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Alright, I have to speak my mind on this a little more.

On the subject of a horse power limit.
1. You dont see many pro's running 150's anymore. The most common outboards are 200 - 225 horse.

2. In todays tournament waters wheather it be the tour or opens, the venues where these competitions are being held are far to big for small underpowered craft. Think I'm wrong, try and run Lake Ontario, 1000's Islands, The Potomac River or The Cheasapeake Bay when the wind is howling and you are looking at 6 foot or larger waves and a 30 - 60 mile run. You cant do it safely with a small craft. You cant run full bore under these conditions in any bass boat no matter what engine you have, but it these times you are happy you have that power and a 19 foot or larger boat.

3. Tournament fishing is a very competitive sport, big money and possibly a career is on the line. If you dont like fishing in a crowd, so be it, but like it or not during some events it is a reality and as a tournament angler you either step up and overcome it or go to a back up area.

Here in Pennsylvania we fish very small waters where fishing pressure is a way of life, during tournaments you may be within casting distance of other competitors most of the day. Thats just the way it is and the better anglers either plan for such and find alternative areas ( scouting and doing your homework goes a long way ) or they dig in and fish better, knowing if they dont the other guy will.

Tournament bass fishing is changing. Technology is leading the way. Todays boats are safer than anything we ever had in the past. You must evolve with the competition or be left behind. Thats what competition is, and if I am coming accross the wrong way to some of you, then I apologize. But when the money is on the line, thats just the way it goes. If you can run with the big dogs... Stay on the Porch.

I've been around B.A.S.S. since the beginning, we all fished those big waters in small boats, we changed our spots to match the weather. I have a buddy who has a 22' Champion with a 300 hp Black Max, he may beat me to a spot but it don't mean he can out fish me. Ruff water has nothing to do with boat size, it about how to handle a boat. I'm not against big boats, I'm against people tell me I need one to compete. My average 5 bass stringer last year was 28 lbs plus out of a small boat, I spend my time on the water fishing no running around. I have 31 years on Toledo Bend I don't need to run from Converse to the dam to find or catch fish.

" Cat "

I hope my post didnt come across like I was telling anyone they need to have a big boat to compete. You probably dont, however if 90% of the field is running larger more equiped boats the folks running smaller craft can be at a disadvantage.
That being said, I dont own a huge boat that runs 80 mph +. I run a Skeeter ZX 195 with a Yamaha 200 V Max. It fits my style and the waters I frequent the most perfectly. Thats why we buy a boat, so it matches our environment.

Eric
I understand your viewpoint and everyone else but my point is where do you stop? 20', 22', 25' boats & 200 hp, 225 hp, 250 hp, or ?. When I started tournament fishing it was for everyone now it's for those select few who gets the breaks or has the money. As much as I enjoy watching the big boys play just think if us little guys had the chance to win a $100,000 pay check. Yes there should be a Pro level but not at the expence of the amateur level. B.A.S.S. & FLW both have Federations you can work your way up to the top. It's hard for me to put my thoughts into words on this subject so some of you old guys need to help me explain this. I know plenty of young anglers who can get a 18' boat with a 150 hp & compete but now that they got to this level you want to raise it once again putting them out. It not about your ability to catch fish it's about how big a boat you can afford. I could fish any big water in a 18' boat & be just a safe as anyone in a 22' boat because of my ability in boat handling. If any of this makes since I'll be lucky! I'm totally behind the fact that with out amateurs who can have a chance to compete then our sport dies. Pro's don't keep this sport going, we at this level do. I don't want to see it priced out of reach of the little guy.

150HP was fine. No idea why they changed it. Likely from flak the got from manufacturers who wanted to spotlight their big engines. As far as nets, I think it is a great idea to re-introduce them. I prefer the rubber nets and hope these are the ones they will authorize. I'm tired of seeing guys swing fish over the side, only to smack them on the console or floor. This has to be more detrimental to the fish. I'm a TD of a club and one of my rules is allowing the use of nets.

Craig- Good points! As I understand it, B.A.S.S. still allows nets but will not allow your partner to net your fish. As at least one of the above posts pointed out, that rule could be a good thing. Especially when you don't know your partner. It could get expensive or cost you a lunker bass.

One of the members of my bass club lost the fish of a lifetime last year because his partner decided to reel in all his own line before reaching for the net. Meanwhile Ed was trying his best to hang on to the bass. The bad news is that the partner never woke up fast enough.

Great posts and an excellent thread, Johnnie.
Thanks. Joe

Well, we have a few folks out there with some thoughts on both of these items. So here is my 2 cents worth...

First, using nets... I'm with everyone else, I can not stand to see fish just flipped into a boat and bounced off the deck onto the carpet.. We should treat these fish a little better, Using a net Helps/Saves the fish....

Next Horsepower... I run a 20' foot boat with a 200 Hp VMAX, this runs around high 60's to Low 70"s with no problems.. Can I handle this type of power YES.. Have I ever needed this type of power, Yes. (Not for Tournament Fishing but to out run a very big storm coming down on me YES..)

The new Boat I'm looking at is a foot longer and with 50 more horsepower.. The boat I tested ran somewhere in the 86 plus MPH range.. Now do we need this type of Horsepower? Not to catch fish! I don't, But to out run the other fishermen 65 miles up the river, well been there also.. Had this same type of issue this weekend. Only good fishing was way up the river, only one river, so you get there fast or stand in line for the good spots.. It is a catch 22!!

Really I'm a true speed freak, love to feel the wind at 70 plus MPH, but also I have spent alot of time driving boats and I know what my limits are.. It all boils down to how good are you!! Boats don't catch fish, Outboard Engines don't catch fish. You do...

P.S

Send me a Pic of this 95 MPH Triton.. Only been in one Bullet that went that fast, so fast you could not get air into your lungs... Save that for the Power Boat racing!!!!

Good Fishing


EAT SLEEP FISH..