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Tournament Fishing Participation - How do you decide?
After talking to some friends of mine about tournament fishing in general, the new tournaments coming, legacy tournaments that have been around a long time, and everything in between I want to know a couple things from the people on here:
- What you think about the number of tournaments in general?
- How do you decide which ones to do?
When you stop and think about all the tournaments coming in 2016 for example it is pretty shocking to see how far spread out anglers could become. That list of tournaments in 2016 includes:
- Northwest Bass
- ABA East and West
- The New Big Bass Trail
- TBF Qualifiers
- BASS Qualifiers
- Open Tournaments
- Club Tournaments
Pretty wild when you consider how many tournaments that is and actually put those dates to the calendar and see almost every weekend with multiple events from April through September.
Here's my thoughts:
#1 In my opinion there are a limited number of tournament bass fishermen in the northwest and based on the participation of tournaments this year and in the last couple of years, almost across the board (there are a few exceptions), I would argue that so many tournaments is not good for tournament fishing in general. It appears to me that the market has become diluted already and even more events are coming up. That is not to say that I do not believe in competition. I will be the first person to tell you that when there's more competition, figure out a way to do what everyone else is doing and make it better, but unfortunately I don't see that now or in the future. I see too much of the same stuff, or see new things that just don't appeal to me. Wasn't it alot more fun and didn't it mean a heck of alot more to the anglers personally when they did well, as well as the appeal to sponsors when there were 100+ boats at an event or events in a circuit.
#2 For me, I typically choose a tournament trail based on the schedule, how "fun" the lake is to fish at the given time of year, and my level of confidence that I can get my money back. Alot of my decision making is about potential ROI for me at this point which pretty much rules out all club and qualifier events. I at least want the opportunity to make my money back if I get lucky enough to cash a check over a weekend or at least have a great time trying. So I choose the circuit where I both feel the most confident I can do well, compared with the investment and payback, and the uniqueness or amount of fun I am going to have to justify the expense. Then mix in an open tournament or two where it makes sense and doesn't conflict with prefish of whatever circuit I choose. Oh and then compare that with the family plans and events with the wife and kids.
So I'll end my rambling with a challenge to tournament directors or circuits. Use the resources you have at your disposal, listen to the anglers, work a little harder to separate yourself, think outside of the box and figure out how to stand above everything else. Maybe this is being done now and I'm missing something and if so I apologize, but I can't be the only one feeling this way.
Thoughts?
Views: 10790
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Taylor Smith on
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I agree with you both Ron and Don.
Can you imagine how excited people would be if the Moses BBT was March 19th or March 26th? Boat numbers would be great and it wouldn't interfere with the Nixon's Invitational.
Current dates - #NotgoodforthefishNotgoodfortheanglersNotgoodforthesport
Isn't the BBT on Potholes the weekend before the NW/Potholes Open too? #seeabovehashtag
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Permalink Reply by Ben Hanes on
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After becoming club president of CBBC and going through the tournament permitting process recently, it IS POSSIBLE for these organizations to move their dates, locations, off-limits, etc....As long as there currently aren't 2 or more weekend events on Moses in March, this change would be easy and free.
I agree with you guys, it's bad for the sport, but I don't see NWB budging at all so far or listening to the anglers with regards to pre-fishing, off-limits, scheduling, or format. So, we'll see. Capitalism at it's finest. Gonna be an interesting year.
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Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on
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Since some of you seem to be into the whole "pie" analogy, how about this... It's like there is a long standing tradition of a pie being served on a certain day. I'm the new baker in town and I decide to serve my pie right next to the traditional pie and then just for emphasis I'm gonna take a shit in between the two. Then I'm gonna ask the guy who's been serving the pie for many years to do something about the sanitation.
NWB shouldn't be put in a position to have to change dates on a well-run, well-received event. All involved knew about the 2 weeks off limits that NWB has for the event - and if you didn't, you shouldn't be scheduling events. To stuff another tournament into those dates shows a lack or respect for the fisherman and the great fishery that ML is. You have a world class fishery there and it needs a voice in this whole conversation too.
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It almost seems very beneficial for the BBT to move the Moses tourney to March because if they keep it on April 23-24 as is, then they will be conflicting with ABA Potholes (April 23-24) AND the Nixon's Moses cutoff (In effect on April 23-24). That will eliminate a lot of potential anglers from their pool.
But I guess just as easily another circuit could budge and move. It's a popular time of year for fishing that's for certain!
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Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on
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One thing to keep in mind is that holding that tournament in March on Moses Lake pretty much cancels out using Cascade as a boat launch, and it most likely recipe for some crunched lower units with the water being so low. Great fishing though besides that from what I hear!
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Lunde on
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I have been watching this discussion for awhile and I feel I would like to interject some of my thoughts.
I would think before Russ decided to apply for the permits for BBTT, he would have looked at the other tournament trails and their normal schedules they have fished in the past. Nixons in the past has been usually around the 5th and 6th or first week of May, which would have allowed for the two week off limit required by Nixons. And still be able to fish BBTT. I personally do not understand the need to have a two week off limits for any tournaments.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on
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Kevin,
Why do you think Russ would have looked at historical dates and guessed what Nixons was doing? I myself would have thought that Russ would pick up the phone, or send an email to be SURE of the dates rather than playing guessing games.
Alot of guys bark up that 2 week off limit tree. Its a fair argument, but the quality of fish that are brought in, despite a large field on a small lake, speaks to its possible effectiveness. As Don pointed out, in your scenario, you'd have guys pounding the snot out of Moses lake for up to 4 weekends in a row. Brutal on the fish, and redundant on the anglers.
Early April BBT on the Columbia River was the solution in my mind. It woulda been a unicorn rodeo full of mystical decision making, pirates, and adventure. You could easily have a weigh site out of Sacajawea park, with the field launching out of the 3-4 ramps that are all within eyesight of it. An 8lber may not have won it....
Kevin Lunde said:I would think before Russ decided to apply for the permits for BBTT, he would have looked at the other tournament trails and their normal schedules they have fished in the past. Nixons in the past has been usually around the 5th and 6th or first week of May, which would have allowed for the two week off limit required by Nixons. And still be able to fish BBTT. I personally do not understand the need to have a two week off limits for any tournaments.
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Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on
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I believe the two week off limits was to ease pressure off the fish, so that the event and fish would benefit.
Let's face it Moses Lake didn't get super popular until after the NMI there where Hendrickson and Wolsky brought in around 32 pounds one day and follow with 27 the 2nd. The NMI made that popular again! After that they lake has got booming pressure every year.
I honestly believe it was an oversight by BBT but like every oversight there is almost always a solution or compromise. So when it is decided that no solution to this problem is going to be made, to me the mirage of disrespecting or (crapping on) the NMI and ABA and not to mention the fisherman who have been supporting these events for years, sadly just turns it into a reality. Though it was UNINTENTIONAL at first with the most SINCERE and HONEST intentions of doing the right thing turned into what people were speculating.
I just don't get it. I would like to support BBT but BBT wont let me! It's a huge flaw and if BBT is what it claims to be and "listens" to anglers than I assume there will be a solution, it isn't too late.
Scheduling is super hard for these directors but a couple emails or phone calls go a long way especially if you are the new circuit in town. Why is every BBT besides Lake WA the weekend prior to a NW Bass. Almost like drawing a line in the sand. REREAD MR STEINERS thread about respect it's it earned.... -
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Jeff..... a product is most of times judged on perception and not intent. Unfairly it may seem but every product is judged this way, you cannot dispute that.
Also if you are saying I am throwing daggers you are judging me on perception and not on my intent. I have fished the last 2 tournaments and happily donated my money to Tag and Kelvin, did you see me at these events?
I would like to fish this circuit but do to scheduling blunders I am unable too and that is frustrating to me.
Also you contradict yourself in your 2 replies. Remember this "So throw that phone call that Russ "should" have made to Jeff out the window" then you follow it with this
"Better communication can only help--not hurt," so tell me which is it? One one you basically stated that making a call would not have helped and the other says it will help not hurt..... You are confusing me. -
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This idea that the state screws up the dates seems like a pretty average excuse and I'll tell you why...
We know that tournament dates can be changed. Jeff, you mentioned that Russ has changed them twice to dates he has preferred. We also know that directors often get the same dates at the same venues each year, which suggests much less random selection that has been implied.
Who should communicate? E-mail is pretty cool. You can clearly see who is communicating and who is refusing to reply. Accountability instead of words that disappear into the atmosphere.
I do like that Russ has changed some rules and dates. It sounds like he's not going to do the facebook weight updates this year, which to me is a very good thing to do. You are right he deserves some credit. Those changes aren't worth their salt if they don't solve the issue though.... Some guys still had their decisions made for them despite options being available.
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