I have been fishing every tournament just about that has been at holiday this year. Every Kotg all the opens and I think alot of guys are just getting frustrated and thats what going on. At this point I just consider it donating money to a fun cause. It does get to you after awhile because I usually pre fish and put alot of time on the water but you know that in the end the same guys are going to come in with big bags. They say every dog has his day but ther hasen't been any new dogs in awhile. I honestly think anyone is cheating but when I see those same guys pull up in the morning I know its over before it even starts. I guess if I could keep winning like that I would be at every tournament too kicking eveyones butt. But come on guys if you missed a couple of tourneys it wouldn't kill you but it would make things more interesting for the rest of us. No sour grapes here I will still be at the next one.

For the record it should have said I don't think anyones cheating I forgot the word DON'T that would make a difference.

How about a losers bracket type tourney with lightest 5 fish limit winning? Heck, I'd probably end up with the heaviest sack and lose that one as well!

besides being a force on the ida and osborne chain , I havent done much in the glades this year , 17 1/2 lb average . what makes it hard is that I know I just needed to big bites and I would of made some noise. my partner has done better and won and placed a few times . In the king series we had 4 different winners and only 2 teams place top 3 more than once and it was spread out and twice Big Fish pot went to teams that didnt place top 7. so I think with the 50% flats - 50% canal , I made the right call. Not saying that I suck in the glades I have caught 30+lb stringers before but everything Has to go your way. Last week I seen 20 bass over 5lbs swim by the boat and couldnt get them to bite. I have fished with the best John Pate - Hank and Skip and they just have the right touch and the knowledge of what time of the day -that 30 min window when those big bass turn on.
I know the patterns at Ida and By fishing with these great fishermen my average has gone way up from years past and I have most of the baits they have so with a ton of practice and more time on the water it will get better. Just have to find out when that 30 minute window is !!...............BLM

These guys are not cheating. My partner and I won Anglers of the Year on the toughest trail in Florida on Okeechobee 2 years ago and won about $12,000 in a 3-5 month span and were accused of cheating. I've seen Deka, Lamb, Mendlin, McMillian just to name a few get on a roll that lasted months and they ride the wave till it ends.
If you put in your time and figure out what the BIG FISH want then you'll improve. No offense but the majority of the people complaining are weekend warriors and that's it. These are swamp bass that live in small canals, it's not Okeechobee or Toho.
My partner and I (Jeff da Spook-man) could have won the last 2 tournaments if it wasn't for a few big bites getting off. So who knows what can happen, that's why we show up every weekend to fish and compete. This sport rewards hardwork on the water, not calling your buddy and asking him what he caught them on 2 weeks ago. I hate getting 2nd or 3rd I only want to win and I work that hard at it and it pays off.
Let's just fish and compete and whoever wins congrats cause I will eventually start winning at Holiday and I dare someone to accuse me of cheating. Congrats to all the winners and Great everyone at Gambler. I will be at the KOTG represetning my sponsors. Juan Ruiz

Juan I agree...It really is time on the water that makes the difference. I guided last year 4 or 5 days a week and I always had a pretty good idea of how to put 25 lbs. or so in the boat regularly. This year has been a bit different with a new addition to the family...not as much time on the water with a job at the bank and all... When I go out now I am lucky to even get to pre-fish and real lucky to get one or two big bites. When you sit at a desk all day it is kind of hard to know what the fish are doing and where a 30 pond stringer is much less than to know what to throw at them. I know most of the guys like Pate Masiello, Isaacson etc...personally, as I have worked with each of them and let me tell all of you that they are all good fisherman that spend more time on the water each week than you and I do at our jobs...This is why you see them with big fish week in and week out. Shoot... maybe some of you whiners out there should book a guide trip with one of them and see how it is done!!

Tight Lines

Steve

Finally someone with some commonsense. Steve you hit it right on the button. Like Steve said If you want go out and learn how to flip you can book me or any other great guide thru Bassonline. Juan

U hit the nail on the head. Just donate ur $ each tourny . Thats going to be the out come. These guides r not goin to show u s__t. They have there own style and secrets and they r not goin to share that with anyone, got it!! They all lie about there catch and everything else its a common pratice for tourny fisherman, maybe one day u might be lucky enoufg to work ur way into this pretiges liers club. rememeber the guides that r tourny fisherman r not fishin for fun and r not about to let the cat out of the bag for u or anyone else. good luck all u suckers!! fish 4 fun and get on with ur life. ds

I consider myself a pretty good fisherman been doing it since I've been old enough to hold a pole but the truth of the matter is that I would say the majority of people who pay there entry fees are as you would call it weekend warriors. Most of us have jobs that aren't guiding clients on the water we have families and obligations that limit are time. We are the guys paying your prize money so before you get off saying that we are whining about something you should think about what your saying. Does it make a difference being on the water 4-5 days a week absolutely so you have just proven my point in the first post its hard to compete against that

You are right some of us have to work. Im not whining i will still enter and donate my money, i just find it funny when i hear people say "spend more time on the water". Unfortunately i have to pay my mortgage.

There are maybe only a few (small percentage) who are the whinners and calling the winners cheaters. The rest of us "weekend warriors" (in my case...not even) dont deserve to be put in the same catagory as the whinners. Weekend warriors or not, they are still out there at most tourneys donating to your winnings. They do not have the opportunity to be on the water daily like you guys. The odds are not close to even by no means and you guides have the obvious advantage. Thats a no brainer !!! Yet, the "weekend warriors" are still at the tourneys enjoying fishing and the competition and the challenge knowing they are just donating to your pockets but hoping it is their day to bring in the bag that beats the best. Dont bash the warriors or the guy that can only get out once a month. The whinners are just that and thats how they get through life thinking everything should be handed to them on a silver platter. They are just a small percentage of all the men, women and children who fish the glades or south Florida for that matter.

I couldnt agree more LongCast. but I find it hard to deal with professionals competeing against rank amateurs.Only in fishing is this allowed..so either deal with it or dont join the tournaments.

I'm not sure if being consistant on home turf would classify them as pros. but yes, it is their profession and they are good because that is their living. I dont think they would have the same advantage fishing elsewhere such as Alabama or Texas. Hell, I would probably have an advantage against them fishing Flamingo or Biscayne Bay. But there are guides in these areas that fish daily that would flat out kick my ass. I think these guides should get together and hold a tourney for the weekend warriors and donate some of that money back...LOL

ya think? seeing as i never fish tounys,I really dont care..but something should be done to level the playing filed..like a 3 lb handicap.for the pros
That would stop the crying in this forum...what do ya think Mike?

I think I will stick to being a director ! I fish opens and can only get the wins on the ida chain being that the fact I have found solid patterns for all months and conditions. Like I said my partner has won and placed at Holiday so I know it
can happen. You are all right , you have to spend time on the water and throw big bass baits. these guys are tough when they find the pods of fish but anything can happen.I dont consider it donating because of the fact I try my hardest to win and place and I consider that they just took my money from me ! ..............Mike

Lots of discussing going on here, some good and some better.

These are just my opinions.........

For those who think guys wont cheat based on consequence(sp), your nuts!

FOR THE RECORD I DO NOT THINK THE TOP TEAM IN QUESTION IS CHEATING, they have put together a patern and it is paying off, last year it was a totally different group of guys. I had this pattern last year and this past summer off the alley but did not fish tournies, I started this year and have been in some big name company in the middle and at the bottom.

But having said this, a polygraph would solve this, it would prove the winners truthfull and help silence doubters.

I might be new to bass fishing but not fishing in general, I have grown up fishing Fort Lauderdale and inshore and have had 13 BOATED tarpon a nite and most people would think there was no way, but I have done it many times.

I also agree that there should be 2 divisions or a "no guide" policy to tournies. Even though this will only cut down on the advantage, it would be more fair then the current process. Yes it is about time on the water, and that clearly gives guides the advantage, but their are a handful of non-guides who do VERY WELL, because they have the time on the water. I personally like fishing against the guides, and do plan on someday being one of the top guys out their(though you wouldn't know it this year,lol) but I don't think most guys realize they are fishing against a guides clique and alot of info passed along.

I want to add I do not know many people at Holiday at all. I have met Skip in the parking lot at Sawgrass and he shared some great info, I might recognize some others, this is just my opinion and is not for or against anyone in particular.

I had a 39 # day a month or so ago just fishing and I know my closest friends believe me but I am sure many wouldn't. And if a polygraph would help that. I AM ALL FOR IT!

Nice dude, I dont whine at all, just express an opinion and your sorry azz comes in here in 2 minutes posts 2 posts. Thanx for adding so much! You are truly the man. How many tournies do you fish? Or do you just post?

It is people like you that bark everytime someone expresses an opinion and tries to quiet soemone, well your crap won't work here. When there are far less people fishing opens then people can wondwer why???

LIKE I CLEARLY STATED BEFORE, I DO NOT THINK THE GUYS ARE CHEATING, but there is certainly ample oportunity to!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa, whoa whoa!.....settle down Beavis!.....lol......
The post had nothing to do with you or your comments. It is directed to the few whiners that are causing all this nonsense to begin with. It's getting old listening to them. I prefer to just talk fishing, not cheating, as would most on this site.

And I agree with you, in fact I know that there is far more cheating today in "everything" than most people CHOOSE to believe. However, having the ability to consistently catch big fish and big stringers myself (with post all over the internet as proof) when everybody else says fishing is slow, I defintely believe that in these waters those weights can be consistently obtained no problem.

If people think there is chicanery going on, then simply choose not to fish the events. Simple as that.

Catch big fish brotha...... ..........

Good response, I thought the earlier ones were towards me.

All the guide talk.WHAT??? The team that has been kicking butt at hoilday are not guides.One is a plumber and the other works construction or something.All I am saying is that these guys do have full time regular jobs and kids to boot.They just know where to find those pockets of fish and catch them.Anyone can do the same. If you want to place and cash a check,stay out all day on saturday studying and finding these fish instead of leaving at noon to go home and catch sports center becuase the deck of the boat is getting a little warm.These guys may not be guides,
but they take the game serious. Like someone posted earlier,Hank and Skip are about to lose thier crown on sunday.I'll be at the weigh in just to see the look on John Pates face when he he gets beat again.

Can't we all just get along and fish and congradulate the winners they have been working hard.
The guys that are winning are doing a great job, every year it is a different group that is winning.
Personally If I was a guide I would not fish local tournaments, guides find fish not always huge fish.
But good luck to everyone

why noy make a tournament that Guides/professionals ar not allowed to enter! profesional i mean if you paid more than 200.00 to enter a tourny!

these guys are not pros in the sense many of you are thinking. they are just good. I have fished against many guides who are not good tournament fishermen. Some of us "weekenders" are just not as good as we think we are.

weekend warrior is correct. i know these guys personally and can guarantee you they are not guides or cheating. i talk to them at least four or five times a day and it is always about fishing. they have regular jobs mon-fri and kids to boot. they good guys and spend lots of time with their families. but on every free moment they are doing something to improve their skills. wether it is reading about fishing or watching a show they take it all seriously. they talk to everyone and share info. so as much of a part time on the water is there are other ways to improve your game. one good way is to talk about fishing with others. so instead of talking about how good they are lets use this site to talk about what we can do to catch up with them. on that note.. fished the south today water very dirty and around 79 degrees. so lots of fish suspened of the pads not very active. any ideas on how to get them to bite?

I think thats the question of the day. I am sure everyone seems to have the same problem we see them suspended all over the place what to do to get them to eat. Whats the big secret to catching those none interested fish? I must see 30 or more fish over 5lbs every trip.

Pate didnt make it he was 51st in points.

Ever hear of a "BASS CLUB" isn't that what they are all about ???
there are a shit load of them in this area and speaking for myself aree alot more enjoyable than opens......I know there isn't any b.s. going on in our club and if you arnt enjoying open competition join a club...I enjoy fishing opens but raelly look forward to our monthly tourney....

the big fish you see swimming by the boat are not the fish there catching , its the fish you dont see in the stained water. and timing is everything you want to be on the best stretch when the big ones say its time to eat , its a small window that shuts fast. thats why most of the so called pro's dont even put the boat in the water until 10 am . if you can catch a 20lb bag in 90 deg heat with no wind in the middle of the day -think of what you'll catch in the a.m. and late bite in the same stretch.

I have spent quite a lot of time on those sunning fish over the last 2 years, with very limited success. I have long believed those are fish that feed primarily at night and use the sun to speed their digestive process; not fish chased up shallow by lack of oxygen. There are many more fish just out of sight below the level of light penetration. I have caught some of those hanging fish and had them spit up 4-5 bluegill 4" or longer so I know they are not going to bite out of hunger. In the past I have caught a few running a loud black buzzbait at warp speed over the thickest stretches of pads; only get a good retrieve about 25% of the time but get some unbelieveable strikes. I have also caught a few on a big brush hog or other creature bait; cast up unto dry land and eased into the water. Those fish are not going to spend energy chasing a bait on the deep side of the pad edge; they much prefer pinning a bait against a hard edge. Nothing consistent; probably because I need to get better at boat positioning; they are really spooky. I also firmly believe that if one could cover miles of water running a dd-22 or other really deep diving crank into the rocks and ledges one would get opportunities for some real good fish. Not many (myself included) have the patience and stamina for that type of fishing; and this year my bursitis in my elbow has hampered me; but belive me, these fish are eating big sunfish at least 80% of the time.

Now thats good info. Thats what this site should be about sharing good and useful information!!