Getting Started In Tournaments

[Lunker7]

Hello all, I have been fishing since I could hold a rod, and I would call myself an experienced fisherman, however, I have never been in any fishing tourneys, and would like to get started. Can anyone give me some basic advice for getting started?

[Sam]

I looked up your favorite place to fish so I am taking the position you are in the Pocono’s. You can fish a number of different level tournaments. Here are some suggestions.

BASS Northern Opens

Starting in Richmond on the James River you can fish as a nonboater for $450. Check out this web site for more information: http://www.bassmaster.com/open. There are two other Northern Opens, one on Lake Oneida and the other on Lake Erie.

Pennsylvania Region Tournaments

Check out the “Links” at the top of the Forum page and look for the first selection, Bass Clubs. If there are no clubs in your area you can go to the Pennsylvania BASS or FLW Region web page and find the officers and contact them about joining a local club. You can fish the Region’s tournaments if you can find a partner in your or another club and qualify to fish the Pennsylvania Federation Tournament.

Federation Tournaments

One step up from the Region tournaments is the state Federation Tournament. You have to qualify to fish these via the Region tournament standings. You can advance to the Classics via this trail.

Fishing Clubs

The grass roots organizations that have their own tournament trails and if you do well you can move up the chain into their Classics. You will also learn a lot about bass fishing.

Depending on your financial situation and time you can start at the fishing club level and move up or jump into the Opens. To qualify for the Classics you will need to use your own boat as nonboaters are not invited to Classics. There are some nice prizes for the three Open nonboaters including a new Ranger.

This is an excellent way to improve your skills and meet others who love to bass fish.

Many of the professionals started as guides or in local bass clubs and moved up the ladder.

All I can do is suggest joining a local bass club and fishing all of their club tournaments; fishing your Region and State Federation tournaments; and fishing the Opens.

[ww2farmer]

Start as a non-boater and K.I.S.S.

[gripnrip]

I fish as a non-boater. I found a local B.A.S.S. affiliated club in my hometown. There are some great articles out there on being a co-angler and co-angler etiquette.

[Lunker7]

As cool as the bass clubs sound, I'm only 14 and I don't think I could get into any bass clubs. Also, I don't think I have the money. Also can someone please describe to me what non boaters and co anglers are?

[BrianinMD]

Non-boaters and co-anglers are those of us who don't have our own boat. We fish from the back deck of the boat.

[gripnrip]

Hmmmmm that may be a problem in some cases. You will never know until you ask.  

 

A co-angler or a non boater is the person that fishes from the back of the boat in the tournament.  My bass club is always a draw tournament.  Meaning, that we find out how many wants to fish that has a boat.  Then it is first come first serve for the co-anglers.  So lets say there will be 6 boaters.  Then there would be 6 co-angler spots.  When it is a draw tournament names are paired by basically drawing names out of a hat and pairing them with the boaters.  

 

A team tournament is when the boater and co-angler hook up every tournament.

 

In Oklahoma we have a club that restricts the use of motors.  Belly boat, boats with trolling motors, kayaks, etc are used only.  I am sure a person could bank fish in a tournament like that.  You just have to go by the rules. 

 

Fishing in tournaments can get expensive.  I personally give my boater a minimum of $40 bucks for gas.  Tournament fee is $25.  So bare bones I'm out $65.  There is no written rule on having to give them any money for gas. I just choose to do so.

 

PM me if you find a belly boat club.  I can give you some insights how that works.

[Lunker7]

Do you think there are any clubs out there that would allow minors to join?

[gripnrip]

PM sent.

[Sam]

Usual age to qualify to fish a bass club is 16 unless the club allows younger kids to join.

[Leviathan]

Do you think there are any clubs out there that would allow minors to join?

B.A.S.S. associations often have local clubs with Jr.BassAssassins group. but i also am trying hard to be a co-angler at 17 years old, i want to start off and wow the local competition and hopefully the world one day! but, i cant seem to come in contact with any bass clubs near fort myers florida. any sites to post up to be a co-angler?

[Felix77]

Do you think there are any clubs out there that would allow minors to join?

 

Some clubs host kid tournaments which will get you out on the water.  It's not exactly the same but it get's you out on a boat fishing in competition.  Most leagues require you to be 16 as someone else mentioned.

[Felix77]

Start as a non-boater and K.I.S.S.

 

Agree 110%.  

 

Sometimes the K.I.S.S. is the challenge.  Limit yourself to no more than 5 rod/reels and a small tacklebag of stuff.  Anymore than that and you will be spending more time figuring out what to do with your setups rather than fishing.

[Lunker7]

Some clubs host kid tournaments which will get you out on the  

water.  It's not exactly the same but it get's you out on a boat fishing in competition.  Most leagues require you to be 16 as someone else mentioned.

I like the idea, however, the only junior tournaments near me are those "kid fun fests" where a bunch of 7 year olds and their grandpas gather tightly packed around a small stream fishing for very tiny trout. 

[etommy28]

im most every state there are youth clubs its just a matter of finding one near you.

[mattk22]

what does K.I.S.S mean?

[Rangerphil]

^^^PM sent!

[mattk22]

and to think i thought it was some secret back of the boat philosophy, lol.