An Open Letter to All Tournament Organizations….

[BassTraveler]

We have found out that one of the West’s Best Anglers will be inducted to the Pro Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Thanks Kent Brown.

I would like to see us continue to Honor Dee Thomas.

I challenge EVERY Tournament Organization who has the eight-foot rod rule to amend and abolish it, beginning by next year’s tournament season.

It was implemented because Dee was so successful in taking a large rod and flipping fish into the boat.
Instead of people embracing this new technique, rules were put in place to hinder it.

It’s like telling Mike Long he can’t use a swimbait larger than 6 inches or Kevin VanDam and Aaron Martins they can’t use the BioSonix.

When you take away the imagination of the bassfisherman, you enslave him.

This rule has become obsolete and should be done away with.

In Honor of Dee Thomas…I Thank You for Your Consideration.


Sieg Taylor
Clearlake, CA

[R. Duzac]

Well put Sieg.

I think the pole should be less likely controlled than the use of tools like BioSonix.

BioSonix has nothing to do with the skill of the angler, and the ability to use it. (Although I wish I could afford it )

Good Call, lets see if they listen. Things always get started out west, lets do it again.

Thanks,
Rene Duzac

[Ken C.]

*NM*

[gt5bass]

I second that motion!

[swimbait]

Amen! Get rid of the rule already.

[Mike]

Here, Here!! In Honor of Dee.

[Skeeterman]

Good idea Sieg lets see what they say.

[basscat]

Amen if a fisherman wants a big rod in his hand than let him have it. Dee is the godfather of flipping and I have seen him in action before and it was truly something to watch. However if a tournament org wants to outlaw swimbaits on south wind overcast days with rain it would not break my heart, I just can't seem to figure em out on our resevoirs.

[NaCl]

for Inside Line magazine a couple years ago. In that article, he told us about about the 8' rod rule and how it came into being. What I found MOST interesting was that Dee said that rule actually made him a better fisherman.

Before the rule, he was "tule dippin" like many other western anglers on the Delta and Clearlake. That's basically hanging a fixed length of line from the end of a really long pole with a black jig tied on. Then, he would reach across tules, tree stumps or any other obstruction to drop that jig into isolated pockets of water. He dominated against the other fishermen using that method. And, before you say why didn't they just do the same thing, it was because most of them couldn't! Dee was a bull of a man. He would use a skulling paddle in one hand to move his aluminum boat down a bank while tule dipping with a 12' pole in his other hand! You try that! Very few guys had the upper body strength to copy him.

Anyway, other fishermen complained and one of the TD's called Dee about it. The TD said he hated to take the long pole out of Dee's hands but he had to respond to the complaints. He asked Dee how short of a rod he could use and still be able to compete. Dee went out into his garage and experimented with several length rods. Then, he called the TD back and told him 8' would work. The rule went into effect and has since been adopted by every major circuit since.

The rest of the story is even more interesting! Dee took that 8' rod out and experimented with different presentations until he discovered "flippin". He had always been a shallow water, power fisherman and this new technique actually made him even more deadly with a fishing pole. He took this unusual tactic back to Bull Shoals and won his first BASSMasters event there. He taught Dave Gliebe how to "flip" and Dave went back east and won two BASSMaster events. Before long, every successful pro had a flippin stick in the boat. Even bass boat manufacturers were forced to adjust to Dee's invention when they developed "flippin decks". Whole lines of baits came into existence for this new presentation. And, Dee credits the invention of flippin and his national reputation to this 8' rod limitation. Very few anglers in the entire Unites States have had such a sweeping impact on this sport as our own Dee Thomas had, starting 40 years ago. He DESERVES his place in the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame!

.....NaCl

[BassTraveler]

It always amazes me how a single person can take a passion and share it with the whole world.
Dee will always be high on my list as a great leader in this sport of ours.

Dean,
I would like to correct one thing however.

The rule went into effect and has since been adopted by every major circuit since.

The deepest paying and largest Tournament organization does not have this eight-foot rule. FLWOutdoors.
They have been Honoring Dee for years now.

[Cooch]

Not that I would ever use one, but this is a rule that has met it's glorified death. In Honor of yet another legendary and famed accomplishment by Dee Thomas, let's ban that rulle fer life!

[Fishin' Dave]

Sweet, Salmon rods for Swimbaits!!

I know as someone who is 6'2", I will love having the advandage of using a longer fishing rod. Let's get this done. I see this as a HUGE boost to swimbaiters, tall people, and deep crankers.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

*NM*

[basshunter4u]

I agree with this rule change. I use a 9 footer for my swimbaits and not be able to use it in a tournament is bull. Lets GETER DONE

[bryanmc]

Hey I agree!!!
Maybe we can get them to do away with the "no step ladders on the front deck" rule too !!
And maybe the horsepower rule.. and the downrigger and trolling rule....

You just have to draw the line somewhere....

[nipples]

So is there a rule against standing on the wakeboard tower with the wireless trolling motor remote when I'm sight fishing? lol.. Just curious?

[Gary Dobyns]

I have thought for a long time that this rule had run it's course. You have to give Dee his dues. He is an ornery son of a bitc* and loves every minute of it. He takes pride in being ornery. I never miss a chance at giving him some shi*. The problem with Dee is he gives it back with interest. I have a ton of respect for him, but I'll be damned if I'll let him know it. We have had some great conversations and he should write a book. He has seen it all.