5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Well, been bass fishing since 2011. Got my first bass boat last month. Want to start doing tournaments. Where do I start? I would rather not start out as a co angler. I'd really like to go with my own boat and start that way if possible. I want to ask also will people give me a hard time being that my boat is 90's model and not some new 100k ranger? I'm just starting. Boat looks new since I restored it. I love in central NC and not sure where to look. Thanks! Joe Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted February 23, 2015 Super User Posted February 23, 2015 If you are just starting out you might want to look for weekly jackpot tournaments. If you get into a club you will have someone in the back of your boat and it might stress you out too much at first having that "pressure" on you. Nobody should (if they have anything between their ears) give you crap about your boat. Everyone starts somewhere and the boat doesn't catch the fish. Good luck on your search and let us know what you find/how you do! 2 Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks man. :-) I will do some research and find out and keep posted. Quote
DILLY07 Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Why care what someone else thinks of your boat? Fish in club or a club that is affiliated with B.A.S.S. so you can fish in the North Carolina Federation or Nation. Thats what I do. Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 Dilly, any links you can share? I live in Angier,NC. About 30 minutes from Raleigh. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 When you can consistently put a limit in the livewell! 1 Quote
sprint61 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 If anyone gave you a hard time for something you worked hard to get they need serious help. My boat is a 94 and looks a lot better then most newer boats I see around here. 3 Quote
fish365 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Don't worry about what the other folks fish out of. As mentioned, local weekly tournaments are the best way to start. Don't worry about what everyone else may do either. Some folks run from spot to spot and some stay put and work an area the entire tournament. There are times when both work. Go and have fun. 1 Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Joe, you have a few options. Bass Clubs As written above, join a local bass club and work your way up into the regionals and state tournaments. If you do well you can advance to the BASS or FLW club tournaments with guys and gals from other states. Local Tournaments There are local tournaments that are not publicized. Check with local tackle shops and others in the bass fishing industry within your geographical area to determine if they are any you can fish. In the Richmond area we have open tournaments on Lake Anna; the Pamunkey River; and Ol Hookers on the Historic James River. Once you start your research I am sure you can find weekday and weekend tournaments you can enter to sharpen your skills. If you want to fish with the big boys, then go with a BASS or FLW club and start working your way up the ladder. 1 Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 THANKS SAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 You guys are awesome! Thanks for the kind words about my boat too. ;-) Worked hard on it. Looks/runs great! It's ready!!! Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Don't worry about what people say if they say anything. If they do they're a pretty crappy person to begin with and you can shut them up quick by going out and bringing in a bigger bag than them. Be sure to start out small at a local level. You can join a bass club that's affiliated with B.A.S.S. or FLW that might not be that big, or just some local guys getting together. Once you know that tournament fishing is for sure what you want to do, then start working your way up. 1 Quote
EmersonFish Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 A good way to get your feet wet is a local club where they have relatively small field "buddy" tournaments. I was like you. Had my own boat, and wasn't interested in being a co-angler. At the same time I was new to the game and didn't want the pressure of tournaments where I was assigned a co-angler. Of course, you have to have a "buddy." Luckily, I could fish with my dad, and we knew where each other stood. The only downside I see in that in hindsight is getting a little too comfortable. I wish I would have pushed myself more, and fishing with my dad didn't accomplish that as much as if I would have gone in another direction. But now that I've got more confidence, and that my dad has retired from the game, I can start to take on new challenges. I'm just way behind schedule. As for the boat, I fish out of a Tracker Pro Team 185. Have since 2000. There have been more than a few tourneys where we were the only ones in the field in an aluminum ride, and I never really thought anything of it. When you are in line with the weigh-in bags, it don't matter what boat the fish rode in on. Not saying there haven't been times I wished I had a nice, wide, glass boat; but that will come. In most club tournaments I've seen, slightly older glass boats were a lot more common than the brand new, high dollar rides. You'd probably get more negative attention if you had a $50,000.00 boat and came to the weigh-in with an empty bag. 1 Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 Don't worry about what people say if they say anything. If they do they're a pretty crappy person to begin with and you can shut them up quick by going out and bringing in a bigger bag than them. Be sure to start out small at a local level. You can join a bass club that's affiliated with B.A.S.S. or FLW that might not be that big, or just some local guys getting together. Once you know that tournament fishing is for sure what you want to do, then start working your way up. Thanks man! I'll let the bass weight do the talking. 1 Quote
5 Dollar Fishing Game Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 A good way to get your feet wet is a local club where they have relatively small field "buddy" tournaments. I was like you. Had my own boat, and wasn't interested in being a co-angler. At the same time I was new to the game and didn't want the pressure of tournaments where I was assigned a co-angler. Of course, you have to have a "buddy." Luckily, I could fish with my dad, and we knew where each other stood. The only downside I see in that in hindsight is getting a little too comfortable. I wish I would have pushed myself more, and fishing with my dad didn't accomplish that as much as if I would have gone in another direction. But now that I've got more confidence, and that my dad has retired from the game, I can start to take on new challenges. I'm just way behind schedule. As for the boat, I fish out of a Tracker Pro Team 185. Have since 2000. There have been more than a few tourneys where we were the only ones in the field in an aluminum ride, and I never really thought anything of it. When you are in line with the weigh-in bags, it don't matter what boat the fish rode in on. Not saying there haven't been times I wished I had a nice, wide, glass boat; but that will come. In most club tournaments I've seen, slightly older glass boats were a lot more common than the brand new, high dollar rides. You'd probably get more negative attention if you had a $50,000.00 boat and came to the weigh-in with an empty bag. good plan! Im going to look into that! Quote
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