Poll: Using your phone to check weather & water flows while in a tournament?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Roberts Sr on March 15, 2011 at 9:20am

I just got off the phone with Gary from NW Bass and he's aready working on changing this rule to allow checking weather, water flows and other saftey items. He will announce the new rule later.

 

What a guy one step ahead all the time!

That's why NW Bass is a leader>>>>>

 

Bill

Permalink Reply by Taylor Smith on March 15, 2011 at 3:21pm

You're Exactly Right Bill!

Gary is always one step ahead and being pro active toward bettering his circuit, which is already top of the class!  Not that it matters, but I completely agree with the rule change due to safety precaution.

 

Thanks Gary!

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 15, 2011 at 6:43pm

If the cell phones are outlawed than the new Lowrance HDS system should be outlawed, due to the fact you can do all that on the new system.  Anyways sounds like it is a non issue anyhow.

Permalink Reply by Chris Lambert on March 16, 2011 at 11:06am

Hey Bill,

 

I respectfully disagree with the your idea of allowing cell phones during tournaments...for any reason other than a true emergency.  I've heard of guys in the past that text eachother during the course of a tournament regarding spots, catches, patterns, etc.  Who's to say that allowing guys to use their phone to check the weather wont tempt them to "bend" the rules a little bit?

 

You hear about anglers in the Great Lakes having uhf radios installed on their boats to monitor the weather.  This could be an alternative if we're really concerned about it. 

 

Also, regarding river flows, shouldn't this be part of your PRE tournament plan? If you're allowed to check river flows during a tournament day to possibly change your game plan would you be able to check past results in tournaments too? I think this is a slippery slope that would be impossible to enforce by tournament directors.  Gary and Lisa already have their hands full monitoring all of us misfits and I don't think he needs any more gray area or "interpretation" of rules.

Permalink Reply by Taylor Smith on March 16, 2011 at 1:03pm

I completely understand your concern Chris but I think there are a couple items to keep in mind when it comes 'interpretation of rules' and 'bending the rules' in this situation.

 

Along with Gary's change in allowing the use of cell phones to check safety items like water flow and weather; I believe he is now implementing manditory Polygraph tests for EVERY tournament. This is a great way to mitigate safety concerns while still holding the integrity of the anglers. If an individual was going to cheat via their cell phone now that we are allowed to check weather etc, they likely would have cheated before the new rule change, right? There was nothing more preventing anglers from 'bending the rules' before the new rule, as there is now. Actually there was less with the new Polygraph test at every tournament.

 

This situation is similar to gun control. Taking guns away from murderers isn't going to prevent them from murdering. If they were going to murder someone, they would have done it whether the gun was available or not.

 

Chris Lambert said:

Hey Bill,

 

I respectfully disagree with the your idea of allowing cell phones during tournaments...for any reason other than a true emergency.  I've heard of guys in the past that text eachother during the course of a tournament regarding spots, catches, patterns, etc.  Who's to say that allowing guys to use their phone to check the weather wont tempt them to "bend" the rules a little bit?

 

You hear about anglers in the Great Lakes having uhf radios installed on their boats to monitor the weather.  This could be an alternative if we're really concerned about it. 

 

Also, regarding river flows, shouldn't this be part of your PRE tournament plan? If you're allowed to check river flows during a tournament day to possibly change your game plan would you be able to check past results in tournaments too? I think this is a slippery slope that would be impossible to enforce by tournament directors.  Gary and Lisa already have their hands full monitoring all of us misfits and I don't think he needs any more gray area or "interpretation" of rules.

Permalink Reply by Chris Lambert on March 16, 2011 at 1:42pm

Hey Taylor,

 

You've got some good points and I agree with you on most points...but -  where should Gary draw the line regarding cell phone use during a tournament? I guess I understand the desire to check the weather.  I don't know, however, that people should be able to check water flows during a tournament.  If you're allowed to check river flows would you be allowed to check other sites as well? How is that monitored?

 

This is why most tournaments have a strict no cell phone policies.  It's nothing that tournament directors can police so why open it up? I agree that cheaters will and do find a way to cheat...it's unfortunate but that's the reality of things.  I think allowing the use of phones just makes it easier.

 

Taylor Smith said:

I completely understand your concern Chris but I think there are a couple items to keep in mind when it comes 'interpretation of rules' and 'bending the rules' in this situation.

 

Along with Gary's change in allowing the use of cell phones to check safety items like water flow and weather; I believe he is now implementing manditory Polygraph tests for EVERY tournament. This is a great way to mitigate safety concerns while still holding the integrity of the anglers. If an individual was going to cheat via their cell phone now that we are allowed to check weather etc, they likely would have cheated before the new rule change, right? There was nothing more preventing anglers from 'bending the rules' before the new rule, as there is now. Actually there was less with the new Polygraph test at every tournament.

 

This situation is similar to gun control. Taking guns away from murderers isn't going to prevent them from murdering. If they were going to murder someone, they would have done it whether the gun was available or not.

 

Chris Lambert said:

Hey Bill,

 

I respectfully disagree with the your idea of allowing cell phones during tournaments...for any reason other than a true emergency.  I've heard of guys in the past that text eachother during the course of a tournament regarding spots, catches, patterns, etc.  Who's to say that allowing guys to use their phone to check the weather wont tempt them to "bend" the rules a little bit?

 

You hear about anglers in the Great Lakes having uhf radios installed on their boats to monitor the weather.  This could be an alternative if we're really concerned about it. 

 

Also, regarding river flows, shouldn't this be part of your PRE tournament plan? If you're allowed to check river flows during a tournament day to possibly change your game plan would you be able to check past results in tournaments too? I think this is a slippery slope that would be impossible to enforce by tournament directors.  Gary and Lisa already have their hands full monitoring all of us misfits and I don't think he needs any more gray area or "interpretation" of rules.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on March 16, 2011 at 2:28pm

Chris I agree with you. Slippery slope. That said were just a blink away from full on internet connected computing devices in our boats anyway.

Neither of the sited items Weather or water flow are an emergency in my opinion, that you couldn't get the information prior to entering the water on. Gary should re-think this.  Emergency  is human health issues or boat issues that strand or endanger anglers. 

Weather... start by looking at the sky and use some common sense.  Anybody know of anyone injured in bad weather that would have made a different decision to not go out in a tournament.  

I have been in lightening storms... ya get off the water is what you do, let it pass and go back out 20 minutes later. Wind, there are no surprises with the wind. Go to NOAA, they'll be close. Rain, snow, hail, sleet.... keep fishing, enough said.

But its about making the decision before you go on the water, and tournament directors will usually make the decision for you. 

I do think most anglers are very honest, I think pride of winning while doing things right keeps most folks on the right track, but there is always those guys that have an entirely different set of boundaries that will abuse every crack in the system.  The concept of intention escapes them.

Good topic,

Steve

Permalink Reply by David on March 16, 2011 at 3:12pm

Using a cell phone is no different than using a side image radar. It does not guarantee you will catch fish, I dont understand all the fear of using a cell phoine during a tourney. If your boat is outfitted with the latest technology you already have all the info you need, checking weather and waterflow is a very slight advantage if any. Why not make the tourney's were no electronics are allowed on the boat period. It would put the fishing back into the hands of the fisherman instead of the equipment.

Permalink Reply by Chris Lambert on March 16, 2011 at 3:36pm

Side imaging SONAR can't text a buddy to tell him that there's a good spinnerbait bite on shallow weedlines...atleast none that I know of:) 

 

I'm not as concerned with the weather/river flow checks as much as I would be about guys communicating with each other.  This is why there's a "no cell phone rule" on almost every tournament rule sheet you will see.

 

David said:

Using a cell phone is no different than using a side image radar. It does not guarantee you will catch fish, I dont understand all the fear of using a cell phoine during a tourney. If your boat is outfitted with the latest technology you already have all the info you need, checking weather and waterflow is a very slight advantage if any. Why not make the tourney's were no electronics are allowed on the boat period. It would put the fishing back into the hands of the fisherman instead of the equipment.

Permalink Reply by Bill Roberts Sr on March 16, 2011 at 5:32pm

Chris, no problem disagreement is good!

 

Whatever Gary comes out with I'm sure some will agree and some won't.

I'm not exactly sure what the change will be, but I'm sure Gary will cover the loop holes.

I love the polygraph idea if it's true? I have taken 3 and think they work>>

 

Good-luck Gary and hang on to your HAT>>>

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 16, 2011 at 5:58pm

Chris I definetely note your concerns, but I don't see anybody setting their buddy up to win the tournament instead of themselves.  I do see the problem with a non tournament guy is calling their buddies in the tournament telling them where the fish are. I also see the problem with guys getting information from guys that were on the water during the off limits period.  This being said I don't see any problems with guys sharing information with other competitors.

 

I don't think your example is that great, how is that example any different than copying a guy throwing a spinnerbait and catching them on shallow weedlines? Are we suppose to close our eyes? See what I am getting at? 

 

I don't see the problem with talking to other tournament anglers during the tournament, I mean I talk to my buddies during the tournament when I see them anyhow, so whats the difference if I am using a cell phone?  Am I not suppose to answer when my pregnant wife calls?

Chris Lambert said:

Side imaging SONAR can't text a buddy to tell him that there's a good spinnerbait bite on shallow weedlines...atleast none that I know of:) 

 

I'm not as concerned with the weather/river flow checks as much as I would be about guys communicating with each other.  This is why there's a "no cell phone rule" on almost every tournament rule sheet you will see.

 

David said:

Using a cell phone is no different than using a side image radar. It does not guarantee you will catch fish, I dont understand all the fear of using a cell phoine during a tourney. If your boat is outfitted with the latest technology you already have all the info you need, checking weather and waterflow is a very slight advantage if any. Why not make the tourney's were no electronics are allowed on the boat period. It would put the fishing back into the hands of the fisherman instead of the equipment.

Permalink Reply by Chris Lambert on March 16, 2011 at 7:01pm

I think the first part of your response proves my point. 

 

Here's a different example since you don't like my first one...and let's switch it to a Federation Qualifier Tournament instead of a NW Tournament (most tournaments share the no phone rule) .  Wes and I fish some NW Tournaments together and try to help eachother, as much as the rules allow, during the Federation Qualifiers that we compete in individually.  Let's say there's a qualifier at Potholes in June.  Wes decides that he will go in the back of Crab Creek to fish our areas and I will fish our stuff on the mainlake for smallies...and we'll compare notes at noon and adjust from there.  Is that ok? I don't think so.  It's one thing if you see someone on the water and talk about the day but I think the concern is using the phone as a tool to help narrow things down.

 

I know what you're thinking...Chris really sucks at Potholes and it doesn't matter either way but let's go with the example for discussion sake. 

 

As for your last question...you know me and my answer is that you shouldn't be fishing in a silly bass tournament if your wife is close to having your baby;)

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Chris I definetely note your concerns, but I don't see anybody setting their buddy up to win the tournament instead of themselves.  I do see the problem with a non tournament guy is calling their buddies in the tournament telling them where the fish are. I also see the problem with guys getting information from guys that were on the water during the off limits period.  This being said I don't see any problems with guys sharing information with other competitors.

 

I don't think your example is that great, how is that example any different than copying a guy throwing a spinnerbait and catching them on shallow weedlines? Are we suppose to close our eyes? See what I am getting at? 

 

I don't see the problem with talking to other tournament anglers during the tournament, I mean I talk to my buddies during the tournament when I see them anyhow, so whats the difference if I am using a cell phone?  Am I not suppose to answer when my pregnant wife calls?

Chris Lambert said:

Side imaging SONAR can't text a buddy to tell him that there's a good spinnerbait bite on shallow weedlines...atleast none that I know of:) 

 

I'm not as concerned with the weather/river flow checks as much as I would be about guys communicating with each other.  This is why there's a "no cell phone rule" on almost every tournament rule sheet you will see.

 

David said:

Using a cell phone is no different than using a side image radar. It does not guarantee you will catch fish, I dont understand all the fear of using a cell phoine during a tourney. If your boat is outfitted with the latest technology you already have all the info you need, checking weather and waterflow is a very slight advantage if any. Why not make the tourney's were no electronics are allowed on the boat period. It would put the fishing back into the hands of the fisherman instead of the equipment.

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