If you are wanting to make the playing field a little more equal, make the lake off-limits all week with practice on Friday only or even no practice. And make it a rule that you can receive no private information that helps locate or catch them.

Good point David
I'm good with that, just like Champs. I have to work ALL week and fish on what knowledge I had the week before generally.
That would even out the field considerably

I voted "I dont care" but I can see how some would be intimidated. I Fished fork every weekend back in the 90's and back then there were as many guides as regular anglers. In large part even then many of them were no better than I was at the time. Many were just regular guys in love with fishing and full of themselves enough to think they could make it. There were a few though that if I had to fish against them I knew I was fishing for second. In their day the Stevensons, Brian Duplechain, Stan Gerzyny (I know I spelled that wrong), Larry Barnes, Mark Pack and in my opinion the saltiest of them all back then Hollis Joiner were outstanding fishermen. I know a there are a few good ones now but they dont scare me like the above mentioned group.

Guides get paid to know where trophies are at, and to help tournament fishermen target fat 2 lbers.

Don't tell me you haven't seen some of the ads for Sealy's BBS from guides, "we can help you with the small money fish as well as show you some spots for trophies".

Its their jobs to know where, what size, and what the fish are doing every day. You think a guide forgets where he caught some good unders by accident while trying for hawgs for a client?

And as for locals, 5 days offlimits applies to all, so I'm game with that rule in place. The slot is not a factor, it applies to all as well.

First Berkley BBS tournament was held on a Sunday. Guide Ritchie White had 3 checks and was home in time to attend Church that morning.

I'm with the group that says "It depends on who you want to fish your tournaments." I consider JCOutdoors and MediaBass the next steps for the club angler before hitting BassChamps, BASS opens or FLW. I know if I wanted to make the next step I'd hesitate entering a tournament with lake guides. I myself know a few and don't worry about fishing against them on a neutral lake. As for their home lake...I'd first like to see the guides put up some cash and take me on at my job. Having played a lot of billiards in my days I've seen the The Hustler ply his skills more than a few times.

At some point JCOudoors has to ask itself "Who do we want to attract to our
tournaments?" Weekend angler? Guide level angler? I consider myself a guide level angler so it's a coin toss for me. Like I said earlier, I don't worry about fishing
against them on a neutral lake. On their home lake I'd be a fool not to be concerned.