FLW Saltwater Striper Trail part 2 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

basswipe · 02-22-2006, 04:53 PM

So what does everyone REALLY feel about it?

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/article.cfm?id=143876

squiddler · 02-22-2006, 04:53 PM

Thatta boy, now were cookin, I will leave this alone, I promise!!!!!

basswipe · 02-22-2006, 04:55 PM

Thanks for the idea Raven.

Raven · 02-22-2006, 05:15 PM

if it makes fishing more of a recognized SPORT then thats great.

there's to many kids brainwashed into thinking that soccer is their only choice ...or other non environment related sports.

basswipe · 02-22-2006, 05:24 PM

I'm curious as to what the television exposure is going to be.Didn't see anything about a TV deal though I would imagine that info is forthcoming.

Also wondering who exactly are the "Pros".Anyone who has a boat and the entry fee?Seems like most these tourny trails require sponsorship to cover costs.

MoroneSaxatilis · 02-22-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basswipe

Also wondering who exactly are the "Pros".Anyone who has a boat and the entry fee?Seems like most these tourny trails require sponsorship to cover costs.

I would imagine that the "Pros" are just that. People who are professional tournament fisherman; ie: People whose primary sourse of income is derived from fishing tournaments.
Any ol' Tom, #^&#^&#^&#^& or Jane with a boat and an entry fee would not fit that criteria.

basswipe · 02-22-2006, 05:42 PM

I guess you're right about that.Tournament fisherman tend to look like race car drivers these days.

A pro/am might be in the future.Who knows.

Pete_G · 02-22-2006, 05:57 PM

I suspect a lot of commercial striper fisherman will be interested. The two big reasons being they're usually very good fisherman, and the prize money is a much better pay day then a week's worth of catching and selling stripers.

MoroneSaxatilis · 02-22-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_G

I suspect a lot of commercial striper fisherman will be interested. The two big reasons being they're usually very good fisherman, and the prize money is a much better pay day then a week's worth of catching and selling stripers.

While it's true that the prize money would be a great incentive to enter, I don't think it would happen (I could be wrong). Even though commercial striper guys are professional fisherman, they're still not professional TOURNAMENT fisherman.
Most of the commercial guys I see out in Quicks', the Sound, etc, are in beat-up ol' boats that, while are in tip-top running shape, and as seaworthy as can be, could, to say the least, use a bit o' compound and/or polish. These guys aren't concerned that their boat might not be the prettiest at the marina/ramp.
Guys have been questioning whether or not the FLW striper tourney will be televised. Considering that they televise thier largemouth and redfish tourneys, I see no reason why they wouldn't televise the striper one. Even if footage ultimately never makes it onair, I'm certain there will be cameras along for the ride. I have a feeling that FLW wants to see established, professional tourney guys in brand new, shiny Genmar boats, not some local commercial dude with a 1986 Mako that he just hung a new motor on.

TwitchellCreek · 02-22-2006, 06:02 PM

I like North East angling the way it is. Sure, recreational angling is driven by business already, but we have our own culture, and I'd hate to see a FLW invasion, personally. I think Joe said it best earlier in Part 1 thread, FLW is for red states, and won't fly in the Northeast.

Please don't allow this to become another rant. I'm not speaking about economics and oversea labor, etc., leaving those variables aside, I like Striper Tourneys to be run by local clubs and shops.

Am I being naive?

Raven · 02-22-2006, 06:21 PM

i had cut a tree that didnt fall yesterday...and i needed some physical excercise....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
naive no.... not really

but i haven't seen one tv show on striper fishing that was catching fish other than schoolies... and although i think spots need to be protected....

i even wrote an email...to "ON The Water..."

i want to see screaming drags.... rod tips getting yanked around
by several runs.... and then a big ole cow safely and gently returned to the sea.

squiddler · 02-22-2006, 06:30 PM

Am I allowed to chime in on subject?

I don't understand why we as recreational fisherman don't embrace this as a way to introduce new people to the sport, have more fishing shows on TV to watch, and at the same time pumping money into our areas. This would be a big boon to local tourist dollars, not to mention local baitshops(These guys will enter these shops to get local knowhow and info) and hotels/restaraunts as well.
Exposure to our sport, with responsible, professional anglers showing the way on nationally televised segments will go a long way in introducing the masses to our sport. These kill tourneys really do no harm to the biomass, as they are limited in their scope and their frequency. I don't understand why its got to be made an economic or political thing simply because WalMart is the sponsor. I myself love watching the FLW on Sat., as well as the Oberto redfish cup. I wanna pose this question as well,... Would you feel the same if it was to be sponsored by a more identifiable or "nicer" sponsor. I just wonder if it is the idea of the tourney that bothers some, or the sponsor itself...

slapshot · 02-23-2006, 08:14 AM

There already is a "pro" or "semi-pro" striper tour. The ASA striper tour runs up and down the coast. It came to Old Saybrook, CT last year. While I did not see it, there were some serious competitors there with some crazy fast boats. There were a couple of Fountains with trips that were moving around at speeds better than 60. From what I have heard these guys fish the same spots almost without regard to where the tournament starts. It was said that some of the tournament anglers in the New Jersey stop on the tour ran up to fish the rips between the north fork of LI and Watch Hill.

The ASA tour does allow live baits (bunker). And I was really impressed with the number of 40 to 50 pound fish that were weighed in at each stop on the tour.

I think that an average Joe can pony up the entry fee and fish in the ASA, but if this new tour is $2500, there won't be so many average Joes.....

Pete F. · 02-23-2006, 09:37 AM

I think this whole thing boils down to normal commercial practice: FOLLOW THE MONEY
If somebody is a sponsor they think this will increase their profits, they may or may not care about the resources used. Are the views of the corporate sponsors long term enough to include the fish and management thereof as part of there long term corporate viability...or is this years and nexts bottom line the main interest.

Pete F. · 02-23-2006, 10:33 AM

An interesting parallel might be what has happened with the redfish tour, has it hurt the fishery?

alemonie · 02-24-2006, 01:21 AM

it is.

Mr. Sandman · 02-24-2006, 07:08 AM

The one thing I hate about NE is the people resist change of anykind. They really do. They don't care if it makes life better or worse, just keep it like it was. They are afraid of the unknown...what might happen. This ranges from everything from politics to various regional issues and even fishing tourneys.

I have heard comments like "why do we have to change it, I am use to it the way it is" To me, that is the most silly statement in the world and illustrates what is really wrong. Joe is right, there are many that would like to go back in time!!

I asked someone once how on earth could you support Ted Kennedy given his background even if you are a democrat, I said surely there is a better democrat out there that can do this job..."Well, he has had the job for so long I figure he knows how to do it" This is the mindset of the NE'er. Static. It amazes me we have the best Universities in the nation yet the general public is pretty stupid.

This fishing contest is harmless. Jesus! It is just a fishing contest and GOD FORBID someone actually make any profits from it!!! It is not a sin to make money and have fun at the same time. Corp greed?! Give me a break!

The reason for a $2500 fee is that it keeps the regular "Joe Sixpack" from entering because he would rather buy a big screen TV with that kind of money. Only sponsored fishermen and bigshots who don't care how much it costs will pony up that kind of coin. There are plenty of Joe Sixpack contests around here if he wants to fish them with entry fees in the sub 50 buck range. You think you are a "pro"? Well then pay the $2500 bucks, afterall it is a tax write off! (only if you have any winnings!)

GBOUTDOORS · 02-24-2006, 07:43 AM

Oh the wisdom of age!!! Thank you Sandman there is so much truth to that post. Now if all you late comers would please just go away and stop fishing all the spots I have been going to for 40 years now I can get back to the way it was. No preppy attitudes twards this being MY spot or his spot its a fishing spot. Sandman you and Cape Sam can run MV and the cape east of the cannal. I will run Cuttyhunk and south west of the cannal to CT. The rest of the coast I have not fished so I will leave that to anyone that wants it.

By the way anyone here that has fished with me or gone to Cuttyhunk with me knows that this means anyone at anytime can fish anywere from the cannal to CT. so long as you be sure to have fun catch fish and clean up after your self. Now back to the FLW come on down and I will help to make you feel at home. And as others do sell you a few choice places to fish in Newport and Block Island what is the going rate for a story on a spot in one of the local fish mags. or tackle shops ???????

Fishpart · 02-24-2006, 08:31 AM

I think it is a double edged sword... Bad, it will put more pressure on the fish.

Good, it will give our sport more exposure. It will generate more revenue for the local shops, can't get fresh saltwater bait or custom wooden plugs at Wallyworld. It will generate revenue for the hotels and resturants and bars in the area of the tournament. It may help get gamefish status for the Striped Bass for those who want it. It will generate more traffic on Striped-Bass. MOST IMPORTANTLY It will expose more kids to fishing and possibly get them hanging around with a fishing rod and possibly an adult who will provide them a posiitve influence rather than hanging around getting into trouble down town.

Rip Runner · 02-24-2006, 08:53 AM

I don't see how a boat tournament will effect beach fisherman in any way at all, or add trash and area closes.

I also highly doubt this is going to add hundreds of new boaters sitting on our spots every weekend. With a steep entry fee only people who know what they are doing are going to enter these tournaments for the most part. I have chartered for years, fished commercially and have fished many tournaments and the last thing I want to do is show up right next to a bunch of weekend warriers and have them follow me around all day. If they show up on my spot, I leave so they don't get my exact numbers, then I go back after they figure there is no fish there. I can't tell you how many times I have fished a rip with 5 other charter boats and when the regular boats show up, we all power up and go back 20 minutes later.

Good tournament fisherman are more concerned on YOU being in thier spot than vice versa. A-lot of the boats in these tournaments won't be new boats, but boats that would be fishing anyway IE. Commercial & Charter boats. These tournaments are also going to be spread out in different locations so there won't be heavy pressure on any one spot.

I would rather see a commercial guy fish a tournament and kill 2 fish for his prize money than 40 fish for the market.

JohnR · 02-24-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Runner

I would rather see a commercial guy fish a tournament and kill 2 fish for his prize money than 40 fish for the market.

I would hate to see a commercial guy keep the 40 something pounder he got the day before and enter it in on the first day of the tourney. I'm not saying that most or even some commercials (or recs for that matter) would do it but is has probably happened in the past more than once - what is to say it would not happen again??

I know this a touchy subject and I certainly do not mean it to be so but I would have less concern if commercial license holders were not able to participate in a tournament during that commercial season. For example, Mass legs could not occur during Mass comm season, RI legs could not occur during RI season and so forth.

Again, not trying to fuel a flame, just an observation.

At $2500, too steep for S-B to consider but I have thought in the past of entering a Team S-B into some of these boat competitions, just so far have chosen not to do so...

slapshot · 02-24-2006, 12:46 PM

I'd like to know more about the cheating in the ASA tournaments. A buddy and I have talked about entering the last 2 years, but haven't done it yet. We are specifically looking at the Old Saybrook event. Looking at last years standings, I was amazed at the number of fish over 40 pounds that were weighed in. It just seemed odd, as we consider ourselves to know a fair bit about the fish that are typically caught in our area (he is a charter captain and runs a tackle shop).

Care to share more about this cheating?

JohnR · 02-24-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshot

I'd like to know more about the cheating in the ASA tournaments. A buddy and I have talked about entering the last 2 years, but haven't done it yet. We are specifically looking at the Old Saybrook event. Looking at last years standings, I was amazed at the number of fish over 40 pounds that were weighed in. It just seemed odd, as we consider ourselves to know a fair bit about the fish that are typically caught in our area (he is a charter captain and runs a tackle shop).

Care to share more about this cheating?

Slapshot, the rumor mill presents several cases of cheating with several different tourneys, not just the ASA, but because it is in fact the "Rumor Mill" I think it would be unwise to further propogate the rumors because they cannot be confirmed. And keep in mind it is the "Rumor Mill". It is sad because >90% of the participants were probably honest.

Basser · 02-24-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR

Slapshot, the rumor mill presents several cases of cheating with several different tourneys, not just the ASA, but because it is in fact the "Rumor Mill" I think it would be unwise to further propogate the rumors because they cannot be confirmed. And keep in mind it is the "Rumor Mill". It is sad because >90% of the participants were probably honest.

I chased a "absolute unequivocal classic case of cheating" (according to people "that were there and can confirm it") for a long time. Spoke to all the individuals and found out it was primarily bred out of sour grapes and unconfirmable "evidence"...I suspect 99.9% of the claimed cheating is in that category.

JohnR · 02-24-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basser

I chased a "absolute unequivocal classic case of cheating" (according to people "that were there and can confirm it") for a long time. Spoke to all the individuals and found out it was primarily bred out of sour grapes and unconfirmable "evidence"...I suspect 99.9% of the claimed cheating is in that category.

I agree, though I suspect only 80% or rumored cheating is in fact in that category and 20% of rumors would pan out as cheating. I have had particular instances brought to my attention by multiple unrelated sources, some who "heard" and some who say they "saw". It does exist, not as ramptant as the rumor mill would put forth. And as far as actual instances go, it would be wrong to propagate them. However, it does not mean that the cheating does not exist.

Team Rock On · 02-24-2006, 05:06 PM

Here's a rumor from the ASA website....
"One bad incident happened in this event that had the docks buzzing. An ASA team from New Jersey was removed from competition for life after weighing a fish suspected to have a foreign substance in its belly. The team Captain brought what would have been the winning fish to the DNR weighmaster. Once on the scales the weighmaster called out the weight which was announced on the PA system, “We have a new tournament leader.” He then proceeded to feel the fish’s stomach, which had a peculiar lump. Suspecting the worst the weighmaster then ran a metal detector across the fish and as he expected the machine went off. Informing the contestant that he needed to open the fish up, the Captain grabbed the fish and proclaimed that this was the wrong fish, he had another one in the boat he wanted to weigh. Rushing out of the tent, ASA director Deona Holmes was in hot pursuit, demanding the Captain return the fish. As the Captain reached his boat he hollered at Tournament Director Bob Flocken, “You are always picking on me,” immediately cranked up the boat and sped out of the marina.

While the fish was never gutted, the actions of the team not allowing the fish to be inspected led tournament officials to immediately disqualify the team from competition. Further investigation is underway to see what the individuals have done in the past and whether criminal prosecution is warranted."

slapshot · 02-24-2006, 02:14 PM

thank you

Swimmer · 05-03-2006, 10:39 AM

All this talk about a tour coming soon to an ocean near you begs the question. Are we expected to give way when fishing our favorite spots? I refer to the yahoos that put thier boats in the various lakes that the bass pros are fishing in that week and follow them around. Now a lake although large is an enclosed area, so following and watching is easy. These guys that watch in these lakes are never fishing though. What if your drifting over your favorite mound of sand in middle ground or casting to the rocks at Quick's and all of a sudden a few boats come screaming to a stop nearby that contain tournament anglers plus a rules boat and boats that also carry the guys with the cameras and the fishermens agents and on and on and on. Are these "pro salt fishermen/women" going to demand that everyone get out of thier way? I know many of the people here and know fishermen/women in general in this neck of the woods would not put up with this. I am curious what you all think about this possibilty.

big jay · 05-03-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmer

All this talk about a tour coming soon to an ocean near you begs the question. Are we expected to give way when fishing our favorite spots? I refer to the yahoos that put thier boats in the various lakes that the bass pros are fishing in that week and follow them around. Now a lake although large is an enclosed area, so following and watching is easy. These guys that watch in these lakes are never fishing though. What if your drifting over your favorite mound of sand in middle ground or casting to the rocks at Quick's and all of a sudden a few boats come screaming to a stop nearby that contain tournament anglers plus a rules boat and boats that also carry the guys with the cameras and the fishermens agents and on and on and on. Are these "pro salt fishermen/women" going to demand that everyone get out of thier way? I know many of the people here and know fishermen/women in general in this neck of the woods would not put up with this. I am curious what you all think about this possibilty.

I'd like to see the first boat that pulls up into the charter fleet with their tv cameras and says "excuse me, I'm fishing a tournament, please make way".

It's going to go over like a fart in church.

NIB · 05-03-2006, 12:49 PM

I have a friend who is all hopped up on this.The FLW guy did talks at the Mass Bass an RISA shows.He was saying they will provide tubes to keep fish alive.Fish are to be no bigger than 34 inches an its a lure only tourney.With incentive kickbacks to a particular boat owners not sure which brand.I'm surprised with all the genius's here it only took 3 pages before that came out.