Another club educate question

[Kromer]

We have a small club and do not fish for money but we do fish for prizes.
We spend a potion of our dues towards 1st to 3rd gift certs from a local tackle store that supports us. These are monthly prizes.

Also at the end of the year we buy from the same tackle store, A.O.Y. and through 3rd gift certs but they are larger.

The club gets along well and is enjoyed by all. Of course thre is an occasional bit of friction over one thing or another, but in general we enjoy each others company.

I am not sure I want to open this can of worms, or for that matter am I convinced it is even a can of worms

It was brought to my attention that another club member frequently makes calls during a tournament, he could call his good friend who is a member and frankly a much better angler. Or he could call a guide he knows etc.

So my question is how would you receive and otherwise act on this information.
Would you say;

it's a great group that fishes for fun a small prizes so leave it alone.

Or would you talk tot he angler and tell him what he is doing is ethically wrong and could be considerd cheating?

[Wichibass]

If it is not in the rules. Leave it alone.

[Kromer]

Wichibass,
That is a good point that I neglected to mention; it is not in the rules.

[jheller16]

While I dont agree with it, it is not in the rules so he is not breaking anything or cheating. I would leave it alone and find a better guide to call while your fishing.

[Derek B]

our club is individuals only. My dad and I call each other throughout the day to see how the other is doing. I don't think it hurts anything, especially if you aren't fishing for money.

[hunt22-250]

Turn him in and ban him from the club. Don't let one bad apple spoil it for everyone.

[smalljawguy]

This is exactly why most of us run from bass clubs. Everyone is worried about somebody getting an unfair advantage, etc. The guy can call 39 different experts in a day but he still has to figure out how to put them in the boat. Worry about what you're doing and let the rest worry about themselves. It's supposed to be for fun for petes sake.

[Bassngolfer]

Well...if it's not in the rules, whenever it comes time to adopt the rules or amend them per your club's annual schedule...I would motion to have no non emergency phone use allowed during the event. Family issues and / or work related issues would not be subject to the restriction...but if your club "ignores" this sort of thing...it will only get worse. Just like the above statement about calling his dad...in the same event...not a good thing . Now, you're helping your father beat other competitors regardless of what REALLY happens, that is what the field will think. Perception is reality.

Vote to amend the rules and he'll know why it's being done without any confrontation...it's really better regardless of the level of prizes. Pride is the biggest purse anyway .

[Flipping57]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by smalljawguy &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">This is exactly why most of us run from bass clubs. Everyone is worried about somebody getting an unfair advantage, etc. The guy can call 39 different experts in a day but he still has to figure out how to put them in the boat. Worry about what you're doing and let the rest worry about themselves. It's supposed to be for fun for petes sake.</td></tr></table>

+1 Well said.

[00Javelin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by smalljawguy &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">This is exactly why most of us run from bass clubs. Everyone is worried about somebody getting an unfair advantage, etc. The guy can call 39 different experts in a day but he still has to figure out how to put them in the boat. Worry about what you're doing and let the rest worry about themselves. It's supposed to be for fun for petes sake.</td></tr></table>

Yep

[Kromer]

I appreciate the thoughts and will leave it alone.
We do have a great group and there is no upside to bringing this up and making it a potential issue.

[Chief Paduke]

More than likely he is asking "White or whole wheat?"

[WillDaBeast]

Leave it alone since it's not in the rules. The pros pay for waypoints but they still gotta catch em.

[billius]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by smalljawguy &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">This is exactly why most of us run from bass clubs. Everyone is worried about somebody getting an unfair advantage, etc. The guy can call 39 different experts in a day but he still has to figure out how to put them in the boat. Worry about what you're doing and let the rest worry about themselves. It's supposed to be for fun for petes sake.</td></tr></table>

That kind of thinking is exactly why I quit fishing clubs and tournaments. Too many guys get their panties in a wad over the dumbest things.

[aussiebasser]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassngolfer &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Well...if it's not in the rules, whenever it comes time to adopt the rules or amend them per your club's annual schedule...I would motion to have no non emergency phone use allowed during the event. Family issues and / or work related issues would not be subject to the restriction...but if your club "ignores" this sort of thing...it will only get worse. Just like the above statement about calling his dad...in the same event...not a good thing . Now, you're helping your father beat other competitors regardless of what REALLY happens, that is what the field will think. Perception is reality.

Vote to amend the rules and he'll know why it's being done without any confrontation...it's really better regardless of the level of prizes. Pride is the biggest purse anyway . </td></tr></table>

You must be a lot of fun in your local Bass club.

[Hoot]

Another reason I don't belong to a Bass Club...as far as getting advice from a guide or another fishermen you still have to catch the fish and who says they are still where the other guy caught them a few days ago?

4 years ago the wife and are fun fishing on Sunday afternoon there is a pretty good sized qualifying Tournament going on. I'm making an effort to stay out of everybody's way and fishing out on a weed line as they only have two hours to left to fish and I just got started.

Two guys ask me if I'm a local and say they didn't get to pre-fish much and they are really struggling and need some pounds quick. I tell them a spot just up ahead of us and give them instructions on how to fish it as they were fishing the right bait and color. They go to the spot all right but do the opposite of what I told them as they were sitting right on top of where the fish should be and casting in the wrong direction. After five or six casts they crank up and blast down the lake and I ease up to the spot and proceed to catch and release a limit doing exactly what I told them to do. So much for information helping

[Bassngolfer]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by aussiebasser &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

You must be a lot of fun in your local Bass club. </td></tr></table>

How's that Dale?

Because I was a TD for a LARGE group of whiners? Because when considering what it is you're actually doing in a bass event, it doesn't include trying to acquire fishing info by phone during the event? Because some of the responses take "the high road" and just don't fish clubs anymore...when in reality, it's BECAUSE of issues like this...and NOT just because they all think it SHOULD BE okay? I don't fish with "a club" anymore myself...for a few reasons, but because I'm not any fun isn't one of them...tyvm...

A "club" here in North America generally models itself after larger entities in it's rule making and when those larger entities announce that getting information by phone during tournament hours is okay...then it will (or might) be okay in a club setting too...but until then, I'll stand behind my stance regardless of whether it elicits a negative comment from you . I don't prethink my responses based on their potential acceptance by those who read them.

If you think it's no big deal for someone in a bass event to make phone calls during tournament hours for the purpose of gaining information because "it's just a club", then I'll HAVE to believe it's ONLY because your typing it here and not actually getting beat because of it . When that happens and others know it and the club does nothing about it...anglers leave .

Sorry I couldn't be more "fun"...

[Flipping57]

I know of several guys in the club I am in that will call each other during the day about what they are doing. I could care less, I am fishing in a bass club for enjoyment. Them talking to each other on a phone in no way can effect my enjoyment. Someone crying and bitching about someone talking on a phone would ruin my enjoyment for sure. So I can say for sure that I would never want to be in a club with someone like you.
Comparing a bass club to the "larger entities" REALLY???????

[Bassngolfer]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Flipping57 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I know of several guys in the club I am in that will call each other during the day about what they are doing. I could care less, I am fishing in a bass club for enjoyment. Them talking to each other on a phone in no way can effect my enjoyment. Someone crying and bitching about someone talking on a phone would ruin my enjoyment for sure. So I can say for sure that I would never want to be in a club with someone like you.
Comparing a bass club to the "larger entities" REALLY???????</td></tr></table>

I'm going to work this one backwards for you, as it appears you'll understand it better.

Did you by any chance help start the club you fish with? If you did, then "cell phones" may not have ever been in the picture when your rules were adopted(believe it or not, if you have a "club", you have bylaws and rules ). Anyway, you may want to check those rules to see if there are any rules on "information"...or...if the phone calls have been working for you...you may not . That's what some do...they plead ignorance about their own club's rules. Not you... other members... Those "larger entities"? Many, many clubs use their rules as a template and add or subtract certain rules to best fit their club. Not believing that has me thinking you had nothing to do with the rule making of your club...and quite possibly even less with the rule following...

I can't say that there aren't clubs out there that just gather to fish a tournament for pure "enjoyment". There may very well be some that have no entry fee, no rules and no prizes, cash or otherwise. If that's what you fish, then what I say doesn't apply to your "club". I apologize for assuming clubs still had some level of entry fee and payback. That's what I refer to, always...as I never fish a tournament purely for the enjoyment. If it were just the "enjoyment", I could do that on my own. I wouldn't have to pay an entry fee just to be "around" others who were fishing purely for the enjoyment too.

I think you just helped me understand the meaning of a "Sunday Drive"! You know...those folks everybody yells at because they can't follow the rules of safe driving? Well, I see it now! They're just out driving for the enjoyment! They don't have any rules! 53 years...and I learn it on BBC!

Let me get serious for a moment...does YOUR club have an entry fee for their events? Does YOUR club have any sort of payout? Regardless of what YOU'RE THERE FOR...is there anyone else actually trying to win YOUR club's event for the purse? If you answer yes to ANY of those questions, then chances are, your club has rules either allowing phone use between competitors, or it has rules disallowing phone use by the same. I don't care if they do or if they don't...it just needs to be addressed so that all members are aware and don't make assumptions. THAT is what angers members, whether you agree with me or not.

[Flipping57]

OUr club was established in 1992. Since you seam to think that we must just be a bunch of dumbass rednecks would you please read from our club by-laws and tell me if it is against our rules for old Billy Joe to call Jim Bob and tell him how he is catching his fish.

http://www.monroecountybassanglers.com/News.html

PS. the reason our club has been around for 20 years is we don't put up with people BITCHING about petty crap.