Is this allowed?

[BasicPatrick]

The old saying you can't legislate against those already willing to break the rules may be ignored by pro gun control nazis but has some merit. Tournament organizers have a lot to think about when determining what rules to create and for what reason. When there are large prizes on the line most organizers feel they have to make sure the fish actually existed and having the actual fish present gives the opportunity to view it's condition. Both of these go a long way toward deterring cheaters. Yes, there will alwasy be those that will cheat and that is why tournament committees go round and round in an endless debate on rules.

Depending on the size of the tournament...there is also the angle of sponsors and advertisers wanting a weigh in event as a marketing opportunity and even as a photo op for advertising purposes. Pictures of fisherman holding big fish sell product.

There is no coincidence that C&R tournaments or divisions in tournaments tend to have little or no value associated with them.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

There is no coincidence that C&R tournaments or divisions in tournaments tend to have little or no value associated with them.

Patrick,
Many progressive tournaments such as Bass Masters and Redman Redfish award huge prizes for Catch and Release. Striped Bass tourneys in the Northeast have not changed much with the times and still rely on dead fish entries for the most part. Dead fish tourneys are pretty much out of vogue in the rest of the U.S. - bad publicity.

DZ

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by DZ

Patrick,
Many progressive tournaments such as Bass Masters and Redman Redfish award huge prizes for Catch and Release. Striped Bass tourneys in the Northeast have not changed much with the times and still rely on dead fish entries for the most part. Dead fish tourneys are pretty much out of vogue in the rest of the U.S. - bad publicity.

DZ

but the fish are brought to a public weigh in and then released - not really an option with stripers

[DZ]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

but the fish are brought to a public weigh in and then released - not really an option with stripers

Not so - could be done. Redfish get just as big as stripers but they only allow slot fish. Striped bass tournaments would have to take the high road and institute a slot limit for qualifying fish - say 28"-36" or whatever size will fit in a live well. Release them at the dock.

DZ