FLW Saltwater Striper Trail part 2

[TwitchellCreek]

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]

i had cut a tree that didnt fall yesterday...and i needed some physical excercise....
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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]

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...

[Basser]

Actually Wal-Mart was forced into this (so to speak) years ago when BASS brought on K-Mart as a sponsor. The FLW Tour was started and sponsored by Wal-Mart to "protect" their portion of the tackle business.

[basswipe]

Its supposed to kick off this May.That's not all that far away.I would everything from TV deals,sponsors(other tan Walmart) and the anglers themselves are all established.

I would imagine that some of the anglers who fish all NSBA freshwatertournaments would take a stab at the salt.I know by checking out their site all you need to fish their tournies is to be a NSBA Competition member($40) have a boat and be able to pay the entry fee.

If it works like other fishing organizations maybe the best anglers from "amatuer" tournies are invited to participate.And through sponsorship will get nice shiny boats and new gear.

Obviously I'm just speculating on all this.Since I do have some time on my hands this week I'm going to give that information number in
the article a call and see if they can't send some detailed info.

[basswipe]

Raven makes a great point about exposing more youngsters to the outdoor by it making fishing more recognised. It also has the potential to bring awareness to environmental issues here in the northeast that kids might not otherwise be aware of.

[Goose]

For the most part there are no secrets out there no rock left unturned. You see a boat sitting by itself just head for it and looking at your electronics you know where he is not to mention guys with bino's. As far as giving away spots, unless its within reasonable sight of land you realy could be anywhere kinda like the ESPN shark tourney.

Its the guys during the work week that have to worry about giving up spots. They have one eye on the screen and one on oncoming boats. It usualy boils down to knowledge. As soon as another boat approachs he'll move off then when the time is right get back to bending rods without skipping a beat.

I think it was in the 'Salt Water Sportman' I read Gary C. had over 150 50's, don't know how accurate those #'s are but its guy's like that who put alot of hours on their motor in order to be in the right place at the right time. I think it was 3 yrs ago in went from buzzards bay to Montauk in rough sea's to win the ASA, he also fished in gale winds to win another. I'm sure ASA guys will be all over this tourney. I think alot are willing but not all are able.

If its lures your screwed.

[Joe]

With the biggest fish - the ones that would constitute an outright win -still so few and far between, luck plays such a huge role that I don't think a lot of people are going to be willing to spend $2500 on entry fees and I'd be wary of the ones that do.

Look at the Vineyard derby - scores of dedicated fishermen putting in vast amounts of vacation time and a 12 year old girl wins first and our own Drumcorpfan (a nice guy, and an enthusiastic angler, but a relative beginner) gets second.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by squiddler

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, SNIPPED...

That's the MAIN reason I'm not crazy about it... The thought of MORE people fishing around me doesn't really sound all that great to me.

[Pete_G]

My understanding with the 12 year old girl is that someone guided her to that fish. It really wasn't luck, and a tournament like this will probably not allow anyone other then the registered angler to fish.

I know a lot of people said she deserved that win, and in that style of tournament it's fine I guess, but it's not going to fly in this sort of tournament. I doubt they will allow an angler to be "guided" to the fish. It's just not the way these tournaments work.

It's just my opinion, but watching charters go out through the years I can tell you a lot of the people that catch big fish on a charter would NEVER do so by themselves. It was the skill of the guide, not the client, and guides and commercial fisherman are exactly the sort of people I see getting involved in a tournament like this.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

My understanding with the 12 year old girl is that someone guided her to that fish. It really wasn't luck, and a tournament like this will probably not allow anyone other then the registered angler to fish.

I know a lot of people said she deserved that win, and in that style of tournament it's fine I guess, but it's not going to fly in this sort of tournament. I doubt they will allow an angler to be "guided" to the fish. It's just not the way these tournaments work.

It's just my opinion, but watching charters go out through the years I can tell you a lot of the people that catch big fish on a charter would NEVER do so by themselves. It was the skill of the guide, not the client, and guides and commercial fisherman are exactly the sort of people I see getting involved in a tournament like this.

Absolutely.

[basswipe]

There are definitely lots of positive and negative aspects.Only time will tell how good or bad a thing this is.

[Redsoxticket]

Wallyworld may introduce specialized salt water tackle equipment from reels, rods, plugs, etc. of the type that most of our local tackle shops carry. The marketing personnel will find this opportunity to market these products on the TV, magazines, etc. which will create more competition for the local shops.

[Rip Runner]

Slapshot,

Don't get me wrong, many of the ASA members are top fisherman and know how to catch big fish consistantly. but there have been a few things I have seen from "a few" fisherman that have been less than honest. I have also seen rules bent for some and not others by the tournament organizer and that's just not right. I would rather not mention anyone, or any specific incident, I don't think starting a flame thread will really do anyone any good.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

That's the MAIN reason I'm not crazy about it... The thought of MORE people fishing around me doesn't really sound all that great to me.

That's the main reason I have reservations too.

[DZ]

Interesting - I won't give them too much credit unless they make the tourneys "artificial baits" only. A no bait rule will put more guys on an even level.

DZ

[Backbeach Jake]

I have a couple of thoughts on this:
1. When big money gets into this, there will be no spots undiscovered. There will be no peace anywhere on the shore. Just hoards of "Professionals"
2. It'll accellerate the pressure on bass because everyone will be looking for that million dollar fish. Even catch and release kills fish, like it or not.
3. It'll change forever how we, here, fish. You may never see a solitary moment again in the suds. Money does change everything.

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

I have a couple of thoughts on this:
1. When big money gets into this, there will be no spots undiscovered. There will be no peace anywhere on the shore. Just hoards of "Professionals"
2. It'll accellerate the pressure on bass because everyone will be looking for that million dollar fish. Even catch and release kills fish, like it or not.
3. It'll change forever how we, here, fish. You may never see a solitary moment again in the suds. Money does change everything.

more more more negatives when at this and all times less is better.
more access closures and trash I`m sure as well.

Million Dollar Baby

Fred!

[squiddler]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

I have a couple of thoughts on this:
1. When big money gets into this, there will be no spots undiscovered. There will be no peace anywhere on the shore. Just hoards of "Professionals"
2. It'll accellerate the pressure on bass because everyone will be looking for that million dollar fish. Even catch and release kills fish, like it or not.
3. It'll change forever how we, here, fish. You may never see a solitary moment again in the suds. Money does change everything.

I'm interested in how the FLW / BASS tour has mucked up the sweet water scene? I'm thinking it hasn't caused 1 bit of traffic jam at the local fishing ponds/lakes. This will be a boat tourney, not a shore tourney, and that is 1 big ocean out there, in comparison to lakes/ponds.....my 2 cents

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

That's the MAIN reason I'm not crazy about it... The thought of MORE people fishing around me doesn't really sound all that great to me.

That certainly is a good point.

I don't think the impact on surf fisherman will be large.I doubt the exposure will bring the hordes out into the surf unless this was a surf tournament.I'm sure there will more boats at a given area after a tournament and especially after a TV episode.At the same time I'm sure charters will be up too.

Btw called that info# and wasn't given any info other than what's already been released.

[TwitchellCreek]

Originally Posted by squiddler

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...

Forget about politics and economics. Let's just talk about our local striper fishing culture, the way I know it. When I want to know what is going on in the local community, I don't go to Walmart. Instead, I check in with the "salties" or "regulars" sitting around my favorite ma and pa shop. What is wrong with the way anglers are being introduced to the sport now? A big corporate sponsor is simply not necessary. Nowadays, people are introduced by their fathers and grandfathers. I believe that FLW or any other big corporate player will change the culture, and I'm flat out against it.

[GBOUTDOORS]

The frist tournament is out of Bass River Marina in May. I can't believe I see posts saying keep it away there may be another guy at MY fishing spot. I thought fishing was for all not just a few. And a tackle shop owner saying yes this is why he has reservations for the same reason? I think this could be a good thing for the sport if done right. I will wait and see what all the info is before I pass judgement on this.I don't see how this could ruin a spot as bad as a story in the Fisherman weekly or On The Water monthly mag. by someone just doing a story for a few $$$$$$$$$. I could be wrong but I just don't see it. The MV derby is great and what harm does it do to the local fishing? I bet the tackle shops and bars and fast food and gas stations and bed and baths hate it from Sept on with the derby going. And as far as fishing culture goes I am 51 this year spent lots of my childhood on Nashawena and Cuttyhunk islands fishing the surf then on boats as I got older and boy is it different now. Back then if you did not live on the islands you did not belong there. What if it was still that CULTURE now? I may think it great as I still belong there but do you????? Think not so fishing Cutty from shore would be only a dream to most. I think it is great out there now and have taken many from this site to Cuttyhunk for their fist time and hope to do the same SOON.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by GBOUTDOORS

The frist tournament is out of Bass River Marina in May. I can't believe I see posts saying keep it away there may be another guy at MY fishing spot. I thought fishing was for all not just a few. And a tackle shop owner saying yes this is why he has reservations for the same reason? I think this could be a good thing for the sport if done right. I will wait and see what all the info is before I pass judgement on this.I don't see how this could ruin a spot as bad as a story in the Fisherman weekly or On The Water monthly mag. by someone just doing a story for a few $$$$$$$$$. I could be wrong but I just don't see it. The MV derby is great and what harm does it do to the local fishing? I bet the tackle shops and bars and fast food and gas stations and bed and baths hate it from Sept on with the derby going. And as far as fishing culture goes I am 51 this year spent lots of my childhood on Nashawena and Cuttyhunk islands fishing the surf then on boats as I got older and boy is it different now. Back then if you did not live on the islands you did not belong there. What if it was still that CULTURE now? I may think it great as I still belong there but do you????? Think not so fishing Cutty from shore would be only a dream to most. I think it is great out there now and have taken many from this site to Cuttyhunk for their fist time and hope to do the same SOON.

This more than anything said so far I personally feel the same way about.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by GBOUTDOORS

I can't believe I see posts saying keep it away there may be another guy at MY fishing spot. I thought fishing was for all not just a few. And a tackle shop owner saying yes this is why he has reservations for the same reason?

I'm a fisherman just as much as I'm manager of a tackle shop. I'm very secretive when it comes to sensitive shore spots or hot fishing that could be ruined by increased boat traffic (inshore sBFT). I don't want a crowd where I'm at, be it boat or shore, so I keep pretty quiet. I also respect the fact that many other people think this way, so our reports are much more focused on exactly how to rather then where to.

That said I doubt for the most part this tournament will really change anything; and a shore fisherman, day or night, won't even be aware it's going on. It may increase boat fishing activity for a weekend in a given area, but no more then that. Even if there's 100 competitors in a tournament, once you release them all they're going to thin out. If even a couple of them set up and move in where I'm fishing though, I'm going to be pissed. Tournament anglers are infamous for being agressive and acting as though they own the water. But if it's only a few weekends a year and minor incoveniences have to be tolerated, so be it.

I've fished freshwater tournaments and I enjoyed it a lot. It's very different from going out for a relaxed morning of fishing. I'm also competitive in saltwater, I'm always out to catch something larger and stronger, mostly for myself but also for bragging rights amongst friends, so I can ceratinly understand the appeal of a tournament to many fisherman.

I think some of the clashing and issues the tournaments may face is the secretive, solo nature of many New England saltwater fisherman. I'm one of them, so I have reservations, even though it's unlikely I'll be effected in any way. I enjoy being out there alone or just with a few friends. Not a crowd.

[Skitterpop]

Pete:
nice post.... hope its true or close to

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Indanite

Pete:
nice post.... hope its true or close to

I kind of look at it like the MDA tourney which goes off without event and generally is a lot of fun for those involved. There's going to be increased traffic that weekend at the hot spots. If you go to certain spots, there's going to be combat fishing. And some locals are understandably going to feel put out if they aren't involved in the tourney.

[squiddler]

Originally Posted by TwitchellCreek

Forget about politics and economics. Let's just talk about our local striper fishing culture, the way I know it. When I want to know what is going on in the local community, I don't go to Walmart. Instead, I check in with the "salties" or "regulars" sitting around my favorite ma and pa shop. What is wrong with the way anglers are being introduced to the sport now? A big corporate sponsor is simply not necessary. Nowadays, people are introduced by their fathers and grandfathers. I believe that FLW or any other big corporate player will change the culture, and I'm flat out against it.

All you mentioned is sponsors and economics in your comment on my quote. Maybe I missed something, sorry if that s the case.

What about all those kids that have no fathers or Grandads? I just think that by claiming it will infringe upon "our" or particular peoples fishing spots is sort of exclusionary. With responsible management and greater education on those involved, we can afford to have as many people who like to fish do so. I dont see this as an everyday, every port type tourney, and I see no harm in allowing our sport to be shared with the rest of the country. Maybe by getting more people involved, we as recs can put pressure on the managemnet and governing bodies to strengthen the stocks and increase conservation. More voices on our side just cant be bad imho.