There was an article on BassFan this week that I'm sure will have alot of attention. The WBT Classic Spot Tuesday, October 30, 2007 by Harold Sharp             (Editor's note: Harold Sharp was the first tournament director Ray Scott hired. Sharp left BASS long ago, but as all readers of BassFan FeedBack know, he still cares passionately about the sport.)

http://www.bassfan.com/Opinion_article.asp?ID=107

IN MY OPINION:

Harold Sharp:  "I was there when it started, and women weren't allowed to fish BASS tournaments for a very good reason. When the first BASS rules were written, we were very concerned about the possibility that anglers would cheat. Fishermen already had that reputation, so we had rules to try to prevent that. "  

If I understand this correct.... 1st...Rules were created because of possible cheating.    Is he assuming that WOMEN Would make it Worse.. Since Men already had a Reputation of Cheating.. Then HOW does this make it worse???  Also, was he worried about Women Cheating with the Angler? 

Harold Sharp:  We installed a rule that two anglers in competition against each other would always be paired together in the same boat and must stay in sight of each other and their catch at all times until the weigh-in, which was usually 6 or more hours covering many miles of water.

Not many people can go this long without a bathroom break, which isn't a problem for males, but it would create a problem if a female was in sight. So for that reason alone, women weren't allowed to fish BASS tournaments

Let me first say, that by this point you have already given 2 reasons. 

I use to buy it, I thought that it was a legitimate argument until I had the opportunity to actually go out and fish in tournaments and realized that it was Never an issue on the boat, with my Male or Female partners.

Just an issue with some small time Bubba's that are afraid the world might see there goods..   Which is totally funny in today’s age with digital cameras? Videos, zoom lenses and You Tube... maybe they shouldn't be going to the bathroom outside at their leisure anyway.

This takes me to another point... Our lakes and resources, what about them?  Do they need it? Shouldn't we be trying to make sure we don't pollute them with human waste?

There are products out there that can make sure it’s not an issue, and there is a product out there that can end this debate immediately.

First:  Bassrooms -   www.coveryourbass.com provides the solution for the problem.  The portable covered bathroom pops up and closes in minutes.  Providing coverage and a safe disposal system.

I would have to be asking myself if Harold would have allowed Women to participate if the bathroom system had been around when the great old world of BASS Started... or if we would still have a Cheating Problem.

Just one girls thoughts.

Terri