Too many tournaments?

Blake423

New member
Hey guys, what do yall think about all of these tournaments going on every night of the week? I know it's calmed down now, but do you think it is hurting the fishing?

I think it is..
 

SpeedFish

Member
That's why nobody can draw any boats anymore. There could be some dang good paying tournaments if there wasn't so many barber shop tom dick and Harry dogfights and even organized events that don't ever have over 20 boats.
 

Jmax

Active member
It will have a lot less of an impact then you might think. One bad year on the spawn will effect the bass much worse then all the tournaments that same year. :( Killing the grass, having a poor shad population, bad water quality and many other things will effect the bass more then what we can impact the bass with tournament. I do feel the bass become more accustom to see artificial baits and are more likely not to hit them by having so many anglers fishing day after day. However to say "Tournaments" cause it is putting it all on the ones who do them. Just mere numbers of bass anglers fishing day after day can do the same thing. They don't have to be in a tournament. This past weekend was a perfect example of what I am saying. A week ago the bass were really looking to take off in fall feeding mode. Those storms hit for two days straight, water came up, grass got clobbered, water quality went in the crapper with a lot of mud and sediments flowing into the water and boom. The bass shut off. Was it all the tournaments this weekend? No, it was the water conditions.

When was the last time a TVBC two day event got a check for 8.33 lbs? I don't remember one. Then you look at how most of us fish and we think the bass are not feeding well. Have a group like the FLW or BASS Pros come in here and it takes over 100 lbs to win it like last year. emoBang Does not look like it is a bass population problem. Also keep in mind most tournaments are catch and release. Yea, we got the delayed mortality issue and those who don't take care of their fish issue but overall most bass are released.

Look at the bright side. Those college boys with the FLW who just left the Chick this weekend won't be back anytime soon based on their results from this weekend. ;) They struggled big times. Was it the numbers of tournaments that have been going on this year, no, I again will submit the water conditions was the main reason. emoAngel Jmax
 

Jmax

Active member
SpeedFish - 10/20/2014 7:39 AM

That's why nobody can draw any boats anymore. There could be some dang good paying tournaments if there wasn't so many barber shop tom dick and Harry dogfights and even organized events that don't ever have over 20 boats.

Let's face it Brandon, no one wants to fish against you. emoPoke Jmax
 

Longt70

New member
I agree with you JMax. The folks that fish these tournaments are going to be on the lake fishing whether or not they are in a tournament or just rec fishing. I know for one that when I fish a tournament I would be fishing anyway. I think that with the most I fish, 3 fish, it puts lots less stress on the fish in the live well as they are not as tight and have plenty of room. Also most of the tournament guys seem to take really good care of there fish. I for 1 only know of loosing 1 fish all year to mortality. Not say I didn't have any to die after they were released but all were in great shape at the weigh-in. I know for one I keep a check on my fish about every 20 minutes to make sure there is non struggling after they a put in the live well. With that being said. How many rec. Fisherman take the time to make sure there fish are healthy when released? Most as I've seen just unhook them and throw them back in. I'm not going to beat a dead dog here as everyone has a opinion, but I feel like most of the time fish a cared for more from tournament fishermen than rec. fishermen!!
 

fishinvol

New member
But if you are just fishing, are you throwing them in a livewell? If someone is unhooking a fish and putting it back in the lake , it's better for that fish. There are way too many tournaments. It gets worse every year. I understand mother nature will effect the bass population more than a tournament will, but why contribute to it? A tournament every single day/night is pointless. Whats it for? Some recognition? For money? There has been a Monday and Thursday Nighter for as long as I can remember. Isn't that enough for the dogfights? Always well ran and always had great turn outs. Now suddenly there is one every single day during the spring through late fall. What's the point? I like fishing tournaments too but it's become too much IMO.
 

rangerjim

Member
SpeedFish - 10/20/2014 6:39 AM

That's why nobody can draw any boats anymore. There could be some dang good paying tournaments if there wasn't so many barber shop tom dick and Harry dogfights and even organized events that don't ever have over 20 boats.

Exact same problem on Guntersville too. This year that was a Tues night and Thursday night tournament at Browns Creek, a Wed night at Goosepond and a Thurs night at Jackson Co Park and one at Mudd Creek, I think Monday......and that is just the ones I know about. Definitely cuts down the field and payouts.
 

Blake423

New member
I just think that all these tournaments are stressing the fish out and making them finicky.. as many tournaments as we have on chick, every dang fish has been in a livewell this year lol

I think there should be a limit on the tournaments, not necessarily by Twra but us anglers, it's our responsibility to take care of our home lake and everyone and their mother puts on a tournament. The fishing since July has been absolutely terrible on chick and gville in my opinion. Of course you'll have one or two people to stumble into some but everyone else struggles.

If they had one during the week and one on the weekend, the payout and boats would grow because people aren't tournament fishing every night of the week.
 

Blake423

New member
And to talk about the spawn.. How many tournaments went on and how many people bed fished and how many big fish were pulled off of beds away from the eggs so bluegill, crawfish, etc. could go eat the eggs? That would be a major effect on the spawn and how many fish are in our lake..
 

Jmax

Active member
:emoticon: I guess if it makes you feel better keep on complaining. Won't do any good and will not change a thing. emoRolleyes Jmax
 

BASS MAN

New member
I dont think its hurting fist went friday afdernoon got 18 large 23 strip in one hole from one side boat put in water on other side of boat no one with me had good time I fish 4 nights week or 5
 

Hiwassee Angler

New member
Blake, For this case, lets use a body of water like th hiawasse river for this example. The hiawasee river, especially the upper portion, has about 2 to 3 tournaments on it a week. This river isnt a terrible fishery, but sure doesn't fish like the chick. The main reason it doesn't fish well isn't because of the pressure it recieves by anglers, but the abuse of manufacturers dumping chemical waste in its waters, along with the lack of aquatic vegetation and water quality. The forage base isn't there , therefore the fish can't grow because of the lack of nutrition and habitat.
 
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