tournament rule help

[bassincali]

i have never fished in a tournament so i need your help is it against the rules to run right up on top of a bank fisherman stop the boat and get them soaked? this happened to me today. i had eye contact so i know they saw me. they were like 10 yards away if that. this happens every time i go out on the delta on the weekends.

[Fogy]

No rule that I know of is written for something like that, but if you can contact the tournament director and see if they have a rule about un-sportsmen like conduct that might help.

[texlwedge]

In a situation like that I would say that common courtesy would apply. These were evidently non-caring folks who didn't have the respect for anyone else's fishing area. I agree with Fogy that if it continues, you might seek out what tourney these folks are in and contact the director. Don't know the location you are at, but there might be more than one tournament going on at one time and could be hard to check out. Get the numbers off the boat and report the incident to your local game wardens of unsafe boating if you want to take it that far. Sorry that it happened and it doesn't reflect all of the guys and gals that are tournament fishing. Most will repsect their fellow angler no matter if they are boating or on the bank.

[OCBassman]

Yea there is a Rule its called RESPECT.   Sorry that happened to you.

  I would do what Tex said get the numbers off the boat and report them to the DNR and their tourney organization. Remember Gerald swindle got DQ'd for unsafe boating in the Classic when he got to close to spectator boats while on plane.

  I am pretty sure there would be some words  at least between me and them if I got soaked.

  I have been club fishing for 2 years as a non boater and all the boaters I have fished with have given a wide berth to shore fisherman.   Like I said in the begening its about RESPECT.

[iClass]

The tournament director has it in his power to disqualify a contestant for unsportsman like conduct as well as unsafe boating.  In most tournaments the directors rule is law.  They do not want people that act in an uncourteous manner or reflect in a negative way on the tournament.  I apologize for this angler and hope he realizes that he is putting a negative light on all Bass fisherman.  Don't let this discourage you, keep fishin!  If you ever make it toward Central Louisiana, let me know and we will hit the river or area lakes around here.

[Beagle]

And u get near the NW part of the state, I'll take you. BTW, a paintball gun would work great in this situation.