[rosska]

Originally Posted by JigSlinger

Let me see if I got this right....You enter a tournament, knowing the rules....you decide to fish with artificals....you constantly get beat by folks who decide to fish differently than you....so, as a result, you belittle the winners and want all future tournament rules to be changed to conform to your method of fishing so that you'll have a better chance to win....!! Almost sounds like Obama's policies to redistribute the wealth.......Ain't this a Great Country!!!

Let me help you get it right.... I enter a tournament to test my skills, knowledge to find fish, and ability to adapt to the fishing conditions against others that would like to do the same. I fish with artifical lures because it is the weapon of true anglers which takes practice and ability to master. Do you see the anglers of the redfish cup, texas trout series, spectacular series, bass masters and flw tour throwing an anchor and soaking bait? NOPE! Why, because it would not be a true test of the angler. If these tournaments allowed people to soak bait you me or my three year old daughter would have the ability to compete with them. A tournament should be setup so that the anglers that come out on top are truly skilled anglers. It should be a tournament which requires skill to come out on top, not like a Lottery which is dependent on luck. Anyone can depend on a live bait and luck to make up for their lack of skill. I go out to compete against anglers not people who decide to fish in the Lottery. I have no problem not winning a tournament but I want to look at the leader board and say those were the true anglers of the tournament, not someone who depended on a live bait for the day. If I do not win, it shows I need to put in more time and work to better my abilities and chance to win. I do not have anything against anyone who chooses to fish with bait. I have used bait too, and depending on who I am fishing with (wife or kids) I am sure I will one day use it again. But, you will never see me use it in a tournament or competition. I will then depend on my true fishing abilities in which I think all others should have to depend on.