Anglers not only have the decision of what species that they want to pursue, but they also have to decide whether or not they wish to participate in tournament formatted fishing events. It’s just one of the many decisions that an angler will make over their fishing span.
  Some choose not to partake in the tournament type event side of the world of angling. Maybe they are more in need of calm serenity on the water where it’s just the angler, nature and the fish. That’s what makes a portion of the folks that love fishing keep going back to the water day after day.
  But, on the other side of the coin is the tournament angler. This angler is driven by competition that not only pits them against the fish, but also against all the other angling competitors in the event. This angler’s first thought of the morning is just how they are going to win an event that may boast over 200 more anglers in search for the same first place prize.
  Who’s to say which is better? Some say that tournaments hurt the fisheries. Others say that they are helpful in keeping up with the lake’s concerns on its fish and habitat. Sure, it’s not necessarily a good thing to be hauling five healthy bass around all day in a small box we call a livewell. It causes stress and can lead to the demise of the fish. But, look how far it’s come to what used to be tournament fishing. Remember the days when tournament competitors held up twenty or more bass on a stringer that were all dead and had been brought to the weigh in? Smaller limits and extremely sophisticated livewell systems along with additives put in the water have brought tournament mortality rates to an all time low.
  Opponents to tournament events may even ask themselves a question. Is it better for the lake if 200 anglers hit the water, bring in close to 1000 fish to the scales and release them, or, would it benefit the lake for those 200 anglers to hit the water for a fun day of fishing and take home a limit to the frying pan? Of course it it’s better to release all the fish. Of course not all are going to live to see another lure, but the majority will. The majority is better than none at all.
  Fish mortality is going to happen in tournament events. It’s just a way of life and we tournament anglers can’t deny it. We can however strive to make sure that each and every tournament fish get their chance at another day. Pleasure anglers can also help in the mortality issue by not taking more than what they are going to use in a night’s sitting. So, whether you are a fan or tournament angling or not, you have to admit it has its up side and down side when it comes to the life cycle of a lake and it’s inhabitants.
  It’s a choice each and every angler can make on their own. They can either make the blood pressure stay a little bit lower and choose not to compete, or they can get a death grip on the steering wheel and hang on for that bone jarring ride to that first tournament hole where they hope to whip all their fishing buddies and ensure bragging rights even if it’s just for the next week or so.