scyounggun Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I am a freshman in college right now and have a 17ft Carolina skiff that I saved up and bought this past summer. I purchased the boat so I could fish salt and fresh water. I primarily bass fish and wanted to start fishing some little tournaments and was curious as to everyones opinion on this. Thanks in advance. Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 The biggest thing is making sure you can keep a limit of fish alive and well for the length of a tournament. Other than that, you should be good. Some tournaments have hp or length requirements. Check that out also. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 All clubs require an operating livewell. Some have HP requirements. I've been fishing bass tourneys for 10 years and have never owned a bass boat. 1 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 Like these guys said, as long as you can keep a limit alive in it and it meets the hp and/or length requirements you should be fine. It's not the boat that catches the fish anyway! Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 I don't think the fish are going to check out your boat to see if it's a bass boat or not to decide whether or not they should take your lure. Yea, from the personal macho/ego aspect you want to show up in your 20'+ $50,000 bass rig in full wrap, with twin power poles on the back, $10,000 worth of electronics and a 1/2 dozen $500 rod & reel combos. Then at the end of the day have your butt handed to you on a platter by some guy in his little low budget Carolina Skiff. As long as you meet tournament rules, the fish ain't gonna give a crap about what kind of boat you have. Go, have fun and learn. You learn by doing, it. It can actually make you better because you don't have a 75 mph boat you can chase all over a lake with and those high dollar electronics. You learn to read the conditions, find and catch fish in what you have available. Quote
scyounggun Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 The boat doesn't have a built in livewell, but I have a large cooler that I put a pump and spray bar in that I use as a livewell and I have not had a problem with it keeping fish alive. Would it not being a permanent livewell cause any problems rules wise? Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 I would suggest you find a local club you would like to join to start with. Then check with them on what their requirements are. That's the best way to get your feet wet, as the old saying goes. Open tournaments tend to be a lot more restrictive and can have some pretty high entry fees, probably something you are not really ready for yet. Quote
scyounggun Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 Just sent a message to a club I am interested in fishing with and asked. Thanks! Quote
Matthew2000 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Or you could be a co-angler. What lakes do you plan to fish ? Quote
scyounggun Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 Mainly lake Murray and maybe greenwood or Monticello a little. I got a reply this morning and they said my livewell would be fine for the tournaments they have. Its a small club who fishes Murray once a month. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 A Carolina Skiff would be an awesome bass boat. Quote
scyounggun Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 A Carolina Skiff would be an awesome bass boat. I love the front deck on it with the way the front is flat instead of pointed it has lots of room for a boat that size. Quote
Patrick Morrow Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 If you are keeping the fish alive then who cares what boat you use. Quote
bigdave2619 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 we used a g3 walleye boat for about a year but we were used to fishing out of it didn't have any problems but most tournaments require a actual working live well. good luck to you. Quote
scyounggun Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 we used a g3 walleye boat for about a year but we were used to fishing out of it didn't have any problems but most tournaments require a actual working live well. good luck to you. I checked with the club I wanted to fish with and they said my cooler set up would work. Its a 120 quart marine cooler with a bilge pump feeding a spray bar and I will cycle in fresh lake water every so often and I use an aquarium thermometer to control the temp and match the lake. Quote
thomas15 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Question: In general, what is the required min. size of the live well for tournaments? I know these things vary but just like to know. My livewell holds 10 gallons btw. I'm not planning on fishing any tournaments. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Question: In general, what is the required min. size of the live well for tournaments? I know these things vary but just like to know. My livewell holds 10 gallons btw. I'm not planning on fishing any tournaments. The tournaments down here do not have required size limits but it better hold 20-30# stringers & 10# plus bass. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.