This is exactly the reason I stated that I would like imput from you guys on the contest rules. If things need to be changed as a consensus opinion from those who post, then things will be changed. However there is no need to go into a tirade about my ignorance of live bait, and those who use it.

I've been in the bass tackle business for ten years and am well aware that many trophy hunters, guides, and weekend anglers use bait, and are well within their rights to do so. As this contest goes, however, we are dealing with anglers from all over the state. Some counties and individual lakes prohibit or limit the use of live bait. An angler fishing a trophy producing lake that allows the use of crawdads, mudsuckers, shiners, etc. can conceivably have a considerable advantage over anglers whose home lakes do not allow live bait. In addition there is always the problem of anglers who use illegal bait, or who poach in other ways. This contest will be up to the honesty of the anglers who post fish, and this forum seems to be made up entirely of honest people.

It's up to you guys. This contest is to promote the posting of big fish, and to recognize the anglers who catch them. If allowing live bait angling into the contest will promote participation, then maybe it should be included. I will not make any decision on this issue, it's up to those who posts a response. This is a democratic contest.