Tournament Fishing Question

[MIbassin]

Hey guys!

 

I have a question: What should you do if you want to begin fishing tournaments but there are none anywhere near you? How do you enter? do you need a boat?

 

Im looking to maybe start fishing a few but there aren't any near me and i only have a 14 foot boat with a trolling motor

[james 14]

Hey guys!

 

I have a question: What should you do if you want to begin fishing tournaments but there are none anywhere near you?

 

Drive to where there are tournaments or start your own trail.

 

How do you enter?

 

You can't if there aren't any. Each trail, club or individual event has it's own rules and procedures. Some are pretty lax and some are very structured. Either way you've gotta find it first.

 

do you need a boat?

 

Not always. Some clubs have a co-angler format where you fish against other co-anglers who are riding in the back with thier respective boaters. Most clubs are a team format so you could find a friend with a boat to fish with.

 

Im looking to maybe start fishing a few but there aren't any near me and i only have a 14 foot boat with a trolling motor

 

I've won quite a few tourneys out of a jon boat. Granted I also had an outboard but that's not a hard problem to solve. If you can't get an outboard I'd only fish smallish lakes that I was very good on.

 

Tournaments are a fun way to find out just how bad you are at fishing, however, you start to learn and eventually become better for the butt whippings you received.

[slonezp]

Have you tried googling bass clubs in Michigan?

[Sam]

Here is the problem: Time and Distance.

 

Excluding the entry fees, motel charges, auto gas and upkeep,  somethng to eat and a parent to join you for the one or two day tournament you may be out of luck.

 

There are "Open" tournaments but you have to find them.

 

There are tournaments on various lakes and rivers for the local guys but you have to find them.

 

You will not find them on the Internet.

 

So here is what you can do:

1.  Get on the Internet and look up as many tackle shops you can near or on a lake or river and call each one. Also call any guides you can find as they will know where the tournaments are being held.

2.  Ask if they sponsor or know of any tournaments on their body of water.

3.  If they reply in the affirmative you will have to get the details and dates.

4.  Find out how you can fish as a nonboater. Easier said then done with these smaller Opens and private tournaments.

5.  Make a list and show it to your parents and find out if they can take you if you can find a nonboater seat.

 

Remember, the guys don't know you and you don't know the guys. No one wants to be put in a serious situation when you or another young guy complains about being "back boated" or not catching anything and says that something inapropriate happened on the boat, such as the boater cussed or told a dirty joke or made an inappropriate comment.

 

The above explains why many BASS and FLW tournaments have problems attracting boaters to take the younger crowd fishing. It is just not worth the effort.

 

Bass clubs usually limit their age to join at 16 years. You will learn a lot but it can be costly with dues and nonboater fees.

 

So do some research. Call or email fishing guides. Call or visit the various tackle shops up your way and ask them if they know of any open tournaments.  You may even want to check with your state's game and fisheries department as they may have some information for you.

 

Just realize that sometimes the person who answers the phone call has no idea; does not care; and will want to act as the "I know it all" so you have to be nice and try to get to a person who actually fishes for bass and may have been in a tournament or two.

 

Good luck. Get good grades. Go to college. Get that degree. Buy that boat. Get into tournament fishing. Get married. Get our of fishing. Raise your kids. Have a strong career. Get back into fishing. And pay all you can for F.I.C.A.  It happens to all of us.

[Nave]

PM me I can help you out.