You might get some gamblers, but not many competitors..

So if you're sitting in the weigh-in line and you think you'll be in-between the first and 2nd group, do you go throw a fish or two back in the lake to try to make the 2nd payout group?

This is done in golf, and it's an absolute absurdity. The concept of golf handicaps is based on the idea that you play often enough and report your scores often enough that you can predict before the tournament approximately how much above par that person should shoot. That's a good system, because it takes two golfers who are supposedly of equal ability and finds out who can shoot better that day. But for some of these tournaments, they've started handicapping after the scores come in and it just doesn't work. I was in a tournament a year ago and we made a nice par putt on the last hole and the other 2 guys we were playing with missed their 4-footer for par to shoot 1 shot worse than us. They ended up getting paid for winning the "2nd flight" and we didn't, all because they couldn't make a 4-footer on the last hole. Handicapping after the tournament just doesn't work.

Good idea in theory, bad idea in practice. Just my $.02

Dumbest idea since a soup sandwich.

Why do we have to bring this back up,come on,

I have always thought the overall point of a bass tournament was to see who is the best for that day. I do not agree with the redistribution of wealth so everyone gets a check or a chance to feel good about themselves. I am no where near any kind of stick but I know I would not participate in that format.
Heck you could almost just do away with the fishing part and just draw numbers to see who gets checks.

This is my first year tourny fishing and getting my butt whooped as I expected but improving very quickly. I would feel much better kicking the local sticks butts and earning a check than being put into a different scoring system. If I lose I lose part of the game

Hey, where's my ribbon???? bawahhhhhhh

Did this idea come from Washington?

Damnit Luke, you beat me to it.

This smells too much like the "we're ALL winners" speech that some schools give to all the 1st grade kids who entered the 20 yard dash. Point is, there was 1 winner, and the rest lost. The desire to win created by losing is what what makes us all better. And I have a LOT of desire! lol

To reward a sub performance only takes away the desire to get better IMO.

And I think Ricky Bobby's Dad said it best....

You are right Big Fish, most people have the desire to win come from many losses. Others try to figure out how to change the rules. I am proudly a member of the former and not the latter. Socialism has its place (EUROPE)Lets leave it off of Texas Lakes

Obamatrail

Just pay the same amount for the top 5 places. Out of the entry and then have an optional $10-20 fruit jar winner take all.

......lottery anyone?...