RCL Ethics Opinion Poll

[Potential Co-Angler]

Should Pro's be allowed to fish as Co-Anglers? I don't see anything in the rules that prevent it but is it ethical? I thought the main point of having the Co-Angler class was to give amateurs (like myself who has never fished a tournament) a chance to experience the tournament atmosphere, learn from the pro's, and as a bonus have a chance to win some prize money in the end. If Co-Angler spots are filled by Pros that don't own Rangers, Crestliners, or Lunds, amateurs like myself will get bumped and the ones that do get in will be at a disadvantage.

I didn't think this kind of thing was going to happen until I saw a post on a message board somewhere yesterday where a local Pro stated he may fish as a Co-Angler because he didn't own a Ranger, Crestliner, or a Lund.

Your thoughts?

[EricCO]

What makes one a "pro" versus an ametuer? In golf, I believe it is accepting money as winnings makes you pro.

[Brian/MN]

A wise old grey haired pro who you all know once told me that the difference between and pro and an amateur is the size of the entry fee. There are many situations where local amateurs outfish the pros coming in from other areas. Pros simply have the knowledge and experience to generally do well in a wide variety of situations and conditions, plus the time and money to run entire circuits vs individual local tourneys.

[WAZ]

You stated it properly in your question. "CO-ANGLER" not amatuer.

[800proX]

exactly. who better than to have someone as a pro that fishes erie all the time, or the mississippi river, but maybe he is not well known or even fishes any other tourneys. great example of this is the Wave Wackers on Mille Lacs in MN. the local boys can do as well as the Linders, Roach's who have teams of up to a dozen prefishing the whole week b4.

local fishermen in their own backyard are hard to beat. that is why i think the bigname guys that do well in all environments are to be commended. it is very tough to be good at rivers, in land lakes and big water. most of us master just one, if that!!

jeff

[Fuzzy]

Yes and Yes - nothing wrong with it

[Kelly]

PWT used to have a Pro/non-boating Pro format.They competed against each other in the same boat.

[Fuzzy]

Yup - first two years. 'pros' have been fishing boths sides since the start. less often lately. Why should someone be denied the right to choose?

[Gonzo]

For what it's worth if a "Pro" fishes as a Co-angler
he has to fish as a Co-angler through all the RCL
tournaments for the year. He cannot fish as a Co-angler
for one tournament and then fish as a pro for the next.
Also believe it or not a lot of Pros would not find it very
enjoyable fishing as a Co-angler with no say in how, when
and where to fish.
If you do one of these as a Co-angler I think
you probably will learn a lot, especially if you choose
a body of water you haven't fished before, but always remember
it's still fishing....if the Pro your fishing with is a top,
National, well known, successful Pro, that doesn't mean you
will be guaranteed on catching fish! Odds might be pretty
good, but definatly no guarantees.

If I were you I would try one first before worrying about
who is fishing as what, because on the Co-angler side Luck
ends up being a big part of it!

Gonz

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-01 AT 01:16PM (CST)[p]So long as the "pro-turned-amateur" has no greater chance of a seat than any other amateur, what's to complain about?

On the other hand, if they get some sort of preference and can "bump" others then it seems like a kinda poor way to run a railroad.

YMMV.

Hans