Finding Tournaments

[Tuffy1123]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been fishing in some local tourneys for a few years now and I want to take the next step and find some more competitive tournaments. I have two real questions, one is where can I find some good tournaments in my area? I'm from northern Illinois. And two, how does one become a "pro" tournament fishermen? Do you have to win a certain amount of amateur tourneys? 

 

Any help is greatly appreciated. 

 

Thank you

[JigMaster4]

I would suggest looking to join some of the FLW tours either as a boater or nonboater depending on your situation. Once you start doing good in those you will work your way up.

[slonezp]

If you have a boat and cash, you can enter any of the major opens. There are local chapters of BASS in northern IL. Also, if you are familiar with the Fox Chain, there are currently 4 trails that fish tourneys. Anglers Choice would be the closest to "pro" tourneys. Cash payouts upwards of $1500 for first place on tourney day. If you qualify for the tournament of champions, you can fish for one of 3 boats and a chance to fish the Bassmaster Classic. They also have a trail on Pool 13, Braidwood, more lakes in southern IL and southern WI  http://www.usanglerschoice.com/index.asp  Chuck Ramke is the tournament director for the Fox Chain. His contact info is in the link

[CDMeyer]

On 5/7/2016 at 11:08 PM, Tuffy1123 said:

Hello everyone,

 

I have been fishing in some local tourneys for a few years now and I want to take the next step and find some more competitive tournaments. I have two real questions, one is where can I find some good tournaments in my area? I'm from northern Illinois. And two, how does one become a "pro" tournament fishermen? Do you have to win a certain amount of amateur tourneys? 

 

Any help is greatly appreciated. 

 

Thank you

 

In order to become a pro you must qualify in that leagues "minor-league".  For the BassMaster Elite Series that is the Bassmaster Opens.  For the FLW Tour that is the FLW Costa Series (its changes its name a lot it was Rayovac Series last year).  There is also a way to qualify through fishing a local club that is affiliated with B.A.S.S or FLW.  this goes as so 

Club-Zone-State-Region-National (I believe they take something like top 10% on from each level, then the top 5 at national or some small n umber like that get a invite to fish the pros).

My bets advice for you would be to fish the FLW BFL which is the league below the FLW Costa Series (So the league below the minor League) then when you feel ready move to the Costa Series.  I would also look to join a B.A.S.S or FLW affiliated club in your areas.

You can go to FLW.com to find BFL tournaments near you and you can ask around on here or Google Clubs near you.   

[blckshirt98]

Also try calling a local marina or tackle shop about upcoming tournaments.  They usually have that info ahead of time to prepare for the influx of people.  Also many of these local tackle shops will have flyers or people on staff fishing in some of the local regional tournaments that could give you some more info.

[Sam]

As Blackshirt states above, please contact a local tackle shop or some of the guys who fish tournaments in one of the big box stores as there are many "Tuesday Night, Sunday, Wednesday Night, etc." tournaments all over the place.

If you win any money in any tournament then you are considered a "professional."

Of course, there are levels of professionals in bass fishing so if you want to be a well known "professional" you have to win tournaments and fish and win the FLW and BASS Northern Open tournament trail events.

Also consider fishing the Fishers of Men tournaments.

Please introduce yourself in the Introductions section of the Forum.

Good luck and we look to read about you in Bass Times real soon!