Bass tournaments...no more weigh-ins?

[buzzbaiter]

I don't watch many bass shows nor participate in t'ments but I noticed the other day on ESPN that bass caught were being weighed in the boat with a digital scale, photographed and let go immediately. If this is the new way of weighing fish, its a great change. No more fish dying in livewells or throwing them all into a plastic bag or bin or releasing them all at the same spot. Seems like more mishandling penalties as well such as bass falling onto the boat floor. Guys r no longer jerking them on board with no mercy or tact. Another great change.

[NorthJerzyG]

Yeah, they have a series, Major League Fishing that follows this format. Kinda like hockey in the sense they play 3 periods, get 2 minute penalties for poor landing and releasing the fish (can't touch the bottom of the boat or be thrown back in), and doesn't have a 5 fish limit. All fish of legal size are weighed and counted. Pretty sure Bassmasters still does the weigh in format though.......

[Fred E. Goose]

Originally Posted by NorthJerzyG

...doesn't have a 5 fish limit. All fish of legal size are weighed and counted. Pretty sure Bassmasters still does the weigh in format though.......

I like the catch, weigh, release part of it but I'm not a fan of the all legal fish count towards a total weight. Maybe I'm just a traditionalist on that sense, but the 5 fish bag is a better system in my opinion. I'd rather see these pros catch 5 three-pounders to make a 15 lb bag than see them catch 15 one-pounders.

[Lard Almighty]

Originally Posted by Fred E. Goose

I like the catch, weigh, release part of it but I'm not a fan of the all legal fish count towards a total weight. Maybe I'm just a traditionalist on that sense, but the 5 fish bag is a better system in my opinion. I'd rather see these pros catch 5 three-pounders to make a 15 lb bag than see them catch 15 one-pounders.

I think it adds a new element of strategy to tournament fishing. Should you try for a few big bites, or try to find a mess of smaller fish. If you are on a big school, do you leave to try to find bigger fish?

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

I think it adds a new element of strategy to tournament fishing. Should you try for a few big bites, or try to find a mess of smaller fish. If you are on a big school, do you leave to try to find bigger fish?

I am with lard on this one. Definitely adds a new dynamic to a tired set of rules.

I like the cpr format too. It keeps the bass in there native habitat and doesn't subject them to those tournament culling tags that wind up ripping their lower jaws in half.

[Riz]

ive done my share of tourneys over the years. I have to say I like the cpr method because the safety of the fish is paramount. I never was a fan of punching a cull tag thru a bass jaw. clips were better . never was a fan of mid summer tourneys either with the heat. so many things can contribute to the safety or harm of the fish but I do like that different ideas are being used. question is if you do belong to a local club or just do some local opens how do we encorporate a better system on that level.

[tycomps]

as a cpr fisherman I feel bad for even having them out of the water long enough to take the pic, used to hold my breath when I lifted them out and kept holding it til they were returned to the water in sympathy.

glad to hear they may be trending towards more humane tournaments!

assume the contestants are each given the same calibrated scales for consistency.

[cosmo]

The college tourneys on ESPN use the weigh & photo in the boat and then release. The most important thing we can do as fisherman is respect nature and release that fish safely to be enjoyed another day.