Wal-Mart Striper Series, Big $$$$

[gsxraddict]

I was looking forward to fishing this tournament when I first heard about it. They were claiming $1,000,000 in prizes. I was excited, finally Striper fishing could become a sport that could earn the best fisherman a living. Largemouth fisherman have had this luxury, look at the top pros, making MILLIONS a year. Sunfish fishing isn't for me though. I'm not knocking those who fish for them, but I prefer Stripers, the real bass.

The rules are pathetic, you can not keep a fish over a certain length. I understand the minimum length, requirement, but a maximum? Are these people stupid?!? There is only one state I'm aware of that has a maximum weight law, but they don't fish there.

People come to these tournaments to watch, they want to see the BIGGEST fish. How boring is it, when all the fish at the weigh-in are going to be around the same size. What's the point? I want to go catch some hogs. It is a catch and release tournament; yes sometimes the fish die, but since the Striper Tube has been introduced, it cuts down the chances majorly.

Another thing that I can not stand is the fact that the tournament is ARTIFICIALS ONLY! That's ridiculous, the only reason why I can think of is because Wal-Mart wants to sell their artificial lures. Being the great sponsor, I am sure they had a major influence on this decision. If I wanted to sling artificial baits all day, I would be fishing in the bass tournaments! There is so much skill in using real bait. Locating them, knowing which ones to use, cut baiting techniques.

I'd rather stay with the NSBA, and win less money then support something with such stupid rules.

[eelskimmer]

So only AveMaria is putting a team in the Wal-Mart Striper
Tourney. Of all the boat owners on this web we can get only
one team. Ave Maria is my kind of team. Go get em' guys and
I would like to be a the dock when the weighing get done.

[Squid kids Dad]

I think Bill & Jules are also

[Fisherwoman]

That is correct SKD, we are participating!!!

[Squid kids Dad]

Good luck Jules....

[Fish_Eye]

This was as professionally run a tournament as I have ever seen. I like the fact that it’s artificial only, I love the fact that it’s a live release and I honestly feel that the attention that this brings to our sport can significantly increase our chances of getting meaningful regulations to protect them. The more people realize that there are millions of anglers that target stripers and that those millions of anglers spend big $$$ not only on tackle and boats, but on lodging, donuts, coffee, etc., the stronger the lobbying effort will become to save stripers. The slot limit does make it a nail-biting affair at the weigh in (only fractions of an ounce determine the winner in many cases) and that’s good for the camera and helps make it a more dramatic weigh in. This kind of tournament also give the non-pro angler a chance to mix it up with the big guns, especially if your local knowledge puts you over a bunch of fatties that are within the slot limit.

Is my idea of a great day on the water racing at 67mph to some distant spot through 6 foot seas because I’ve got to boat the biggest or should I say fattest striper I can cull? No way! My idea of the ideal day is one where I watch the sun come up with a good fishing buddy that also appreciates the beauty of the surrounding as well as catching fish…and oh yeah, we then proceed to catch giant cows on surface plugs. I also don’t like what tournament fishing does to ordinarily nice people…put some significant money on the line and some people go nuts and do very bad things. I’ve always been taught that the conscience is a person’s compass and I’ve seen people go way off course while in tournaments. To those who enter, good luck and good fishing.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Fish_Eye

This was as professionally run a tournament as I have ever seen. I like the fact that it’s artificial only, I love the fact that it’s a live release and I honestly feel that the attention that this brings to our sport can significantly increase our chances of getting meaningful regulations to protect them. The more people realize that there are millions of anglers that target stripers and that those millions of anglers spend big $$$ not only on tackle and boats, but on lodging, donuts, coffee, etc., the stronger the lobbying effort will become to save stripers. The slot limit does make it a nail-biting affair at the weigh in (only fractions of an ounce determine the winner in many cases) and that’s good for the camera and helps make it a more dramatic weigh in. This kind of tournament also give the non-pro angler a chance to mix it up with the big guns, especially if your local knowledge puts you over a bunch of fatties that are within the slot limit.

Is my idea of a great day on the water racing at 67mph to some distant spot through 6 foot seas because I’ve got to boat the biggest or should I say fattest striper I can cull? No way! My idea of the ideal day is one where I watch the sun come up with a good fishing buddy that also appreciates the beauty of the surrounding as well as catching fish…and oh yeah, we then proceed to catch giant cows on surface plugs. I also don’t like what tournament fishing does to ordinarily nice people…put some significant money on the line and some people go nuts and do very bad things. I’ve always been taught that the conscience is a person’s compass and I’ve seen people go way off course while in tournaments. To those who enter, good luck and good fishing.

I agree with Fish Eye Mike.
Seems like a fair format. They have boat size minimums also.One which puts my 18 fter out of the comepetion.Otherwise i would fish it.
The keep alive format is for the fishes sake not highgrading(Catch a bigger one throw the smaller one back).Which I believe is illegal in this format.So important on the water,on the spot decisions have to be made.It's a catch an release lure only format.Short of luck playing a big part in winning.As a Striped Bass fisherman, of all the contests/tourneys that are kill formats. How could this be bad???
I too could give a rats arse about walmart but if they wanna give me money to catch a fish then I'm beating em.The BASS type tours do quite a bit for conservation in their sport.Why couldn't this trickle into the salt water species.Ya the white shirts with all the lgo's an the Nascar type boats are a little overboard never mind Icconelli spinning on the deck,but the saltwater world could use a good punch in the arm to unite it's anglers.This could be just what the doctor ordered.