In Michigan the tournament permits have the stipulation of the tournament can only use a certain % of parking spaces I believe.

And yes, most launch ramps are ghost towns by about .000005 minutes after blast off.

Hours... ya right.

B

you could get just as mad at wal-mart or in rush hour traffic.we are people and we are always in a hurry.quit crying about a few boats waking you up early at a LAKE FRONT HOUSE.why did you go to the lake??maybe to fish??well then why didnt you get up and go fishing or buy some ear plugs and go back to sleep. :'( :'(

I haven't read through all these posts(but probably should have) and don't know if this has been brought up yet. First let me add that I have no problems with tournament fishing and would like to do a little myself some day soon. The thing I hate seeing every Sunday morning on ESPN is some of the pro's, not all, but some that pull the fish out of the water and slam them into the counsel or the side of the boat. I just seen it again this weekend. Its kind off disturbing and it really bothers me. Fishing has always been a kid and family friendly sport. I think that gives tournament fishing a negative veiw.

As for the guy in the article complaining about tournament boats whizzing by his cabin at six in the morning. I think he should get over it and realize the world doesn't revolve around him. He obviously didn't own the lake. It would be like going to a public basketball court where a tournament is being held and complaining to the editor cause you couldn't shoot some hoops. Big deal.

Here goes... I have a 14 ft jonboat and fish alot of big water. My worst experiences have been:

1: the bass fisherman who pulled off plane within 50 feeet of my boat, then stopped to retie within easy castng distance in front of me. He was obviously not a tournament fisherman, had a thirty year old boat, but he ranks #1 in rude. I really thought about ripping a rattltrap through his boat.

2: I'm fishing a point that runs out into the cove about 100 yards. The cove is well over 300 yards wide at that point. So why did that cabin cruiser decide to go up on plane within 100 feet of me?

3:while fishing a bank close to the launch ramp, a small alum. boat comes in under half power. I know he was TRYING to be considerate, but fiberglass rigs have blown by alot closer without throwing half the wake.

4: see #1 this guy really could have gotten shot that day.

If you really have this many problems with boats wakes, maybe you need to either get a bigger boat or quit fishing large water.  

I know better than to take my 16 foot jon boat on a lot of lakes due to waves.  You just need to know your limitations, not ask everyone else to cater to yours.

I have never had a problem with the guys fishing the tournaments, but the fans are another issue.  I actually had one guy tell me to stop fishing for bass because a tournament was taking place.  I just shook my head and told the guy to get a life.