FLW Saltwater Striper Trail part 2

[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]

How many events are we talking here?

Ever been out to the race or SW ledge on a Saturday or Sunday in July?

Or even better how about the mudhole on a Saturday after the first giant is landed earlier in the week. I'd rather drive 93 through boston at 5 oclock on that friday prior.

In minnesota on Mille Lacs when another lake is sponsoring a derby on the ice, the entire lake is deserted for that weekend while the sponsor lake has guys elbow to elbow(8000 plus entrants). You just may find it draws lots of people away from spots......

Also, I fish regularly in SE MA/RI in a small cc in coastal areas, and some bluebird days I see absolutely no other boats if its during the week, even when the fishing is redhot. Boat fisherman already deal with the yahoos and maniac weekend warriors. The smart ones fish in the dead of the night and weekday mornings with only the sound of the drag screaming and the song of the ocean as their symphony.

I regards to sBFT, you wont have much to worry about, as 47 inch proposed size reg will cut down efforts to next to nothing, not to mention that the inshore run last year was the first one in a long time, and might not be repeated. I cant remember in my lifetime of 29 years the blue water being that close, with that much bait around to hold these sbft for the length of time we had them.....

[Finaddict]

Another thing to keep in mind about this tournament - there have been several mentions of the Oberto Redfish Cup. I know charter captains down in Florida who have horror stories of these hacks coming to an area for a week or two prior to the tournament, being extremely disrespectful, ruining flats for fishing by burning them.

If you are not familiar with flats fishing, be it for redfish or bonefish, it's a quiet man's game and for the health of the fish stocks, extra care is needed to protect the local environment -- these tournament guys come in with their attitudes and run their boats through shallow flats wihtout any regard for local captains trying to earn a living. As for a financial boon to the local area, no one I know who lives in those areas except for the host hotel and marina and a few local restaurants gets any financial benefit. A financial boon to the tournament host area is a bunch of garbage from the promoters of the show.

And recently they had a program for the redfish cup on that took place out of Clearwater, Florida. The boats ran down to Tampa Bay to fish for redfish. Several of the boats got stuck on flats with low water. The show highlighted these jerks kicking up rooster tails of mud a mile high. For South Florida this is a big deal. A lot of prime fishing areas are being closed down to boat traffic for this very reason. And the anglers who fish there on a daily basis, captains who make a living off fishing such areas lose out. Having the Red fish cup promote the destruction of a natural resource that is being rapidly closed down to respectful anglers is a bad idea. Add to that the tree huggers from PETA and the like, filming this style of behavior is another nail in the coffin to fishing, be it for redfish or striped bass.

Now, do we want that type of attitude intruding into our fishing areas? It's hard enough to find a secluded spot to fish comfortably -- even in the middle of the night. These guys won't help out at all. Any of you guys who support this tournament, but were angry about the On The Water article back in October, you've got to take a second look at what you are saying. Protect our fishing, our fishing access and our fishery stocks. I have no problem with someone traveling from Nebraska or Alabama to try striper fishing along the Rhode Island or Mass. Coasts, but if they trash the coastline and ruin it for others, than we don't want them here. This is what will come from this tournament. I gaurantee it.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

[Skitterpop]

Good input!


Mike