Trolling for bass, good or evil?

[RichF]

Bass fishing for me is more than just getting the bites and reeling them in.  I love the art of casting and the skill it takes to pinpoint place baits at certain targets.  I get a lot of satisfaction when I make an impossible skip under a dock or tree, even if I don't get bit.  Trolling eliminates that aspect of bass fishing so I choose not to do it.  I don't think it's evil, just a little bit lame (for bass fishing anyway).      

[J Francho]

Umbrella Rig.  The question was how is it not an artificial bait.  It isn't bait.  It's a rigging.  That rigging could prerigged with a bait, or attractors, or some combination.

[Hawkeye21]

3 minutes ago, RichF said:

Bass fishing for me is more than just getting the bites and reeling them in.  I love the art of casting and the skill it takes to pinpoint place baits at certain targets.  I get a lot of satisfaction when I make an impossible skip under a dock or tree, even if I don't get bit.  Trolling eliminates that aspect of bass fishing so I choose not to do it.  I don't think it's evil, just a little bit lame (for bass fishing anyway).      

 

I feel that way too for the most part and I think most bass fishermen feel that way too.  Just because we prefer it that way doesn't mean we should outlaw the ways we don't like though, right?  The people I'm talking about come off as some type of bass fishing purists that feel it should only be done a certain even though the other ways are legal.

[RichF]

Just now, Hawkeye21 said:

 

I feel that way too for the most part and I think most bass fishermen feel that way too.  Just because we prefer it that way doesn't mean we should outlaw the ways we don't like though, right?  The people I'm talking about come off as some type of bass fishing purists that feel it should only be done a certain even though the other ways are legal.

 

I'm completely fine with guys trolling for bass.  I do, however, agree that it doesn't belong in tournament competitions.  But then again, I don't like anything that removes the need for good ol' fashioned skill during competition.  If I had it my way, spot lock trolling motors, 3D-mega-side-imaging (whatever), 250hp motors, and senkos would all be banned haha.   

[Hawkeye21]

Just now, RichF said:

 

I'm completely fine with guys trolling for bass.  I do, however, agree that it doesn't belong in tournament competitions.  But then again, I don't like anything that removes the need for good ol' fashioned skill during competition.  If I had it my way, spot lock trolling motors, 3D-mega-side-imaging (whatever), 250hp motors, and senkos would all be banned haha.   

 

But now that brings up the argument.  Why shouldn't it be allowed in tournaments?  I have yet to hear a legitimate reason.

 

I'm not trying to say that it needs to be allowed but I keep seeing people say it shouldn't be allowed yet none of them can give a solid reason as to why other than their own personal feelings.

[RichF]

First off, I don't think it's really a great way to catch bass in the first place so I couldn't even see a lot of guys doing it during competition.  Maybe in the summer on the TVA lakes when the bass are 30ft deep chasing shad, but that's about all I can think of.  Secondly, it wouldn't be very exciting to watch as a spectator of the sport (there goes BASS Live, FLW Live, and MLF coverage).  Thirdly, well I can't think of a thirdly.  Are these legitimate reasons? Eh.  Maybe #2, at least for those big organizations.  Can't make $$ if nobody wants to watch your stuff.  Have you ever watched a televised walleye tournament? I'd rather watch paint dry while someone kicks me in the nuts repeatedly.  Yes it's that boring.  Can you imagine an Elite Series pro using his Ultrex to map a path along a Kentucky Lake ledge, chuck a 6xd behind the boat, and watch him sit there doing absolutely nothing while his boat runs itself?  I would actually prefer to work on Fridays rather than watch BASS LIVE coverage! 

[Hawkeye21]

17 minutes ago, RichF said:

First off, I don't think it's really a great way to catch bass in the first place so I couldn't even see a lot of guys doing it during competition.  Maybe in the summer on the TVA lakes when the bass are 30ft deep chasing shad, but that's about all I can think of.  Secondly, it wouldn't be very exciting to watch as a spectator of the sport (there goes BASS Live, FLW Live, and MLF coverage).  Thirdly, well I can't think of a thirdly.  Are these legitimate reasons? Eh.  Maybe #2, at least for those big organizations.  Can't make $$ if nobody wants to watch your stuff.  Have you ever watched a televised walleye tournament? I'd rather watch paint dry while someone kicks me in the nuts repeatedly.  Yes it's that boring.  Can you imagine an Elite Series pro using his Ultrex to map a path along a Kentucky Lake ledge, chuck a 6xd behind the boat, and watch him sit there doing absolutely nothing while his boat runs itself?  I would actually prefer to work on Fridays rather than watch BASS LIVE coverage! 

 

I think not allowing it for televised tourneys makes sense since not many want to watch it but how many are actually going to be trolling?  That doesn't affect a kayak bass fishing tourney though.

[WRB]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Umbrella Rig.  The question was how is it not an artificial bait.  It isn't bait.  It's a rigging.  That rigging could prerigged with a bait, or attractors, or some combination.

It's still an artificial lure regardless how many wires it may have or hooks, jigs or bait is added. If they don't want umbrella rigs used they should clearly state that.

Tom

[J Francho]

I'm with you Tom. Just relaying the legalese definition that I see in fishing regs. It's not easy determining what is fair and what is not. 

[gim]

4 hours ago, Hawkeye21 said:

But now that brings up the argument.  Why shouldn't it be allowed in tournaments?  I have yet to hear a legitimate reason.

 

I mentioned this before but I'll do it again.  Seems like almost every state has different fish and game laws and when it comes to trolling, the more lines the better.  Plus, its a method of fishing where you actually physically can put out multiple lines by yourself with rod holders and manage it.  You really can't cast like most bass anglers do with more than one line at a time because it requires the use of both your hands.  I think the same can be said as for partially why the use of live bait is banned (I say partially because live bait often results in higher mortality and bass tournaments try to release their fish fully alive).  You could throw out 8 bobbers with shiners and put them in rod holders.  Banning trolling and live bait in bass tournaments levels the field from state to state by making anglers cast with one line at a time.

[WRB]

Multiple lines in the water at the same time was not allowed from day 1 with B.A.S.S. independant issue. Agree multiple lines can be trolled however can also be cast one at a time and still be in the water at the same time, picked and retrieved separately.

Lots of fishing tournaments allow and rely on trolling, bass tournaments stands alone on this issue. 

Tom

[joeblowwwww]

On 4/12/2017 at 11:27 AM, Hawkeye21 said:

 

Oh, come on.  You can't get away with saying that without giving your reason.  Nothing wrong with not liking it but I'm curious why.

  

Ha!  I'm just kidding nobody was saying evil. trolling for bass has never been my favorite but to each his own.

[basscatcher8]

Trolling if you can master it and get it right is very effective. I have my bass boat setup to do it. But I also don't go everywhere to fish for bass and when I do travel Largemouth is usually the bottom of the list anyway. Like mentioned earlier in a weedy lake or something no I'll stay up front casting. But when I go to some of the big deep lakes like in the Ozarks, I'll have my trolling rods all ready. And I'll run around till I start seeing something on the screen and start trolling around the area to try and learn what's going on. If I run into a good group, I'll pull up the trolling rods and spend awhile casting. If you've only got a couple days to fish a place and need to find fish quick its a great tool and technique to use.

[Catt]

As to why Ray Scott banded trolling y'all just guessing!

 

Don't where is idea the early Pro's were "paired", ugh! No the were not!

 

Co-anglers & the Marshalls were added to deter cheating.

 

Can someone explain how trolling is cheating?

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Can someone explain how trolling is cheating?

 

You catch too many fish drinkin' beer and gettin' sunburned.

 

[Team9nine]

18 hours ago, Catt said:

As to why Ray Scott banded trolling y'all just guessing!

 

Don't where is idea the early Pro's were "paired", ugh! No the were not!

 

Co-anglers & the Marshalls were added to deter cheating.

 

Can someone explain how trolling is cheating?

 

I'm not guessing  straight from the mouth of Harold Sharp, and confirmed by Al Lindner.  Remember, I write for BFA, and Harold was one of our contributors.

 

Harold and Ray wrote the rules, and Harold enforced them as B.A.S.S.'s first tourney director. Co-anglers and marshals came much, much later in the game. Everyone got paired in the early days, 2 men per boat, and no two from the same state to prevent cheating (except events like the Classic where pros fished with outdoor writers/press observers). Often ended up "boater-boater" as much of the old film coverage shows now big named pros fishing together. Whose boat to take when that occurred was always a big deal.

 

-T9

[.ghoti.]

I fail to see why anybody would regard trolling as evil or cheating. And, if you think it doesn't take old fashioned skill to be successful trolling, you are sadly misinformed.

 

I don't do it for two reasons. It bores me to death. And, Ive never taken the time to learn to do it properly, probably because it bores me to death.

[Catt]

@Team9nine

I know Dave Precht Editor in Chief of Bassmaster Magazine & little known Paul Key who took B.A.S.S. to South Africa, Zimbabwe, & Spain.

 

I must have missed that class cause don't remember two in a boat!

Edited April 15, 2017 by Catt
Operator error

[Bucky205]

You can troll an Alabama rig on a heavy rod and it will definitely work.  I bass fish for sport.  But I will eat a mess of crappie in a heartbeat.  B.A.S.S. and FLW they are not allowed.  It's funny the local tournaments allow it but I don't see a lot of people throwing it, or towing it.

[Team9nine]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

@Team9nine

I know Dave Precht Editor in Chief of Bassmaster Magazine & little known Paul Key who took B.A.S.S. to South Africa, Zimbabwe, & Spain.

 

I must have missed that class cause don't remember two in a boat!

 

That's OK, @Catt - from the original 1968 B.A.S.S. rules:

 

CONTESTANTS PAIR OFF: Two contestants will be assigned to each boat (except the top 20 leaders on the last two days). Wherever possible no two contestants from the same city or state shall fish together. No two contestants shall fish together more than one (1) day. Announcement of your fishing partner shall me made on the evening prior to each day. It shall be the responsibility of each boat partner to have his partner at the mutually agreed upon departure dock on time for check out. It is suggested that the partners meet at least 30 minutes before check out time at the Booster Club. When two contestants check out at beginning of the day they MUST STAY TOGETHER AND IN SIGHT OF HIS PAIRED PARTNER AND HIS PARTNER'S "FISH" THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND UNTIL THEIR WEIGH-IN IS COMPLETED. A CONTESTANT MUST NOT ALLOW ANY FISH CAUGHT BY HIM TO BE COUNTED ON THE SCORE OF ANOTHER CONTESTANT. In such case, both contestants will be disqualified for this tournament and all other All-American Tournaments.

OBSERVERS: During the second and third day each of the top twenty (20) leaders will fish only with an official observer. (All others will fish with partners.) The boat must be fully operated by the contestant. The observer is not to operate the boat, shall not fish, nor in any way interfere with the fisherman. The observer is to observe only and shall have no other official duty nor responsibility. Fisherman and observer must stay together at all times throughout the day and until the weigh-in is completed.

 

see: Original 1968 B.A.S.S. Rules

EDIT: this site won't let me link to the original story posted at BF...

[Catt]

@Team9nine could not have lasted more than a year or two. A good friend of mine Mike Bono Sr won the 1970 Toledo Bend Invitational, there was an observer but no Pro anglers.

 

Huh! Great memories right there

[WRB]

Another rule during the early years of B.A.S.S. was contestants had to agree who would run the boat the first 1/2 of the day and the second 1/2. The boat owner didn't have the right to dominate running his boat, must be shared unless agreed otherwise. The partner draw was a blind draw during the pre event dinner. Pray Scott was focused on preventing any cheating.

Tom

 

[BassThumb]

On April 15, 2017 at 10:59 AM, .ghoti. said:

I fail to see why anybody would regard trolling as evil or cheating. And, if you think it doesn't take old fashioned skill to be successful trolling, you are sadly misinformed.

 

I don't do it for two reasons. It bores me to death. And, Ive never taken the time to learn to do it properly, probably because it bores me to death.

 

 I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I troll for walleyes sometimes, and the hours seem to go by so slowly, even when catching fish. It's boring watching a rod tip, but it does take some serious skill in terms of boat placement to do it right. It's a different kind of fishing art.

[scaleface]

I enjoy trolling . I'll troll at the depth most fish activity is showing up . As far as bass tournaments it would cause a lot of friction . The trollers are going to be fishing  the same places as the casters . Effective trolling is done on good spots .

[TnRiver46]

On 4/10/2017 at 6:03 AM, reason said:

If ANY kind of fishing is wrong, then I don't want to be right. If it has gills and fins, I'm catching it like it wants to be caught, I own a 3 wt fly rod, 130 Internationals, and everything in between. No holds barred. 

I don't think I have ever read a better post. And believe me I have read a lot of them