Too Much or Not Enough?

[rsimms]

We just completed the Bassmaster Southern Open. Now comes the Bassmaster High School Open followed up immediately by a huge FLW event. See: http://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/flw-to-visit-dayton-on-the-heels-of-bassmaster-event

Three back-to-back weekends - three back-to-back major bass tournaments on Chickamauga Lake, not to mention all the local/regional events.

Good or bad?

Too much or not enough?

Why or why not?

GO!

 

[Springmillvol]

I suspect many of the answers will be determined by who fishes a lot of big tourney's and who doesn't. I fall into the latter category so selfishly I would prefer less. I am new to the lake and am assuming that less tourney's would equate to less boat traffic but maybe a lot of casual anglers stay home on those big weekends. It seems like a lot of pressure on the fish as well.

 

[rangerjim]

Too much in my opinion. This is coming from someone who has primarily fished Guntersville for a long time. Have seen the effect of all of the tournaments have had here first hand. At least 8 to 10 tournaments a weekend in the Spring time. I do tournament fish however there is a point where it is not beneficial for the resource itself, though it certainly keeps the hotels, restaurants, and the tax coffers full. IMHO the Alabama Conservation Dept and TWRA should limit the number of tournaments on a given weekend and institute a permit system to generate revenue from the tournaments for the purpose of managing the lake. Probably never happen though. Guntersville, Scottsboro, Dayton, etc. actively promote the lakes and the revenue it brings it. Was a story in local paper here that some of the businesses have seen 25% to 30% decreases this year due to the below average fishing. Can only get milk from a cow for so long before she goes dry!

 

[Springmillvol]

Well said. Haven't heard of a permit plan but that is interesting. Has a program like that been used any where else ? Texas maybe?

 

[jimwarden]

It's good that the lake is SO full of quality bass that it is attracting such attention. I came to the Chick in the late 70s, and let me tell you it was not a great fishery. We had some outstanding fishermen that I could name that could catch big bags, but the average fisherman struggled. Bass was only fair, crappie was only fair. To see where the bass and crappie fisheries are now is amazing. Bass and crappie both got good in the eighties with all the milfoil, and when it was eliminated I thought the Chick would perpetually be a fair fishery again. I'm so glad that I was wrong. I'm biased, but much of the reason can be credited to the TWRA. Introduction of the Florida Strain bass, and creel and size limit changes made an impact. Another big factor was the catch and release trend started by Bill Dance and others. The number of huge bass caught and released on the Chick is amazing. That's a huge factor when you're releasing a mega size bass that will bass on her genetics to thousands of fry. Other factors are an improving water quality with many of the polluting plants being cleaned up as a result of the Clean Water Act of 1972 & 1977. Love EPA or hate it our air and water would look like China's if businesses were allowed to regulate themselves. My recommendation is to enjoy it while you can as the trend away from protecting our air and water pollution is in full affect.

 

[Davo]

I think it is too much. I like the idea of needing a permit and possibly even limiting the number of tournaments. Don't get me wrong, I love to fish them, but I really hate seeing a lot of dead bass floating near the dock the next morning. I think having a permit would eliminate some of this. In the summer, there is such a huge delayed mortality rate that I think in the long run we will hurt the lake.

 

[hookset]

Well put Jim. Ditto!

 

[Rob Lee]

I concur with RangerJim. It is great for the local economy, not so good for the resources. When I first moved to Ooltewah and first fished the Chick...it was on a Saturday morning. Bluebird skies and little or no wind. However, by two o'clock or so...I was feared for my life. (and for what it is worth I'm an ex-Navy veteran) Not sure if there was a tournament going on but I have never seen so much boat traffic in my life. Probably 2-3 foot chop in addition to countless recreational boaters, jet skis, yachts, pontoons, etc. I got off the water and cant remember when I last fished the weekend. I do understand that the lake is not reserved to fishermen. The Moron Alert was RED. Great post RangerJim.

 

[pinsandfins]

No one could say it any better than what ranger Jim just said. Thank you sir

 

[jimwarden]

Gee thanks guys, but I could have said it better. I believe it should be "it's in full effect." Not "full affect" LOL. My grammar and spellng used to be really good, but at age 65 it's slipping a little. Oh Rob, do I ever remember those days that it seemed every boat in SE TN and N GA was on Chickamauga Lake. 8-10 foot rolling waves from the cabin cruisers and houseboats coming in all directions. Wow, that was rough and I usually didn't stay long before running back to the Hiwassee River.

 

[Tn bullet]

May 20 you have the big bass two day event plus home builder of Chattanooga

 

[danrnsmyth]

I know that I only view one side of the issue as a non tournament angler that has to take vacation and can only fish when I can and not as often as I like but I think Guntersville is a great example and Guntersville is a big lake with lots of grass which I think makes the lake fish bigger and it has been hurt. Further ...in my mind the angler out with his family on a once a year vacation should not have to yield to the tournament anglers in my opinion. It should be the other way around. I don't want to argue with someone with family in the boat but I don't understand the level of entitlement that seems to be expected by some of the tournament anglers . I know there are exceptions and do not want to paint with a brush too broad...but our sport has suffered in its etiquette .

 

[Springmillvol]

danrnsmyth - 4/28/2017 1:37 PM

I know that I only view one side of the issue as a non tournament angler that has to take vacation and can only fish when I can and not as often as I like but I think Guntersville is a great example and Guntersville is a big lake with lots of grass which I think makes the lake fish bigger and it has been hurt. Further ...in my mind the angler out with his family on a once a year vacation should not have to yield to the tournament anglers in my opinion. It should be the other way around. I don't want to argue with someone with family in the boat but I don't understand the level of entitlement that seems to be expected by some of the tournament anglers . I know there are exceptions and do not want to paint with a brush too broad...but our sport has suffered in its etiquette .

Some good points here as well. I can't count the number of times my fishing buddy and I fished Okeechobbe and other south fl lakes. He is an eyeballer!! Always looking at the other boats and noticing the distancing between boats etc. His problem is he looks way out there LOL. I had to coach him to shorten his expected buffer zone or he would be miserable on the Chick. It helped some LOL. Still a work in process for him.