View Full Version : New Fishing / Boat Racing Tournaments?
Have you guys heard about the new big B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournament circuit? Apparently, it's no longer enough for competitors to simply catch the most large fish. Now, they must also cruise their boats through a high-speed obstacle course.
If you haven't heard about this new format, get ready. Ray Scott has come out totally opposed to these new "fish races." The promoters, on the other hand, say the reason for teaming competitive fishing with boat racing is to attract a younger crowd-- which is certainly fine. But, shouldn't fishing remain fishing, while racing remains racing?
I sure think so, but then, old schoolers like me have always kinda thought there was something just not quite so right about big-money tournaments to begin with. I dunno, what do you guys think of merging boat racing with competitive fishing?
-a friend called Toad
LAST EDITED ON Mar-30-00 AT 12:54PM (CST)[p]I think merging these two carnivals would be a great idea. Then we could have the TV networks build some artificial lakes to run them on, kinda like they keep autoracing off the highways on on purpose-built racetracks, and the rest of us could fish in peace without them.
Hans
--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)
Neal/Co
03-30-2000, 11:19 AM
I'm sure it will be alot of fun fishing on lakes where these guys are practicing for upcoming tournaments!
EricCO
03-30-2000, 11:31 AM
It's all fun and games till someone gets their eye poked out.
TBO/MN
03-30-2000, 12:21 PM
Isn't that kinda like reading the posts here on Walleye Central, I mean, if it doesn't interest you, don't read it. Skateboarding and Extreme skiing doesn't interest most either, yet we tolerate it. I guess I am about as old school as you can get, but yet, I figure if they want to do it, and it doesn't effect me, why should I care. The ones that it effects, they should have the say, know what I mean? Skiing and shooting a rifle doesn't sound like they go together either, but they made it an olympic sport, go figure ;-))
The Big One
TBO/MN
03-30-2000, 12:21 PM
Isn't that kinda like reading the posts here on Walleye Central, I mean, if it doesn't interest you, don't read it. Skateboarding and Extreme skiing doesn't interest most either, yet we tolerate it. I guess I am about as old school as you can get, but yet, I figure if they want to do it, and it doesn't effect me, why should I care. The ones that it effects, they should have the say, know what I mean? Skiing and shooting a rifle doesn't sound like they go together either, but they made it an olympic sport, go figure ;-))
The Big One
Mike_Jensen
03-30-2000, 12:53 PM
I hate to say it but I think this could be a hit for BASS. Its kind of like adding NASCAR to bass fishing. I think that the TV coverage of these events will be bigger than is the BASS just covered their tournaments. It is a shame that to get TV audience, of fishing events, that they have had to stoop to these levels, but I can remember when the start of the tournament was a "shotgun start" and a drag race to a spot. They were kind of fun though.
Mike
It ain't about fishing and sportsmanship anymore, it's about TV money...... fishermen and the resource are the losers in this deal, and advertisers Budweiser - Chevy - etc., are the winners.
Hans
--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)
Fish-on
03-30-2000, 01:26 PM
It might be a kick to watch the boat races. I'm amazed at the way some bass boats can do 100 mph.
And Hans, you are making the mistake of thinking tournament fishing was ever about anything other than money. If you had your way Kevin Garnet and Michael Jordan would be playing basketball in the backyard just for the sport of it and Gary Roach, Sam Anderson, Daryl Christensen and Mike McClelland would be catching bluegills from a pontoon boat talking about the evils of "competition".
I can decide whether I like to watch bass boat races or not, and so can you. But I'm not going to think any less of them for figuring out a way to make a living doing something they love.
You get your kicks messing around in boats, I can't wait for the next chance to compete with other fishermen--or with a bigger, stronger, more elusive fish. To each his own. Have fun messing about in your boats, I know where there's a 60-inch muskie with my name on him, and I ain't going after him with no cane pole.
Personally I think this would be a blast to watch (or compete in). We have a bass guy that fishes our local chain with a 300hp Mariner on an Allison, the boat does 102mph. To see him fly by is a major rush. It seems that every sport I have ever competed in I took up because it looked like fun but I ended up taking it to another level. Took up bicycle racing when I was eleven and was racing at a national level in my teens and into college. Took up cross country skiing (skating) after college and ended up driving a 800 - 1000 miles on the weekends training and racing. For the last seven years I've taken my lifelong passion for fishing to the tournament level and love it. Some of us just thrive on competition. Sure, I can go out fishing for fun and have a great time, but I love the thrill of the battle - gets my adrenaline pumping. Fortunately my tournament partner of the past six years is of the same mind set. Personally I'd love to watch this combo of racing against the clock and bass tournament fishing. Heck, if I didn't think that green carp were slightly lower on the evolutionary ladder that Mr. marble eyes I might just take up the sport - lol. Different strokes for different folks.
Best Regards,
FJH
Fish-on
03-30-2000, 03:27 PM
I agree with you. I've always had a little bit of a competitive streak in me. I just don't understand people that look down there noses at me because of it. I had a ball fishing crappies from the bank with my 5-year-old yesterday, and I can have just as much fun with gritted teeth trying to get that last fish to fill a limit a few minutes before the weigh-in. Why do some people insist that one is okay and one is wrong?
Actually, I've fished a good number of tournaments myself-- and still do in a few local "club" level events. I haven't got a thing against tournament anglers in most cases.
My only point is that I think it would be a shame for an angler to lose a fishing tournament not for lack of big fish, but because he/she didn't do so well on the race course.
Mostly, I just thought the subject made for an interesting discussion, which it has so far been. Sure, I have my opinion, but to me, we're pretty much all on the same team, aren't we?
-a friend called Toad
Swat 1
03-30-2000, 04:30 PM
Take a look at the water levels on the lakes guys and gals we may all be running an obstacle course this year :-)
Dan
Franz
03-30-2000, 05:01 PM
Just don't **** on the locals please! We are at the lake to relax and enjoy nature and that is just as important as your pre fishing. I'm even willing to stay out of the way during the tournament. Most of you are real nice but there's a few jerks that make some of us bitter at your traveling circus. Understand?
Thank you Franz
03-30-2000, 06:27 PM
Thank you Franz.
I am glad to see you can support the idea that not all "Tournament" fishermen are inconsiderate(at best).
In fact, most tournament fishermen and women are merely anglers who like to fish a few tournaments. We don't mind sharing spots, or being considerate of locals while they enjoy the lake or river at the same time that we do.
Actually, at many of the tournaments I fish, there is a strong local presence, in fact, the first MWC tournament this season was won by a local team, two brothers.
For the most part, we enjoy fishing at many levels, just as you do. We also enjoy fishing for several kinds of fish, other than in a tournament for a specific fish.
Agian I say thank you.
walleyedm
03-30-2000, 08:08 PM
I think that you are getting it all confused as far as I know they have different drivers for the race boats no the fishing teams. p.s. triton and johnson won. Mark
crash
03-31-2000, 09:11 AM
Why do I have visions of fiberglass and mercury's flying through the air in a ball of flames? They have a hard enough time in the tournys driving let alone a full out race. Remember the Classic on the Delta? one guy following another through a shallow canal the front boat hit something and kicked it into the guy that was following. Only a couple of busted ribs and a trashed lower unit that time. Just a short time ago they wouldn't allow motors over 150's, just to keep them from racing, now all of a sudden the sky's the limit and everybody wants to be an Andretti. I got a real laught the other day (just to show you how much its changed). Bass Cat had an owners tourny and I got a picture of the start with all these brand new boats with all the goodies, right in the middle is a guy on one of the original bass cats wash tub boats with this look of fear like he showed up to a NASCAR race with a lawnmower. 100mph boats huh? never knew bass swam that fast.
eyedoktr
03-31-2000, 09:41 AM
Why don't they just add fishing to NASCAR and each pit stop includes a mandatory fish catch???LOL
Gunga Din
03-31-2000, 09:44 AM
I saw on TV last year (I think) some fishing pro's racing through an obstacle course. I think Hank Parker kicked everyone's butt! It was great, fun, entertaining.
You ever watch golf on TV? ZZZzzzz. Turn it into a race with monster golf carts (or better yet, a foot race) and the game would take on a new level of excitement and challenge. And it would certainly be more entertaining for the general viewing audience to watch.
Racing would be somewhat of an equalizer, giving those with higher levels of testosterone a chance. I can't imagine the sport will overtake the fishing tournament industry--probably be an isolated event. My biggest concern is PETA's reaction to fish in the livewell during the ride. But for a single, yearly tournament--it would be fun!
eyewinder
03-31-2000, 09:54 AM
You're on the right track!
Instead of one boat running at a time, make it a figure-eight course and send 'em out four at a whack. I would watch overpowered bass boats crack up (maybe throw in a jet ski or two in the finals), and heck, I don't even watch NASCAR!
Good racin'!
eyewinder
Mike_Jensen
03-31-2000, 01:21 PM
They have! I remember a couple of years a go, they had Nascar Drivers fishing with BASS Fisherman and the Bass fisherman then drove a short oval course and they combined the scoring some how and came with a winner.
Mike
eyewinder
03-31-2000, 02:18 PM
Hold it, I think I'm on a roll. . .
Put a cage with a couple of WWF rasslers in each bass boat during the racing -- we're talking major ratings here!
Good merchandisin'!
eyewinder
You guys crack me up! It's nice there can be a subject like this with so many differing opinions, and in the end, everyone is cracking jokes. What a great sport we share and enjoy.
Personally, I like the figure eight idea at 100 MPH with a couple jet ski's tossed in. YeeHawww!!!
All said and done....Think about taking a $35,000+ boat through an obstacle course at blazing speed. Holy .....!!!
Since I'm only running a 90 hp anyway its all about fishing for me, would like to keep it that way!!!
Now along with the net you'd have to bring out the crash helmet, co'2 extinguisher, Class 50 racing flotation device, anything else??????
Dan
fisherman
03-31-2000, 09:33 PM
IT STILL IS A DRAG RACE!!FASTEST BOAT WINS///
Floater (MN)
04-01-2000, 04:32 PM
Hey, haven't we been coming to this for a long time? I mean think about it. We see the "bassers", and even the "Wallies" putting bigger and bigger powerplants on their tubs (Yes, us too) so the boat can go mach 2 with only inches of hull in the water. Why wouldn't you expect that a race is the next step in the process? It happened in pleasure boats long ago.
No longer is it enough to have a 15 ft. wooden boat with a 25 hp Johnson Seahorse, you remember the one- that metalic green or brown one. Now we all have to have the Optimax 150 tiller (yes, there is such a thing) or the latest VMax in the largest three didget numbers we can find.
Let's just hope that these boat races stay away from the actual fishing so those of us who like to fish can still do it in peace.