Re: Rude Jetskiers
In regards to the B.A.S.S tourney.. I don't think they are disregarding the laws and rules of safe boating. They are focused on one thing and one thing only....a PAYCHECK! Money has a way of making you oblivious.
I understand what you are saying but I have to tell you that their behavior was absolutely in disregard of the rules of safe boating. I never would have thought that such an organization would not only condone such behavior, but would set an event up in a way that nearly guaranteed it.
I do think they learned their lesson though because they held a redfish tourney here a couple of years later, and the launch point was in Chalmette, LA. This allowed them to use the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) as a route down to the prime fishing grounds. Since this waterway is wide and straight as an arrow, it was much better suited for operation of high spped boats.
I don't particularly care for fast boats but I'm OK with them when operated sensibly. Right after the incident with B.A.S.S. that I mentioned, I wrote a letter to the editor of a popular and well known fishing publication that had done a story on something else that happened during the same tournament. In its reply to me, the publication copied B.A.S.S. I believe it forwarded my original comments to them too. I can't say that B.A.S.S. moved its next event just because I voiced concerns (there were, in fact, many complaints) but the bottom line is that they did move. To that, I say "good for them." I think they made a mistake in the Bayou Segnette location, but they took a look at what they were doing and made a sensible decision to go elsewhere. For that concern and proper reaction, I thank them.
Really, it all boils down to willingness to consider what you are doing and willingness to correct a situation when you fall prey to the plain old human condition known as a bad idea. No one is perfect and you have to respect the ones that are willing to "man-up" and do the right thing the second time around.
