Walleye Tournaments

[Tom]

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way at at all because I do follow quite a few tournaments and do use them as a valuable tool for my own personal gain on the water. I guess the only problem I have is at the weigh in. I realize this is big business and a living for most of these people but I guess I don't understand why they have to FLING them in the air and shake them around to show all their fish. I can't for the life of me believe that these fish would survive that plus being stressed enough in a livewell all day. Again, I do believe in tournaments but not this part of it..

[Fish_on]

Tom , there has been a lot of progress in the improvment of release rates among walleye tournaments over the last dozen years since they have become more and more popular. It's a very complicated thing and you won't get a definitive answer to your question in a place like this. Several state DNRs have done surveys, etc. Most walleye tournaments run 95%100% live release rate. When the water temperature gets over 70, then the release rates begin to decline and the delayed mortaliy begins to rise. I've seen or participated in well over 100 weigh-ins and I've never seen anyone fling a fish into the air. I'm curious as to where you came up with that? Did you see it on TV or something?

[TomD]

John,

See, John, there is this think in our country called "Freedom of Speech". It is guaranteed us by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. You might have heard of it. It is the same Bill of Rights that allows you to own guns for hunting ... no matter what Bill Clinton, Al Gore, or Janet Reno try to do about it.

He had a right to make his point.

Right now we have people fighting and dying in Afghanistan and the Phillipine Islands to keep his right.

You are out of line here, John. Period.

By the way, I am not the "Tom" that made the original post.

TomD

[guest]

I have seen this at p.w.t. weigh-ins, if you look back at some of the champioship weigh-ins you will see video of anglers pulling fish out of there live wells and holding them up trying to get the crowd into the whole show. I personally don't have a problem with this and think it makes for a better show. If you could have heard the crowd go wild when Ron Selhoff pulled that 8lb walleye out of his live well at the championship a couple of years ago in Bismarck you would know what I mean. Over all I think these fish are taken very good care of I think the survival rate at the championship's in Bismarck was in the 90% range every year they were here.

[Nordicron]

I know exactly what you mean, I watched the Bismarck show just a few weeks ago. Some of those fish are pulled out of the livewell so fast I can't believe a person can hang on to them if you watch close water is flying out 10-15ft into the crowd. But guess I never tried it.

[Walleye Express]

Tom D.
No offfense, but I'm missing the point between freedom of speech and treating the winning walleyes at a tournament like rag dolls. I persoanlly think tournaments do send a mixed message to the younger crowd coming up though. To many tournaments give the O.K. to the entrants to head out, when I would not even venture out in my 25' Grady White. Teaching the young'uns that common sense and water safety don't matter is not a good practice. 8 Footers, no problem. I think us grown up kids put to much importance on tournaments ourselves. I'm sorry, it's 75% luck anyway. I'm not saying that that 25% knowledge factor don't or won't pay off. Thats what keeps most in the top 20 places. And I can relate to their sacrifices both at home and on the road. Some would call it selfishness, others a great ol'lady. But you won't see one single pro, event after event, walking away the winner, like in golf or tennis. Thats because the skill factor in those sports are 80% and the 20% luck factor is where the ball lands. In most tournaments the only difference between the pros and their amature partners is the $500.00 difference in the entry fee. Capt: Dan.

[Fish_on]

Tournament directors use many methods to decide when to let the anglers go out, including NOAA reports, anglers advisory councils, calls to charter captains, etc. Remember, these guys are adults and they have a choice whether they want to venture out into big water or not. Just because the tournament day isn't cancelled doesn't mean they have to go into the worst of it. An RCL tournament at Port Clinton last year had a blow day because there simply wasn't anywhere to fish other than the lake. Now if it was really windy one day at the detroit river, they wouldn't cancel because there are safe options other than the big lake. The guys who had fish going on the lake know they need to have some backup spots in the river in case it's too rough on the lake. That's another part of tournament fishing that makes it so exciting. And then there's the third scenario. In 2000 during the RCL championship they closed Green bay and made the anglers stay in the river. Those who didn't prefish the river didn't do well.

Competitive anglers must battle a lot of things to make it to the top of the heap, weather included. And to consitently be there, they have to be versatile, be willing to take risks, and have things go there way. If you believe luck is such a big part of it, then are some people just naturally luckier than others? I don't buy that. I accept the old saying that luck is where preparation meets opportunity.

Spend some time around walleye tournaments and get to know them. I think you will change your opinion when you understand the decision-making process better.

[Walleye Express]

Fis_on.
I knew this would ruffel a few feathers. Fish_on, lets say you and I go over the the local Trout pond. We'll both use bobbers and worms. We'll both fish on the north side of this pond. Our equipment will be identical. Heck, lets invite one of them there high priced pro's. But he has to use the same thing. Now, if I catch all the fish or the bigger ones, what does that make me. A pro or just luckier? Don't get me wrong. I'll be the first to tell you that it takes savvy, and an understanding of what going on both with the fish and their environment. I've taken people fishing for years and some do not remember one single thing about what we did or how we did from year to year. I do not suspect I'll see these boys fishing any tournament any time soon. But (in my opinion) luck is one very big part of it once you eliminate the where, when and how variables. And I don't buy that (These boys are adults) statement when it come to going out in rough weather, nor would their sponsors. What message would that give to the spectators, if all the Lunds stayed at the dock, when all the Skeeters motored out into the surf. And according to your statements, the guy the most willing to put his life on the line or beat the crap out of his body is the better pro. then lets just make it an indurance contest. There will come a day (God forbid) I'm afraid, when soemthing catustrophic is going to happen on one of those tournament days, and the rules will be changed. And I hope my honest opinion on this subject don't induce some of the hate responses I've seen here. Capt: Dan.

[Kid]

That may be the case for an easier game - let's say bass fishing. But there are a number of skills in walleye fishing that take natural talent, good equipment, and or years of experience. Boat controll is one such skill. The ability to hold on a prime spot while jigging or to present your crankbaits "in the zone" consistantly while trolling, can make or break a day of fishing.

[SnellTier]

Captain Dan,

This is all screwed up. If you look, response #1 is missing. Mine shows as #3. Someone has deleted #1.

My post (#3) was aimed at response #1. Response #1 said just "Shut the XXXX up" and was posted by an author named "John".

I was defending the original poster's right to ask the question and not be told by someone to shut up. Unfortunately whoever deleted #1 did not delete my response to it and so I can see why this all is confusing.

tomd


*** A day spent fishing does not count against one's alloted life span! ***

[SnellTier]

Captain Dan,

By the way, it sounds like we are in basic agreement on the issue ... too bad I could not get my post to show right after yours!!

[Walleye Express]

Tom D.
Ah ha, that explains it. I've noticed that there is a Message board guardian angel that deletes the bad words and the comments that get out of hand. Like the Canada/USA hate thing we had going the other day. All of a sudden the whole subject was erased. Big brother is watching, or little brother who always squeels on ya. :) Capt: Dan.

[luredaddy]

Well, the next time someone asks me, why I do not fish tournaments, I will refer them to this thread! If lack of common sense is any indicator, and if IGNORANCE is bliss, there are alot of HAPPY tournament people out there! Thank goodness the good ones outweigh the bad, at least I think they do!!

[luredaddy]

The above post was intended for the thread " How close can I fish to your buoy" MY MISTAKE, I APOLOGIZE"

[Walleye Express]

kid.
As a hands man myself, I'll be the first to tell you that I will feel and catch more fish than a guy who only trolls or has not spent the hours jig fishing like I have. I guess the thrust of what I was trying to say was, with all thing equal on the playing field, Luck is the determining factor. Fishing is not an exact sport and never will be. 1 + 1 will equal 2 fishing on Monday, but not on Tuesday. The guy who finds the school of big ones first, has that magic bait, trolls at that magic speed and depth will score. All of this of course takes the determination, experience and devotion skilled anglers and professionals have. And many a tournament has been won simply by paying attention to details. But luck brings a lot of these element together to take advantage of. I also understand that these guys are the ones driving the changes that are built into boats and accompanying gear. All you guys make good and valid points. But I'm still sticking to 75% luck. Capt: Dan.

[Big Dog]

This is only a small fraction of the fish caught. Just think about the hundreds or thousands of fish these guys caught and released to get to that point. Most pros released more fish in one year than alot of fisherpeople catch in a life time. Good job guys, keep the up and coming young people interested in fishing and out of trouble. Big Dog

[my dad]

who has went to fish heaven, would always get excited in the heat of the moment, and hold a nice fish up like that and say "Look at this One!" .. Yes, we had a few for the frying pan now and then, but I wish he was still around to do it! I think the same applies.