New to tournaments

[Mbirdsley]

Working depending I really want to do some tournaments this year.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do one a week, one every 2 weeks, or 1 a month. Just have to see what my work schedule is as it can change at a moments noticed. 
 

I have a boat I will be using however, is it better to start out as a co-angler for a couple tournaments or is it better to just get your feet wet with my own boat? 

[BBuck]

Have you thought about getting into team tournaments? Some club tournaments do a draw format, so you can have a different boater or co-angler each tournament. Might be able to get some advice and experience from those folks. If I had my own boat, I don't think I'd let someone else be in the front but that is just me....

[Mbirdsley]

32 minutes ago, BBuck said:

Have you thought about getting into team tournaments? Some club tournaments do a draw format, so you can have a different boater or co-angler each tournament. Might be able to get some advice and experience from those folks. If I had my own boat, I don't think I'd let someone else be in the front but that is just me....

Well I wouldn’t use my boat if I went as a co-angler the first couple of times.
 

I think all of tournaments around me  are team tournaments.  From what I can understand it’s team tournaments but, I can have a differnt partner each event if I wanted too. There are about 3-4 differnt weekly tournaments around me. 
 

I have been in contact with a couple different people at the different tournaments. I could fish it solo but, I would loose points for the  end of the year standings.  So if I plan on fishing the tournaments enough eventually I would have to find a partner. 

[Captain Phil]

Start off with club tournaments and go non boater. Sit quietly in the back and observe what other anglers do.  From some you will learn what not to do.  Take what you learn on the water in your own boat.  When you gain confidence, move up to team tournaments. Try to find a team member with more skill than you that compliments your fishing style. Winning tournaments these days is not easy.  You will notice the same people seem to win most of the time.  Those guys put their pants on the same as you.  You can be a winner if you are dedicated to your work.  Be open minded.  Someone always finds a way to catch bass.

[Captain Phil]

Don't make the same mistakes I made early on.  Never leave fish to find fish.  You can't catch bass while riding around the lake.  The most important thing in tournament fishing is "prefishing".  Know where you are going to go and stick with it.  Never beat up your fish in practice.  Don't panic, especially if people around you are catching fish and you aren't. If everyone on the lake is throwing eight inch black worms, try something similar but different.  If the bass get lockjaw, downsize your line and your presentation.  Never give up. I once caught an 8 pound bass on the last cast of the tournament.  Normally, all it takes is five bites to be in the money.

[Tennessee Boy]

27 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

Never give up. I once caught an 8 pound bass on the last cast of the tournament.  

Yeah, it ain’t over till it’s over.  Once after a mediocre day,  I was back at the marina just making a few cast in the last few minutes of the tournament.  I made a cast while talking about my day with another competitor,  hardly paying attention to what I was doing.  The big fish for the tournament hit my trickworm right at the boat and put me into first place.  I didn’t deserve it but I took the money.?

[roadwarrior]

 

[Captain Phil]

More bass tournaments have been won within paddling distance of the ramp than anyone will ever know.  ?

[Mbirdsley]

Well actually they are more like clubs.  The 2 I’m thinking of doing has yearly dues.  No I don’t expect to do very well the first year.  I fish alone most the time so very least at least meet some other people.  I think one is on Friday nights the other on Saturday mornings.  I figure between my work schedule and the differnt fishing days.  I could make a couple a month. I still need to get a live well built and other stuff.  I think the first couple at least I’d rather be the non boater.  
 

We will see. I know there is usually a glut of non boaters than people with boats.  I know when I was looking at the Michigan B.A.S.S sanctioned clubs most were not letting non-boaters in.  The 2 clubs I’m looking at are not affiliated with BASS.  I think they are just local 

all good info captain Phil thanks.  

[Captain Phil]

On 3/18/2021 at 4:13 PM, Mbirdsley said:

 I know there is usually a glut of non boaters than people with boats.  I know when I was looking at the Michigan B.A.S.S sanctioned clubs most were not letting non-boaters in.  

 

Not necessarily.  Normally the best fisherman will be in B.A.S.S. Federation clubs.  The club I was in didn't have enough non boaters.  That club was so competitive many non boaters were scared off. Tournaments were more like wars than fishing trips.  Don't let your ego influence your decisions.  The better the competition, the more you will learn.  You will see many an angler with a big boat, twin power poles and a stack of $500 reels that can't catch fish.  You will learn those things don't make you a winner by themselves.  The best bass fishermen I ever saw were country country boys who have been bass fishing since birth.  The first time I ever saw Shaw Grigsby, he was barefoot.  

[Bassattackr]

If fishing a draw series, I'd go a time or two as a coangler.   If team series, I see no reason to fish your own boat from the get go.   

 

I see quite a few that are apprehensive about tournament fishing..  Not for everyone but I certainly love it.   Just remember, after blast off it's not any different than another day on the water.  Just you and another guy fishing together all day.   

 

[Miabucman]

I would suggest that you get out and have a great time.  I have fished a couple of different types of tournaments and started out with a learning attitude.  The local weeknight tourneys are fun and you can meet some good people.  Fishing with a deadline can be a little intimidating but try and go in with a good attitude. 

[Williep99]

I’ve only dabbled since I couldn’t come up with a partner and most clubs require 2 in the boat. My thought on starting in a team format is the ability to fish together and gain confidence and consistency. I always feel too much pressure when taking someone out and feeling I have to put them on fish consistently. Just my generous nature...