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Scott Crumpler.
I read the thread on “Sportsmanship” and realize Ive been out of tourney fishing for many years. I have a couple of questions that you folks who still fish major tourneys can answer for me. 1) Are polygraph tests given to all who finish in the money or just the winner?2) Are the rules about how close you can fish to another competitor still in place?3) Do the marshals have any say in how a competitor follows the rules?4) Do the competitors “self police” offenders like they did in the 70s-early 80s?Thanks! I seldom watch TV fishing but will watch some of the tournament broadcasts now.
1). Not sure about the Elites, but the tournaments I fish do give the winner a polygraph test as well as random tests. 2). I think the rules of encroachment are pretty much left up to the guys. You would hope that they would give each other plenty of space but it doesnt always happen. The only time my tournaments have a rule in place is when you are anchored, and then you are not supposed to get within 50 yards of an anchored boat unless invited. 3). Marshals are supposed to report any rules violations. Thats what they are there for. However, some rules are difficult to interpret. Thats when you are supposed to report it and let the officials decide. 4). Youd better believe that they will definitely report each other. That is also in the rules. If they see a fellow competitor breaking a rule and dont report it, then they are breaking a rule.Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console
Ok, how about the encroachment rule, is a power pole down considered anchord????
You cant teach honor to these guys. They talk about god in the interviews and then they go out and trash talk one another for a fishing spot. I have been at buddy tournaments where two guys including my partner begin fighting over a spot. I told my partner to let it be and we will move up the river 200 yards and I caught a smallmouth over 6lbs. People are rude and nasty.
Personally, I would consider power poles down being anchored, but I havent seen any mention of power poles in my tournament rules and I dont have a clue about the Elites either. I dont know if they even have a printed rule concerning being “anchored” or encroachment. You know there are so many “unwritten rules” that have been decided amongst the competitors and some of the newer generation of anglers dont adhere to those. They arent technically breaking any rules but they arent gaining any friends either. Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console
If you go to Power Poles website, you will see they call them “Shallow Water Anchors” I would then assume (I know, never assume) that you are considered anchored. However we had a discussion in a club tourney one time, since the trolling motor was down, you were NOT considered anchored, guess it would be up to the TD.
I would think the TM would have to be stowed and poles down to be considered anchored. An angler could have your poles down and not touching…
Random polys I dont think happen at all. Polys when there is angler disagreement with TW is the apparent standard. Too bad its not random. I think they wouldnt even need the first two days of the derby after a full 50 fail the off limits info questions.C.O.D. Jr. III
I was just about to post that there was a rule about staying 100 feet away from any anchored competitor, but upon reading the rules for both the Elites and the Opens, it appears that there is no rule regarding proximity to other anglers in either circuit. I feel certain that there was at one time. Hopefully somebody can shed some light on why thats not a rule anymore, if it was one. (It certainly is in many tournaments.)On the issue of fighting over rules and of reporting violations, this paragraph is included in the official rules for both circuits:Each competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director immediately any violation or infraction of any Tournament Rules. Failure to report violations, or suggestions to another competitor that they violate these Rules, or false verification of weigh-in forms may be cause for disqualification. OFFICIAL PROTESTS MUST BE FILED IN WRITING AND ALL PARTIES OF INTEREST WILL BE PROVIDED A COPY.Its interesting that even telling another competitor that he is breaking the rules is a rule violation. I agree with that. It inhibits competition to tell him, for one thing, and more importantly it inhibits BASS from being able to enforce rule violations when they happen. This rule also probably helps keep poor sportsmanship to a minimum, if anglers follow the rule, that is.A copy of the official rules for 2013 Elite Series tournaments can be downloaded here: http://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default … eRules.pdf-Scott
The rules do also say this: Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy, may be reason for disqualification. (iii) All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish. Competitors are responsible for research of fishing and boating regulations.I would argue that staying away from anchored competitors (whether with a pole or an anchor) falls within the bounds of courtesy, but obviously this wording leaves it to the TD to decide after the fact.
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