Havasu and Mead – Why???

[nipples]

Does anyone have any real input as to why the FLW chooses to fish Havasu and Mead?

I've researched both lakes and they pretty much suck the majority of the time. They hardly seem worthy of a major tournament. I would much rather see FLW fish Oroville or double book Clearlake or the Delta.

Additionally, I am not digging on the three days of a full field and then down to 10 boats for day 4. I find it a lot more exciting when they narrow the field each day. I also believe it puts less pressure on the fish making for a better day 4.

So I am stumped as to why FLW would be so set on these two lakes. Is money changing hands behind the scenes that we are not aware of? I am definitely sending them an email or two on the subject asking them to wake up and smell the opportunity that is clearly in front of them. Dumping Mead and Havasu seems like a no-brainer to me, and Oroville would be a limit-fest waiting to happen. And Oroville has a Wal-Mart...


Good fishing,

-Paul-

[L.Hackney]

Yo Nipps,
I dont know why they fish those lakes but you brought up some good points. I agree that narrowing it down each day would be more exciting and add less pressure to day #4.
Oroville is very suitable and equiped to handle a tourney like that.
I am courious as to what they will say. Please let us know when you hear back from them.

[kb]

They go to those lakes and hold major events because they try to have a couple of lakes for the Southern Cal/Arizona guys to be close to. When they have an all Northern California circuit many of those guys that support them come from down there.

They also get paid from the Chamber of Commerce of these major areas to bring the event to their town. Many of the Northern Cal towns either don't pay or have stiffed organizers in the past. Although Oroville is a great lake where do you house 400 anglers and staff in that town?

They went to a 3 day event to make it more attractive to the co-anglers as they get three days on the water with a pro and the pro's wanted to fish 3 days. It is less of a luck factor and the guys that are really on the best patterns will rise to the top after 3 days. Have you fished any of these events Nipples? They do a great job.

FLW could do better with scheduling these lakes. They continue to go at the worst possible times for fishing. Somebody will catch enough fish to win every time and we can't fish every tournament on Clear Lake or the River. We have plenty of events on those lakes.

hope this helps
kb

[JT-Madera]

Let me try and answer your question as to why they go to Havasu and Mead..

#1. MONEY....FLW charges every venue a fee for bringing the event to their town..Last year it was $65,000 plus a $10 per booked room fee...

#2. FLW believes that it is better to spread the circuit between the North and South, to widen the field...

#3. It is easier to build a schedule, the more venues you have to work with, ie. date conflicts

#4. FLW does not care about the number of limits caught or how tough the fishing is...this is a business.

When the anglers who are fishing these events start demanding better dates, FLW will respond..For now the western anglers are so happy to have a major tournament circuit, they will accept this crappy scheduling...or they can continue rolling over to FLW and get screwed....FLW will not change until change is demanded...plain and simple...

FLW is NEVER going to bring the Championship out west until WE demand it...and they can find a city that will pay the $200,000. fee...

It 's doubtful FLW will ever go to Oroville until they pay their past due fee's....They stiffed both the BASS and FLW in the past..I think they still owe $25,000 to BASS and $18,000 to FLW...

JT

[scott h]

Just my .02 but heres my take on it, havasu and mead because they are to trying cover the entire western territory, If they went to oroville that would be three of four in california and northern ca at that, kinda one sided and back to a regional tourney. diversity and challenge, the tough fisheries make for great tournies to. The slug fests are coming up!!!

[Noluk]

I agree with most of everything above. I THINK there might be another factor as well. FLW has to schedule thier tournaments all across the country. Their other tournaments and travel time between them must certainly be a factor in their plans. This means that they have a week in January. They have to go south just because of weather possibilities at say Shasta. A big snow storm could keep many anglers from being able to make it.

On the subject of tough bites. Yes it sucks to fish but Havasu was the only tournament this year where one good day could carry you to a 10,000 check and you could recover from a bad day (zero). Tough bite tournaments are more challenmging to me because you KNOW you have to execute on every bite.

[mike goodwin]

KB and Noluk your on the money....

Nipples, Havasu does not suck 90% of the time. I 2004 when I won the 1st Everstart here, it was in March. In 3 days fishing my co's and I weighed in over 82lbs. I won the national guard with 37+ at the shittiest time of the year. In the Won Bass event the next week, John Perkins won with 31+, yes it was a shared weight but thats still a very good sack. Last weekend it took 22+ to win, with a 91/2lb big fish.

I still say the tough tournaments are the ones a guy has the best chance to do very well in. You can have a bad day and still be in the mix. You get behind at the Delta or Clear Lake and your really in trouble. I'll take the tough lakes anytime.

Flw loves Lake Havasu, they are here to stay. Just like they are at the big O in Florida every January........Catch a big one....Mike G

[gt5bass]

Flw loves Lake Havasu, they are here to stay. Just like they are at the big O in Florida every January........Catch a big one....Mike G

Mike,

I love Havasu too...but if FLW doesn't get their schedule worked out to where a majority of the co-anglers can catch some fish, they are going to have a hell of a time keeping the fields full. The Northern Cal guys starting screaming for an all No. Cal. schedule after last years Havasu slim pickin's

Yes, indeed I remember that March EverStart well. I caught a 6-9 smallie in practice and I believe I took 5th on the Co- side and my sister had Pro Big Bass on Day 1. Now if we could just get FLW to go back at that time every once in a while. I would also like to see them go in the Fall as well. Split the Strens up like they did the NG Series.

Lookin' to come back with a vegeance in '08

[FATGUY]

speaking only as an aaa i think its money issues.. like the old saying goes " FOLLOW THE MONEY" as for the three day thing as an am i wouldn't want to sign up and spend 1000 or more ....entry and expenses ....knowing i may only get to fish one day ...i think they would have trouble filling the am side at least if guys knew they may go home after one day ????? just my .02 and no i don't fish the ng or big series but do fish some of the stren ????????

[clayton meyer]

time of year has much to do with the cities chosen, but I would think some of the cities chosen might have much to do with what they offer.

Havasu isn't the busiest town in early January. If the city requests a tournament early in the year to jumpstart the local economy they are making the right choice.

JT... you should filter what you write. Saying that FLW is bending over the anglers should be sent directly to Chris Jones so he can scratch your name off the eligibility list and you can go back to fishing club tournaments.

If the co anglers don't catch fish maybe we should start a program called... "no co-angler left behind" Did anyone notice the number of pros that didn't catch fish?

The problem here is that we don't know the water this time of year and should be happy with what we do catch.

what is the difference if you catch 10lbs a day if it takes 20 lbs a day to make the top 50. or only catch one fish and end up 30th?

Why don't we just have the tournaments at the wal mart parking lot in the trout pond

This is fishing, how boring would it be if we always caught 50lbs limits. Having to compete in terrible conditions makes us better anglers and makes us appreciate the better days we have. If these days aren't appreciated and aren't learned from you will have the success you deserve.

[bassdude]

I usually like tough tournaments but I agree that if more fish are not caught it will be tough to fill the co side. I will admit Havasu flat kick my arse and it is a fishery that fits my style of fishing. Congrats to Mike but I can see why he would like to keep it there. I think we should fish Cour'D Alene Idaho in May. Then the argument about being a California only would be moot. You better be bringing in 20lbs a day. And then Have the Delta in March and have it first. All us guys up here in the Northwest would fill in if the Arizona guys did not show. We have been doing it for years and dont complain. The Columbia is going to be slug fest also. It is going to be a matter of if you pull up on the right bunch of fish. It does not matter how it is set up someone will like it better some other way. And lets face it who is really making a living fishing these tournaments. Not very many. 98% are flipping the bill on thier own. If I am going to spend 5000.00 to fish Havasu and drive for three days to get there. A few more bites would make my wife feel better about it. I agree why do we have to start in January. At least start twards the end of Febuary.And let me day dream that I have a chance.

[Steve Reed]

Here is how i look at it.... someone has to win, and 199 other guys have to lose, no matter where you fish, how much weight gets brought in, or how many fish you catch. There will be the same payouts, even if you win with 6lbs of fish...bassmaster classic, yeah not cool for watching fishing, but van damn was just as excited, he got the same recognition, and recieved the same check...

so i says fish those waters, it makes for a more diverse angler field, and have fun doing it...then when ur at clear lake pulling out 20 lbs a day and you still lose what can you say then....the chances are the same to win on any body of water.

[JT-Madera]

Clayton;

You should stop making personal attacks on people who just voice their opinions on this web site or stop reading here...My post was not an attack on you..If you will stop reading every other word and read the whole post you will see that I was saying that if anglers don't like the schedule, they should contact FLW...if they don't like the fact that the Championship is back east they should contact FLW...do you see a message here or can't you read all the big words...I don't have a problem with FLW, if I do I call Chris Jones direct...and I have..thank you very much...If I want to fish only certain tournaments I will,,, I look forward to fishing the Clearlake and Cal-Delta Strens on the Boater side,,thank you very much,,I thought I would give you fair warning Clayton so you can pull your money..just in case you are worried about being on the same water with someone who has a different opinion than you....Because for some reason you keep suggesting that if people don't agree with you they should go back to club tournaments,,,,Maybe thats where you feel most comfortable, you certainly don't belong where someone might have a different opinion than you....I have read and reread my post and nowhere do I say or suggest that FLW is bending anyone over..BECAUSE I don't believe they are....they are just in the business of selling boats and running a profitable tournament circuit..If people don't like it they have a right to complain anywhere and anytime...And Nazi's who want to censure everything belong back in Germany.. You should grow up and be a man and not try and badger other people...I can guarantee you that no one is going to intimidate me...into keeping my mouth shut...I spent a year in Vietnam with the U.S. Marines and 9 months in the hospital recovering from wounds...be VERY careful....

I like tough tournaments, I think it brings out the best in anglers...but like bassdude , I think guys aren't going to keep supporting a circuit at the cost of the FLW NG entry fee's and not catch a fish in three days...and I WANT FLW to be a success.....They would only have to move the starting tournament a few weeks..no matter where they start...

And yes this is personal..started by someone else...

JT

[sTony]

This is just my opinion but I believe it has much more to do with pure demographics then most put credence into. FLW is putting on a WESTERN region, and in doing such they pretty much have to hit either Mead, Havasu or Powell to pull in that areas anglers. This is also why they pretty much HAVE to go to the Columbia River also. If all these events or 3 of 4 were done in Northern California they'd lose the pull on anglers to come from Nevada, Arizona, Utah and so on.

It likely has very little to do with the dollars the community pay them. The western circuits will almost always be comprised of the Columbia River, Shasta or Oroville, Clear Lake and the Delta, Havasu, Mead or Powell. Notice that Don Pedro, which surely can handle a large event based on its size is not listed because the amenity base isn't there; i.e, no motels, restaurants and the like.

The success of these tours will eventually be tied into what time of year they hit each spot.

sTony

[JT-Madera]

I apologize to anyone who takes offence to my posts " except Clayton "

I know at times I can come off very strong with those opinions...that is why I limit my posts..But I just hate personal attacks...when I didn't mention any ones name to start with....


SORRY

JT

[clayton meyer]

jt

ok so you said "rolling over to FLW and get screwed"

if you don't consider some of your comments an attack against someone, what do you consider them.

You just refered to all of us western anglers as a bunch of wimps, because we won't stand up for ourselves and that FLW is taking advantage of us by not giving us a good schedule.

it was a 12k schedule for me

You want to sell your postition so a pro can fish a tournament, but in your own words you are financially better off than 90% of the anglers out there. then you backpedal and say you only wanted to prefish. How did that work out?

I consider it counter productive to bite the hand that feeds you.

you admit to your having a strong opinion, so maybe you could .... just for me, send a nicely worded post that doesn't say the western anglers are getting screwed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jt's post


"When the anglers who are fishing these events start demanding better dates, FLW will respond..For now the western anglers are so happy to have a major tournament circuit, they will accept this crappy scheduling...or they can continue rolling over to FLW and get screwed....FLW will not change until change is demanded...plain and simple... "

[clayton meyer]

further more I will not say I am sorry for defending the greatest event in western tournament angling.

these circuits have similar dates for previous years... fishing was good and fishing was bad. These dates didn't stop the 2006 Strens from breaking records with full fields and if we have to go into why they aren't full now...just look at the NG circuit and you will see why they aren't full

[kb]

I think there are some great opinions stated here regarding the scheduling. When the towns work with FLW Outdoors to bring the events they do try to bring the events when is will be a benefit. When Mike won that Stren event later in the year we were also there during the Spring Break, hotels are tough to get and expensive, lake is crowded and Havasu is a mess. pick one tough bite or spring break????

I do agree that we need to fish when co's can catch some fish as well as the pro's or we will lose some of the guys. I am sure that after two years in a row some of the guys will be hard pressed to go back to Havasu the first week in Feb.

The other thing we have to remind organizations is the more they require in entry fees and support the anglers call upon their sponsors for support and when they schedule events on top of major shows (Sacramento, San Mateo, San Francisco, Long Beach) they put the anglers in a tough situation with sponsors. So far this year they hit three out four major shows here in the West with events. Several of us will pass on practice days for the Delta due to committments with Long Beach and Phoenix ISE. The shows are over by the middle of March and we have already had 4 events by then. FLW does a great job and would be even stronger if they talked with the anglers about schedules. They produce several events across the country with a small staff and Chris Jones and the guys do a great job.

Does going to a lake when fishing is good work????? The Delta is already full on both sides I can't wait!!!!!

kb

[JT-Madera]

Wow, Again Clayton you just can't or won't read all the words..I never said that I wanted anything more, than a ride during the prefish for Havasu.....Please read all the words....I never back tracked, still can't read huh.... I don't want anything from you Clayton, It's funny how Gator and others wanted entry fee's plus and you only select my post to put down..
Very narrow minded...After all the responses to that post I decided why should I help anyone get into that tournament..heaven forbid it might have helped you....

You don't need to defend FLW from me...They put on the best show around and with a few tweaks it will last a long time..that is all I am saying..If you are afraid to say anything to them I understand....I simply urge everyone with a complaint to call or write FLW and they will respond...no one responds to silence...

JT

[nipples]

Great info from everyone... Thank you all.

This gives me the insight I am looking for.

To address a couple points...

While I am not that familiar with Coeur D'alene in Idaho. I am aware that the Coeur D'alene Tribe has exclusive rights to the lower 3rd of the lake and that fishing permits have to go through them. Does anyone know if the Coeur D'alene Tribe has a hotel, casino, marina, and some gas pumps. If so, then that may work.

I am also a fan of the Columbia River and think that it has potential for good tournaments.

The way I look at major tournaments is as follows. I want to see a tournament on a lake that I would I want to take a vacation to and fish? For Shasta, Oroville, Delta, Clear lake, and the Columbia River, the answer is yes. For Mead, Havasu, and Powell, the answer is a definate no.

So from that point of view.

Do I care about the fishing on these lakes?... No.

Do I want to see FLW choose what I consider to be a better lake?... Yes (as selfish as that may seem)

As a spectator I want to see a lot of big fish and heavy bags. As a fishermen I want to catch big fish and heavy bags. When I go to a strip club I want to see big fish and heavy bags (but I'm silly like that).

I'm not trying to pick on anyone nor offend anyone, but I will play devil's advocate for a moment.

In all honesty, as a fisherman... would you rather pay to fish a extremely tough tournament on Mead, Havasu, or Powell?... Or... Would you rather pay money to fish Clear Lake, Delta, Shasta, Oroville, or the Columbia?

Additionally, my odds of winning are dictated by my skills, knowledge, pre-fishing and experience, regardless of the lake. If I am fishing on the fat end as a rookie, then I am also influenced by luck of the draw. Part of my destiny is in my own hands and the other part is up to luck. And fishing a tough lake doesn't make my odds any better or worse. But at least on a good lake I am having a great time and boating fish.

I think I need to do more research. I might even volunteer for some FLW events and see if I can gain an inside advantage. If I can find out FLWs perspective, perhaps I can make a better suggestion that benefits everyone. And not just for lake choice, wouldn’t it be nice to have the ISE and FLW on the same page, working together for the mutual benefit of everyone?


Good fishing,


-Paul-

[kb]

I have attended the permit Jamboree every year for ISE, posted the show dates on the event calendar and have already forwarded the 2008 show dates to FLW and WON Bass so they can try to stay off the ISE shows and Fred Hall shows.

kb

[bassdude]

Nipples: You are correct about the lower lake the only thing you need to fish past Harrison is a tribe license its five bucks. The permit still comes fron Idaho Dept of Fish And Wildlife. The launch is would have to be out of Cour'D Alene. As most tournament are held out of Harrison as there is no facilaties to handle a big T. but the lake and could definatly handle a tournament like the National Gaurd. But I am bias. Plus you can go to State Line to see your big bags at night

[mike goodwin]

Very good opinions by all, let me also say us guys in the southwest think we deserve 2 events out or way whether its tough or great fishing. And the northern guys deserve 2 up their way. I think thats the fair way and you will see some other guys battlin for the Angler of the year ranking. Always remember it all pays the same after the last day.

Like I've said many times before FLW is here to stay. They have a schedule already through 2010. WOW WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US WESTERN BASS ANGLERS. I hope we all cash some big *** checks......See you guys at the great Delta....Mike G

[Smitty]

I am going to try and get back to the heart of the issue. Alot of good posts have been made but here is one opinion.
1. Double booking doesnt work. The Havasu Locals would feel like they are getting screwed and they would be. Imagine having to fish against The Delta Locals twice! Belive me double booking Clear Lake would make my day. Havasu is completely different in the fall or later spring.
2. I agree with sTony about demographics completely so no comment needed.
3. Low draws? Mead had 130 and change two years ago and I thought the fishing was pretty good. I had a limit in 45 minutes the first day and 2 hours the second day and missed the cut finishing 13th and I hate that pond and dreaded going there but I learned alot and had a good T.
4. I think everything is going as planned for FLW. They realize it will take time.
5. I think the plan is to have everything full so locals only get "their lake" once a year and if we can step up it will get done.
6. Fishing tough bite tournaments makes us all better and is a great marketing tool. If the audience thinks they get caugth all the time it misleads them and sets expectaitions way too high to grow the sport. Imagine going fishing thinking you want to tournament fish and nobody seems to struggle.
7. JT the ho angler has some great points and so does Clayton, let it be and move on. "getting screwed" was a bit harsh and I understand why Clayton lashed out. I also understand JT's point. In time we will get what we want (at least some of us) but we need to prove we are willing to make the sacrifice now to insure our voices are heard.

Last but not least. Keep on posting, talking, and therefore moving it forward. After all I think JT and Clayton want the same thing. The best opportunity to showcase the west from a fisherman and fishery standpoint. I may be way over my bounds here, but I am reading between the lines and coming to a conclusion.
Smitty

[Robert F]

As part of the large contingency of Co-Anglers to leave Havasu with nothing more than the expense of a week's worth of boat rides I do agree that there is little benefit to fishing a "tough bite" tournament. The biggest problem I have with the week was I showed up every day and fished hard to recieve nothing. No points, even though I technically tied for 130 something place. No money back because I fished with guys that were so off the pattern my "pros" only got 4 bites in 3 days fishing. A tough tournament may be good for a Pro who is truely on a pattern. Even a couple of "pros" who were lucky enough to catch just a couple of fish to cash a big check. It really does not serve the Co-anglers who have to sit in the back of the boat and stew while your "pro" throws ripbaits in the middle of a 46 degree river.

[nipples]

Good points Robert and Smitty. I've got some friends who fished Mead and I am hearing some real horror stories about this tournament. And from what I can tell, all of it is valid. For the tournament to be successful, both Pros and Hos need to be happy. Mead got 127 boats to turn out. and out of those 127, 26 Ho-anglers and 13 Pro anglers all got skunked for the last three days in a row. There are a lot of guys that have vowed to never make the trip to Mead again.

So next year FLW will probably book Havasu instead of Mead and then Mead again in 2009. If they make that mistake, I suspect there will be alot less than 127 boats. I don't see any city paying 65,000.00 for less than 90 boats. And I don't see pro anglers being happy that they have to scrounge the boards for a co-angler willing to go through three days of "fishless hell on water" just to be able to fish. Bucking winter water on Mead is physically exhausting.

I am going to try to fish the Stren series next year and depending on the schedule, I will most likely only fish 3 events (unless they do the Columbia instead of Havasu). I am not going to pay to fish Havasu and possibly blank and not even get a single point for all that, I'd rather sit it out and go fish some real water. Save the money and not even bother.

I don't agree with the point that there needs to be some tough lakes on the circuit because of expectations. That is like saying that NASCAR should have to go do a race in downtown Fresno because we don't want people thinking they only get to race good tracks. Think about that.

Even on a good lake, there has got to be a definite winner and loser. Not everyone is going to win. But it makes all the anglers happy, it makes the spectators happy, and it means a full house and lots of money floating around as a result.

It's a western circuit. If all the good lakes and water were in Arizona, I would say fish them all in Arizona. And I would also move to Arizona to be around all that great fishing. But it aint in Arizona, and it is in Northern California.

As I stated earlier, I will try to get FLWs take on the situation and go from there. I think there is something I am missing because Mead in February just doesn't make sense.

Thanks everyone,

-Paul-

[gcopple]

i don't get it. FLW is giving us co-anglers a chance at $5,000 at the stren and $25,000 on the Series without contingencies! And people are finding things to complain about? Like cleyton said, don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Also, anyone who says that fishing the havasu series event or the lake mead stren event was a waist of time is way off base. i understand that some people do it to actually make money, but the reality of it is, that making money in a major tournament is just icing on the cake. There are very few who make a lot of money year in and year out on the co-angler side. Co-anglers need to go into these tournies with the mind set of learning. I only caught one fish durring the lake mead tourny, but the amount of knowledge i gained fishing with Jim Lyon and Fred Ward is priceless. The co-angler position is like a training program for when you turn pro. I love the fact that i get to see what the best western anglers and some of the best in the world do when the bite gets tough. Where do they go? What bait do they turn to? Why did they pick this bank instead of the other? Basically how they make decisions on the fly.

I just can't believe people are complaining about FLW. You guys are going push them out of the west and we are going to be left with nothing but regional pro-ams. if FLW is so bad, don't fish them. You can't have every tourney have a wide open bite.

george

[cLanderman]

I am curious why everyone thinks that you should only fish tournies on lakes with tons of fish to catch, good weather, etc. Make some tournies super hard with low weights and bad weather conditions.

It takes all types.... look at some of the lakes that the big boys fish on, up in New York, etc. They make the cut with 2 fish per day in 10 degree weather. This is no different, if you can't fish in adverse conditions then don't fish tournaments.

One other thing, it is pretty nice knowing you are not out going into the third day no matter how far back you are.

[cLanderman]

I am curious why everyone thinks that you should only fish tournies on lakes with tons of fish to catch, good weather, etc. Make some tournies super hard with low weights and bad weather conditions.

It takes all types.... look at some of the lakes that the big boys fish on, up in New York, etc. They make the cut with only a couple fish per day in very cold weather, this is no different.

Mead, Havasu, and other tough lakes of hot times of the year, and just like some of the northern lakes it will take FLW some time to tune the schedule. Complaining about the lakes only looks for western anglers, not the lakes.

One other thing, it is pretty nice knowing you are not out going into the third day no matter how far back you are.

[bassdude]

We fish tournaments up here when it is snowing and 20 degrees. But when we do it usually the bite is on and is a lot more bearable. But I see it this way if say the National Gaurd is the "Priemier" of the west lets PRIEMIER what the west has to offer and it is not catching 9lb in three days to get a check. I believe if say FLW wants to expand tournament fishing and that is thier goal because that in turn means more money. And there is nothing wrong with that. You need to bring in new blood and by having winter tournaments is not the way to get people fired up on tournament fishing. But having a limit and a few kickers is.

[gcopple]

you people complaining are pathetic. this is tournament fishing, not fun fishing. in a tournament you must adjust and overcome whatever the conditions may be. does anyone ever notice that the cream of the crop always rises when the conditions are the toughest? people that can catch the fish win tournaments, thats the way it works, i take it if you are complaining it is because you don't catch fish. maybe you should work a little harder, spend more time on the lake. i only caught one fish at mead and i had a great time. i fish havasu regularly and it is always tough but thats what makes you a good fisherman. tournament angling is not meant to be easy, if it was easy and every tournament was on a body of water where every person caught a limit of nice fish, nobody would work and everyone would fish for a living. quit whining already.

[Robert F]

you people complaining are pathetic. this is tournament fishing, not fun fishing. in a tournament you must adjust and overcome whatever the conditions may be. does anyone ever notice that the cream of the crop always rises when the conditions are the toughest? people that can catch the fish win tournaments, thats the way it works, i take it if you are complaining it is because you don't catch fish. maybe you should work a little harder, spend more time on the lake. i only caught one fish at mead and i had a great time. i fish havasu regularly and it is always tough but thats what makes you a good fisherman. tournament angling is not meant to be easy, if it was easy and every tournament was on a body of water where every person caught a limit of nice fish, nobody would work and everyone would fish for a living. quit whining already.

Believe me George I was probably better off mentally than my Front-seaters. But my investment was one-fifth of theirs. I disagree that the "cream rises to the top" any better at a tough tournament than it does at a wide open tournament. In a wide open tournament you still have to get the big fish. At Havasu I believe that a few guys had fish accidentially swim into their bait's path. That is not going to get you a check at the Delta. It was no secret what the majority of the fish were eating nor did it take any extraordinary skill to deadstick a dropshot or jig. It was being in the right place at the right time with the right frame of mind. When your Pro has given up by day two your ride in the back is going to be tough. If people were getting bit they would believe they had a chance to come back. If you, as the Pro, have had one bite in 4 days practice and no fish on the first tournament day that is a morale breaker for all but the strongest. Catching fish makes all happier and better prepared to accept that over half of the participants are not leaving with a check. At least if you catch a fish you leave with points for the effort and the expectation to go on to the next with your hot spots ready to produce. EVERYBODY expects they have the chance to win at one of these venues. If they dont, they do not belong on the water.

[gcopple]

Believe me George I was probably better off mentally than my Front-seaters. But my investment was one-fifth of theirs. I disagree that the "cream rises to the top" any better at a tough tournament than it does at a wide open tournament. In a wide open tournament you still have to get the big fish. At Havasu I believe that a few guys had fish accidentially swim into their bait's path. That is not going to get you a check at the Delta. It was no secret what the majority of the fish were eating nor did it take any extraordinary skill to deadstick a dropshot or jig. It was being in the right place at the right time with the right frame of mind. When your Pro has given up by day two your ride in the back is going to be tough. If people were getting bit they would believe they had a chance to come back. If you, as the Pro, have had one bite in 4 days practice and no fish on the first tournament day that is a morale breaker for all but the strongest. Catching fish makes all happier and better prepared to accept that over half of the participants are not leaving with a check. At least if you catch a fish you leave with points for the effort and the expectation to go on to the next with your hot spots ready to produce. EVERYBODY expects they have the chance to win at one of these venues. If they dont, they do not belong on the water.[/quote]

I know that you still have to catch big fish when the bite is wide open but it is a hell of a lot easier to catch a big fish when you are catching fish! It is a lot easier for a fish to swim into your bait when the fish are active and easy to catch. These people had to find a place where there were fish, then have the fish swim into their bait. there will always be those lucky few to contend, but it seems like more times than not that when the bite gets tough, the big names usually find their way to the top.
Just to name a few of the "cream" list.
FLW Series Havasu:
Goodwin, Phua, Strader, Mcabee, Yelas, Ehler, Mcfarland, Dobyns, Roland, Hawk, Rojas, Berry, Meyer, Baily were all top 20.

FLW Stren Mead:
Micheals, Stafford, Klinger, Almassey, Reese, Matsunaga, Ward, Lee, Tuck, Mcbride, Gray all top 20.

And i know that everyone goes into tournaments thinking they have a chance. i know i do. but fishing as a co-angler, you don't have have the opportunity to make decisions, and your tournament life is usually dependent on your pro and the body of water. this is something everyone knows and must deal with. i just think that is people can't handle that, they need to pony up and fish from the pointy end of the boat. there are obvioulsy fish to be caught at these "tough" places, so pay the extra, take your boat and go find them. don't blame your pro or flw, if you want to blame someone take it upon yourself and you go scout the water and find the fish.

co-anglers in general do to much complaining, "why do we need to pay them for gas", why do we need to do this, why that? you have to remember, without the pro, there is no co-angler. they could always go back to how it used to be, pro on pro. i for one am very thankful for flw and each and every pro that lets me go on their boat and will gladly go fish wherever they want me to, whether it be a certain spot on the lake or is flw wants to have a tournament in the dead sea, if i got the money and time i will be there.

thank you to all the pros and flw. this is just my .02 so don't get but hurt. i just think everybody is taking this for granted and not appreciating what we have here on the west.

[SteveW]

Wow, blow up on FLW. I personally would like to thank everyone with FLW. It was very organized and they made you feel welcome.I fished Mead with FLW for the first time and enjoyed the whole experience. The bite did sucked, only had four bites the first day, none the last two. Four rats no keepers. I would like to think that the weather was the biggest factor to tough fishing not something FLW did. So maybe they should have fished the Delta first and then Mead. Even after blanking the first day there was still the mindset that if my four bites would have been keepers I could of been in the top ten. A tough tourney every now and then should just make you go out there and get some hours on the lake to make yourself better for next year. Im looking forward to fishing at Mead in April in the WON. As for Havasu I fished WON a week later and the bite was decent the fish were moving up and they were easier to catch then the week before. Remember someone always catches fish. Congrats to all the co-anglers who caught them. And thank you to the Pros that got us back from Overton in 30 mph winds and big rollers. I will be back.