YOUr a SUcka if you A CRokEr soker..

["W"]

Here is the real deal....Their are only a hand full of Trout Masters in LA and none of them got popular by soaking croaker!!! They have what it takes to Trick the TROUT.....(most only catch take pic and release)..... You will never see a good trout fisherman winning tournament after tournament like bass anglers!! Reason they use artifical and can't compete with the Croaker soaker!!! Thats Facts......
You take out the live bait factor and I promise you would see more of the same guys in the top 10 than ever.......

I see a lot of Texas guys going against this..but ALL YOU TEXANS are Croaker and Shrimp soakers also.... Saw 4 flats with Texas # chunking Live Shrimp yesterday!!!

[LaAngler]

a lot of inshore tournaments in texas have gone to artificial only and that's a fact

[JigSlinger]

Most fishermen don't have the "time" to fish 3x's a week nor extensively pre-fish for a tournament,,,they rely on live bait as their "equalizer" against the guys who are fortunate enough to have the time to garner the experience necessary to win consistantly...Without that "edge", they may chose not to compete...That's a tough decision (live vs. artifical) but it's ultimately controlled by the Tournament Organizers ......!!

[JigSlinger]

You just re-enforced my position....if you don't like the rules, for whatever reason--don't fish,,,,it's your choice..!!! You and you alone decide what you want to fish with---don't blame it on others....maybe if enough people stop fishing these tournaments then maybe the Tournament Organizers will get the message and change the rules, but I doubt it..

[Cajun Elite]

Originally Posted by JigSlinger

You just re-enforced my position....if you don't like the rules, for whatever reason--don't fish,,,,it's your choice..!!! You and you alone decide what you want to fish with---don't blame it on others....maybe if enough people stop fishing these tournaments then maybe the Tournament Organizers will get the message and change the rules, but I doubt it..

You maybe right..

[all star rod]

This is one of those things that unless the tournaments bans the live stuff those guys that use artificial will have to do one of two things: either use the live stuff or have a lot less % of winning. I find people that use artificial will do everything in their powers not to use the live stuff. Also, most that use the live stuff will you it 24/7/365. I myself, rather use plastics and catch 20 then use live and catch 30. Also, what about a tournament being at a particular venue where a certin person in the tournament field has fished the lake 100 times and another person in the tournament field has maybe only fished it 10 times. Them guess who has the bigger advantage? I guess it is not a perfect world.

[huntin fool]

i see it as i have blown my money on a few tours, lost to croaker soakers so....i doubt i fish many more unless it is artificial only. Thats why i rather bass tours NO LIVE BAIT.

[Evans]

I don't understand why all tournaments are not all catch and release. I wish they all were however if someone tells me I can use live bait and I know at least 50% of my competition are using live bait then so will I if necessary! I still think it takes alot of skill to catch an 8 pounder even with live bait but you still should use conservation and have catch and release tournaments.

[rosska]

I guess my thoughts are that just because there are more less skilled anglers that choose to use live bait I do not want to throw something I have worked to learn and become aside to down grade and join the majority of less skilled. I understand that live bait will probably never be banned due to the fact that the entries will drop dramatically and the cash flow will suffer. My suggestion would be to have two different divisions in the tournament, Lures & Bait. Split the prizes down the middle and post the results separate. I think this may encourage some average fisherman to become better and strive to setup to the big league. They will be able to choose fishing against the majority and have the same chance or setup to test their skills and against fewer people. This way everyone is happy and the tournament is still profitable. I also agree with the weight penalty rather than the bonus. I think people will strive to keep a big trout alive knowing their 5lb trout will be posted as a 4.5lb versus the opportunity to get a bonus if the trout happens to stay alive.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[Bluechip]

Originally Posted by rosska

I guess my thoughts are that just because there are more less skilled anglers that choose to use live bait I do not want to throw something I have worked to learn and become aside to down grade and join the majority of less skilled. I understand that live bait will probably never be banned due to the fact that the entries will drop dramatically and the cash flow will suffer. My suggestion would be to have two different divisions in the tournament, Lures & Bait. Split the prizes down the middle and post the results separate. I think this may encourage some average fisherman to become better and strive to setup to the big league. They will be able to choose fishing against the majority and have the same chance or setup to test their skills and against fewer people. This way everyone is happy and the tournament is still profitable. I also agree with the weight penalty rather than the bonus. I think people will strive to keep a big trout alive knowing their 5lb trout will be posted as a 4.5lb versus the opportunity to get a bonus if the trout happens to stay alive.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

I'm not against live bait. I think to each his own but I really like your idea. Good post...

[Hopedale Hustler]

Ok so Guys...Deff Should Be Banned From Tourneys...no doubt..i do try to throw artificial as often as i can when not deck handing or fishing with customers..mah captain charter captain that is has to make a livin too..and sometimes artificial just dont get the job done guys..i mean its easy for yall to scream no live bait when yall fish in a place like big like (arguably the greatest trophy lake in the country..) but just from a breton sound platform fishing fisherman...artificial dont always get it done..im no uscg charter captain (yet)..so i only deck hand charters on weekends to make a lil extra cash to pay for gas in the boat during the week...but i do know and see what its like tryin to make a livin in this bizz when there is know live bait..especially when fishing in such a place like The B sound where many situations artificial is not an option..some times its not just croaker soaking..more than often its a croaker free lined getting workked much like a hybrind or H&H...not tryin to cause arguments here but just tryin to make the point that just because you fish live dont mean ur less of a fisherman...

BTW The Biggest Trout Ive Ever Caught Was Caught On A Hybrid Flurry Tipped With Shrimp..haha wats that make me?

[rosska]

Originally Posted by Hopedale Hustler

Ok so Guys...Deff Should Be Banned From Tourneys...no doubt..i do try to throw artificial as often as i can when not deck handing or fishing with customers..mah captain charter captain that is has to make a livin too..and sometimes artificial just dont get the job done guys..i mean its easy for yall to scream no live bait when yall fish in a place like big like (arguably the greatest trophy lake in the country..) but just from a breton sound platform fishing fisherman...artificial dont always get it done..im no uscg charter captain (yet)..so i only deck hand charters on weekends to make a lil extra cash to pay for gas in the boat during the week...but i do know and see what its like tryin to make a livin in this bizz when there is know live bait..especially when fishing in such a place like The B sound where many situations artificial is not an option..some times its not just croaker soaking..more than often its a croaker free lined getting workked much like a hybrind or H&H...not tryin to cause arguments here but just tryin to make the point that just because you fish live dont mean ur less of a fisherman...

BTW The Biggest Trout Ive Ever Caught Was Caught On A Hybrid Flurry Tipped With Shrimp..haha wats that make me?

Hopedale, I am not knocking anyone trying to put food on the table. Only those trying to compete. It is tough times right now for guides to try and make it. You have to adapt to what the customer wants in order to make it. Hell, even some of the best down in Baffin who have only booked artificial only trophy trout trips for years are now allowing bait chasing smaller fish, offering sightseeing tours and even allowing customers to bring gps's aboard to mark hotspots. You have to adapt to the times. I am talking about tournaments and competitions.

"Don't bring a gun to a knife fight"

Angler Translation
"Don't soak a croaker in a trout tournament"

Had to change that one up a little bit
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[Hopedale Hustler]

Originally Posted by rosska

Hopedale, I am not knocking anyone trying to put food on the table. Only those trying to compete. It is tough times right now for guides to try and make it. You have to adapt to what the customer wants in order to make it. Hell, even some of the best down in Baffin who have only booked artificial only trophy trout trips for years are now allowing bait chasing smaller fish, offering sightseeing tours and even allowing customers to bring gps's aboard to mark hotspots. You have to adapt to the times. I am talking about tournaments and competitions.

"Don't bring a gun to a knife fight"

Angler Translation
"Don't soak a croaker in a trout tournament"

Had to change that one up a little bit
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

your right..no live bait when moneys involved...but it will never happen...u know why...cause no body is willing to piss off the damn joe shmos in the world who have millions and own thier own business and the only way there gonna be happy is by winnin the 5000 dollar tournament people like us fish to put food on the table and help out...i work with these types all the time..they chire us to do wat they cant figure out...and you know what aint nothin wrong with it..just dont fish tourneys if you dont know wat your doing..

[dbarham]

Originally Posted by Hopedale Hustler

Ok so Guys...Deff Should Be Banned From Tourneys...no doubt..i do try to throw artificial as often as i can when not deck handing or fishing with customers..mah captain charter captain that is has to make a livin too..and sometimes artificial just dont get the job done guys..i mean its easy for yall to scream no live bait when yall fish in a place like big like (arguably the greatest trophy lake in the country..) but just from a breton sound platform fishing fisherman...artificial dont always get it done..im no uscg charter captain (yet)..so i only deck hand charters on weekends to make a lil extra cash to pay for gas in the boat during the week...but i do know and see what its like tryin to make a livin in this bizz when there is know live bait..especially when fishing in such a place like The B sound where many situations artificial is not an option..some times its not just croaker soaking..more than often its a croaker free lined getting workked much like a hybrind or H&H...not tryin to cause arguments here but just tryin to make the point that just because you fish live dont mean ur less of a fisherman...

BTW The Biggest Trout Ive Ever Caught Was Caught On A Hybrid Flurry Tipped With Shrimp..haha wats that make me?

a potlicker! J/K DUDE WHO CARES WHAT PEOPLE THROW

[Hopedale Hustler]

Originally Posted by Salty

At least you don't claim to be something you're not.....unlike others. Bruce and I thought you were a guide.

not quite yet..i still got a lil bit to learn..goin to USCG School in winter to get the liscense hopefully..dont plan on opening an official bussiness till im 21 in a couple years..

[Hopedale Hustler]

Originally Posted by Salty

19? Damn...you a big ol' yungun!

yaa..25% Samoan...75% Challmatian + alot of fried fish growing up = a good offensive lineman.

[huntin fool]

Originally Posted by Hopedale Hustler

yaa..25% Samoan...75% Challmatian + alot of fried fish growing up = a good offensive lineman.

hate to mess with you....

[speckdaddy]

that makes you a cheater *****!!!!! all good , i think you made a great point. some guys make a living at this and live is the way ta go. i think tournaments are what the real beef is all about. yall do good in venice hustler? pm me with sum pics and a report. also which charter down there ya work for. goin in 2 weeks ta b sound. thanks

["W"]

I want to be like "CHINK"....Soak two Croaker at a time and get a story about it.......

[LaAngler]

Originally Posted by "W"

I want to be like "CHINK"....Soak two Croaker at a time and get a story about it.......

what you wanna bet that guy is selling those fish commercially?