Tackle vs. Knowledge

[Catt]

@davecon I understand & agree with what you are saying!

 

The first question is "after being handed two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms, how confident are you that you'll finish in the money?"

 

That question eliminates any farther discussion of lures does it not?

[slonezp]

On 5/28/2017 at 2:06 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Yes, there's a tournament in Texas that anglers can only use Bill Lewis Rattle Traps (and now the Echo squarebills). There's some tournaments that are frog only tournaments in California I believe? 

There is a Spro Frog tourney in IL on the Mississippi River

[K_Mac]

12 hours ago, davecon said:

...It all comes down to your overall knowledge, including boat handling, something not previously mentioned. The list goes on. Takes a lifetime to learn this stuff and all of a sudden you are an old man and health prevents you from going as much as you used to. Life can be a bi**** but you learn to make the best of it.

 

You certainly won't get any argument there!

 

As others have said, the OP wants to know how you will do with the limited choice given. A trickworm/shakyhead combo is one of my favorite techniques, so my confidence is high! Of course, that may not be the best technique for the conditions, but you're not limited in the choice of rod, reel, line, or jigs used. Even with high-end gear in this scenario there is no guarantee you won't be beaten by someone with greater knowledge of the body of water (or just luckier) being fished, whether he has high quality gear or not.

 

Yes, high-end gear and the proper terminal tackle can make a good fisherman better. Now, how are you gonna do with a handful of trickworms?

[OkobojiEagle]

I'm impressed... this thread went pretty long before someone said he was going to take his two packages of worms and go home without playing this silly game.  I'm not terribly surprised that pretty much all of us recognize the mental importance to catching bass, but this board has some pretty confident sticks?  

 

One of the directions I thought the thread might turn was how versatile the worm really is and that fishing only a worm isn't actually hand-tying anyone.  Wacky, shakey, weightless as a topwater, drop-shot, bite off the tail & Ned rig it, I've been swimming shortened worms on jigheads probably longer than Keitech's been selling swimbaits.  There's not many seasons or situations where a 7" worm can't be adapted and catch any sub-species of bass.

 

I had nothing I was trying to prove, just wondered how each of us might handle such an unlikely situation in this age of endless tackle.  Thanks for the responses, I've enjoyed reading them.  Carry on...

 

oe

 

 

[Raul]

10 hours ago, K_Mac said:

 

You certainly won't get any argument there!

 

As others have said, the OP wants to know how you will do with the limited choice given. A trickworm/shakyhead combo is one of my favorite techniques, so my confidence is high! Of course, that may not be the best technique for the conditions, but you're not limited in the choice of rod, reel, line, or jigs used. Even with high-end gear in this scenario there is no guarantee you won't be beaten by someone with greater knowledge of the body of water (or just luckier) being fished, whether he has high quality gear or not.

 

Yes, high-end gear and the proper terminal tackle can make a good fisherman better. Now, how are you gonna do with a handful of trickworms?

 

Trickworm & shakeyhead can do some realllllyyy baaaad butt whupping. 

 

15 hours ago, Catt said:

@davecon I understand & agree with what you are saying!

 

The first question is "after being handed two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms, how confident are you that you'll finish in the money?"

 

That question eliminates any farther discussion of lures does it not?

 

Exactly, the cards were dealt, you are given two packs of trickworms and you better try to do some damage with them, on the other side, I only need one, yup, I'm THAT good. 

[Bucky205]

On 5/27/2017 at 10:09 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

You arrive at your next bass tournament and the director hands everyone two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms and announces you can use any hook or unskirted jighead, but you're limited to only the two packages of worms he gave you.  How confident are you that you'll finish in the money?  Bait or bass knowledge... what do you depend upon to catch your bass?

 

 

oe

In that situation, the angler that has the knowledge to get on the best fish will usually win.

[WRB]

On May 27, 2017 at 8:09 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

You arrive at your next bass tournament and the director hands everyone two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms and announces you can use any hook or unskirted jighead, but you're limited to only the two packages of worms he gave you.  How confident are you that you'll finish in the money?  Bait or bass knowledge... what do you depend upon to catch your bass?

 

 

oe

Very confident because I would stash the TD's 2 packets of trick worms and use all my normal tackle if fishing any tournament.

Tom

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Very confident because I would stash the TD's 2 packets of trick worms and use all my normal tackle if fishing any tournament.

Tom

 

If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

[TOXIC]

I once worked a show with Gary Klein and asked him about fishing a pressured lake like the one I guide on.  He told me he loves those kind of lakes because as long as he can find the fish there are no less than 5 lures at any given time that he could catch them on.  

 

My point......you have to fish where the fish are (knowledge), then bait becomes secondary. 

[WRB]

5 hours ago, reason said:

 

If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

I took as here are some worms, you can only use them on plain jigs or hooks and I will not give you any more than 2 packets. The TD didn't say this is a 1 lure event. So I would thank the TD for the gift of worms and use whatever works for me. Don't see that as cheating, see it as using my knowledge.

Tom

[Choporoz]

Bait Monkey is sitting quietly on the sidelines taking names...some of you are in a heap of trouble....you can run....you can hide....but BM is GOING to find you

[Lures'n'Liberty]

On 5/27/2017 at 11:09 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

You arrive at your next bass tournament and the director hands everyone two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms and announces you can use any hook or unskirted jighead, but you're limited to only the two packages of worms he gave you.  How confident are you that you'll finish in the money?  Bait or bass knowledge... what do you depend upon to catch your bass?

 

 

oe

I can still bring a cooler, right? As far as bass knowledge goes, I've got a lot to learn. While I'm confident that I would catch fish, I question the relevance of money, as memories and time spent with your fishin' buddy/partner are far more valuable than cash. When fishing, whether I get skunked or catch 100 lunkers, I always know that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work, so I call it a win every time I wet a line.

[J Francho]

It's kind of interesting, because that's about what most of us are throwing, or something close.  I will say, I'd rather be deep cranking for them during a summer tournament, but I can do a worm, too.  The hook/rigging would definitely be based on what specific water I was on.  It's very diverse up here.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

I took as here are some worms, you can only use them on plain jigs or hooks and I will not give you any more than 2 packets. The TD didn't say this is a 1 lure event. So I would thank the TD for the gift of worms and use whatever works for me. Don't see that as cheating, see it as using my knowledge.

Tom

 

In addition to rigging, baiting, setting lines, and gaffing (I let the fighting of 200-400 lb fish to younger guys) My job is to read the tournament rules and extract any advantage in the text. "limited to" says to me that's all that is allowed, but it is vague. We also got a guy who can say "I was born in Mars 300 years ago and came to this planet via time travel machine" and the polygraph needles barely move. It's about putting the right team together.

[Catt]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

I took as here are some worms, you can only use them on plain jigs or hooks and I will not give you any more than 2 packets. The TD didn't say this is a 1 lure event. So I would thank the TD for the gift of worms and use whatever works for me. Don't see that as cheating, see it as using my knowledge.

Tom

 

"but you're limited to only the two packages of worms he gave you."

 

What does that statement mean?

[J Francho]

Doesn't seem like it's open to interpretation to me.  Then again, my brain hurts after a long weekend.

[WRB]

On May 27, 2017 at 8:09 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

You arrive at your next bass tournament and the director hands everyone two packages of 7" green pumpkin straight-tail worms and announces you can use any hook or unskirted jighead, but you're limited to only the two packages of worms he gave you.  How confident are you that you'll finish in the money?  Bait or bass knowledge... what do you depend upon to catch your bass?

 

 

oe

I interpret this as you are limit to the 2 packages of worms he gives you, you can't use any more 7" green pumpkin straight tail worms other than those given. The TD doesn't limit you to 1 lure type, you all are reading that into the statement.

Tom

[Raul]

11 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Bait Monkey is sitting quietly on the sidelines taking names...some of you are in a heap of trouble....you can run....you can hide....but BM is GOING to find you

 

Danged primate don't have to worry, there's still gazillion colors plus all that terminal tackle you gonna rig that dumb worm, as "simple" as a worm is we can make it complicated.

[Turkey sandwich]

Some basic knowledge and skill goes really far, and plastic worms of any variety are ridiculously versatile.  I like my odds if I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the lake, and under most conditions on a river.  I'm a pretty confident guy with worms and jigs, and for years they were responsible for 90% of what I caught, but confidence/arrogance is besides the point.  (though, I think most of us take a simple joy on those days we fish behind another boat or series of boats and pick up fish regardless of what they were throwing at them, I know I do.)

 

I think the underlying problem in all of this is that, as fishermen, we all (to some degree) get caught up in looking at tackle as toys as opposed to tools.  And for the same reason that hardware stores sell a ton of adjustable wrenches, many of us can find a ton of ways to catch fish on a 7" plastic worm in a practical color under most conditions.  The posts about being able to find fish are likely the first determining factor as to who ends up making money.  After that, it's presentation.  And in the event that I don't have all of my tools, I feel like that plastic worm can be rigged or modified to mimic more than anything else on it's own.  In addition to all of the rigging options, with a pair of scissors it could be a grub, ned rigged, split tail, cut down to a more finesse presentation, and probably a dozen other things I'm too tired to think about, but ultimately if I can stick it in front of fish, I'm confident I'll be able to put at least a few in the boat.  

[Catt]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

I interpret this as you are limit to the 2 packages of worms he gives you, you can't use any more 7" green pumpkin straight tail worms other than those given. The TD doesn't limit you to 1 lure type, you all are reading that into the statement.

Tom

 

You kidding me?

[Pro Logcatcher]

6 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

I think the underlying problem in all of this is that, as fishermen, we all (to some degree) get caught up in looking at tackle as toys as opposed to tools.  

Tackle stores make lures to catch fishermen, not fish!

[Lures'n'Liberty]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

I interpret this as you are limit to the 2 packages of worms he gives you, you can't use any more 7" green pumpkin straight tail worms other than those given. The TD doesn't limit you to 1 lure type, you all are reading that into the statement.

Tom

This seems to be a good time to speak on the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. According to the letter of the law, WRB is absolutely correct and if he won it, was DQ'd, and wished to challenge the tournament loss in court, he would probably win and the tournament host could go bankrupt. His interpretation, however, goes against the spirit of the law, or violates it's intention. This is the sort of thing that makes it a good idea to have a lawyer look over the tournament rules, and in turn drive up the cost of the tournament by making the organizers have to pay a solicitor's fee to have a good time. 

[J Francho]

Good grief, it's a hypothetical question.  Let's move on from the legal debate that's muddying the water of very interesting thread.  Can you catch bass with a simple, ubiquitous tool, relying mostly on your knowledge of fish location and behavior?

[Lures'n'Liberty]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Good grief, it's a hypothetical question.  Let's move on from the legal debate that's muddying the water of very interesting thread.  Can you catch bass with a simple, ubiquitous tool, relying mostly on your knowledge of fish location and behavior?

Amen to that, my friend. I'm a political activist who likes to fish, so debating rules and laws is also my thing, but really, I mean I fish to get away from that sort of thing. If bending the spirit of the rules is what tournament fishing is really all about, I'll keep my entry fee and fish elsewhere.

 

[Team9nine]

6 hours ago, Pro Logcatcher said:

Tackle stores make lures to catch fishermen, not fish!

 

Yep - the faster you accept the fact that this entire industry is based on selling you something, amidst the smoke and mirrors, the quicker you can ground yourself by focusing on what really matters, and start catching more fish.

 

3 hours ago, Lures'n'Liberty said:

If bending the spirit of the rules is what tournament fishing is really all about, I'll keep my entry fee and fish elsewhere.

 

 

Sadly, the game has devolved to one of rule bending, discourteous behavior, and getting your competition disqualified.