Tournament Question

[Squarebill79]

I've been fishing for years and consider myself and intermediate level bass fisherman. I can generally catch alot of fish when Im out. I know nothing about tournaments however, never been in one, havent even considered it as something I would do. I generally liike to fish for relaxation and fun.

 

Last Sunday I pulled up to my favorite lake about 7 in the morning, noticed there were about 25 trailers already in the parking lot. They were all from the same county so it quickly dawned on me some kind of tournament was going on. Well that morning I proceeded to nail a 6.2lber on a wacky rig, followed up by a 5.3lber on a crankbait, I also caught 3 others in the 13-15 inch range which I estimated to between a pound or two. Another boat pulled up by me and I overheard a guy saying, "If I could only get another 3lber I'll be happy with today".

 

This got me thinking, had I been in this tournament what kind of success could I have had that day? I estimate I had probabably around 16lbs of fish for the my five best. For you guys that fish tournaments, is that competitive with what guys catch in these? Should I try my luck at a tournament sometime? Did I just happen to get lucky that morning by bagging two over 5lbs? 

 

Disclaimer.......this is a midwest lake in Iowa, i know in the south the fish are generally alot bigger. 

[slonezp]

Just remember, If you are not winning money, you are donating money. Can you afford to donate money?

[Brew City Bass]

What slone said. If it's a $25 or $50 tournament, it's fun and I don't mind donating that money. I know the chances of me winning are slim. But I don't touch the $100+ entry fees because that's steep and I know the best the state has angler wise will be in those trying to make the circuit. 

Bass fishing is already frustrating as is for me without having money on the line. It gets 10x worse when cash is at stake. I'd personally say go for it and give one a shot. It's a learning experience if nothing. Just don't expect to win because you had a lucky day. 

Basically, when you're ready for tournaments, you won't be here asking. You'll know it and be doing them without our confirmation. 

[12poundbass]

Every lake is different. The lake you were on 16 pounds might be top 5. Then you go to the Mississippi and 16 pounds might put you in dead last.

[Glaucus]

Depends on the lake. Where you are, that would be epic. My first and only tournament was in central Illinois a couple weeks ago and 6 pounds won it. Trash lake, trash state. 

[Squarebill79]

Just now, Glaucus said:

Depends on the lake. Where you are, that would be epic. My first and only tournament was in central Illinois a couple weeks ago and 6 pounds won it. Trash lake, trash state. 

Lake Sugema in southeast Iowa.

[Wildbillb]

Did you stay to watch weight in?

 

Did you talk to anyone after the tournament was over to find anything out about their club?

[Squarebill79]

1 hour ago, Wildbillb said:

Did you stay to watch weight in?

 

Did you talk to anyone after the tournament was over to find anything out about their club?

No, unfortunately I didnt. I was off the water before they were finished that day. I quit around noon and they were still going into the mid afternoon. 

[riverbasser]

16lbs is a decent bag and I'm all about being in it to win it but I think you should fish one anyway. Its a totally different exeriance fishing a tournament and you might love it. Not to mention meet some good people with the same hobby as you. Good chance of learning a lot as well. 

[J.Vincent]

Yes, of course you should compete and see if you enjoy the tournament scene. It's not for everyone but maybe it's your time to try !

[Bluebasser86]

If you'd been in the tournament you would have overthought and done something completely different and never caught those fish, that's just how it works.

 

I enjoy fishing tournaments, but you're going to lose money, even if you win in most cases with small tournaments. It's more about the competition for me. 

 

16 pounds wins a majority of tournaments here. I won the last 2 I've fished in, got big bass in one. Last one we won with a whopping 7.69lbs, the one before that was a little over 8 pounds with a massive 2.3lb "Big Bass" (our weight was almost double second place). Don't come to Kansas for the bass fishing would be the moral of that story. 

[CroakHunter]

I was a big athlete in high school and very competitive still to this day. I love fishing tournaments. If you have the spare time and cash, it's really fun for a competitive guy like me. 

[LxVE Bassin]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

If you'd been in the tournament you would have overthought and done something completely different and never caught those fish, that's just how it works.

 

I enjoy fishing tournaments, but you're going to lose money, even if you win in most cases with small tournaments. It's more about the competition for me. 

 

16 pounds wins a majority of tournaments here. I won the last 2 I've fished in, got big bass in one. Last one we won with a whopping 7.69lbs, the one before that was a little over 8 pounds with a massive 2.3lb "Big Bass" (our weight was almost double second place). Don't come to Kansas for the bass fishing would be the moral of that story. 

16 pounds will get you 1st place 9 times out of 10 in Indiana.

[Catt]

9 hours ago, slonezp said:

Just remember, If you are not winning money, you are donating money. Can you afford to donate money?

 

The moment you entry fee hits the table all your honey holes dry up!

 

There's only one way to know ?

[Mike L]

16lbs is a good sack no matter where you live. 

I've won and lost tournaments with less.

 

Only one way to find out is to fish one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[TOXIC]

As has been said, there's only one way to find out and that's to throw your hat in the ring (i.e. entry fee) and give it a go.  And as Bluebasser says, there's a huge difference when you get into tournament mode.  I worked with a High School fishing team by donating my boat and services to them for practice and tournaments.  The 2 anglers I took out in practice did very well but when tournament day came around, they struggled.  I was not allowed to offer advice or help them in any way during the tournament.  I was the boat driver only.  But what I saw was a TOTAL change in the way they fished as compared to practice.  They were impatient, wanted to run and gun more, worked their baits differently and it showed in their results.  

[flatcreek]

16 Pnds will bring money in most of our local tournaments.Dang good sack!

[Tennessee Boy]

Search the web for Bass Clubs in your area.  Most post tournament results on their web sites.

 

16 lbs is a very nice bag.

[ohboyitsrobby]

I'd take 16 lbs every tournament I've ever fished. Would it win every time?? No. But it'd be competitive. As I've gotten older and basketball has started to pass me by I've had to find some other form of competition. And tournament fishing has filled that void.

[crypt]

the only way you will ever know is to enter,and get your feet wet. who knows you might go broke like a lot of people....LOL...