Drug Tests And Professional Anglers 2024
airborne_angler reply :
Some would say that fishing is a sport. In a sport the competitors are called atheletes. In all the other sports I can think of, the competitors havevto go through drug testing...does the same apply to Professional anglers?
CPBassFishing reply :
I doubt it because fishing is not very physical.
J Francho reply :
On 7/20/2013 at 12:00 AM, CPBassFishing said:I doubt it because fishing is not very physical.
You obviously never had to fish competitively 8 hours in 4' chop with 25 mph winds and rain.
CPBassFishing reply :
good point, but even that is nowhere near as taxing at a sports game.On 7/20/2013 at 12:24 AM, J Francho said:You obviously never had to fish competitively 8 hours in 4' chop with 25 mph winds and rain.
J Francho reply :
You mean like golf or baseball? LOL.
My guess is you fish from shore most of the time.
If you are in shape, you at an advantage. If you are taking PEDs, you are at an advantage. I've heard rumors about doping in the pros, but can't comment, because they are just rumors.
tomustang reply :
I understand the balancing act and standing most of the time, but I think stuffing weights and getting local guides to spot you on tournament days are bigger problems to keep eye on
moguy1973 reply :
http://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default/files/imce/2013EliteRules.pdf
They don't drug test per the rules, but it states clearly in section C6 (iv) in the official BASSmaster rules and regulations:
NEjitterbugger reply :
I use PEDs, boat swinging 15lbs bass like it is nothing!
airborne_angler reply :
I think that drug tests should be mandatory...its not just about fishing...its about boat operation too...and we all know intoxication(whether from drugs or alcohol) while operating a vessel is a big no no...
Felix77 reply :
Sometimes I think Ike is on something. LOL
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 7/20/2013 at 2:25 AM, airborne_angler said:I think that drug tests should be mandatory...its not just about fishing...its about boat operation too...and we all know intoxication(whether from drugs or alcohol) while operating a vessel is a big no no...
Won't happen unless there is reasonable suspicion of intoxication.
Besides, you'd have to be a complete jackass to get high/drunk on tourney day and expect to actually fish for 8 hours with any kind of edge.
Rangerphil reply :
I know of people who use PEDs and I think they would absolutely help in fishing! If you were cranking or throwing a spinnerbait for 8 hours it would help you. However testing for these drugs is very expensive and I would not expect any of the tournament trails to implement this due to the cost.
aquaholic reply :
On 7/20/2013 at 12:30 AM, J Francho said:You mean like golf or baseball? LOL.
My guess is you fish from shore most of the time.
If you are in shape, you at an advantage. If you are taking PEDs, you are at an advantage. I've heard rumors about doping in the pros, but can't comment, because they are just rumors.
are you trying to say that fishing is more physical than baseball?
Goose21 reply :
PED's on the elite tour to gain an edge.
I've heard it all now.
Goose21 reply :
Worst case scenario I could imagine some using stimulants (not sold over the counter) to make it through a day but you'll never convince me anabolics give you am edge out on the lake unless you're with the pals out at party cove soakin' and floatin'.
paangler13 reply :
How many cast would an elite pro make a day? I am guessing over 10,000. that's a lot of repetition over four days of competition. Roids don't just make you bigger, they also help you heal. I would like to think it's not an issue, but I know one thing:
If there is a winner and a loser, there are cheaters.
good luck, stay pumped,
Jim
tomustang reply :
On 7/21/2013 at 10:25 AM, paangler13 said:but I know one thing:
If there is a winner and a loser, there are cheaters.
You telling me when I was younger I cheated to win those pinewood derbys?
flyfisher reply :
Maybe not you but I am sure someone else was and most likely some kid whose dad was living his dreams through them lolOn 7/21/2013 at 11:08 AM, tomustang said:You telling me when I was younger I cheated to win those pinewood derbys?
tomustang reply :
On 7/21/2013 at 11:11 AM, flyfisher said:Maybe not you but I am sure someone else was and most likely some kid whose dad was living his dreams through them lol
If that kids dad wanted to relive being a loser I gave it to him! 
Sam reply :
CP, want a lesson in bass fishing?
Fish a tournament.
8, 9 or 10 hours in the sun, heat, wind, waves, wakes, bugs and rain trying to find the bass and the pattern with your stomach turning as each second ticks off the clock and you have very few or no fish in the live well and there is a nice check for first place hanging in the balance.
Tournament bass fishing on TV only show the guys catching bass. The shows do not show the other 8 hours and 10 minutes of nothing in a 9 hour tournament.
Fishing from the shore is fun. Fishing from a boat is a challenge.
When in a boat you have to hunt to find the bass and the pattern for that hour.
You are limited to a specific number of rods and baits depending on the boat size and if you don't have the bait the bass want you are up a creek without a paddle. This happens to all of us who fish tournaments so research and a planning are critical to tournament success even before you hit the water. One friend in a big Virginia BASS tournament watched his boater nail bass after bass while he could not get a nibble.
Another friend fished with a guy who makes his own jigs. All this guy wants is five bites. That's all. He got his five bites in an 8 hour tournament and won it walking away. If you have the patience and confidence in one bait and want to invest 8 hours fishing then you can be a bass tournament fisherman. You may get skunked, but that was your plan and you stuck to it.
Check out the Ike video, Ike's Rules, Taking the Luck out of the Equation or the one on his website that covers the same material and you will have an idea of what it is like getting ready for a tournament.
So please consider joining a bass club or joining BASS or FLW to fish their state regional tournaments as a nonboater so you can have the enjoyment of meeting others who share our passion and tournament fishing. You will learn a lot if you treat tournament fishing as an educational experience.
And whatever you do, don't fall out of the boat!
aquaholic reply :
On 7/21/2013 at 7:12 PM, Sam said:
8, 9 or 10 hours in the sun, heat, wind, waves, wakes, bugs and rain trying to find the bass and the pattern with your stomach turning as each second ticks off the clock and you have very few or no fish in the live well and there is a nice check for first place hanging in the balance.
Sounds like a bad day at the beach, as far as having your stomach turn as seconds tick off the clock, try coming up to bat with 2 outs in the 9th with your team down and the bases loaded and all eyes are on you to come through.
QuoteFishing from the shore is fun. Fishing from a boat is a challenge.
When in a boat you have to hunt to find the bass and the pattern for that hour.
You are limited to a specific number of rods and baits depending on the boat size and if you don't have the bait the bass want you are up a creek without a paddle. This happens to all of us who fish tournaments so research and a planning are critical to tournament success even before you hit the water. One friend in a big Virginia BASS tournament watched his boater nail bass after bass while he could not get a nibble.
I disagree. All fishing is fun, if its not you shouldn't be doing it. When your on shore you stay on shore, you dont have the option to move around like boaters have. On shore you are limited to what you can carry not your boat size.
Zach Dunham reply :
Don't let this turn into a battle of how hard tournament fishing is versus fun fishing. All fishing is fun. I love to fish tournaments. I've been out on the water from dawn til dusk at the peak of daylight more times than I can count, with only water and barely any food because I didn't want to stop fishing to eat. That is all without any PEDs or stimulants. Not even a Red Bull. If people can do that without any PEDs, then PEDs aren't going to give any advantage. As long as you keep yourself in decent shape (and by that I mean not overweight and maybe run sometimes) fishing is more mentally challenging than physical.
Comparing to baseball is absurd. Baseball players aren't taking PEDs to increase their stamina. It is a baseball game. It isn't that taxing. They are taking PEDs to throw harder (pitchers) and jack more home runs (batters). Golfers may take PEDs to be able to hit the ball further and shorten to the course, or to be able to have more drive through thick rough. There is no direct comparison to fishing. Casting distance? Much more about proper motion and rod/line matched for the bait. I'm not that strong and I can cast a mile. And even the heaviest bass you may have to fight aren't going to put much physical strain on a person considering the equipment available. It isn't like you're fighting a d**n tuna.
PEDs would not have a big effect if any effect at all in fishing. The ONLY thing I could see the argument for here as far as helping goes is a stimulant after a bunch of long days in a row. As far as steroids? That's a joke.
Rangerphil reply :
I will agree to disagree so not to start an argument, but taking steroids or certain PEDs absolutely will help and benefit a professional fisherman! Just my opinion!!
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/22/2013 at 7:27 AM, Rangerphil said:I will agree to disagree so not to start an argument, but taking steroids or certain PEDs absolutely will help and benefit a professional fisherman! Just my opinion!!
Agree completely. PED's are not all about just gaining size and strength, there's a lot more to it than that.
AK-Jax86 reply :
Kevin Van Dam just got busted in the Alex Rodriguez steroid scandal.
Goose21 reply :
Bigger, stronger, faster, more explosive, invreased stamina, and often overlooked, the ability to heal quicker.
All attributes of anabolic steroids and peptides (HGH, insulin, igf, etc..)
Very little benefit when it comes to fishing, absolutely not worth it when you consider risk/reward. Not to mention illegal.
JellyMan reply :
You should see the Marijuana use on the Amatuer golf and Web.com tour... lol
SirSnookalot reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 10:47 AM, JellyMan said:You should see the Marijuana use on the Amatuer golf and Web.com tour... lol
I had have to see proof on that statement, Web.com is the ticket to the PGA tour, too much at stake. There is always the chance that a few may do it but I don't think the use is rampant. I don't know if there is random testing or not but MJ stays in in your system for about a month.
Zach Dunham reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 10:47 AM, JellyMan said:You should see the Marijuana use on the Amatuer golf and Web.com tour... lol
I wouldn't care if they did. Marijuana is far from a performance enhancer and it should never have been illegal in the first place. Smoke all the pot you want it isn't going to help you win. And if someone can still win while getting their high on, congratulations to them.
JellyMan reply :
On 7/23/2013 at 7:49 PM, imanidiot777 said:I wouldn't care if they did. Marijuana is far from a performance enhancer and it should never have been illegal in the first place. Smoke all the pot you want it isn't going to help you win. And if someone can still win while getting their high on, congratulations to them.
My view exactly.
No so much on the Web tour but it is big time in Am golf and golf in general. I was surprised how loose the use was on and off the course by my fellow golfers after I became much more serious about my game throughout my 20's.
But yeah I dont think there is any "drug" that can help you fish lol.
J Francho reply :
Drive 5000 miles, towing a boat. 3 hours of sleep, practice day, tournament meeting, media day, more practice, very little sleep.... I bet you there's some amphetamines kicking around. Iaconelli also recounts many nights drinking heavily, and he wasn't alone. You can't tell me fishing with a hangover is an advantage. I bet there's a little helper going on there.
I'm not accusing all pros, or any specific ones. Just saying it's not as unlikely as you think. I think airborne angler brought up an interesting point.
senile1 reply :
On 7/24/2013 at 1:20 AM, J Francho said:Drive 5000 miles, towing a boat. 3 hours of sleep, practice day, tournament meeting, media day, more practice, very little sleep.... I bet you there's some amphetamines kicking around. Iaconelli also recounts many nights drinking heavily, and he wasn't alone. You can't tell me fishing with a hangover is an advantage. I bet there's a little helper going on there.
I'm not accusing all pros, or any specific ones. Just saying it's not as unlikely as you think. I think airborne angler brought up an interesting point.
Yeah, I would think the most likely usage would be stimulants.
derekxec reply :
hey if i can do 16 hours walking in waist/knee deep water for a couple days while catching fish(and no the dark is not a reason to stop lol) without anything except a few snacks in a plastic bag that floats away without me looking half the time lol then anyone can do it no need to be roid raging especially when there is a chance you could lose hahahaha
Zach Dunham reply :
On 7/24/2013 at 1:20 AM, J Francho said:Drive 5000 miles, towing a boat. 3 hours of sleep, practice day, tournament meeting, media day, more practice, very little sleep.... I bet you there's some amphetamines kicking around. Iaconelli also recounts many nights drinking heavily, and he wasn't alone. You can't tell me fishing with a hangover is an advantage. I bet there's a little helper going on there.
I'm not accusing all pros, or any specific ones. Just saying it's not as unlikely as you think. I think airborne angler brought up an interesting point.
I agree that some kind of stimulant could help depending on the person's situation. I just don't by anabolic steroids making much of a difference. The drinking part is just silly to me. Especially on short sleep. They'd be much better off just lighting up a bowl. lol. Alcohol is NOT fun to deal with on short sleep. And then go outside in the sun all day on a boat? No thanks.
SirSnookalot reply :
I'm not sure how tournaments are set up week to week geographically, but 5000 miles might be just a bit of an embellishment. Lake O to as far as one could drive in Alaska is less than 5000 miles and there are no bass tournaments there to my knowledge. Be interesting to see the spacing between week to week events. 3 hours of sleep to drive to a distance like that, not that it's impossible but not real probable. Sleep deprivation is much like over drinker, one is not in control of their full faculties.
I'ts unlikely on tournament day anyone is blowing reefer, a bag a chips and a nap would be in order. I wouldn't be surprised about amphetamines, but with those there is going to a crash with extended use coupled with minimal amounts of sleep.
Whether fishing is a sport and anglers are athletes one can believe what ever they wish, I have my sentiments on that.
webertime reply :
I'd think Adderall and Ritalin would be fairly abundant out there. Easy to get, cheap, get that 5 cups of coffee energy with no need to wreck a port-a-potty, focus on that line like you read about, and not feeling hungry. Sounds plausible to me.
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 7/24/2013 at 11:11 PM, Crankenstein said:Dumb question: What are PED's?
On 7/24/2013 at 11:48 PM, eddieg said:Personal Enhancement Drugs
Performance Enhancing Drugs
---------------
and actually, as anglers, we often discuss the need to slow down and fish slower in many situations. wouldnt marijuana actually help someone slow down a little?
derekxec reply :
in that case a drunk guys reaction time is pretty slow he could fish a frog all day and never miss a fish hahaha
aquaholic reply :
Is smoking cigars/ cigarettes allowed during tournaments? They have tried to get that banned from golf a couple times because it supposedly calms you down.
tomustang reply :
On 7/29/2013 at 3:24 AM, aquaholic said:Is smoking cigars/ cigarettes allowed during tournaments? They have tried to get that banned from golf a couple times because it supposedly calms you down.
I smoked for almost 20 years, only time cigarettes calmed me down is when i was fiending for one and finally lit up.
aquaholic reply :
On 7/29/2013 at 3:53 AM, tomustang said:I smoked for almost 20 years, only time cigarettes calmed me down is when i was fiending for one and finally lit up.
I only smoked for 5, but i agree, the only time it would have any effect is when you hadnt had a cigarette for a while and started to get antsy.
Zach Dunham reply :
On 7/29/2013 at 3:24 AM, aquaholic said:Is smoking cigars/ cigarettes allowed during tournaments? They have tried to get that banned from golf a couple times because it supposedly calms you down.
I believe it is allowed. There was a recent article on Bassmaster website that was written by a marshal about the experience. He said at one point that Boyd Duckett and Kelly Jordon pulled up to each other and smoked a cigarette together during the tournament.
derekxec reply :
better to not smoke anyway...the smell gets all over your hands and everything else and to non smokers we can smell it even from a mile away lol...and ive never seen a fish smoking before so
Amarley reply :
I talked to an Elite pro in Vegas a few weeks ago (no names to protect the innocent). He said he has never heard of a pro angler drinking during an event. Too much on the line and the competition is thrill enough. Plus these guys are hustling to make a paycheck every week and need their sponsors more than any of us can imagine. Anyone who drank during a tournament probably wouldn't be around long and definitely would lose their sponsors.
He did say that some of the guys party like crazy if they miss the cut on Friday. Hey, no crime there. Overall, he didn't act like substance use was an issue. I've wondered about some guys during interviews and appearance, but I guess it's a non-issue according to this pro.
senko_77 reply :
Drug testing in fishing.....LMAO.
The drug testing industry is such a scam to begin with. If someone goes home after a long day of work and smokes a joint rather than downing a 6-pack like most, then they will test positive for up to 30 days, and in some rare instances, even longer than that. Yet the person that snorted cocaine or took ecstasy during a party on a Friday night would be all good if he/she were randomly tested the next Monday at work. A lot of businesses aren't even doing drug testing anymore for this exact reason. It has been proven time and time again that marijuana doesn't effect brain function in any way. I know that if I were an employer, I would much rather have an employee that was sharp at work and relaxed at home with MJ versus the person who is so stressed from work and everyday life that they are popping doctor prescribed Xanax and other benzodiazapenes that bog you down and make your decision making horrible while at work.
Back on topic with drugs/alcohol on tour....I've heard from numerous people that alcohol is a pretty big part of tour life. I also agree that some sort of amphetamines like Adderall, Vyvanse, or street amps like meth could be a possibility due to the extreme lack of sleep that goes with the lifestyle. I agree with what Speedbead said about being high on the water in the first place. Why would you want to do anything to cloud your decision making in the slightest bit when 100k and a classic berth is on the line.
FrogFreak reply :
I use nicotine and caffeine on a regular basis. It helps I swear!!
"BRB" reply :
Just think how hard you could set the hook all jacked up on roids! The fish would be flying over your head! 
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Only one sport I can think of that's actually.strenuous.. Mountain biking..football.baseball.basketball not so much what do you do maybe a 1 hr game a week then.talk about it for 72 hrs...haha then break a toe off 4 months.like others said try a tourney 3 days in a.row 100 deg temps..4.or 5 times a.month
Nave reply :
On 8/8/2013 at 3:54 AM, senko_77 said:Drug testing in fishing.....LMAO.
This^
aquaholic reply :
On 7/31/2013 at 10:39 AM, derekxec said:better to not smoke anyway...the smell gets all over your hands and everything else and to non smokers we can smell it even from a mile away lol...and ive never seen a fish smoking before so
I found this walking down the river this spring, now you can say youve seen a fish smoking.
Crookedneck reply :
This is a funny thread! 
My younger brother is a weight lifting-meat head, several weeks ago he was home and I took him fishing. We were fishing on Green Bay in some 3-4 footers for smallies. After about an hour he started whining about how sore his calves were. He said it felt like he was doing 240 lb calf squats for the last hour. He had to sit down to keep from crying.
If you were to fish for days like this I could see where PED would be an advantage. LOL!
I would have to say that from some of the reactions I have seen when a fish is missed there is some Roid Rage going on in the pro's.
Jrob78 reply :
Hahahaha, I can't believe y'all are still talking about this.
quanjig reply :
I know a lot of tx's in my area if you win, you are required to take a lie detector test and one of the questions is have you or did you ingest any alcohol or drugs during the tx!
The Young Gun reply :
On 7/20/2013 at 3:04 AM, Felix77 said:Sometimes I think Ike is on something. LOL
Lmao!
flyfisher reply :
I think most of you are missing the benefits of PEDs. It isn't about bulking up or getting stroner per se it is about recoevery time. Most baseball players get busted for either a stimulant or HGH. HGH helps one recover more quickly and stimulants keep you going. Why else do yo uthink once adderall was banned from MLB there was a sudden rash of ADHD cases and subsequent exemptions?
I do agree though that being on any type of tour type event schedule can be difficult to manage and there seems like there isn't enough time in the day . We have all fished from sun up to sundown before but i know i have never done it where i needed that paycheck to feed my family. That brings an entirely different pespective to any activity.
The main differnece in fishing is being stronger really sin't going to help you as much as it does in football or baseball. I also find it pretty hard to think that the pros aren't able to stay in good enough shape to fish every day at a high intensity level.
Master Bait'r reply :
This is hilarious.
I would never fish sober on purpose.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
I agree with flyfisher with the using peds recovery time is deffenitly rated higher imo.... i will say yea you will get tired of standing your boat all day driving hours on end little sleep, it is stresfull and engery depleting.. but baseball.. especially the everyday players playing 162 games ? playing day in and day out well ive only played 98 games in season and let me to you. that is very tough on your body....you cant even compare it to fishing unless you are out of shape and can't stand all day.. or football, hockey, basketball etc... jmo..
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
There is something to compare it to
Baseball schedule:http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=nyy#y=2013&m=7&calendar=DEFAULT
Elite series schedule: http://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/2013-elite-series-schedule
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
On 8/14/2013 at 11:37 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:Only one sport I can think of that's actually.strenuous.. Mountain biking..football.baseball.basketball not so much what do you do maybe a 1 hr game a week then.talk about it for 72 hrs...haha then break a toe off 4 months.like others said try a tourney 3 days in a.row 100 deg temps..4.or 5 times a.month
a 1 hour game?? watching clips from sport center is not a full game... the average time of a 9 inning baseball game is just under 3 hours.. they play mostly everyday and so does basketball which ispretty much all running... football yuo need more time to recovery well for obvious reason getting tackled or hit and running.. have your biggest freinds tackle you then times that by 20.. let him do this to for i dont about 15 times then tell me how you feel the next day...... i bet you would pick sitting on a boat fishing
SirSnookalot reply :
You may call professional fishing a sport if you like, but to call the anglers athletes is a bit of stretch. Watching the U.S. Tennis open those athletes put on an awesome display strength and stamina over a 2-5 hour match with only a few pauses. Tri athletes are amazing, swimming, biking and topping it off with a marathon run.
Master Bait'r reply :
If you can have a triple digit BMI and still be a Pro... It's not a sport it's an activity 
dam0007 reply :
On 7/20/2013 at 12:59 AM, moguy1973 said:
http://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default/files/imce/2013EliteRules.pdf
They don't drug test per the rules, but it states clearly in section C6 (iv) in the official BASSmaster rules and regulations:
(iv) Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or crimesinvolving moral turpitude, or other conductreflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournamentrules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and/or for disqualification after circumstances arereviewed by the Tournament Director. Any disqualificationsuspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding anytournament or fishing organization shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation in a BASS tournamentand/or disqualification from a BASS tournament after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director.Also in section C6 (i):(i)Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any competitor during the official practice or during the tournament will notbe tolerated and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all futureB.A.S.S. tournaments. No alcoholic beverages, other non prescriptionstimulants or depressants, shall be allowed in the boats during the officialpractice or competition days, or when in the weigh-in area.
Chemical subastance addiction/abuse, does nicotin count? Dip/Chew, Cigars, Cigs, etc? Like all things sports related, pros are role models for kids, I wonder how pro anglers are looked at with this. I know baseball was shunning dip/chew for awhile back in the late 90s.
Pavo reply :
well if you are fishing in tournaments and what not im sure you'd already be used to fishing for 8 hours and its a pretty normal thing for you. unless you are new then yah ur not, but honestly i dont see people in fishing using PEDs as a advantage more of personal use or some weird reason.
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