coots Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Go look at the picture that Tharp posted on his Facebook page. Let the guy do work man! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=637357819634885&set=a.574449475925720.1073741833.377240898979913&type=1&theater I know it anyone's water OK.... but that is down right ridiculous. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 I'm thinking that's a pic taken when driving through the crowd to get to a new spot. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 The Classic anglers are really upset with the locals at this event, no respect, no sportsmanship given. If the the anglers leave a spot it's fished immediately, and the locals get on the spots early in the morning...before start times. It's public water, however is the crown jewel of our sport. IF B.A.S.S. never returns it will be too soon! Tom 1 Quote
gripnrip Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 The Classic anglers are really upset with the locals at this event, no respect, no sportsmanship given. If the the anglers leave a spot it's fished immediately, and the locals get on the spots early in the morning...before start times. It's public water, however is the crown jewel of our sport. IF B.A.S.S. never returns it will be too soon! Tom What a shame. As far as I'm aware, the locals last year were in good graces. There was just as many I'm sure. Quote
IowaHusker28 Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I know its part of the sport having spectators on the water and its really awesome being able to watch your favorite pro fish a 100 feet in front of you but its the classic. I am personally a fan of not allowing people spectate. The negative effects have to out weigh the positives. I mean boat traffic for everyone, distractions, and I personally feel it makes it an un-even playing field and that reason right there is the biggest one. It has to be easier to fish when theres 2 people watching you compared to 50 boats around that you have to deal with. I would like to see strict spectator rules and somehow policing them. I don't know, I'm just spitballing here. 1 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 I find it funny that I can rent out one of my towns parks and have a private football playoff there without other people playing through but big bass groups can't hold a tourney without having to navigate though spectators. 4 Quote
flyingmonkie Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 What a shame. As far as I'm aware, the locals last year were in good graces. There was just as many I'm sure. I was at day three on Grand last year... there were a lot of boats out, but most of us kept our distance. I remember some floaters getting a little close to Cliff and he had to say something - that was the only problem I recall. The camera boats got surprisingly close, and the low-flying helicopters were annoying as all hell though. 1 Quote
flyingmonkie Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I know its part of the sport having spectators on the water and its really awesome being able to watch your favorite pro fish a 100 feet in front of you but its the classic. I am personally a fan of not allowing people spectate. The negative effects have to out weigh the positives. I mean boat traffic for everyone, distractions, and I personally feel it makes it an un-even playing field and that reason right there is the biggest one. It has to be easier to fish when theres 2 people watching you compared to 50 boats around that you have to deal with. I would like to see strict spectator rules and somehow policing them. I don't know, I'm just spitballing here. I don't see this lasting much longer. I think we'll look back 10 years from now and comment on how weird it was. I think part of the novelty in spectating is that it ISN'T policed, and it's fee - almost too good to be true? You can't keep people off the lakes, but you can keep them away from the boats. I'd be surprised if there's not a lake patrol boat for ever fisherman at Guntersville... there is no reason why they couldn't enforce a distance rule at the least. 1 Quote
gripnrip Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Like it or not, the lakes are public waters. The only way for it to change is if the states make a law not allowing boats, whether on plane or idle, to be a certain number of feet apart. Common rule is 100ft for competitors. If the groups stay back at least that far then I think that is fair. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Totally ridiculous that people are allowed on the water with the pros. You should have to have credentials to be on the water. Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Like it or not, the lakes are public waters. The only way for it to change is if the states make a law not allowing boats, whether on plane or idle, to be a certain number of feet apart. Common rule is 100ft for competitors. If the groups stay back at least that far then I think that is fair. I agree, but the US Open is sometimes played on public courses. However, the course isn't open to the public during the tourn. 1 Quote
Hooked_On_Bass Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Wow. Some of those people really need to give their head a shake . Quote
Wbeadlescomb Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Totally ridiculous that people are allowed on the water with the pros. You should have to have credentials to be on the water. That's crazy guntersville is massive you can't keep someone off public water no matter what type of event is going on. 1 Quote
gripnrip Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I agree, but the US Open is sometimes played on public courses. However, the course isn't open to the public during the tourn. Ahhhh! jbsoonerfan that is an excellent point. What about the other people who use the lake? Other fishermen? Or how can you keep people off of a natural resource? Quote
flyingmonkie Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I agree, but the US Open is sometimes played on public courses. However, the course isn't open to the public during the tourn. The difference is that "public" golf courses are still privately owned and not supported by tax dollars - they are public because they don't require a membership. Lake Guntersville is a State Park, so technically, it belongs to the residents of Alabama. 2 Quote
Brian Needham Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I cant believe the stupid locals are down there spot burning with Arigs........ its unbelievable. sure go over there and graph it, even drop a waypoint...... but to roll up and fish it is just being a complete and utter Dbag. I sincerely hope the people doing any form of spot burning get a rusty hook in the eye!!!!! Quote
Brian Needham Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 The difference is that "public" golf courses are still privately owned and not supported by tax dollars - . false .......... Bethpage black is part of a state park. but public or private water there is NO EXCUSE for what is going on at this years classic........and people wonder why fishing doesn't grow? Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 The difference is that "public" golf courses are still privately owned and not supported by tax dollars - they are public because they don't require a membership. Lake Guntersville is a State Park, so technically, it belongs to the residents of Alabama. There are many public courses in OK and around the country that are on state property and maintained by the state. However, they are protected from public use when a MAJOR event is being held on them. I don't see why a lake is any different. If anyone gets their panties in a knot because they aren't allowed on the water for a few days then they need to get a life. These events are how these pros make a living, no sense in letting a bunch of D-Bags interfere with their opportunity to do their job. Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 A year or so ago, I was fishing Toledo Bend when the Elites were competing there. That lake is well over 100.000 acres. It was Sunday morning and my buddies and I had been fishing in this one bay for the last several days without seeing any of the pros. I was fishing a point off a small island when a well-known pro of small stature and loud mouth came roaring up. He said, "Mind if I fish here?" Knowing that he was trying to make a living, I said "Sure, help yourself," and began reeling in my line in preparation for departure. Well, apparently, I wasn't reeling in fast enough to suit him, so he cast his lure within two feet of my boat. I kept my mouth shut, but let's just say that little stunt of his ticked me off royally. I no longer have any respect for that little squirt. I left that spot at full RPM, and hoped that he didn't catch a danged thing on that point. Apparently he didn't, because he finished out of the running. Tough. Using proper manners may sometimes catch more fish than the proper lure. 7 Quote
Pz3 Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Yikes! I can't even imagine having that many people trying to be on my junk. I would think a camera boat / helicopter would be bad enough. Let alone all that. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 and people wonder why fishing doesn't grow? It's because people would rather fish than watch other people fish, it's not like basketball where you watch your team play, you can actually go out and do it too. 1 Quote
BridgerM Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I don't know if laws would allow, but using some california lakes as examples where they are closed to the public a few days a week. What about not allowing use of a lake or reservoir for certain days. Particularly on large tournament days? Or at least enforce a limit of non-pro/spectator boats. Im new the the WHOLE bass thing, but it doesn't make a d**n bit of sense to me to try and look over a pros shoulder in a huge tournament. Sure, if its your home water you want to see how they fish your waters. But there is a point where you become a negative influence and just look silly. It certainly is a distraction when as a spectator you see 50 boats in the background!! I don't see a benefit or reason allowing anyone and everyone on the water for something like the classic. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 23, 2014 Global Moderator Posted February 23, 2014 I understand people wanting to fish, especially those that traveled long distances to be there and have maybe never fished the lake, but fishing a spot you know someone in the tournament is fishing is very disrespectful. I was on the water every day of the Classic last year and we did quite a bit of fishing but never on a spot one of the pros was fishing. The one time we were fishing and Ike pulled up to the point we were on we immediately put our rods down and backed off the point and let him have it. They're trying to make a living, I'm not about to get in their way or interfere with them trying to do that. 2 Quote
Missourifishin Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 What's sad is that we wouldn't even be having a conversation about rules/laws to keep people off the water if people displayed a little class, courtesy and common sense. 5 Quote
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