Bass tournaments do you always need a boat?

[KarlVonDibble]

I’m 14 and I want to start doing fishing tournaments but I was wondering if I need a boat. 

[geo g]

Join a local club and hook up as a back seater.  You will learn a ton from more experienced guys!

[Tennessee Boy]

Welcome to the forum. 

 

Many bass clubs allow non boaters to fish as co-anglers.  You might want to check some local clubs to see what their policies are.  They could have a minimum age which might be a problem for you at 14.  Good luck!

[Sam]

16 hours ago, KarlVonDibble said:

I’m 14 and I want to start doing fishing tournaments but I was wondering if I need a boat. 

Karl, unless you can swim in the water for 8 straight hours you need a boat.

 

Or you need to be a nonboater.

 

Most club's allow 16 year olds to join and fish their club and region tournaments.

 

If you want to fish tournaments at 14 you need to subscribe to Bass Times. Go to Bassmaster.com and note how to order Bass Times or give them a call. Read about the high school tournaments around the country. And read all of the articles.  https://www.bassmaster.com/author/b.a.s.s.-times 

 

I also suggest you consider joining B.A.S.S. to get Bassmaster magazine. You can also join FLW and get their magazine.

 

Go to the top of this page and look for "Links." Then check out Bass Clubs for Florida. Contact the BASS and FLW federations about bass clubs in your area that may accept you as a nonboater.

 

Have your parents drive you to the 2020 Florida fishing expos so you can meet the pros and the Florida movers and shakers in the bass fishing industry. You will also meet other young men your age who are members of their high school fishing team. Here is the link to the 2019 Richmond, Virginia expo for your information so you can see what you are seeking. 

http://www.richmondfishingexpo.com/ 

 

The problem you will have is that you need a boat. Either your own boat or a friend's boat that you and your friend can use in a tournament. 

 

In addition, you need your parents support as it is very expensive to drive to the tournament sites; stay in a motel for three days; food; tournament entry fees; updating your tackle for each body of water fished; and other miscellaneous expenses.

 

You need to add your Florida city where you live to your avatar so we can give you better fishing advice for you geographical area.

 

Good luck and get the Bass Times and start reading and dreaming.

[12poundbass]

Nice screen name, I like it! 

[Sam]

6 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Nice screen name, I like it! 

You mean the "other KVD?"

[fishballer06]

As many others have stated, joining a local club that allows non-boaters to get partnered up with boaters is the best way to go. 

 

However, if you're asking if you could fish tournaments from the bank, the question that comes into play is keeping your fish alive without a livewell. For that reason, most tournaments will not allow people to fish from the bank. 

[928JLH]

Might want to check out the KBF. It's definitely growing in popularity. There's been a few partnerships with FLW this year if I'm not mistaken. The trail events have been very popular with good payouts.

[Hower08]

Just look for a club where you can fish as a non boater. It's not as complicated as some guys make it sound 

[Sam]

Hey KVD, I just remembered that you can fish the BASS Opens as a co-angler and not need a boat.

 

Check into it and fish some.

 

Good luck.