically they are on bigger fish than a guide.

so true. It's usually a local hammer that has the advantage.

The majority of tournaments have a guide rule that keeps guides from being able to enter.

I agree with the comments above about locals having the advantage over guides. Guides are usually on "numbers" versus "quality" because of their clients. Locals tend to be on tournament fish. But I think the rule is there for the guides because you can distinguish guides and disallow them. There's no way to rule not locals. The off limits period was established because of locals.

Yes sir! Until competitive fishing establishes a number ranking system such as USTRC with roping. Currently fisherman can fish down in an event but weekend guys can not fish up in an event. Money also dictates a lot of this. The flw tour is a prime example to a certain extent.

I believe that almost all tournament directors know that guides do not have an advantage and are often disadvantaged. However, they feel they have to put in guide rules to eliminate guides to appease the tournament anglers who will whine anytime they get beat by a guide. The anglers who really understand tournament fishing and have confidence in themselves welcome the guides entry fees being paid.

Well said.

I agree with the locals being able to compete with the guides with the exception of Fork. I know there are some good sticks on Fork that do not guide but the guides can target them unders for weeks with his clients.

Guides will typically have an edge on weekend warriors purely due to time on the water, they will probably make less mistakes during tournament time (doesnt matter the lake), that is no different then a retired angler getting to fish as much as he wants. Doesnt mean they will win though

our rule is a paid guide on the tournament lake cant fish if he has guided within 12 months of tourney.Texas State Bass Tournament.