First Tournament, Need Advice!!

[z7master167]

I will add to this. I dont know what kind of boat you are using, but when i had my nitro i would pull up to a spot and fish it for a few minutes and if nothing i would take off to another spot.

The boat i have now is a heck of a lot slower than the nitro, its so slow i think i should get a 15 min head start lol. But one thing it did drastically for me, was made me fish, i cant run and gun with my boat now like i use to and it has helped me out tremendously.

Its funny too because im fishing from a 1978 starcraft with a 25 hp motor and i repeatedly beat the guys in 50-60k dollar boats..

[clark9312]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. We are thinking about fishing a open tourney for a different club this Sunday depending on the weather. Ill let all of you know how it goes.

[slonezp]

I will add to this. I dont know what kind of boat you are using, but when i had my nitro i would pull up to a spot and fish it for a few minutes and if nothing i would take off to another spot.

The boat i have now is a heck of a lot slower than the nitro, its so slow i think i should get a 15 min head start lol. But one thing it did drastically for me, was made me fish, i cant run and gun with my boat now like i use to and it has helped me out tremendously.

Its funny too because im fishing from a 1978 starcraft with a 25 hp motor and i repeatedly beat the guys in 50-60k dollar boats..

You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell

[Lasher]

Just because there is money on the line does not mean you are fishing for money,  prize money is a bonus but not the reason you go fishing.

[jhoffman]

You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell

 

My current boat is a 17' with a 25hp motor. I fish tournaments. Sure I cant run to all the spots and I always get last pick of spots but I still go. Sometimes the guys in the big boats blow right past good spots trying to get away.

[FlipnLimits]

You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell

That's a great reply, in my opinion.  Recalling my humble start in this sport and hobby, I'll gladly debate that the most successful fishermen had their start in small and slow boats.  I recall fishing against the big 150's (huge in the day) while I was putting along to my fishing spots in my slow little rig.  They blew past me coming and going and they always ran around, it seemed.  Knowing I cannot cover water like that, I made the most of each fishing hole knowing I wasn't moving any time soon.  Fishing 4-5 areas, was a lot.  It teaches to surgically pick everything apart with an assortment of baits.  Eventually you learn what works and doesn't and you fish more effectively.  After a number of years, my boats got bigger and faster but my fishing is exactly the same as the humble beginnings.  Now I can run with them, but don't.  I'm still amazed that after an 0600 start, there are guys running around by 0700.  I always figure they must have lots of money to spend on gas or something but I'll fish my slow, methodical, surgical type of fishing.  I realize some guys stop to fish a single depression, rock, stump, log, etc. and thus they move quick but the majority are just pumped up all day and want to use those nice boats.  So as Slone has accurately put it, the guys in the metal boats shouldn't fret, they can be competitive in most waters. 

[Oregon Native]

I won my very first tourney a "BASS Master Western Divisional many years ago on the California Delta. I had the second slowest boat in the tourney and would watch all the boats pass us on their way to their honey holes. My goal was to learn water close to ramp for more fishing time and less stress. Doesn't always work....but still have no complaints and I now have a much faster boat.

[clark9312]

really appreciate it guys. first tourney is in a week. water temp is still in the mid 40s hopin for a warm week and maybe get up to 50. what do you guys like to throw in colder water?

[Wbeadlescomb]

Confidence is the best bait in the tackle box. I fish my strength no matter what. Deep clear water and light line for spots? Not for me if I can help it.I'm headed to the back of a creek looking for laydowns or grass in dirtier,shallower water to flip,swim a jig or throw a square bill.

A lot of these guys are saying go wide open for 8 hours. That's not me I need to sit down and clear my head every so often if the fish aren't biting like I think they should. Ever try to figure something out and just try it every way you can imagine for hours only to go sit down for a few minutes relax and immedately figure it out? I have more times than I can count

Don't fish the same stuff you always have just because you've caught fish there in the past. There really needs to be a rhyme or reason to why you are doing it.Everyone who fishes is guilty of that at one time or another.

You also need to pay attention to the fish are they barely swiping at a spinner bait or chatterbait? Maybe try to swim a jig in the same color or change your bait up slightly, use a different trailer or retrieve. If you catch a couple of fish on wood on wind blown points but not in the backs of creeks on grass look around and see if you can replicate that bite on another point.

Remember to be safe and have fun

[clark9312]

Well me and my partner fished our first tourney and we caught 5 fish all under 15 inches so no keepers. There were only about 8 or 9 boats weigh fish out of 25. The water was still under 50 so it was tough. Got my  next one in two weeks so im hopin to get to weigh in a few then.

[slonezp]

At least you caught some. You should be in prespawn/spawn in a couple weeks. Fish will be putting on the feedbag  

[Fish Murderer 71]

Rule #1 keep at it till the very end, you only lose when you stop trying!  Sooner or later you will win one.  

Rule #2 It's never about the money.  It's all about being the best YOU can be.

Rule #3  Always be flexible and not afraid to try something different.  Don't get stuck in the rut using the same baits over and over (unless they work over and over)

Rule #4  Trust your instincts!!! Trust your partners instincts!!!

Rule #5  Do what the winners do!  Go where the winners go!  I like to walk around and say Hi to all the people before the tournament starts.  Not just to be friendly, but to see what they have tied onto the rods on the deck. Especially those that fish the lake regularly...  Sometimes I use what they do, sometimes I dont.  Any information that can be added to your plans is a plus.

[clark9312]

well tourney number 2 is in the books. This is the lake me and my buddy have been catchin fish but not Saturday lol. The water couldn't have been more muddier. 3.00 lbs won the tournament Saturday.

[FD.]

As the season progresses, don't overlook the first point or flat away from the ramp. Studies in Florida has shown that about half of the released fish eventually migrate back to the area they were originally caught in, leaving half somewhere around the release point. I always fish these spots and usually catch a keeper or two.

[Hattrick7]

Just the topic I was looking for. Great advice guys. I'm gonna be in my first tourney as a non boater tomorrow. Lots of good advice.

[slonezp]

As the season progresses, don't overlook the first point or flat away from the ramp. Studies in Florida has shown that about half of the released fish eventually migrate back to the area they were originally caught in, leaving half somewhere around the release point. I always fish these spots and usually catch a keeper or two.

I noticed this last year We caught the same fish in 2 tourneys, 2 weeks apart. It had some distinctive black markings on it. Weigh in was probably 4 or 5 miles from the location we caught it.