Competitive fishing

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I have a blast at both the MV derby and the striper cup. Competition of any kind gets my blood flowing. Alas,

"The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort." -Colin Powell

Again, competition with mutal respect is fun and healthy. Competition that entails putting others down or diminishing others for one's own edification is ugly and pathetic. The "I caught a big fish and you didn't so you don't count, or you're a googan, or you're beneath me, or I'm better and you're just lucky" attitude which seems so common, accepted, and relished by many experienced fisherman. The culture of striped bass fishing seems to encourage and perpetuate it. Someone's fishing prowness may well be grounds for admiration or lack thereof, but it seems to me that fishing prowness is a comically small measure of your quality as a person when compared to how you treat others. Listening to commercial guys ridicule recreational fisherman, recreational ridicule commercial, bait vs plugs, fly vs plugs, boat vs shore, experienced guys ridicule the novices,........seems to indicate a lot of us try to use success in fishing to compensate for inadequacy as people.

Of course fishing with eels is still cheating.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Again, competition with mutal respect is fun and healthy. Competition that entails putting others down or diminishing others for one's own edification is ugly and pathetic. The "I caught a big fish and you didn't so you don't count, or you're a googan, or you're beneath me, or I'm better and you're just lucky" attitude which seems so common, accepted, and relished by many experienced fisherman. The culture of striped bass fishing seems to encourage and perpetuate it. Someone's fishing prowness may well be grounds for admiration or lack thereof, but it seems to me that fishing prowness is a comically small measure of your quality as a person when compared to how you treat others. Listening to commercial guys ridicule recreational fisherman, recreational ridicule commercial, bait vs plugs, fly vs plugs, boat vs shore, experienced guys ridicule the novices,........seems to indicate a lot of us try to use success in fishing to compensate for inadequacy as people.

I think you summed it up perfectly. I fish to have fun and to spend time with family and friends. I admire guys who put in a lot of effort and do well, but I may not always want to spend that much time on the water working at it myself.

The only tournament I do every year is the town of Mansfield freshwater tournament at (a secret location). I take my neice and nephew and this year will take my son. That is what fishing tournaments are all about. Watching the smiles on the the kids faces as they reel in a little sunfish or largemouth is something that's better than anything I catch.

I may join the Striper Cup this year for the commraderie and the outside shot at winning something, but mostly because I'm going to be fishing anyways. I might as well weigh in a large fish if I'm going to keep it for the table anyways.

[RIJIMMY]

[QUOTE=fishbones;583570]I

The only tournament I do every year is the town of Mansfield freshwater tournament at the pond by the police station. QUOTE]

WHAT ??????? Thanks Dude, thanks for blowing my best freakin spot! Thats all we need in Mansfield is more goofs from this site parading all around, bad enough we now have LL Bean!
God, is ANYTHING sacred on this god forsaken site!

[striperman36]

[quote=RIJIMMY;583571]

Originally Posted by fishbones

I

The only tournament I do every year is the town of Mansfield freshwater tournament at the pond by the police station. QUOTE]

WHAT ??????? Thanks Dude, thanks for blowing my best freakin spot! Thats all we need in Mansfield is more goofs from this site parading all around, bad enough we now have LL Bean!
God, is ANYTHING sacred on this god forsaken site!

Hey, my wife is employed in that store!! I get all my apparel for well below retail!!!!

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Of course fishing with eels is still cheating.

I love it George. I use eels to compensate for my inadequacies as a fisherman. What else can I do?

[Skitterpop]

fish feel pain

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I love it George. I use eels to compensate for my inadequacies as a fisherman. What else can I do?

Nah, you got it all wrong again. You use eels because you are morally corrupt.........probably from over exposure to ponography as an adolescent. Fortunately age and marriage will eventually atrophy your testicles to the point where you no longer need to catch fish when you go fishing and you can find true happiness in hoarding expensive plugs and high end fishing reels.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by numbskull

probably from over exposure to ponography as an adolescent.

Define "Over" Exposed

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Nah, you got it all wrong again. You use eels because you are morally corrupt.........probably from over exposure to ponography as an adolescent. Fortunately age and marriage will eventually atrophy your testicles to the point where you no longer need to catch fish when you go fishing and you can find true happiness in hoarding expensive plugs and high end fishing reels.

Hey!!!!! thats cutting it to close to home!

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Hey!!!!! thats cutting it to close to home!

Shut up, I'm busy pontificating about the ills of humanity. When I get to lower species I'll notify you.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Shut up, I'm busy pontificating about the ills of humanity. When I get to lower species I'll notify you.

Okay sorry.drool:

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Fortunately age and marriage will eventually atrophy your testicles to the point where you no longer need to catch fish when you go fishing and you can find true happiness in hoarding expensive plugs and high end fishing reels.

At that point I will change my name to Numbskull and join the peace corps. Better yet, I'll be your Boatswains Mate. The sawdust must be getting deep.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

The sawdust must be getting deep.

Only between the ears.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Of course fishing with eels is still cheating.

While your sticking your chin out ,, How do you catergorize so called pluggers who try to morph thier plug into bait .. I'm talking stink plugs(pogey oil) , smelly jelly,,eel skins on a plug . Insecurity issues ??

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Tagger

While your sticking your chin out ,, How do you catergorize so called pluggers who try to morph thier plug into bait .. I'm talking stink plugs(pogey oil) , smelly jelly,,eel skins on a plug . Insecurity issues ??

Higher intelligence............ except, of course, for the ones who hook themselves doing it .

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Higher intelligence............ except, of course, for the ones who hook themselves doing it .

Touche'!