Neither illegal or unethical if not written in the law or tournament rules.

I gotta disagree with you John175. We're all born into this world with a moral compass, that is we know right from wrong. I don't need a law or a rule to tell me if something is wrong.

I don't fish tournaments. I do understand and respect your argument that in a competition, anything not in the rules is fair game. However, I don't subscribe to that view. There are many unwritten laws of sportsmanship that are not included in tournament rules. Hence the old saying, "nice guys finish last."

Way to go Donnie! I am glad that you are willing to do something about this. I have always respected you and the way you conduct your Tournaments. That is why you have one of the best trails out there.

Actually we aren't. Our moral makeup derives from what we are taught.

I see both side of this. If it isn't against the law or in the rules it isn't technically cheating. But it is kinda lame.

+1 very interesting reading

Yes, interesting read. The only issue I have with the study it followed few fish and they were all trophy size. Bass 4.5 or so and larger live quite a diferent life then fish smaller then 4.5. (reference "In pursuit of Giant Bass" by Bill Murphy) I think the study shows what large fish are more apt to do and not all or most fish. The link below shows around 50% return.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/content/post-release-travel-tournament-bass

I really don't think it to much of a threat doesn't seem like it would be very effective however i have never thought to even try it. It is just fine to work hard for an edge even expected but to be manipulative to gain success is not ethical nor is it admired. What's the point in winning if you cant reflect on it and be proud of your accomplishment? makes no since to me.

Great Read...Thanks

Seems like a hard rule to write up and enforce. Say I catch a 10 pounder prefishing and put it in the livewell to weigh and get a pic of. Then I find someone with a camera on the other side of the lake take a pic and release the fish there in a small cove. Just for grins I go back to that cove on tournament day and catch what I think is the same fish. The same guy is there watching and turns me in for "relocating fish". No intent but technically was a rule broken? You could argue yes. I don't think you should make tournament rules about what you can't do when your not in the actual tournament. I personally wouldn't do it because it seems like a lot of hassle for no real benefit, I don't think it would work, but if someone wants to try it I have no problem with it as long as the fish are released legally where they are free to go or stay. Not in a cage of some kind.

both i think. They are where they are, moving them prior to a tourny is totaly wrong, it would be like putting them in a bucket till the tourny then weiging them. against it totally

i have heard of people catching bass in the release area. it can be good on a lake used heavily for tournaments. however, they cant guarantee them to be there without some sort of barrier to keep them in. in that case, i think it would fall under the texas "needs shooting" law.

The Hope study was the study of large bass movements. Had nothing to do with tournament release of bass and "their" movements. It showed trophy class bass feeding habits and haunts.

Bass released at Tournament weigh-ins are gonna stay there long. Yes, they may be stressed, but will move to deeper break lines to rest and recover if needed.

If there is no prey in that area, their instincts will have them on the move to eat soon.


IN 1997, the first year Sealy's moved to Cypress Bend on TBend, they do the La. SAL awards, replicas for any fish over 10 lbs.

Two fish that year was caught twice, both in prespawn first.

One was caught in six mile that weighed around 11 ish and another around Housen Bay I believe, both were tagged after being weighed at Toledo Town and Tackle. Both were released on the Northside of the Bridge.

About 3 weeks later, the first bass was caught one mile from Six mile creek, she's swam almost 20 miles back to six mile creek, and through her travels, she had gained a pound more prior to spawn. the second bass, was also caught a few miles from home, it swam about 15 miles from release point, it also had gained weight.

No they weren't caught in the exact same areas, but they sure wasn't waistning any time going to their home base.

That rule is listed on some Trails by the way.

One study doesn't paint the whole picture, and your talking norhtern strain versus Florida strain in TX, yes we have both, but spots, mixed, NLM, and Floridas all have different traits.

Don't think one study done north is comparable to our lakes.

To start off I don't do it. If ample food for the bass were not present they wouldn't stay long anyway. The off-limits week would take care of that.


Please elaborate what is wrong with it. As I said I don't do it but I don't see anything wrong with it if the law or rules don't prohibit it. Do you go through life making up rules that put you at a competitive disadvantage? Unethical? How so? Illegal? How so? Moral? Who taught you that? Should we dumb down competition to a level that does not exceed the morals of anyone in the entire field? As I said if there is no law or rule against it then it is neither illegal or unethical. I am taking advantage of nobody and nobody is taking advantage of me. If you don't read and understand the rules to the point of what is "not allowed" and more importantly what is "allowed", generally implied by omission, then you are at a competitive disadvantage. Don't enter. If it were important to the tournament director they would include the rule in their literature. If I have a clarification question on the rules I ask the tournament director a question. It's a competition with plenty of rules already adding more will make it a lawyers dream. The chances of stocking a hole successfully is slim and if it wins someone some cash then more power to them. Is it immoral to put out brushpiles? Same thing as relocating bass except brushpiles relocate them passively. Is a red laser in your lure illegal? Immoral? I have a rigid moral compass, I know right from wrong. Morals are internal to each individual. I can't stretch the teachings of Christ to any applicability to the situation.

This is along the lines of relocating fish from an area one knows he will not fish during a tourney. Is it wrong to play a little defense while pre-fishing? For example: hitting community holes and boxing the biggest 5 for a pic at the end of the morning, then releasing them near the ramp 5 miles away...is that defensive strategy or just plain ol' fun? Lighten up!

all of these people wanting to add it to the rules thinking it is illegal must be Liberals.