Fun fishing vs. Tournament fishing ???

[BassQuacker]

New guy here, Hello to all. Would like to know what is proper etiquette when I am out fun fishing and a tournement angler, either pre-fish or tourney day, pulls into the same area I am fishing and he informs me he is in a tourney. Should I go ahead and move on or stand my ground. I must admit that if I just busted a DD, which I never have, Im not moving far. Second, how close is to close to pull up to another angler, say on Clear Lake or the Delta.

[Ricky-S]

Does it really matter?

I treat everyone the same whether you are in a tournament or not. Communication is key. Speak up, smile and say hello. Chances are guys will do the same in return.

There have been times when I asked (nicely) an angler to give me room and there are other time when I could careless.

In either case, mean people will usually get mean treatment in return. Don't let the hairs on your neck stand up over every little thing. It's fishing and it is supposed to be fun. I have had fun fishermen loan me batteries and tow me in.

None of us own the water or a spot. If I spot a angler (tournament or otherwise) on a spot that I want to fish then I just ask, "Do you mind if I go around you?" Most have no problem.

It's fishing-It is supposed to be fun

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

If the pro is pre-fishing, I probably wouldn't move and most wouldn't ask you to..On tourney day I kind of lean toward letting them have the spot, after all they are playing for money, and I am only there for the fun of it..It might be a good time to back off and observe how a pro goes about fishing that area and compare it to how you were fishing it..It could be an excellent chance to learn something..In truth if the guy is really a pro, I doubt he would ask you to leave, instead he would probably go to his next spot..If that was his only spot, chances are he is in trouble already..If you had already caught a DD on the spot, chances are there is not another right there, so there is no point in sticking around..

mac

[rob allen]

public waters are just that.. tournament fishermen have no more right to the water than anyone else... that said allowing the tournament fisherman to have the water shows great courtesy and a great deal of charecter..

[fish_food]

If the pro is pre-fishing, I probably wouldn't move and most wouldn't ask you to..On tourney day I kind of lean toward letting them have the spot, after all they are playing for money, and I am only there for the fun of it..It might be a good time to back off and observe how a pro goes about fishing that area and compare it to how you were fishing it..It could be an excellent chance to learn something..In truth if the guy is really a pro, I doubt he would ask you to leave, instead he would probably go to his next spot..If that was his only spot, chances are he is in trouble already..If you had already caught a DD on the spot, chances are there is not another right there, so there is no point in sticking around..

The guys fishing as professionals or at higher level tournaments seem to practice better etiquette than a lot of the people fishing the more regional/local tournament circuits.

Some of these guys fishing the smaller circuits have absolutely no class and show a total disregard toward people who arrived at a spot first. It's as if your recreational fishing time (that you work long and hard for) is worth less than theirs just because they happen to be entered in a tournament that moment. People work hard for their recreational time and just because they're not fishing for money, it doesn't make it any less valuable a fishing experience so why should they give way to some blowhard who charges in and says, "I'm fishing a tourney." I'm speaking in general terms of course, but bad etiquette is on the upswing in all aspects of life...

[Brian]

It would be a pretty simple decision for me. If he came up and asked in a nice and polite manner, I would give the water up without question. If he guy came up acting like an arrogant a$$, then I would tell him to me.

[Smile_n_Jax]

I don't think I should have to give up a spot to anyone. I got there first. If they're "TRUE" tournament anglers, they can work around me.

[Steve]

I work hard for my money, and my days off are treasured. I spend lots of money to get to the lake, on gear, etc. etc. Thus, my time on the water is of equal importance to every other person on the water. If a tourny angler approaches and politely asks to share the water, every time I say sure. And if I really dont care for the spot/area, then I just let them have it. But, if someone in a tourny approaches with an attitude, they receive the same treatment from me. I fish out of a small boat and I cant begin to tell you how many times larger tourny boats do really crappy things to me. Its some weird perception some anglers have with those who fish out of small boats. It boils down to consideration and being a good person, and like somebody else said communication. Everybody is happy when everybody has consideration for each other.

[Hipster]

I feel much more strongly about this topic now that I have developed some physical limitations that have cut into my fishing passion, I want to enjoy my few valuable hours I get on the water............. )


I don't care who or what you are or what you are fishing, I am out there fishing as well and you do not deserve to fish a certain spot any more than I do.


With that said, The real true folks that bass fish for a living are most likely not gonna worry about little ole Mark and what I am doing. It is much more common to have run in's with the regional pro am and team tournament folks who think they own the water.

[49R Dan]

Years ago when I used to fish it wasn't like this. There was Honor among fisherman. You could leave your gear in the boat and no one would mess with it. If a boat came up and saw you, they moved to the next open spot. I think this sport has gotten so popular and crowded, there will always be situations happening on the water...


I always yield to any boat approaching my small lowe. I always assume they are tournament fisherman. I want them to have the best chance possible because I'd like to do a few tourneys myself someday and would like the same respect. Plus, I'm trying to teach my son the proper etiquette as I perceive it. However, when a boat roars up and goes in front of me, without even looking our way, there's been so many times I've felt like firing up my little 60 horse and roaring around in front of them... But then, what would I be teaching my kid?


Last weekend when I did yield to a boat, when I moved back in, I caught a decent bass in waters they had just fished... I really enjoyed that!!! I guess that's kind of poetic justice.

[Team Fugowee]

"I'M Fishing A Tournament!"

So, your a professional A## H@!e.

I treat others how I expect to be treated.
That being said, today people, on the most part, are only in it for themselves.

[CN]

"I'M Fishing A Tournament!"

So, your a professional A## H@!e.

I treat others how I expect to be treated.
That being said, today people, on the most part, are only in it for themselves.

That's funny.....been to Naci lately

[Greg_Cornish]

I think being able to leave your stuff in your boat has little to do with Honor Among Fishermen. If someone takes your stuff its usually a drug addict or a thief jonsin' for something and needs quick cash.

[nipples]

Plus, I'm trying to teach my son the proper etiquette as I perceive it. However, when a boat roars up and goes in front of me, without even looking our way, there's been so many times I've felt like firing up my little 60 horse and roaring around in front of them... But then, what would I be teaching my kid?

I respect all fishermen I come across. And if they are fishing with kid I even watch my language. I usually swing wide and slow down so as not to disturb thier water. But I am old school like that. I don't see why anyone would ask anyone else to give up thier water, that just seems selfish, rude, and stupid. Everyone has just as much right to fish as everyone else. If they were there first, accept it and go find some other water or fish behind them.

I recall a time I was fishing the delta alone and I was coming out of the back of a slough. There was two guys coming at me on my left side so I stuck to the right side. Well they crossed over and cut me off (I suspect they thought I had fished the left side down and was now fishing the other bank on my way out and they wanted to have first shot at any fish)... So I went right on doing what I was doing and didn't say a word. I fished about 25 to 30 feet behind them (almost too close), the entire time I was catching fish after fish out of the water they just fished and were not getting bit on. I was having an awesome day and they didn't have a clue. I was catching a fish almost every cast. After about 200 yards they had had enough and they fired up the big motor and took off.

They never stopped and asked me what I was doing and how I was catching so many fish right behind them ( I would have told them had they asked). It pained them just to look back and see me fighting yet another fish. I could have heard them whisper to eachother and neither said a word until the end when one asked the other if he wanted to move. Too bad.... About 5 minutes later I stuck a 10lb 12 oz female that was skinny from having just spawned... Her head was enourmous... If they were around I could have asked one of them to take a couple of pics with me and my toad. That would have been an interesting moment. I had to set the timer on my camera and hope for the best.. fortunately I got a couple decent pics before I let her go.

I believe you have to respect others in order to get respect from others. Asking someone for thier water is totally disrespectful in my book. Tourney or no tourney, that just lacks class. So does running by someone on pad and Gerald Swindling them.... No class bozos... I see that way too often.

[49R Dan]

*NM*

[Buzzbait]

Fun fishing = one man tournament.

[Team Fugowee]

"That's funny.....been to Naci lately"

Yes, Sat. Just a few fish. Saw a couple of White Bass. Water 60 degrees at the marina. Whites go off at 62 degrees, as per fish and game who we talked to.

Remember if you keep a White Bass it has to be DEAD, otherwise BIG fine.

[Slippy]

if im there first too bad for him or her....

[big bass beckstrom]

if im there first too bad for him or her....

right on, unless I personally know the guy then I will let him fish it

[Old School]

The difference is tournament fishing is not fun and fun fishing is fun. I only say that because I sucked so bad in tournaments, the best I ever finished was 2nd. It is very stressful when you pay a bunch of money to fish a tourney. I guess we spend quite a bit of $ just to fun fish also... How much is a 5 pack of Senkos these days? I used to get product for free, do "pros" still get free products? I assume so. "First come, first serve" was always my motto. I would just pass spots if taken, you should always have more than one spot if you're tourney fishing! While fun fishing, I'll give up a spot if they ask nicely AND I'm not doing well on that spot and so I may learn something. If I'm on major fish, the "pro" can back off and learn something from me. Back in the day, the only way to truly be considered a "pro" was if you won a club tournament and then applied for whatever tour you were entering. Now days, you have a bunch of wanna be's who think that just because they have a 21+ boat and a lot of time to spend fishing, they are a "pro" without truly proving themselves. I'm happy with my old 150 on the back of my little 18 footer "FUN" fishing.

[Phil]

WE HAVE NOW JOINED THE FUN FISHING WEEKEND ANGLER FISHERMAN. I GUESS I WILL FIND OUT HOW IT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. FOR 20 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER ASKED A WEEKEND FISHERMAN TO MOVE OFF A CERTIAN SPOT, NEVER. WHY WOULD I DO SO, HE WAS THERE HAVING FUN FISHING AND THERE IS PLEANTY OF WATER FOR ALL TO ENJOY. I HAVE WAITED ONCE FOR A HOUR TO FISH A BED AREA, BUT NEVER PUSHED MY WAY IN OR ASKED SOMEONE, OR TOLD SOMEONE TO MOVE. I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD SOME HORROR STORIES ABOUT BASS TOURNAMENT FISHERMEN DOING SO AND BEING RUDE, I GUESS I WILL NOW FIND OUT.

JIGS