Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Pro Staff, what do you think of the B.A.S.S. Tournament rule changes concerning outboard horsepower ratings and dip net use. B.A.S.S. used to have a 150 horsepower limit on outboards, they no longer do. B.A.S.S. used to ban dip nets during tournament hours, now you can net the fish. What do you think of these changes. Isn't 70 miles per hour fast enough, has tournament angling become a race too? I can kind of relate to the dip net idea since I love crankbaits, and landing a big bass with a mouth full of treble hooks is scary. Ideas please?

Johnnie,

I personally like the idea of being able to net a fish. As far as the horsepower rating is concerned, if your boat and wallet can handle a 250 horse Yamaha VMax then go for it. Speed does become a safety issue when boaters become careless. However you can die just as easily going 65mph in a boat as you can going 80mph.

JT Bagwell

Johnnie,
I feel that the change is due to the fact that now in a competition that you might have to run any where from 1 mile up river to 100 miles you need the horsepower. We are now in a day an age that technology has made our sport of bass fishing capable of going distances that were not attainable years earlier. I believe the sport has not seen all the changes it can make. I believe in the near future you will see our sport broaden out to other countries where you will tour and compete in diffrent countries.
With the dip nets how many times have you been on a lake and didn't have a net and lost the fish, now put that into perspective when $$$$$ is involved, sponsors start pushing for changes.
It all winds down to sponsors put out $$$$ and in return tournament sponsors have to make the changes that are needed to make everyone happy.

Rodney Birditt Aka: Fishhead

Johnnie,

When I am out on the lake, I seldom use a net.
I do think that a net gives the angler an advantage over the fish. I have lost several bass right at the boat during tournaments because I did not use a net--but that is part of bass fishing. With reguards to horsepower restrictions, JT hit the answer on the head.
I see too many anglers running their boats well over 80mph. My Triton does 95mph but I
am only comfortable around 70mph. Safety should be the number one factor on the lake.

:rolleyes:

From what I understand there is a rule AGAINST the use of nets during competition this year on the tour. Wheather it will also be in effect for the B.A.S.S. Opens is yet to be seen.
Am I for or against it? Well it really doesnt matter either way to me, I do however feel that netting a fish is also a skill that must be mastered just like driving a boat or flippin a jig, if you cant do it right you will not like the outcome! I see many anglers that dont have a clue how to net a fish, stab, stab, stab!!!!!!

As for horsepower. Todays bass boats are far better than those of the past and more than able to handle larger more powerfull outboards. My Ford Mustang will hit warp speed, but I dont drive it like that all the time. There is a time and a place for running a boat at high speed, and those who have high performance bass boats that will run in excess of 80 mph know this. There are very few times when you can run a boat that fast full bore, you need perfect conditions. No boat traffic, near no wind and visibilty up to at least one mile. If you run your boat to fast in less conditions you WILL pay for it eventually, hopefully not with your life. I beleive the majority of those who run the Allison's, Strokers and Bullets built for this type of speed are responsible boat operators.

A Triton running over 90??

Just a quick comment. Earlier this year or perhaps in December '02, B.A.S.S. said that tournament contestants would have to net their own fish from this point on. I don't recall if this was to take effect in the current T season.

Can anyone of you shed light on this subject?
Thanks up front. Joe

PS- Johnnie- another good question to pose.
Much obliged.

My hands have the scars to show about not netting a fish with a mouth full of trebles. I like the netting of the bass. Its tough to fish a tournament with a crankbait haning from your hand.lol.

As far as the motor issue I'm not sure were I stand on that. I have a 20' boat with a 225hp on the back of it and it will run fast enough to make you change your pants. I do believe it has come down to racing for spots. If you can get there first its your spot. If you practiced there or not. I can't tell you how many times I have been heading to a spot and shut down far enough away that I don't cause to much wave action on the spot that I want to fish and have some knuckle head blast in right in front of me shut down on the spot and throw the trolling motor down and start fishing, knowing I was heading in that direction. I've since learned that those guys don't stick around long and I can go back later and catch fish that they passed up. Sorry venting there.

I agree that we will see more and more changes in the way tournaments are fished. Sponsors are sure stepping up or are they the money still seems to be coming from the fisherman themselves but thats a nother subject.

Conley

The net your own fish rule was in effect during the 2002 B.A.S.S. Northern Opens, so it was in effect before August of 2002.
In my opinion, you are safer netting your own fish anyway, then if you miss the fish and it flops away from the net you can only blame yourself.

I am diffently in favor of netting fish, of course it should be done properly with as little floping around in the net as possible which removes the bass' slime coating. I try to position the net right under the fish and lift the fish and net at the same time without the net touching the fish unless it falls off. This technique is not for big fish, big fish get the whole net.
As for larger and larger outboards, I still believe that the 150 limit was good, it kept everyone in check and the skill of the driver or luck of the draw made the difference as to who got where first. To my friend who got cut off by another boat, that happens to me a lot, there are some contenders out there with lack of respect symdrome. Thanks guys, Johnnie Crain :rolleyes:

Mofish you got it! At 51 my hand hurt enough, I'll use a net. And for HP limits, anything over 18' & a 150 your just bragging! I fish Toledo Bend year round in a 16' Stratos with a 70 hp Johnson & I'll match my catch against anyone's.