What was the deciding factor?

[Wurming67]

I'm curious what was deciding factor that made you decide to start tournament fishing?Thanks guys!!!

[Bluebasser86]

I like competition and I like fishing, seemed like the obvious choice. 

[ww2farmer]

It was simple. I like bass fishing, and sometimes when I would go bass fishing on my home lake there would be a tournament going on. So instead of being in the way or trying to avoid the guys fishing in those tournaments, I just started entering them. 

 

I also run quite a few tournaments now, and have for a while. The decision to get into doing that was pretty simple too. The tournaments I liked to fish.......I.E. small field, inexpensive entry fee team opens were becoming a thing of the past on my home lake. The guys that were running them were getting out of it, so I bought a scale and stepped in to fill the void.

 

I am not in it for money, because even if we cash or win it's never more than a couple hundred bucks. I have no ambition to fish tournaments on a larger scale either. If for some reason, no one ever wanted to fish tournaments on my lake anymore, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, and would just keep fishing for fun.

 

I have learned a lot from tournament fishing, but I fish tournaments just like it's a "regular" day of fishing and do quite well. Mostly because of my exp. and knowledge of my home lake. I do OK on Conesus too, but get me off those two lakes and I would probably be just another face in the crowd. 

 

The most important things tournament fishing has taught me is, how to grind during tough bites when you HAVE to catch fish as opposed to just calling it a day and heading back to the launch during a recreational outing. And also that there's more than one way to skin a cat, if they are not biting my way, someone, some how is going to figure them out, and that's led me over the years to expand my skill set beyond my personal comfort level or preferred ways to fish.

[Wurming67]

Makes sense but was it turning point in your fishing that gave that push to do.it?Reason I ask is I don't tournament fish but I been spending alottt  of time on the water and I feel I'm going to another level of my fishing and I'm entertaining the though of fishing tournaments

[ww2farmer]

29 minutes ago, Wurming67 said:

Makes sense but was it turning point in your fishing that gave that push to do.it?Reason I ask is I don't tournament fish but I been spending alottt  of time on the water and I feel I'm going to another level of my fishing and I'm entertaining the though of fishing tournaments

I am not sure what your asking. If you go into tournament fishing thinking your have all the answers, or are the next KVD because you can catch them good when no one is looking and the pressure is off, your in for a surprise. I don't say that in a disparaging way either.  If you don't like to loose, can't handle being humbled, and/or  can't deal with stress on the water, your gong to get a lesson real quick in those departments jumping into tournament fishing.

 

Before I started tournament fishing I could catch fish, I could catch big fish, and I could catch fish doing multiple things, during any season. For me tournament fishing was not going to a "next level" it was just seeing how I stacked up to other good anglers on my lake. Turns out...I stack up pretty darn good LOL, but it wasn't without a few teething pains in the early days. Once I got the hang of it, I have put a little spending money in my pocket, earned a few bragging rights, and learned a few new tricks along the way.

 

There is an "it" factor at play here that I can't describe. Some people have "it", some people don't. I know lots of good bass fisherman that melt under tournament conditions.

[BrianinMD]

Love fishing, competition and wanted to challenge myself. The time spent with a great groups of guys is a big bonus.

[Wurming67]

4 hours ago, ww2farmer said:

I am not sure what your asking. If you go into tournament fishing thinking your have all the answers, or are the next KVD because you can catch them good when no one is looking and the pressure is off, your in for a surprise. I don't say that in a disparaging way either.  If you don't like to loose, can't handle being humbled, and/or  can't deal with stress on the water, your gong to get a lesson real quick in those departments jumping into tournament fishing.

 

Before I started tournament fishing I could catch fish, I could catch big fish, and I could catch fish doing multiple things, during any season. For me tournament fishing was not going to a "next level" it was just seeing how I stacked up to other good anglers on my lake. Turns out...I stack up pretty darn good LOL, but it wasn't without a few teething pains in the early days. Once I got the hang of it, I have put a little spending money in my pocket, earned a few bragging rights, and learned a few new tricks along the way.

 

There is an "it" factor at play here that I can't describe. Some people have "it", some people don't. I know lots of good bass fisherman that melt under tournament conditions.

I'm sure it's alot different fishing a tournament than just going out with a friend I'm not sure how I would handle the pressure of tournament fishing great response thanks for the insight

[Ski213]

I'm pretty new at regularly tournament fishing. It's definitely a little different than fun fishing. It's not that it's not fun, it's just a different kind of fun. I like the competition and I like the pressure.

 

One of the reasons I started doing it was to force myself to learn to fish different bodies of water in all kinds of conditions and seasons. Ive been guilty of not going out if I hear it's a really tough bite or it's too windy, cold, or whatever. Tournaments force me to try to learn to play whatever hand I'm dealt on the water. 

 

I think you should give it a try. Worst case you don't like it.  For me there has been, and continues to be a learning curve but I enjoy the challenge. 

[OCdockskipper]

I'm going to give you an opposite experience, not to try to persuade you from going forward & fishing tournaments, but just to give you more information.

 

I am a highly competitive person and have found that when changing any solitary activity, be it fishing, bowling or golfing into a competitive activity, it changes the focus of why I am doing it.  When doing any of those for fun, I enjoy the process.  Internally, I am most likely competing with myself, but not to the point that I won't take time out to follow some baby swans and take a picture of them or take pleasure in executing s good shot or cast.  When competing, the goal changes & I find I don't enjoy the process, just the result.  I could bowl a 700 series or putt real well all day, but if I get beat, I am disappointed.  That is probably a defect in me, if you don't have that, then you wouldn't feel the same way.

 

Even when I am doing any of those activities for fun, if someone else is nearby, I start competing with them.  Instead of just fishing, I now focus on making sure I catch more fish in front of them than they catch in front of me.  Most likely, those folks are just great people enjoying a day outside and meanwhile, in my mind, we are battling down to the wire.

 

It is kind of obvious why I enjoy fishing less pressured lakes... 

[Catt]

After carefully considering your question there were two deciding factors, the 1970s & Toledo Bend Reservoir.

 

Tournament fishing fully exploded across the country, it was pichup trucks, high performance bass boats, major advancements in rods, reels, lines, lures, & high tech electronics.

 

I grew up during American Muscle Cars, the advancements in trucks & bass boats fit right in. I could easily pull a fully loaded 18' bass boat 2 1/2 hours to the lake. With an 18' high performance boat with a 150 HP I could now cover the entire 180,000 acre lake.

 

At the mouth of Lowes Creek on Toledo Bend are the communities of "Old Sabine Town" & "Rebel Ridge". Many residents from my hometown area bought camps in these two communities. With the popularity of tournament fishing I could fish against guys I had competed against in elementary school, high school, & minor college. 

 

Not only could I get bragging rights but I won their entry fees, so it was simple...where I sign up?

[RichF]

I'm not really sure what the "deciding factor" was for me.  All I know now is that I couldn't see myself not competing at some level.  The excitement and feeling I get from catching a 4 pounder during a tournament is a million times more intense than catching a 7 while fun fishing.  Don't get me wrong, I still have an incredible time anytime I go fishing.  It will always be fun, enjoyable, and relaxing for me.  The emotional response I get from competing is just so much more intense.  That goes both ways though.  The highs are incredibly high and the lows are incredibly low.  I will tell you, my heart doesn't beat nearly as fast when I'm fishing for fun.  I just don't get that uncontrollable shaky, grinning, giggly, excitement when I'm not fishing a tournament.  It's definitely not for everyone but I say give it a shot.  

 

[Angry John]

I jumped in as an opportunity to learn.  I am an ok fishermen but I know there is a lot more stuff out there to pick up from those that are a lot better than I am.  I never plan to be a champion and win a bunch of money, but if I can learn a bunch to increase my fun while keeping costs down and meet a bunch of like minded guys doing what I love than why not.  Your end result and what your looking for has a lot to do with how much fun it will be for you.  I am in my first season of tourneys, in an area I just moved to, and had very little time fishing the area.  I know I am no way competitive in this group, but I will always have a good time and not worry if I don't win.

[Skeeter Dan]

9 hours ago, Angry John said:

I jumped in as an opportunity to learn.  I am an ok fishermen but I know there is a lot more stuff out there to pick up from those that are a lot better than I am.  I never plan to be a champion and win a bunch of money, but if I can learn a bunch to increase my fun while keeping costs down and meet a bunch of like minded guys doing what I love than why not.  Your end result and what your looking for has a lot to do with how much fun it will be for you.  I am in my first season of tourneys, in an area I just moved to, and had very little time fishing the area.  I know I am no way competitive in this group, but I will always have a good time and not worry if I don't win.

You and me both.

 

[Oregon Native]

I too have always enjoyed the competition and the friendships that go along with the sport.  The high's and the lows and the learning and the trying to figure out the "enemy" that swims beneath the waters.  The personal satisfaction that comes with putting a limit together. The visiting of new waters....I have fished almost half of the United States in different states due to BASS and FLW and met many great people.  Even as the body gets older and different pains develope I still have the desire to compete and "BS" with fellow anglers and also to share knowledge and tackle.  Now I fish much smaller tourneys and miss the big stuff but life and the wallet depict what I do.

Tight Lines.....Enjoy

[buzzed bait]

22 hours ago, Angry John said:

I jumped in as an opportunity to learn.  I am an ok fishermen but I know there is a lot more stuff out there to pick up from those that are a lot better than I am.  I never plan to be a champion and win a bunch of money, but if I can learn a bunch to increase my fun while keeping costs down and meet a bunch of like minded guys doing what I love than why not.  Your end result and what your looking for has a lot to do with how much fun it will be for you.  I am in my first season of tourneys, in an area I just moved to, and had very little time fishing the area.  I know I am no way competitive in this group, but I will always have a good time and not worry if I don't win.

 

this is me in a nutshell and john said it much better than i could!

[Megastink]

To learn and to test myself. I've wanted to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series since I was a kid. I've spent countless hours "fun fishing" to learn bass behavior, pattern development, equipment, techniques, etc.

 

I started Tournament fishing to test that knowledge and theories I had developed during my "fun fishing". Tournaments teach you lessons like time management, strategy development, when to go/when to stay, etc. 

 

Every day on the water is practice for when I try to qualify, which I plan on starting next year. That's my honest answer.

[NorthwestBasser]

For me, it was two things. One and the most important was education. I joined a local club because it's chock full of some darn good anglers. Guys who have fished big national series and done very well. No elite guys, but solid proven anglers. We have mostly draw tournaments so this gaveme a chance to get on their boat and watch them, pick their brains and learn ALOT. 

Secondly, I love organized competition. The drivers meeting, blast off, weigh in. Post tournament bbq with the fellas and families. I can go out fun fishing and after 4 or 5 hours I nothing's working I can head back to the launch pack up and go home for a nap. In a tournament, if nothing's happening, IT'S GO TIME! And I don't mean leaving the lake, the tension starts to build, the stress kicks in and you start to feel alive. You're wondering if evrryone has 20lb bags and you're gonna look like a fool or if everyone is wiping the same sweat from their forehead hoping the next cast is gonna put weight in your boat and an opportunity to figure out a pattern. It's exhilarating. I love it. I have no desire to make money fishing tournaments or be professional. The few hundred dollars we win is a bonus in top of the fellowship and fun we have. I've made some amazing friends and fishing partners because of tournament fishing. 

[crypt]

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 9:37 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I like competition and I like fishing, seemed like the obvious choice. 

This...................that's it.

[WIGuide]

I've been a fishin' fool pretty much since I could walk. I grew up on the water and fished as much as I could. I'd watch fishing shows with my dad all the time. Heck, I bought my own boat when I was in 5th grade. I've always been competitive, but I was also heavily involved in basketball. That was always my outlet for my competitive side. Fast forward a few years, after being a standout player in high school and playing college basketball, my competitive basketball career came to an end. Sure I still coach, play in men's leagues, a few tournaments, and open gyms, but it's not the same once you've played at a higher level. Anyway, about the time I was finishing up with college basketball, a friend of mine who loved fishing as well had asked me about joining a local club. He had been a non-boater a few years before and enjoyed it, but would rather fish with a friend so he had more say in the plan. I figured as much as I loved fishing I should give it a shot. From the first tournament, I was hooked. It appeals to my competitive side and my love of fishing, and I can keep at it for far longer than I'll be able to play basketball. 

 

Even though I had always had an interest in fishing tournaments, I guess the deciding factor for me turned out to be a friend asking if I wanted to get in some. If you think it's something you might like, I urge you to give it a try. The worst that can happen is you find out you don't like it. 

[N Florida Mike]

I fished tournaments for two years.What got me into it was :

• I love bass fishing

• I am very competitive 

• My friends thought Id be good at it

• For the fellowship with some of these friends, and other bass fisherman.

What I discoverd was :

• my love for bass fishing did not place me high in every tournament

•My competitive nature caused me to usually fish way too fast

• I was not as good in tournaments as My friends thought Id be

• I did accomplish the fellowship thing with friends.Looking back, this was the most important thing to me anyway.

In  the 2 years I fished them,I won one tournament, and placed 2nd or third several times.But I never did nearly as well in tournaments as I did just fishing.

I did get to see some famous waters though! 

Id like to fish maybe one or two tournaments a year now if  could do it with a friend or two.

 

 

[Catt]

33 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

But I never did nearly as well in tournaments as I did just fishing.

 

 

Stop "tournament" fishing & start "just" fishing!

 

It doesn't matter if I were fishing the Classic or with my grandson, I fish the same way. 

 

How much do you change when fishing a bass tourney compared to everyday fishing?

 

None!

[N Florida Mike]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

Stop "tournament" fishing & start "just" fishing!

 

It doesn't matter if I were fishing the Classic or with my grandson, I fish the same way. 

 

How much do you change when fishing a bass tourney compared to everyday fishing?

 

None!

I totally agree. Wish I would have followed that back then.Things I did wrong: Always moving to " better " spots.Fishing way too fast.I even would fish two rods at a time.Cast two and work one,then work the other one. I never did that when I was " just" fishing. It doesnt work.Another thing I did wrong was get too locked into one bait.Esp.T- rigged worms.Although they are great, its too one dementional. Now I switch to a senko or fluke.Ive improvd my versatility 200% !!!?

[slonezp]

Spending time with my son. He grew up with his mother and I saw him on weekends. I'm not a competitive person but he is. We joined a buddy trail in 2005, fished is a few years until is dissolved and joined another buddy trail on the same body of water, this one allowed us to compete for big money and boats in the championship. We did ok for a number of years. We are currently fishing in another buddy trail on the same body of water, which we joined this year. I'm into it less now due to some health issues, but I continue to fish them because of him.

 

When it comes to fishing for money, it's hard work. Even harder when we traveled for the championship. Not something I think I could do for a career.