Does anybody else dislike fishing tournaments?

[SDbowhunter]

I have always had an issue with fishing tournaments, that being they force a person to keep fish that they may normally let go. I have a personal walleye slot that I will follow above and beyond specific lake regulations of >13 to <20 and nothing under 30. (I need one for the wall! But when the time comes I may just get a replica.) Plus, I cant remember the last time I took a limit of fish. Last tournament I went to it bothered me to see all these 20-28" walleyes and 30-38" northerns sitting on the ice. Let alone I wonder how the sheer numbers of anglers affect a fishery.

[NyQuiLlama]

The contests around here pull a lot of the hammer-handle pike out of the lakes, a good thing if you ask me.

A friend of mine once caught a 28-inch walleye that would have won the contest had he kept it, but why kill that fish, the younger ones taste better... he threw it back. A class act.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Tournaments are a part of life. All anglers have to follow the local law, including slots, or be in big trouble. Some tourneys require more strict slots, also. Many tournaments also have dead fish penalties.

That being said, they are here and here to stay. I'm not trying to sound ishy but if they bother people they don't have to fish them.

[DTro]

I see your point, and pretty much feel the same way. I do however think there is a place for competitive fishing and in the long run does more good than bad for the sport as a whole.

A lot of the gear we use today is a direct result of tournies and competitive fishing.

I do have to admit that there seems to be a different mentality when it comes to ice fishing and C&R for some reason. Maybe it's just more noticable when you see a pile of fish on the ice VS in a livewell.

I think there could be some modifications in regards to tournies/contests that wouldn't result in a bunch of fish that would normally be released, being turned into popsicles.

[Sutty]

In general it bothers me when natural resources are abused for profit. Walleye tournaments during warm water periods tick me off. I also feel bad for the average joe who has to deal with the nonsense on the same lakes year after year on multiple weekends during prime fishing.

[Shack]

Tournaments have never bothered me. I like them.

They are a fun time; you win prizes and meet a lot of people. I have gone to many "Big" ice contests and was in one real bass fishing tournament. I have good faith in the MN DNR and they watch these things like hawks. Just to have a tournament, the loop holes and hoops you have to jump threw with DNR are extreme.

I feel there are some unsanctioned by the DNR events out there that are hurting some

of the fisheries. The DNR is not in knowing of these events I assume.

I am realy going to try and make it to the:

The 2008 Forest Lake VFW post 4210 Fishapalooza Ice Fishing Contest.

Saturday February 16th, 2008

www.IceFishingForestLake.com

I think alot of FM'ers are going to be going!

[Chode2235]

Quote:

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I do have to admit that there seems to be a different mentality when it comes to ice fishing and C&R for some reason. Maybe it's just more noticable when you see a pile of fish on the ice VS in a livewell.

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I think that is a very interesting point. There seems to be a completely different mind shift regarding C&R for hard water. It doesn't really exist.

Perhaps it has to do the fact that we mostly fish for walleyes and panfish, which are excellent to eat. Perhaps because the root of ice fishing was to provide food, I dunno.

As a kayak fisherman, I have noticed some very interesting things regarding kayak fishing tournaments. Obviously keeping a fish in a livewell is not an option on a kayak, so most tournaments around here and around the country have gone to a photography model.

You are required to take a picture of your fish on the ruler, with a camera (sometimes provided by the sponsors sometimes not). You take a picture of the fish, and then submit your photos at the end. There are some interesting rule breaker rules, but it works out pretty well. It has also encouraged more 'Grand Slam' prizes, where you catch a variety of fish species.

I think these lessons could and should be applied to more hard and softwater tournaments.

[kenlaker]

shackbash-- not to hijack this thread but I thought I heard last year that they were moving that tournament to Pokegema in Grand Rapids. Does anyone else remember this, or am I confusing it with something else?

[Shack]

I think they did move it up that way, but this one tooks its place. Its going to have one of the largest contest payouts in history. I think it close to $200,000 by now and growing.

I know some of the pro-staff/mods are going to be their and some FM members have posted they have their tickets all ready.

Should be a great time!

[Grant Pearson]

I know I have my ticket already Got it at the ice fishing show!!