Randy Haynes explanation

[Montanaro]

https://www.facebook.com/randyhaynesfishing/posts/1663488460353700

 

[RichF]

It sucks that I love tournament fishing so much.  I hate that the sport has gotten this ridiculous.  And what's with all the comments about how eloquent his apology was.  I could barely understand what he was saying! 

[CroakHunter]

What happened? He acts like he murdered someone. 

[Rahlow]

He fished a spot, some other guy fished the same spot, he fished the spot the 2nd day, when he got to the spot the last day, the other guy was there, he quit tournament cause the guy was in “his” spot....

[riverbasser]

I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it, I can see both sides but I can't understand him withdrawing. That was the wrong move regardless of what happened beforehand. 

 

@RichF  I was thinking the same thing lol. Not to pick on the guy to hard but I guess when your a pro bass fisher English isn't too important? He should proof read before making a public statement

[A-Jay]

How about having a back up plan for if & when another pro or even a local angler is fishing an area he intended to go to ?   To simply bail seems a little weak. 

 

Sponsors "So what happened ?"

Angler " I was leading the derby, but a guy was fishing my spot, so I quit"

Ex-Sponsors "What ?"

 

 

A-Jay

 

 

[scaleface]

I quit fishing local tournaments all together because of two other competitors boats pulling up and fishing the buoys I tossed so I know where Randy is coming from . But to go home when you are winning , wow .

[Logan S]

It was a little more complicated than just a guy fishing in/on 'his' spot.  That other guy knew the tournament leader (Haynes) was fishing there and knew that he was going there first thing on day 3...That other guy also had a better launch number so he was able to boat race him there and win, arriving just moments before.  That other guy then proceeded to tell Haynes that they could 'share the spot' in an attempt to make it seem more friendly or amicable.  IMO, Haynes left because because he didn't want to legitimize what happened...If he shares it or goes elsewhere, it's essentially accepting that tactic as somehow OK.  Basically his way of saying, "I know the game you're playing and I'm not going to be a part of it."  At least that's what I took away from it. 

 

I can't say I would have done the same thing, but I have a lot of respect for a guy that sticks to his beliefs that way...Especially knowing the potential consequences.  IMO it wasn't quitting and going home, it was making a statement.  

 

I don't know either guy so I probably shouldn't even comment...But that's my take on it.  

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Logan S said:

It was a little more complicated than just a guy fishing in/on 'his' spot.  That other guy knew the tournament leader (Haynes) was fishing there and knew that he was going there first thing on day 3...That other guy also had a better launch number so he was able to boat race him there and win, arriving just moments before.  That other guy then proceeded to tell Haynes that they could 'share the spot' in an attempt to make it seem more friendly or amicable.  IMO, Haynes left because because he didn't want to legitimize what happened...If he shares it or goes elsewhere, it's essentially accepting that tactic as somehow OK.  Basically his way of saying, "I know the game you're playing and I'm not going to be a part of it."  At least that's what I took away from it. 

 

I can't say I would have done the same thing, but I have a lot of respect for a guy that sticks to his beliefs that way...Especially knowing the potential consequences.  IMO it wasn't quitting and going home, it was making a statement.  

 

I don't know either guy so I probably shouldn't even comment...But that's my take on it.  

From what I read it's similar to what you're explaining but with a few more details....

This was a 'community hole'

These guys were 1 and 2 on the leaderboard

Both had fished that spot several times throughout the tournament 

 

The comment he made when asked about it afterwards about having better things to do and he'd much rather go install flooring at work tells me he had a kid moment, threw a tantrum. Days later sponsors or as @A-Jay said ex-sponsors come calling he releases this as a CYA. Again as @A-Jay said there should be a plan b,c, and d. You're a pro angler you better have a back up plan. 

[RichF]

The FLW commentators try to explain the situation if you watch the day 3 live coverage on Youtube.  It's right at the start of the video.  They made it sound like both guys fished the spot the first 2 days but at different times so "technically" both guys had "rights" to it.  I think Haynes felt Lambert should have let him have it to himself because he was in the lead going into day 3.  I think that would have been more than fair if Lambert wasn't in close 2nd and also in contention to win.  I do agree with @Logan S that it was probably more of a statement trying to be made rather than quitting.  I can't imagine anyone leaving an almost guaranteed five figure paycheck (and possibly 6) on the table simply because he/she was being a "crybaby."  

 

 

[BassNJake]

The other guy(Jason Lambert) had a lower launch number on day 3.

They launch according to the standings for days 3 and 4.

So Randy left first closely followed by Lambert who passed him on the way to the spot.

 

Randy should have pulled up his trolling motor and dropped anchor forcing Lambert to move.

As that is a written rule.

Rules can only be enforced when they are written.

 

All this "unwritten" rules and "ethics" talk is non productive IMO.

Nobody has ever told me what the "unwritten" rules are, so how would I abide by them?

 

 

[Logan S]

All I know is that based on the information that's out there, I wouldn't have done what  what Lambert did...And if I were Haynes I'd be mad about it too.  I guess I'm more on the side of the 'unwritten rules'.  Everyone is saying the right things and the two don't seem to have a beef with each other, so I guess the statement has been made and everyone's moving on...Which is good.  

 

IMO, the 'community hole' argument is just a cop-out.  I know all about community holes, the Potomac is a 60-mile long community hole .  Getting cut off or spot jumped isn't negated just because everyone already knows about the spot.  

 

But like I said originally...I don't know either and I wasn't there, so I probably shouldn't comment (even though I am...But at least I recognize that I shouldn't )

[12poundbass]

I agree with @RichF if those two weren't so close in the standings I'd say get the heck outta here to the guy who doesn't have a chance at winning. 

 

As far as unwritten rules go I'm an old soul and I'm from a small town and now live in a relatively small community where a hand shake is all that's needed and you know who's word can be trusted and who's can't. With that said I know big time money can make people do things they normally wouldn't. What I'm trying to say is I would follow the 'unwritten rule' and trust everyone else would too but if I got burned I'd be ticked but would have no one to blame but myself. 

[BassNJake]

3 minutes ago, Logan S said:

All I know is that based on the information that's out there, I wouldn't have done Lambert did...And if I were Haynes I'd be mad about it too.  I guess I'm more on the side of the 'unwritten rules'.  Everyone is saying the right things and the two don't seem to have a beef with each other, so I guess the statement has been made and everyone's moving on...Which is good.  

 

IMO, the 'community hole' argument is just a cop-out.  I know all about community holes, the Potomac is a 60-mile long community hole .  Getting cut off or spot jumped isn't negated just because everyone already knows about the spot.  

 

 

Where can I get a list of these "unwritten" rules?

Do they change lake to lake or do they vary if I'm fishing a BFL as opposed to an FLW tour event?

Who enforces these "unwritten" rules?

 

Is there an "unwritten" rule of going to a spot someone else caught 20 lbs from and essentially hole sitting there for almost 2 days, so the other guy could not go back to it?

 

 

 

[Logan S]

8 minutes ago, BassNJake said:

Where can I get a list of these "unwritten" rules?

Do they change lake to lake or do they vary if I'm fishing a BFL as opposed to an FLW tour event?

Who enforces these "unwritten" rules?

 

Is there an "unwritten" rule of going to a spot someone else caught 20 lbs from and essentially hole sitting there for almost 2 days, so the other guy could not go back to it?

The situation you described would bother me too...But based on everything I've read/heard, I don't think that's really an accurate assessment of what happened.  I'm not going to go further down that rabbit hole, though.  

 

Everyone knows what 'unwritten rules' are...It's another way to describe having a level of respect for the competition and/or other competitors that exists across all sports - not just bass fishing.  

[Tennessee Boy]

Here's an unwritten rule.

 

When someone pays you to put the name of their product on your shirt.  You do everything you can to put that name in front of as many people as you can.  You get up on that stage and represent your sponsors.  You don't go home.

[Rahlow]

14 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Here's an unwritten rule.

 

When someone pays you to put the name of their product on your shirt.  You do everything you can to put that name in front of as many people as you can.  You get up on that stage and represent your sponsors.  You don't go home.

Amen

[12poundbass]

16 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Here's an unwritten rule.

 

When someone pays you to put the name of their product on your shirt.  You do everything you can to put that name in front of as many people as you can.  You get up on that stage and represent your sponsors.  You don't go home.

I'll second that! 

[BassNJake]

 

35 minutes ago, Logan S said:

Everyone knows what 'unwritten rules' are...It's another way to describe having a level of respect for the competition and/or other competitors that exists across all sports - not just bass fishing.  

I fished as a solo angler fishing 1 day tourneys for about 10 years

then BFL's as a co angler for 3+ years and never did the topic of fishing the leaders water ever come up.

(why would it in a 1 day event?)

So from my tourney experience which is around 100 events I never knew about this "unwritten" rule.

 

 

I would never pull up on a guy or cut off a guy fishing an area. This is common courtesy.

 

Seeing where the leader is catching his fish and then fishing that spot because you had a better boat draw is a d*ck move.

 

Not fishing an area because there is an imaginary line around it indicating that only the leader can fish this water is not something I would inherently know. Especially, when I also found that spot first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[38 Super Fan]

There's no way I'm leaving a spot that I'm fishing for anybody... none the less just quitting and going home. I understand Haynes was trying to make a point, (and I largely agree with him) but the way that he went about making that point was just ridiculous.

 

 

[jtharris3]

Meh...much to do about nothing. It’s over and life goes on.

[sully420]

Once I take someone's money to do a job i do that job. Both those guys knew the deal and eachother and that lake very well. One guy got paid and lived up to his obligations sponsors and family, the other quit. Basically took his ball and went home. I guess im lucky to have had coaches and adults in my life that taught me how unacceptable that is. Maby he just isn't built for the pressure of fishing at that level.

[NHBull]

This pro pulled a JV move and after seeing the fallout still couldn’t act like a man and just own it!  .......besides, who really cares

[Montanaro]

Let's not act like Randy Haynes is getting tens of thousands of dollars from his sponsors...a few thousand at best if he attends trade shows...

 

And the FLW live coverage mentioned he makes a grest living as a contractor.  If he has the money and can justify the cost of withdrawing then he should be able to make that choice.  I wouldnt CHOOSE to fish rub rail but I personally would have to for 100k.

 

It is also okay to leave a situation even if it means quitting entirely if it prevents someone from being burnt out on bass fishing or losing your enjoymeny of your favorite hobby or you losing your short temper and attacking another person.

[Choporoz]

I don't fish tournaments and don't follow pros.  So, all this discussion is a little surreal to me.  I would have assumed that big tournaments are held on relatively big water and that there'd be little need for such unwritten rules.  "You find a spot 'taken', then you fish elsewhere."  The idea that the only way to win/place the tourny was to fish a very specific spot seems crazy to me.  Or, that someone has a 'claim' to a spot before they physically get there....regardless of who fished where on previous days. 

    I am not thrilled when I come to a place that I had in mind and it's 'occupied', but I sure don't hesitate to fish elsewhere....I'd have just figured we were all like that.