Building Tackle set for Tournament Season

[SuckAtPhishing]

I am looking to put a well rounded tackle collection together over the next month before I start fishing tournaments in my fishing league.  Now I have a hodge podge of tackle with no real rhyme or reason to it.  I want to have a good base of tackle to fish throughout the early spring to late fall.  I would like to know what would be all in this collection.  terminal tackle, hooks, weights, jigs, cranks, plastics, etc.  Trying to make a good list so I can purchase and organize.  Also I was to fish proficiently as a non boater.  I'd also like to cover most to all fishing techniques.  I know this is asking a ton but I thought I would make a list of those that respond to this.

 

 

 

 Trust me I wont buy everything because thats a good way to go broke, but spending some money wont hurt.

 

 

[MisplacedTexan99]

That's a tall task my friend, I've spent my entire life almost buying tackle and accumulating my collection, I'd say thats probably true for the most of us. Even so I still buy tackle constantly. I can't imagine trying to do that in a month. In my opinion you might need to narrow down a few techniques that you have confidence in and start to build from there. I would start simple, a few Spinnerbaits, Texas rig, Senko, and topwater. Start with the basic colors green pumpkin, watermelon, black soft plastics. I could be totally wrong but that's how I got started.

[TxHawgs]

First thing I would do is get on the Internet and research  the lakes your going to be fishing. Read the current fishing reports to get an idea of what stage the fish are in the color and temp of water ect. Obviously the water info u will research the days before fishing. But find out what lures and lure colors are the dominant ones on the lakes. As I co-angler I only take 5 to 6 rods. I use to take more and it's just too much, for me anyway. Besides a spinning rod for a dropshot take casting rods that can double in techniques. I'm fishing in a tournament today actually and I'm taking 6 rods although I don't like taking that many. 1 Spinning rod for my dropshot. 1 MH-MF CBR for chatterbaits. And 4 casting rods 1 M-F for Tx rigs or Shakyheads 1 M-F for wacky rig 1 MH-XF for weightless Senkos 1 MH-F for a Splitshot rigs. The CBR will have a 6.4 reel and the other will be 7.1 and 8. something gear ratios. I could go on and on but need to get my stuff ready as I'm leaving in 2.5 hrs hope this helps.

[RichF]

You'll drive yourself nuts trying to make sure you "cover all the bases."  If you're fishing as a co-angler, you're limited on space.  And in a tournament, you're limited on time.  What you DON'T wanna do, is try and cover "every" technique available.  I've made that mistake in the past.  You end up spending more time on the water tinkering, re-tying, and trying to find the perfect bait, instead of actually fishing.  Pick a few baits that you have confidence in and focus on those.  Just make sure those baits can cover all columns of the water.  Don't get too hung up on colors either, that's a good way to end up with a few hundred baits in your bag.  I basically choose a light color and a dark color for all my baits.  

 

A good way to reduce the amount of stuff you bring is to focus on the details of the bodies of water you fish.  I see that you're in WI so my guess is your lakes will fish like the ones I'm used to in NY.  Clear, natural lakes, with a ton of submergent vegetation.  If that's indeed the case, you can eliminate a bunch of baits that will likely not be very effective under those conditions, like jumbo crankbaits, jigging spoons, etc.  Also try and figure out what the dominant species in the particular lake is.  If it's smallmouth, you probably won't need a bunch of flipping jigs and frogs.  If it's largemouth, don't worry about loading up on tiny finesse baits.  Even though I no longer fish a lot as a co-angler that often, I still try and pack/prepare for specific bodies of water.  Having too many options on the water is a sure way to make your head spin.   

[Mike L]

On 3/9/2017 at 9:35 AM, RichF said:

You'll drive yourself nuts trying to make sure you "cover all the bases."  If you're fishing as a co-angler, you're limited on space.  And in a tournament, you're limited on time.  What you DON'T wanna do, is try and cover "every" technique available.  I've made that mistake in the past.  You end up spending more time on the water tinkering, re-tying, and trying to find the perfect bait, instead of actually fishing.  Pick a few baits that you have confidence in and focus on those.  Just make sure those baits can cover all columns of the water.  Don't get too hung up on colors either, that's a good way to end up with a few hundred baits in your bag.  I basically choose a light color and a dark color for all my baits.  

 

A good way to reduce the amount of stuff you bring is to focus on the details of the bodies of water you fish.  I see that you're in WI so my guess is your lakes will fish like the ones I'm used to in NY.  Clear, natural lakes, with a ton of submergent vegetation.  If that's indeed the case, you can eliminate a bunch of baits that will likely not be very effective under those conditions, like jumbo crankbaits, jigging spoons, etc.  Also try and figure out what the dominant species in the particular lake is.  If it's smallmouth, you probably won't need a bunch of flipping jigs and frogs.  If it's largemouth, don't worry about loading up on tiny finesse baits.  Even though I no longer fish a lot as a co-angler that often, I still try and pack/prepare for specific bodies of water.  Having too many options on the water is a sure way to make your head spin.   

Ditto

Everything Rich posted is exactly right. 

 

Being a co angler, is hard enough sometimes for a lot different reasons,  the last thing you want to do is spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to throw where and when, And then re rigging every 10min. Keeping it as simple as you can to maximize your efficiency is critical.

 

But it's easier said than done. 

I bring 7 combos which more times than not is too many but I've learned my lesson the hard way too many times. 

 

I'd rather have it and not use it than not have it and need it. 

 

I bring one box each of stick worms, swim baits, creature baits, cranks and jerks, top water, frogs, spinner/chatterbait and terminal tackle all stuffed in my bag. 

 

If you have the right bag and organize it right you'll have everything at your disposal for quick change outs. 

 

I rig the night before for what I plan to throw depending on where and what my boater's plan is for the day..But ready to switch gears immediately.

 

Good Luck

 

Mike 

[SuckAtPhishing]

On 3/11/2017 at 10:10 AM, Mike L said:

Ditto

Everything Rich posted is exactly right. 

 

Being a co angler, is hard enough sometimes for a lot different reasons,  the last thing you want to do is spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to throw where and when, And then re rigging every 10min. Keeping it as simple as you can to maximize your efficiency is critical.

 

But it's easier said than done. 

I bring 7 combos which more times than not is too many but I've learned my lesson the hard way too many times. 

 

I'd rather have it and not use it than not have it and need it. 

 

I bring one box each of stick worms, swim baits, creature baits, cranks and jerks, top water, frogs, spinner/chatterbait and terminal tackle all stuffed in my bag. 

 

If you have the right bag and organize it right you'll have everything at your disposal for quick change outs. 

 

I rig the night before for what I plan to throw depending on where and what my boater's plan is for the day..But ready to switch gears immediately.

 

Good Luck

 

Mike 

thanks thats awesome insight... do you have a specific bag you had in mind?  i have a fishing backpack for pond hopping but was wondering what you were thinking? thanks

[NorthwestBasser]

I'm a co Angler myself, I use a medium sizes tacklebag, it's the Abu garcia brand bag, it holds 4 3700 size boxes. One has stick worms, one has creature baits and jigs, on has cranks and jerkbaits, and one has swim baits. I stuff some extra bags of soft plastics in side pockets along with pliers, scissors, extra spools of braid and flouro, my facemasks, scale, finweights and culling tags. This size bag doesn't seem to scare my boaters, haha. I also have a backpack with raingear, some snacks and drinks, extra hoodie (depending on the weather) and a smaller Plano box with my terminal gear, hooks, weights, snaps and some extra jig heads of various types and sizes. I bring 3 baitcasters prerigged with what I plan to start with and a plan on what each rod can double technique as if I need to switch things up. And my spinning gear for dropshots. As far as getting a collection of tackle, set an allowance and stick to it, I've been in the dog house too many times with the woman over tackle purchases and have found if I just stick to an agreed upon budget life is just easier. Plus when you only have so much to spend, it gets spent much more efficiently and precisely. What that tackle is only you can ultimately decide. But some swimjigs, football heads, ned rigs and shakeyheads... deep cranks and squarebills, jerkbaits, topwater poppers/frogs, "senkos" and finesse worms, trailers for your jigs... that's where I'd start. After that start adding some swimbaits. If you start with keitech style swimbaits you will eventually gtaduate to harness rigs and glidebaits. At least i did...

[Deleted account]

On March 8, 2017 at 10:47 PM, SuckAtPhishing said:

I am looking to put a well rounded tackle collection together over the next month before I start fishing tournaments in my fishing league.  Now I have a hodge podge of tackle with no real rhyme or reason to it.  I want to have a good base of tackle to fish throughout the early spring to late fall.  I would like to know what would be all in this collection.  terminal tackle, hooks, weights, jigs, cranks, plastics, etc.  Trying to make a good list so I can purchase and organize.  Also I was to fish proficiently as a non boater.  I'd also like to cover most to all fishing techniques.  I know this is asking a ton but I thought I would make a list of those that respond to this.

 

 

 

 Trust me I wont buy everything because thats a good way to go broke, but spending some money wont hurt.

 

 

 

If your tackle is hodge podge, then hodge podge is what you should fish. Tournament time isn't the time to experiment or try something different. Most good coaches regardless of sport will tell you " practice like you compete, compete like you practice". Fish your strengths no matter how strong they actually are. 

[primetime]

Let me know if you ever figure it out. I have found that weights and hooks and terminal tackle are the most important and also only bring stuff you will use for that lake. If fishing weeds all day you can leave most lures at home.

 

One issue I used to run into in tournaments was bringing too much stuff and constantly changing lures. I would probably waste a good hour per day changing baits out of frustration. The guys who do well really do not bring much tackle, they just make as many casts as they can with confidence lures.

 

 

If your favorite way to fish is with Plastic worms, then fish plastic worms. They will always work, just have sizes and colors, weights etc. I never try to copy a technique I am not good with just because it is working for everyone else. Most guys will give you the right stuff if the fish are only hitting a certain bait you don't have.

 

I find only bringing a few rods and having a plan before I fish and then sticking with it to be the best way to go. If you love a Senko, you can throw a Senko anywhere and anytime and if you are confident, you will catch fish over the 8 hours. Bass are Bass, but overthinking sure can happen. I am the worst at condensing tackle, I end up stuffing my pockets with crap I never use anyway.

[Fishin' Fool]

On 3/8/2017 at 10:47 PM, SuckAtPhishing said:

I am looking to put a well rounded tackle collection together over the next month before I start fishing tournaments in my fishing league.  Now I have a hodge podge of tackle with no real rhyme or reason to it.  I want to have a good base of tackle to fish throughout the early spring to late fall.  I would like to know what would be all in this collection.  terminal tackle, hooks, weights, jigs, cranks, plastics, etc.  Trying to make a good list so I can purchase and organize.  Also I was to fish proficiently as a non boater.  I'd also like to cover most to all fishing techniques.  I know this is asking a ton but I thought I would make a list of those that respond to this.

 

 

 

 Trust me I wont buy everything because thats a good way to go broke, but spending some money wont hurt.

 

 

 

I agree with what others have said.  Fish your strengths.  Learn from each tournament and add to your arsenal as you can afford it.  Sometimes the more your learn, the more confusing it gets.

[Fishes in trees]

Speaking from experience, trying to correctly gear up as a co-angler can drive you nuts.

In hindsite, I was the "French general" of tackle organization, i.e. I showed up totally prepared to fish the previous tournament.   I haven't fished co-angler for a few years now and I have a better sense of perspective.

 

Step A - get a good rod bag - it makes life much easier transporting rods from your hotel room/vehicle to the boat & back.   Gear wise - I carried 2 medium sized bags but they were both only half full.   One with boxes and "hard stuff"  I had velcro straps and I would strap that bag to the back seat post.   That made it easy to slide to one side or another, out of the way, and it was always reachable.   The other bag with "soft " stuff I would throw on the bottom of the boat, on the floor and/or underneath the passenger console.

 

Rods would vary according to which lake I was on.

 

Other necessary gear - get a GOOD inflatable life jacket.  Don't depend on your boater for your jacket.    Get a GOOD rain suit.   I got 2 suits - Cabelas Guide Wear and a set of Frogs Toggs.   On a windy rainy late May/June day Frogg Toggs are more comfortable than the Guide Wear is.   There is such a thing as being too warm.   Actually pay a lot of attention to your clothes in general - it makes a big difference - regardless of the weather the more comfortable you can be the better you'll fish.   A pair of those stretchy rubber overshoes makes a big difference if it is raining a lot and will keep your feet warmer and dryer.

 

Fishing where you are in Michigan - I'm unfamiliar with local conditions but I would always have a drop shot rod and always have a shakey head rod and it wouldn't be the same rod

[Mike L]

On 3/11/2017 at 11:10 AM, Mike L said:

Ditto

Everything Rich posted is exactly right. 

 

Being a co angler, is hard enough sometimes for a lot different reasons,  the last thing you want to do is spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to throw where and when, And then re rigging every 10min. Keeping it as simple as you can to maximize your efficiency is critical.

 

But it's easier said than done. 

I bring 7 combos which more times than not is too many but I've learned my lesson the hard way too many times. 

 

I'd rather have it and not use it than not have it and need it. 

 

I bring one box each of stick worms, swim baits, creature baits, cranks and jerks, top water, frogs, spinner/chatterbait and terminal tackle all stuffed in my bag. 

 

If you have the right bag and organize it right you'll have everything at your disposal for quick change outs. 

 

I rig the night before for what I plan to throw depending on where and what my boater's plan is for the day..But ready to switch gears immediately.

 

Good Luck

 

Mike 

 

19 hours ago, SuckAtPhishing said:

thanks thats awesome insight... do you have a specific bag you had in mind?  i have a fishing backpack for pond hopping but was wondering what you were thinking? thanks

 

After going through 4 bags the last 3 years the best one in relation to size, compartment's, access etc.is the 3700 Plano A Seies bag. I like it better because it has 2 transparent flip open compartmens on the top. I put in a variety of baits and tackle before each trip so as I want to change something I dont have to rummage through the bag looking for the right box etc.

The 3600 is smaller of course and perfect for walking a bank or for a kyack.

 

1 tip if you get one...the design of the snap lock for the top is very poor, it has a tendency to open when tipped..Just add a velcro strip on each of them and you're good to go. 

 

The 2nd best was the older design of the Flambeau AZ8 bag with the bungee strips across the top.

It was bigger but also very user friendly.

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Quarry Man]

find 3 brands of each type of hardbait you like and buy 3 of 3 colors or 2 of 4 colors.

find a few brands of plastics you like and have at least 15 -25 of each color you like

have 10 hooks of each size and style

have 10 tungsten worm and flip weights of the most common sizes and less of the less common ones

stick to craw, green pumpkin, and black blue for skirted lures.

hope this helps