Most of the lakes in California have speed limits, and not all boats participating in tournaments can travel at the rate of speed. But if the speed limit on a lake is 40 mph, and a boat(A) entered in the tournament can barely travel 30 mph(due to its engine size,) is it within the rules to pass that boat(A)? or do you and the six boats behind him have to wait until said boat(A) comes off plane?

This post was not meant to single out any boat owners, but rather to clarify a possible rules infraction before it happens. I know all orgs have different rules concerning the passing of boats whether on plane or in a cove during the first run of the morning, but none that I have found have a section on passing a boat that cannot travel the posted speed limit of the given lake...

I used to own a boat that the top speed was about 30-32mph. I was surprised to see the amount of boats that actually did not pass me at blast off in the morning during the TSJ events last year. Now that I have a new boat I have never been in that situation so far. However someone would still have to protest and have a witness. Then the TD would have to make the ruling. That is another rule that Im sure has been broken more than once. I think there should be a specific distance in the rule. Just my 2 cents.

OLD SCHOOL ANSWER: No you don't pass you wait it out. Right Ray...

In all tournaments I've fished, unless it is a called 5mph due to fog or lake conditions(full pool flood), I hold at the lake speed limit(40) if I pass you, your going less then 40 GPS. In a 5 mph area it's "First to the 5 is first to the fish" or first in gets first pick.
At a 2 day club tournament everyone saw where Chris and I caught our fish. The second day we were last boat out and caught and passed all but 1 boat, he was first to the 5. We followed him in at 5 mph about 200 feet back and he was going to where we were the first day. Kept looking over his shoulder to see if we were behind him, he was a little off by a degree or 2, so I just let him lead. When I saw him pull back the throttle and unzip his life jacket I turned and went to the spot. He missed it by 150' a recently submerged bridge over a channel that went back into a large cove. We only caught 1 fish there and went to the other end of the lake later, found the other end of the same road bed and both caught our limits.

Give it up what lake?
jb

Clue: East of Visalia. The boat that beat me was driven by another John must be the name Except his last name was Oliver.
The bridge was on the old road that entered under the axillary dam. We caught Sundays fish on the road bed very close to the aux dam.

Gary Finch, give me a call when you have an opportunity
Thanks
John Barron
909-263-7185