This is kind of a controversial issue in the pro walleye fishing world. Its called networking. Two or three pros will form a team a share info amongst each other. I have heard they will sometimes even split their winnings with other members of the team.

I was wondering if this goes on in the pro bass fishing world as well?

It most certainly goes on in Professional Bass Fishing.

If I remember correctly it was Koby Krieger and someone

else that had an article on this site or another one that talked

about splitting winnings.

The sharing of info amongst certain groups happens at every

level.

JT Bagwell

Is it an excepted practice among the bass pros? It seems to cause a lot of controversy on the walleye forums. What is your opinion on it? if you don't mind me asking

Well, I think there are rules in place in attempt to not allow talking amongst anglers.  So if caught, they could be DQed.

Well, I think there are rules in place in attempt to not allow talking amongst anglers. So if caught, they could be DQed.

What are the rules you are talking about?

Most of the "no information" rules that I have seen clearly state that

you can not get info from "non-competitors," but I have not seen any

that say you can not get information for people that are in the tournament.

From BASS - During both the official practice and the tournament, a competitor may not have the assistance or advice of anyone for the purposes of locating or catching bass, nor enter the tournament waters with anyone who has been on the tournament waters during the off-limits period including, but not limited to, a professional guide, state or federal wildlife agency employee, or any other person deemed an "expert" on these tournament waters by the Tournament Director, unless they are a competitor in the tournament.

From FLW - After the balance deadline date for each tournament (after July 2, 2007 for the Forrest Wood Cup) and during competition days, contestants, including those on the waiting lists and late entries, may not solicit and/or receive fishing information from any non-competitor other than publicly available information.

JT Bagwell

JT,

I remember that B.A.S.S. had a tournament on the James River in Richmond (I do not believe it was the classic but another one) and my friend and I saw a number or guys fishing the Chick River a few days before the tournament as I go fishing during the week and not on weekends.

They were in beautiful bass boats, much nicer than you would normally see; and the guys were really into their fishing, mentally, more than you would expect from non-tournament guys fishing for fun.

My friend told me that these guys could have been hired by some pros to fish the James and Chick rivers since the pros could not fish as the waters were off limits.

Does this practice still go on and is it legal?

JT, thats why I put the word, "THINK" in my response.  It's the non-competitor thing that I was thinking about, that you clearly stated.

Once again, we're getting off the subject of networking. I can assure you that Pros on both The elite and open side of BASS, click, group, team, network, and otherwise share info. If they are in the TX this is not against the rules. Terry Scroggins said Sat. his friend who was a co-angler for the Southern Open turned him on to his fish in practice. This is not a rule infraction on the open Tx. Although it is in the Elite TX. You guys don't think that Denny and Chad network? That Monty and Jamie don't? Sure they do and so do alot of others...its perfectly legal...and sometimes gives the edge needed to win. Its as excepted as sharing a motel room.

There is the rule about communications on the water during the tx (cell phones, two way radios, etc). I have no problem getting info from friends in the same tx. If Im running to another spot and I see a buddy (competitor), Ill pull up and discuss whats going on..this happens vice versa as well. Ive never used the cell during a tx, but sometimes its been hard not to.

I dont understand why the walleye guys (or anyone for that matter) would be upset about networking. I doesnt create an unfair advantage, an advantage yes, but not a unfair one since everyone has the same opportunity.

I was resently at a seminar with Gord Pysor(in fisherman) talked about Rick Clunn campaining for a no info rule. It was his thinking (Clunn0 that B.A.S.S. had become a have's and have not.

The money guys were hiring the best local guides and putting them under contract and the local hot stick tourney guys.

So it wasn't about who could find and put a plan together but how hired the right info.

Garnet