Guides in Competitions

[Brian]

An interesting issue and one that raised its head again in the last week which generated more than a few heated words that i'm aware of.

Was wondering what others felt about this issue.

A competition that is open to the general public is it fair that a guide that fishes the waters of the event as his core business be allowed to enter and compete. Does he / she have an unfair advantage over all others and what in the end do they gain.

Many say guides should not be allowed to enter although i guess they are in a no win situation even if they do enter.

If they win ........ they were expected to
If they do not get a high placing .............. then what sort of guide are they.

What are your views ???

[imported_admin]

Brian

I think it is fine for guides to enter a comp, if the comp is open to the general public then they are included.

There are othe people out there that could have the same amount of time to fish a location full time and be just as clued up on the location as anyone else. If you start banning guides you would have to ban other people that fish the place more than X times a year.

I would figure that most guides enter comps to give back something to the area and show support for the comp and the community. At the same time getting a bit of exposure for their business, much the same as sponsors, or anyone fishing the comp that has sponsors.

[Slates]

G'day Brian.
In the SEQC+R I learnt a fair bit chatting to the guide there that absolutely cleaned up.
As the major prize was not connected to the amount of fish in this comp, it was not an issue to most competitors.
But I can understand how some may be cheesed if the major prize is for the most fish and the like.

Doesn't bother me either way.
Leave them there I say - good source of info!

Cheers, Slates

[Brian]

Agreed slates,

They are a great source of info and as you said if no prizes are on offer so what

The question i guess do people stay away from comps if there are so called pro's fishing in the event ?

I should say i don't care either way as if they are there i'm competing and if they not i'm still competing

[Old_Fart]

I say let them fish.
Most guides specialise in only 2 or 3 dams.
If we let them fish, we have someone to gauge our results against. Most of the guides are willing to share info.
If we barr guides, who do we stop next: those that have won or been placed in an event or those that receive sponsership).
Most events are lacking in numbers, lets look at getting more people to our comps, not stopping them.
.
Cu.
Bruce

[Sweetwater]

Been sitting this one out so far as I think a baits been laid here, but I'll throw my hat in anyways.

It takes more than catching fish to be a guide.
As is all too often the case I find myself working at comps when I'd dearly love to be out on the water myself. I can't comment for most guides but around my area (SE Qld) I've only ever seen Des, Gordon & Motty give their time to help out. I have however seen other guides fishing @ comps, some under assumed names or with paying customers. I don't know why thay'd do that but each to their own.
The best guide could be the worst angler yet a good angler doesn not necessarily mean they will be a good guide. A guide is providing a service that takes much more into account than catching fish. I'm sure that there are far better anglers out there than most guides are, they either don't have the drive to be a guide or don't have the right stuff to be able to do it.
Brian I'll be happy to pass your comments along to Thomo, Motty, Harry, Toddy & Jason if you like. All are guides & all regularly fish comps.
If they win, then good luck to them. The costs involved in running a charter boat are no small biccies, they should be allowed to work the boat as often as possible in the way the owner sees fit. I feel guides should be allowed to enter comps, be it in a bid to win cash/prizes, to socialize with friends or just to have their boat seen (form of advertising).

Prior to starting my new business, I'd won a couple of comps and I've also skunked out on a few too. Like so many have said, your on an arse kickin to nothing no matter what you do, win, loose or draw.
Some of the best sports coaches going were the worst players. Food for thought.
There's also the fact that some guides work many locations while some "non-guides" fish one or two spots only OR fish the spot for a month straight before the next comp. (Pre-fishing)

BTW- There's also one thing worth noting to everyone, if any guide fishes while you're paying them, don't pay them. Put your wallet away because you're paying for their 100% attention. If the guide is fishing then your not getting thier 100% attention. They should only pick up a rod to demonstrate something or unless YOU invite them to.

Cheers,


Sweetwater

[Randall]

OK Fitzy....got a plan!!! You and I will enter all comps. With your guiding talents and my shear arse, we`ll clean up!!!

Maybe the organizers will have to handicap us....surface lures only!! ;-)

Regards, Randall.

[Smithy]

Love your Sweetwater animation. Even got "Tarcoola" the right colour!

[Brian]

Firstly let me make it quite clear I have NOT laid a bait out.

I asked the question as it was being debated in a tackle store the other day when i walked in, I only got the tail end and from all accounts was rather heated.

Me personally i don't give a rats ass if guides fish comps or not there choice, if they pay to enter they have every right to fish rather simple really.

As for giving it to Thomo, Motty, Harry, Toddy & Jason, give it to who ever you want, simply a topic for discussion.

I've found in the past most guides are a wealth of information and offer tips if asked so why not have them on hand, if you want to beat them then learn to fish smarter.

I have already stated i don't give a rats ass if they fish comps or not but some of the comments i have been getting on this issue not all agree.

[Simon]

My two cents.
I think it relates to the comps themselves. Some of the comps that some of the above mentioned fisho's/guides fish in are labeled as PRO events therefore you would expect nothing less than people of that knowledge skill level to enter these comps, and for the rest of us to try and match them in our own fishing endevours. How many of us other fishos have increased our own catch rates purely because of the methods and techniques that these guys and girls use and improve (and share) because they have the opportunity to spend the time on the waterand display them during the these comps. Also because they are guiding they can fine tune the techniques using their clients as guinea pigs making many of the techniques almost foolproof so the rest of us gumbies can catch fish otherswise their business wouldn't be as successful as it could be.
If its a family event and they fish with there family its not about winning or losing its about having a good day on the water with like minded people sharing a great sport wiith their family.

The only comps I think they should not be able to win prizes etc in is the entry level comps to the above mentioned Pro comps. I feel these should be for people to develop there skills enough to give the pro events a shot and have a relistic although sometimes deluded chance at winning. If or when you enter these comps you don't expect to win because you just want a good day on the water but the thought/anticipation that maybe I could win makes it a lot more pleasurable. Some of the excitement can be taken out of the comps at this level when you know your fishing against fishos that have won pro events and just one of there rigs could have fitted out half the gear you have in your boat.

But hay in the end all we want to do is fish and share our experiences with like minded folk.

Cheers

Simon.

[krazyfisher]

I though the idea of fishing was to have fun or catch fish. I though the idea of competition was to compete and this is to win if your good enough to win win ! whats the differance between a guide fishing 2-4 days a week and every day people who fish daily I try to fish 3 times a week but I don't catch alot should I not be aloud to enter or is it ok because I dont catch much? Anyhow let fish and have fun. If a guide beats me I don't feel too bad BUT!!! if I beat a guide gee I would feel good. Maybe brett_finger should not be able to fish for jacks anymore as he already has to many photos of them ha ha
let have fun

[Brian]

Ban the big fella geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz i'd like to see that .

Do you mind if i sit and watch ya try LOL be more fun watching that action than fishing

[Fitzy]

Hi Brian,
Nothing to do with the topic here, rather about Mary River Cod.
Please see post on the Fish Stocking Board.

Cheers,

Fitzy..

[Brett_Finger]

I though the idea of fishing was to have fun or catch fish. I though the idea of competition was to compete and this is to win if your good enough to win win ! whats the differance between a guide fishing 2-4 days a week and every day people who fish daily I try to fish 3 times a week but I don't catch alot should I not be aloud to enter or is it ok because I dont catch much? Anyhow let fish and have fun. If a guide beats me I don't feel too bad BUT!!! if I beat a guide gee I would feel good. Maybe brett_finger should not be able to fish for jacks anymore as he already has to many photos of them ha ha
let have fun

Hundreds
Hookin,TBF

[Muzzy]

Let em fish I say...

its not like they have the only access prior to the comp, just they arse out cause its near em...

But there may be room for a pro field in some comps, that would only improve them as they fish against anglers of the same kin... but it should also be open to mugs who want to give em a razz cause they can. So if the prize thing is pissing the punters off then may be a divided field be put up.

who cares really as we aint in iran!