Pros Fishing At Lower Level

[J Francho]

This is an interesting topic. Any more debate on the definition of "sandbagging" will be removed. The post above should clear that up.

Thanks.

[Dwight Hottle]

I spoke with Vic Vatalaro at last years Bukeye event on Mosquito Lake and asked if he was entering the event. He said "No, these guys need it more than I do. I'm just here to cheer you guys on." If this were just a little Wednesday nighter or an Open then heck yeah, let's see what ya got. On the up side, a co-angler got a great lesson on fishing the Ohio River. One of the best and most underrated fisheries in the country. But that's another topic.

I'm glad to see this is getting a good debate. This is my first post that got labeled HOT!!

Vic is a really cool guy, very gracious & genuine.

[PABASS]

He took advantage of a situation, most people would, you do when you fight, you win based on the opponents weaknesses/mistakes. I don't know his situation so I cant judge, if he needed the money and even if he didn't its hard to blame someone for being human.

[ChiCityBasser]

I fish in the FLW events here in IL and at one of the events I was paired with a FLW touring pro who was fishing the BFL, the Everstart series and the Tour. I asked him about fishing all 3 and he said he liked the competition and always had been a competitive person and loved sports. We talked about him just being a regular guy who loved to fish and how much his expenses were to fish all the events. Just for the FLW tour he has to come up with $24K next month for his deposits. Not to mention the Everstart or BFL cash outlay. He mentioned his sponsors provided product for him in the form of rods and reels and misc. things such as plastics and cranks. He caught a 6 lb. keeper early in the morning and nothing the rest of the day with 15 lbs winning the tournament. He taught me alot and allowed me to ask any questions I had for the day and tried to put me on fish as well. All in all he was a regular guy trying to make it in a tough profession. He had the same problems with his kids that I have with mine and the same worries with bills and the wife as we all do.

I love to compete also and ended up with 2-3 non keepers that day but agree they are regular guys with a Great Job!

[Ramyot]

This past fall my son and I decided to try out the TBF Dream team Ralleys we fished 2 of them, Both events in different states, the first one was not the greatest, one set of rules as to off limits on water, then the day of the event the limits lifted because a local pro whinned about his hot spots being in the off limit area, well guess what he won, I thought these events were supposed to for anglers wanting a chance to fishstep up.

The second one was very well run and lots of info shared about the lake from everyone, although rules were bent about late entries, there was a deadline, and registrations were taken at last minute, again a local pro last minute entry and again he was the winner.

I agree with may the best angler win, but rules should be enforced, and not bent for the local pro, if the pro's want to fish ok but follow the rules that are layed out for everyone

[Ratherbfishing]

My main complaint would be that someone can register so close to the actual event. But that is something you'd have to take up with the club or organization.

I do feel it's a bit unfair that someone who has already "arrived" at the a higher level can compete in such a way as to make it harder for "lower echelon" performers to reach the next level. But this is just one of many reasons why I'll never fish a tourney where money is involved.

[Crookedneck]

I suppose it would depend on the caliber of the pro. There are several "Pro's" who enter smaller tournements around here. Some are very good and I always enjoy pitting my abilities against them, sometimes they do well, sometimes they struggle. Then there are the few who I chuckle at when I see them pull up to the registration.

I think the term pro in all honestly, is a very select few.

[ww2farmer]

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I think the term pro in all honestly, is a very select few.

That sums it up for me too. I have met and talked to a few pros over the years that were pretty disapointing. There are a few local sticks around here that I have way more concern for when I see them show up at a tournament.

[IntroC]

Up north here the walleye tourneys are the big thing and the bigger tournements usually have a couple pros fishing. Rarely do they win them. They usaully do pretty good though. I remember one tourney the LOCAL pro took dead last which had to be a humbling experience. Then again I thiink walleye tourneys have a whole lot more luck involved than bass tourneys being they are more so schooling fish.