Tournament Overload?

[GLO]

Anyone have any ideas how many times this year the Okoboji area will be invaded by tournaments? Looks like at least 2 walleye tournaments by the same group, any others? Also, muskie? Bass? Seems like last year there were one or two per month, I hope I'm mistaken.

[Setter]

Glo what is it that bothers you about tournaments?Is it boat traffic?The pressure on the fish?I know there are pros and cons on this subject.West and East are a zoo in the summer,and not from fisherman.It is the jet skis and recreation boats that are the problem.
Glo you from the area?
Ryan Hale

[GLO]

Yes, I am. And, no, not really a concern about traffic. I find most fisherman to be both safe and respectful in the operations of their boats and recreational boaters, young and old, to be much less so, in fact, dangerously unsafe and disrespectful (during the summer, you can have half a dozen or more dangerous and, frankly, illegal encounters with pleasure boats in less than a day of fishing). And, not really a concern about fishing pressure unless we are pounding the lake with tournament anglers on a regular basis, which I think would not be a good thing, just hoping these things don't get out of hand. I am concerned about supervision by tournament organizers of boats being properly inspected and cleaned before launching, and perhaps this is done. If they are going to use quality fisheries for events, water quality and safe release of fish should be the number one priority and should be enforced. Maybe I'm just looking to find out what safeguard and controls are in place. Maybe it's as much philosophical as anything. It's winter, such as it is, and you get to wondering. Clubs have had local "tournaments" for years, and more power to them. I just don't see the rise in tournaments for all types of species (catfish??!!)and needing some "circuit" as promoting a lot of the values long-term the sport of fishing is really about, at the core. IMHO, IMHO.

[Setter]

Glo alot of your circuits will penalize you if you bring in dead or dying fish.Of course do some of these fish die after their released?Also water quality is always a issue and again your fisherman usually know what to look for.DNR gave a nice talk to all the tourney fisherman at the Okoboji Walleye Classic a few years ago about milfoil(sp?).I know there are alot of tourneys at the lakes but I don't see if there is a problem with it.Alot of your tourney guys just like to catch fish,not take limit after limit home to eat.I hate to complain,but the recreation people are terrible!They have no respect for other boaters.I did notice DNR out alot more last year watching for violations.And again it's not all the people,but alot of them?How many times have you had these kids jump your wake on their jet skis?
Ryan Hale

[GLO]

I've had adults in 30+ foot boats within 40 feet of my boat while drifting, even close to shore, inside the buoys, going full out, ridiculous. Let alone the number of times you see one person driving a boat for skiers or tubers, without a lookout, and wonder whether they will bother to look where they are going. Unfortunately, they aren't reading these posts, and they are dangerous. I applaud the DNR giving a good lecture, but I really believe the tournament organizers need to have a real presence on the ramps, checking for compliance regarding milfoil, in particular. It is a topic that was "big" three or four years ago, and seems to be close to forgotten in a lot of ways, and I do view the threat from fishing boats to be greater than pleasure craft. Of course, there is no way to maintain a presence at all ramps, all the time, so recreational and angling boats are, most of the time, left to the honor system (God save us from the clueless!). But tournaments are unique, and at least the opportunity for prevention, especially if boats are coming from all over, is there. As I say, the rest is more a philosophical issue, for now.

[Eric]

Glo,
as a resident of the area and former summer worker for the DNR, milfoil is still a concern. After working as a creel guy and talking to the tournament fisherman as well as the average fisherman on a regular basis, i believe it is more likely for the guy who does very little fishing and boating in the state to bring in exotic species than those who fish tournaments. The reason i say this is because, the tournament guys are well informed and aware of exotic species, they take care of their boats. The reason you haven't noticed the talk about Milfoil in the past couple years is that the program is now based out of central iowa, rather than out of the northwest office, the crew doesn't spend as much time working around the Great Lakes as they used to. There will be a few walleye tournaments, and the usual number of bass tournaments, from what i have heard. The recreational boat traffic can be crazy in the summer, it is the place to be in the midwest, it's hard to catch all the lawbreakers, but i do believe the water patrol has been doing as best they can.

[GLO]

I'm not taking shots at the DNR and part of what you say points up my concern, but I would like to see a strong DNR presence at the ramps at these events, not just giving a talk. Tournament participants can mean a lot of different things and with the "tiers" and number of different tournaments and sponsors the level of awareness and level of "professionals" diminishes. The spread of tournaments and the dilution of what are truly professional fisherman is the issue, for me.

[A thought]

I agree that with more tournaments there is more of a threat. There is usually a DNR officer or worker around at weigh ins and occasionally take offs. Unfortunately there's not enough workers to cover everything else and the tournaments, and prolly won't be for awhile to come with budget cuts. Maybe their are some willing locals that are concerned, that might take some time to get together and arrange a group who will work with tournament officials in checking the rigs for the exotic species, im sure most tournament director's wouldn't mind the extra eye on the boats. It's just a thought....

[GLO]

I'm all for it, BUT, I believe it is the tournament's responsibility to provide for the safety of the natural resource for its specific event and if the tournament won't put the money into that, or charge enough by way of entry to cover it, etc. it is not viable and should not be held as a matter of economics. Again, just my opinion, but that should be the first cost covered in the budget and I think they should be required to show that in order to put on the event. If prizes are lower, so be it. We've had volunteers in the past, i.e., Walleye Weekend, but again, the urgency has been lost the last couple of years. Just trying to keep up the awareness and hoping for the best.

[daveT]

We have, in our 40 mile Mississippi River pool, 2-6 tourneys every Saturday & Sunday. Our fishing is so bad, its hardly worth it. And we had some of the best fishing around. I'm talking Walleye & Basss, & I have fished many tourneys, bass & Walleye- but I think its out of hand. You all will find out. I predick the future, & the answere: CARP. Also, the DNR should electrofish CARP! If they're all true fisherman, it won't matter, they don't eat em anyway! Carp are too hard to catch for most people these days. Besides, who they goin to follow now, there is CARP everywhere! I'm not against Tourneys, but fed up with the disrespectfull Pros these days, that have no respect, fish for money and glory, will do anything or follow anyone, run their boats close to me, hammer every spot they see some else fish. I'm serious, Tourneys future is Carp, we can;t wait till the fish are all gone. Sure Tourneys don't directly kill fish, but promotion of fihing already over crowded waters is killing them! Sorry, I just..got the blood up. I quit tourneys cause I'm ashamed.

[Just Like To Fish]

No you are not mistaken,All but three are for fun not for some body,
not the fishermen making a buck.