DISTANCE BETWEEN BOATS

[MN]

I was watching one of those BASS tournament's last weeken i beleive at the Harris chain of lake's.One segmant was showing these guy's fishing what appeared to be one of the canal's that connect the differant lake's.There was a contrversy beetwen to angler's both veteran's.I beleive one was Jim Bitter cant remember the other.They were basicly fishing on top of one another what appeared no more the 20 to 25 feet apart.

Well mr.Bitter got just that and took off pretty fast and in the forground you could see three other boat's so close to each other and one in the middle of the canal that he would have to get around but they stoped filming so i dont know what happened.

I thought there were rule's that state a certain distance between boat's or is it a gentleman's agreement.I certainly hope it is not ESPN congering these thing's up to get more people to watch.

I also remeber Jerry McGinnis making a statement this had carried over from the day before between these two.Just curios.

[Bill K]

There are variables to this question re. boat distance and it varys with clubs and their rules. Some have a 25 yard, some a 50 Yard and many have no set distance.
However there is a gentleman's agreement, sort to speak, that you do not fish another man's water or cut in front of him if he is working towards your stop.
Always best to read the rules of the tournament you are entering and/or ask the TD at check-in, etc. Bill K

[Phil]

Was always a fishermans agreement in the past history. I remember days at Clear Lake in Kelsey creek Slough 6, 8, 10 boats all fishing amongst eachother. Like Bill says, different clubs/organizations, different rules .

[scott h]

someone correct me if i am wrong but I believe there is no set distance in the bassmasters tourneys you can share lunch if you have the gall, more often than not it seems like more than one person finds the same fish in that level of competion and usually if a few guys have spent some time in practice in the same area than they are aware of each other and there can be some sort of agreement to work it out,its usually when a guy finds out there is fish bieng caught in an area by other competitors and goes in to get a piece of the action then there is hard feelings.

[kopper_bass]

In all Bassmaster's tournaments, there is no boat distance rule as such. They get right on top of you all the time.

Kopper_Bass

[BassTraveler]

I personally do not like the yard rule. How much is 25 yards to you, will be different to me. As long as people in tight spots are being curtious...I don't have a problem.
That was George Cochran, whether he did it on purpose or not, he took Jim Bitter off of his mental game.
I heard they lost a friendship over it.
When fishing tournaments, you must make decisions that takes everthing into account.
1. Are you in an area with a person who has a chance to win and do you don't...leave.
2. AC TOC...I was in tenth...Jimmy R. in third...I was second out day 2. There were a few of us who had a fishing hole...I could have ran to that spot and farmed some good fish. I choose not to. There were a few factors...I was five pounds behind Jimmy...a little to much to catch up, plus you know when it's your turn.
As my saying goes..."What comes around goes around."
This game is much more than catching fish...it's a great game.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I think that if I am fishing a tournament where there is prize money for big fish or a option for big fish I think i have the right to keep my spot even if I am in last place. Everytime I throw my bait out there I have a chance at catching the big fish. I dont think it is poor sportsmanship on my part to keep that water. I think that it is really bad sportsmanship for any one to imply that it is bad sportsmanship for someone not to give up their water to someone who perhaps has a better chance of winning.
The tournament orgs have drawings for position regarding the order that the boats blast off. If you get a bad draw and cant get to your place first, thats just tough luck. go to plan B

Jim