Fair or Cheating?

[mako1]

What if a wealthy boat owner sent a go-fast center console (50 mph+ boat with weather permitting) out the day before the WMO or MA500 to search the water in multiple canyons for life (breaks, bait, good temp, etc.). No fishing, just run-gun searching to give this info as an advantage to the owner that was on a large sportfisherman / custom that was fishing the next day. Would this be fair?

How about if they were out there on a fishing day, possibly a canyon north or south searching and called in better conditions (busting bait, tailing fish, etc)? Would this be fair?

I would say this would be borderline cheating...

[Snapp]

I say its fair. Anyone can do it. You don't think boats get intel on VHF or SSB the day of/during the tournament???? Everyone who fishes has a friend that fishes.....

[Swami]

Fair. You can get most of the same info from Hiltons, Roffs, etc. There are guys over here in the Gulf that will charter private aircraft (or use their own) to fly around looking for weedlines and stuff, so having a scout boat isn't that big a deal.

Still gotta hook 'em and then land 'em before you can count your winnings...

[LuckyLady]

I say fair. Its no different than your buddy calling you in from a sat phone or vhf or even pre-fishing for that matter. Everyone does it in some shape or form.

[Mike15]

This is certainly fair. And I don't care how you cut it or twist the story the more boats, planes, resources (aka money) you have at your disposal the bigger advantage you have period. Some west coast teams like bad company have 3 boats entered in the same tournament all under the same name. Talk about increasing your odds!

[WahooKing]

What if a wealthy boat owner sent a go-fast center console (50 mph+ boat with weather permitting) out the day before the WMO or MA500 to search the water in multiple canyons for life (breaks, bait, good temp, etc.). No fishing, just run-gun searching to give this info as an advantage to the owner that was on a large sportfisherman / custom that was fishing the next day. Would this be fair?

How about if they were out there on a fishing day, possibly a canyon north or south searching and called in better conditions (busting bait, tailing fish, etc)? Would this be fair?

I would say this would be borderline cheating...

Why not just fish on the go fast boat? And incorporate the advantages into your overall tournament strategy...I've seen plenty of go fast outboards beat out a field of sportfishers on game day.

[Anders]

fair, things could easily change over night, like it has already been said, you gotta hook them and get them to the boat still

[bigfish4me]

Fair...no different than pre fishing...or getting the call from one of your buddies.

[BigSteads]

If your not pre-fishing anyway your only hurting yourself when it comes game time.

Using ones resources in ANY sport is crucial to winning. Its part of the competitive spirit and why we do it.

Do you read the rule book for what you can't do? or can do?

[Wireman]

Of course it's fair. That wealthy guy sending another boat out is paying for fuel, crew, etc to get that updated knowledge. It really wouldn't give you too much of an advantage due to conditions constantly changing with every hour and tide.