Ethics and the BASS Tournament Trail
I'd like to start a discussion about some of the ethics we see on television and the tournament trail (primarly bass fishing). I have some pet peeves and will wade in here to see if others share the same opinions.
1. In general, there's way too much competition fishing on the tube. I don't begrudge the folks making a living from the competition but I think the promoters are trying to turn it into a NASCAR type event where the whole world tunes in and are rooting for their favorite fisherman. I like some of the contestants better than others but I could care less who wins. Competition isn't what fishing is all about--its about relaxation.
2. BASS and the tournament trail wholeheartedly endorse fishing for bass on their beds. Bad idea, I don't care what the body of water is. There's no way that can be good for the fish and it sure can do alot of damage. They just can't resist the temptation to put big catches in the boat for the public appeal or to have a closed season. They're putting greed above their ethics and what is good for the fishery. Catching fish off their redds is worse than snagging---not much different actually.
3. The tournaments ought to put some restrictions on # test that the anglers can use. How someone can consider yanking a 2 to 10 pound fish out of the water on 30 or 40 pound test line sporting is beyond me. I also don't see what fun someone gets by hauling in a fish that is so encumbered by weeds that it can't even fight. I say limit them to 10# test. If they lose fish in the weeds, so be it--everyone will be on a level playing field. God forbid they might have to play a fish so it doesn't break their line.
What do you think?