I have to say that last article was great JT. I am a non-boater and I agree with what you are saying. It makes me feel better about fishing in the ABA at this time although I would like to take a crack at the pro level at some point. I do feel that they do need to make some drastic changes in the rules or as you said they might drive anglers away on the non- boater side. Keep up the great writing.

;D

Thank you very much.

I think the only people that are gaining from the rule change is the anglers in the front of the boat.

JT Bagwell

Very good article, JT.  the example you gave was vey illustrative.  You know I am from the old school, when you went fishing with your buddies and if you outfished them, you out fished them.  I can see where that rule change is going to be very detrimental to tournament fishing and the growth of the sport.

Things like that makes one just want to stay away from tournaments and just go fishing  for fishing sakes.... and not get allcaught up in the other stuff.

Very good article JT

Bassincr

I am a non boater and I too fish some aba tournaments.

But being a non boater I feel that aba is giving us the short end of the stick as well. ABA needs a high side and a low side and I will be happy with it.

I can see where the boaters dont want the nons running there equiptment. But nons shouldnt pay the same entry fee to fish used water.

I will fish ABA again this year if time permits because I love to fish tournaments. But my main focus will be on my bassclub where im not fishing against my partner from behind him.

So let's propose two seperate divisions for ABA tournaments. We will have Boaters and Non-Boaters.

The Boaters will continue to pay $55 and only fish against the boaters.

The Non-Boaters will pay $30 and only fish against the Non-Boaters.

Given the fact that most ABA tournaments have very low numbers for Non-Boaters, I figure "IF" you win a tournament on the Non-Boater side, you will make about $90 (minus the $30 it cost to enter, minus another $20 to the boater for gas).

Doesn't sound like much fun to me.

JT Bagwell