Field and Stream Sports Tournament Trail(BEWARE!)

[Intimidator0756]

Modified by Intimidator0756 at 8:50 PM 9/12/2009

[metalman76]

When and where is this classic going to be fished? I am thinking that you and a bunch of friends need to " go fishing " that day and the day before.

[Bank Trash]

+1

[Intimidator0756]

Haha I am glad that you guys see it the same way. The classic was this weekend and I didnt go but I sure thought about going and trying to be as big of a problem as I could.

[mcherry]

2 wrongs don't make it right. If you go the day before then so be it. I wouldn't go tx day. just my 2 cents

[Bass Commander]

Matt, I dont know you so dont take this personally, however after fishing tournaments for 30 years or so, I too would have wondered why competitors were putting fish back in their boats after weighing them. Additionally, transporting and re-introducing fish (bucket biologists) can have legal, if not harmful ecological ramifications in some areas.

Bass fishermen talk...to go back now just for the sake of being a pain in the ass, might cause you problems down the road.

[NC Buck]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RobShaw1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Matt, I dont know you so dont take this personally, however after fishing tournaments for 30 years or so, I too would have wondered why competitors were putting fish back in their boats after weighing them. Additionally, transporting and re-introducing fish (bucket biologists) can have legal, if not harmful ecological ramifications in some areas.

Bass fishermen talk...to go back now just for the sake of being a pain in the ass, might cause you problems down the road.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I must agree with Rob. Except for some club tournaments, I have never been able to touch or carry my catch anywhere after they had be weighed. They normally have helpers who take care of releasing the fish. I know in FOM Legacy that I am a director for, once the fish go in the tub, you as a competitor will not touch them again. Did someone on the staff tell you you could put them back in your boat? Years ago that was one of the problems we had with letting fishermen take their boats out before weigh-in and handle their own fish. It was a known fact and people have been caught doing what we called "Hot Boxing". I fished a tournament in Mississippi, Sardis Lake, and I know I saw the same fish come across the scales three times.

[Intimidator0756]

Its like I told the man give me a polograph or ride with me and I will show you how to catch them. I have nothing to hide. Just people jealous and tired of getting beat on their home water.

Thanks, Matt

[BassCatnVa]

Hey Matt-- If they said you were cheating that's a different beast all together. I thought it was because of rule 32- all fish weighed-in become property of the tournament director. The fact you released the fish like asked warrants an argument! Simple put i would say, fish something else on that body of water. Maybe bigger tournaments if you are catching fish at will, that good all the time. At the same time i would want my name cleared of any wrong doing. Nobody wants to be looked at like a cheater. Fishermen have long memories and word of mouth does spread quick in the community.

[skeeter202]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BassCatnVa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Matt-- If they said you were cheating that's a different beast all together. I thought it was because of rule 32- all fish weighed-in become property of the tournament director. The fact you released the fish like asked warrants an argument! Simple put i would say, fish something else on that body of water. Maybe bigger tournaments if you are catching fish at will, that good all the time. At the same time i would want my name cleared of any wrong doing. Nobody wants to be looked at like a cheater. Fishermen have long memories and word of mouth does spread quick in the community.</TD></TR></TABLE>
+ 1

[Intimidator0756]

Cheating was never mentioned to me by anyone. They told me I was not allowed to fish due to rule 32.

[skeeter202]

I do not know you and am not accusing you of any wrong doing but here is the way that I would look at it though I probably would not have said anything but I would have been leery and watched you a lot closer. If you are continually spanking the locals azzes then they are going to watch you really close. Why would you put the fish back in your boat ? another competitor probably started a rumor that you were going back to put them in a basket even though you were not but perception is a hard bird to kill.Your best bet may be to talk to the director, explain why you did what you did unknowingly and apologize for the misunderstanding if you want to fish that lake without harrassment because as Ronnie said dock talk can really hurt you even if only perceived..just my 02 cents on the subject

[bassnva123]

Matt,
As a tournament director and after reading some different trails rules most say the fish are the tournament directors. A few rules say "released" fish and a few do not specify. If you did that in a tournament I was running I would say to release the fish. Like Rob said the ecological impact of transplanting fish is usually not good. I would check the rules and see if you are required to write a protest within a certain time after the scales close. Then ask the director if he had written protests. Even if you make your point to them I would still not fish if they let me !!