Tournaments on Holiday Weekends?

[5alive]

How does this effect you guys? I know I hate it when events are scheduled on holiday weekends. Extra boaters, jet skiers and such, but it is also my time to spend with my family as most of them have this time off as well. I was just wondering how everybody else feels? Good or bad?

[Cy]

I'm not a fan of Holiday Weekend tournaments.  I would rather grill and drink beer then work by butt fishing a tournament.  I fished one last year on the Sat of Memorial day, i didn't mind it because it was close to home.  I would rather not.

Cy

[MBell]

I like tournaments the weekend after the holiday weekend. It's nice to have three practice days or travel if you want.  The extra day gives me a chance to fish some different waters usually farther up north. 
-Matt  

[Durand Dan]

I don't fish Holiday tournaments, too many Amateurs out there. Nothing worst than waiting a 1/2 hour or so to launch because someone is trying to start their motor for the first time all year

[dartag]

Memorial day on Kent is the only one i fish.  i see the BFL Detroit river is on Labor day this year.   

[Waterfoul]

I think the only real acceptable holiday weekend to have a tournemament is Memorial Day Saturday.  It's opening day... what better day to have a tournament.  I've been fishing a tourney that Saturday for a very, very long time!

[Berkley]

I like the opening weekend tournaments also but the other holidays are a pain.

[djkimmel]

I try to discourage tournaments on most inland waters on holiday weekends. The Great Lakes is another story. If someone is holding a tournament on a holiday weekend, make it out of a big facility on a big body of water at least.

I don't personally like tournaments on holiday weekends because of the family thing, the break thing, easier to get with family and friends normally on holiday weekends. I have fished a few in the past. Not many.

[blakstr1]

typically i think its a bad idea to have them on holidays.  way too many people..usually..  personally the only good thing about a holiday tournament is I usually have it off, which means less vacation time used to fish..which is a plus.

[Hooksetter]

Other than Memorial Day, I normally wouldn't fish a holiday tournament. Holiday's are reserved for family time.

Willie

[1javelin]

what holidays???  Someone needs to inform my work about these days so I can rightfully spend them fishing!!  And what family???  I spend more time at work than sleeping!!!  I say, set them up and fishermen will come.  Pay enough to the winner, and I bet almost every one of you would be there!! 

[Waterfoul]

Funny this came up today.  I was at Al and Bobs in Grand Rapids this morning talking with Ben Nielson (manager of the store) and he informed me there will be a charity tournament the Saturday of Labor Day weekend this coming season.  They are looking for 75 boats at $125 a boat.  1st place will pay $1000 and the next 14 spots will pay $400 (based on a min. of 75 boats).  I may just hit this one!
But, I'm single... so my holiday weekends are mine to do with what I want!

[bigjc]

This is a great post!!!  As a tournament director in MI, this is always a struggle, and I have had anglers express both oppinions on this one.  The problem in MI is obviously the minimum amount of weekends that we have to work with, and the huge number of circuits and trails and clubs out there.  I know that I always try to schedule Fishers of Men events around BFL's, and FLW's when they are in town.  Then I try to avoid the holiday weekends, and then there are not many weekends left.  We need to get the DNR to create some sort of legislation that would allow Tournament Catch and Release during the Catch and Release season.  It would help free up ramps during those holiday weekends.   How do think that would fly in Lansing, Dan???

[JCOOPER]

I work every saturday, except holiday weekends.  Having a tourney that weekend would give me an opportunity to fish, where as I have to miss most.

[bosshawg]

 i'll agree w/most and try to stay away from a tournament on a holiday weekend. just for the fact it gets to many boats/people out there and more time is spent watching out for the others as they zoom around you in every which direction. as for family, i've always sent out a schedule of my club tournaments and opens that i'll be fishing and it has always served well when scheduling family get togethers.

[djkimmel]

bigjc, we're a ways off yet from catch-and-bring to weigh in tournaments outside of the regular season. Nothing is impossible, but it would be a lot of work. It will be less work when the time is right and part of my goals for GLBass.com is to prepare everyone for change - like a longer tournament season -something that could actually increase the number of anglers out there, in my opinion.

[Waterfoul]

bigjc, we're a ways off yet from catch-and-bring to weigh in tournaments outside of the regular season. Nothing is impossible, but it would be a lot of work. It will be less work when the time is right and part of my goals for GLBass.com is to prepare everyone for change - like a longer tournament season -something that could actually increase the number of anglers out there, in my opinion.

I would fully support some kind of "tournament season" here in Michigan.