BBT

[jgip087]

a

[fish hound]

OK, I'll bite.

If you fished any last year, they'll send you an entry before the early draw, if not, watch the web site.
But that's not what this post was about, was it?  What i was told was that if you don't like an organization's "business model", then just don't fish it. End of story. But, as a "semi-pro" it looks bad for you to be knocking a trail that is on your "2009 tournaments" list.

[Cy]

First, I want to say that I agree with fish hound 100%, if you don't like don't fish it, it's that easy.

Second, I don't understand why so many anglers feel it's their right to complain about how much money tournament directors/owners make.  The simple fact is directors provide a service and they are compensated for it.  I don't hear anyone complaining that the fast food chain they just ate is making $1.00 on that hamburger and that's unfair.  The only thing that makes a tournament an easy target is the fact the numbers are public knowledge.  Any body that can do simple math and has an internet connection can figure out how much the organization makes.  I don't know where some of you come from but where I come from $10,000 a year isn't much.  After taxes it doesn't even put food on the table, let alone after the help is paid. 

I will get off my soup box for a while but this is something that has been bugging me for a while now.  Thanks for giving me an outlet for my opinion.

Cy

[Fishmael]

I agree with Fish Hound and Cy 100%.  Everyone, remember no one is making you put your money down on the table for any tournament.  If you do it of your own free will, don't complain.  I know everyone has aspirations of grandeur in these local tournaments.  You are not getting rich from them, period.  If that is your goal, take a risk and throw in the big money with the big dogs.  You can fish the opens or the Strens to get started.  That is all there is to it.  From the local tourneys, if you cover your fishing expenses or even make enough to pay for next year's tourneys, well then that's great!  And if anyone does not like the way it is done, it is your responsibility to put on tournaments for free.  I bet you could do a little research and find everything you need to know about putting one on.  You probably need to buy a scale, some bags, pay some permit fees, market the tourney (cause you can't have a tourney without fishermen), get sponsors, etc...Good luck and let me know where the tourneys will be!     Ok, off the soap box...

[fish hound]

Listen guys, its everyone's right in this country to voice their opinion, that's what so great about it.  I gave 4 years of my life to ensure that.  So I'm not beating up on jgip for voicing an opinion, I just don't want this to get as far out of hand as a couple years ago when I voiced an opinion about another organization. I'm man enough to say I learned a lot from that ordeal. They each have their pros and cons.  I guess I've just hit a point where I don't need the negativity anymore.  Maybe Rick Clunn has the right idea about the quantum physics thing, if you're a neg person it will translate to your fishing, kind of transmit down the line and repel the fish or something.  If you have aspirations of someday being a pro, marketing and building relationships with fellow fisherman should be #1 in your mind.  Don't use negatives, but you can still voice your piece.
The BBT tournaments fit me best because they are a larger than average field, that are very professionally run.  I like the fact that you never take off without a prayer led by Russ for the safety of all involved and our brothers and sisters in uniform.  They go the extra mile to run the fish back out to various spots in the lake, which says they care about more than the bottom line.  We all need to realize that if we don't take care of the resource, any of these discussions are moot points.
Please undestand that these are just my opinions.  I would much rather invite you to go fishing with me than argue on a website.  When the ice leaves us, feel free to PM me if you want to have a fun day on Hardy pond with the brown bass (once C&Rseason opens,of course).  For now, I have to oganize some tackle the man in the brown truck delivered today, and pack to head to Florida soon, so have fun ice fishing.