First Tournament, Need Advice!! 2024
clark9312 reply :
Me and my buddy joined a club this year as partners. We have fished together before and both have fished most of the lakes we will be fishing this year. I was just wondering if there is anything I should know about tournament fishing. I have heard guys say its a whole new ball game and im just wondering if there is anything I should be prepared for going in to the tournaments. All tips are welcomed!!!
jhoffman reply :
Dont listen to dock talk, 95% of it is lies. Never quit either, five mins can put a limit in the boat. You might feel like you will never make it only to have it happen fifteen mins before you must return to the launch. Pay attention to every detail you get, pay attention to the birds, the surface activity, wheres the gills/gulls.
slonezp reply :
People act differently when money is involved. Don't be intimidated. Dock talk is very cliquish. You'll eventually figure out where you fit in. Check the condition of the fish in the livewell periodically. Keeping your catch alive is most important. Make sure your livewells are clean and pumps are working before you hit the lake. I net every fish. I'd hate to lose a keeper swinging one in. My son and I have a system and we fish well together. Hopefully you and your bud can develop a system that works for you. We can predict each others moves and actions. Most importantly, have fun.
WIGuide reply :
There's definitely more pressure and the feeling of being under the gun. Don't let it get to you or anything else for that matter. If you lose a good fish don't let it get you down and take you out of the game even for a few minutes. In a tournament time is limited so any time you aren't fishing at 100% you are wasting. Also, a jhoffman said never quit. There have been days where you might hardly catch a thing all day and then within 20 minutes of heading back in you catch 4 or 5. Another word of advice, don't chase other fishermen. People have a tendency to watch other anglers when they aren't catching and they start trying to copy someone they see catch a fish. Just stay confident and stick to what you think is going to catch them.
A few other things to keep in mind; if something can go wrong it will go wrong in a tournament. Make sure you keep everything well maintained to minimize these occurrences. On that note, if you don't normally carry tools or extra fuses, wire, TM prop (and TM prop nut and sheer pins), etc. you need to get a kit together. Hopefully you never need it, but it sure can come in handy if you do. Make sure you pack plenty of water/Gatorade. You will be fishing during the hottest part of the day and you need to stay on your game all day long. You don't want your day to end early because of dehydration and the symptoms that come with it.
For the year as a hole, set some goals for yourself. Make sure they're realistic and not something like coming out and winning every tournament. At the end of the year assess how you did and where you need to improve.
Above all else though, remember you are still there to have fun so make it fun. If you're not catching fish don't be a grump in the boat and make it miserable for one another.
Best of luck to you and your partner! Keep us informed on how you do!
slonezp reply :
On 2/19/2014 at 11:45 PM, WIGuide said:There's definitely more pressure and the feeling of being under the gun. Don't let it get to you or anything else for that matter. If you lose a good fish don't let it get you down and take you out of the game even for a few minutes.
Easier said than done. When that big one come off at the side of the boat it can play over and over in our minds the rest of the day. The "I shoulda done this different or I coulda done that better" can eat at even the best of us.
WIGuide reply :
On 2/19/2014 at 11:54 PM, slonezp said:Easier said than done. When that big one come off at the side of the boat it can play over and over in our minds the rest of the day. The "I shoulda done this different or I coulda done that better" can eat at even the best of us.
very very true you have to train yourself to be mentally tough
J Francho reply :
Personally, I simply try to have fun, and do what I'd normally do. The only difference is not wasting time not fishing.That, and get some practice time in. On bigger lakes, you want to have your routing times down, so you don't get caught with a late penalty. Other than that, just be prepared - have your gear ready, and livewells working and treatments ready to go.
MarksHooked reply :
Good luck and have fun! I hope to try my hand in some local club tournaments this year just to try and learn with some more experienced fishermen/women. There are a LOT of great articles here: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing-tournament-tips/
jhoffman reply :
On 2/19/2014 at 11:54 PM, slonezp said:Easier said than done. When that big one come off at the side of the boat it can play over and over in our minds the rest of the day. The "I shoulda done this different or I coulda done that better" can eat at even the best of us.
I lost an 8lb fish at a lunker once right at the boat. I about went iconelli
MNBassFisher reply :
You'll build a routine and system with your partner. It's fun watching it progress as a team. Keep an eye on your fish in the livewell, have a system so you know what each fish weighs so you can quickly catch & cull the small ones. Net every fish. Develop a game plan before you hit the water but be sure to make adjustments for the fishing that day and how the fish are behaving. Me and my partner will usually fish two different methods when in "search mode" and looking to boat a few early ones. I am very confident when cranking and he is very confident with jigging/drop-shotting. So we usually start out that way (with our confidence baits) and then dial it in from there on whats working/what's not working.
clark9312 reply :
Thanks for the help guys. I think we will do ok we both really just want to become better fisherman and I think this will help a lot.
basseditor reply :
Is it a team event where your weights are combined or individual score?
Strategy is different for one or the other. When I fished team/combined weight events, I fished for big fish and my partner used finesse tactics to fill the limit. We were very successful that way.
Bassintheweeds reply :
Have fun
Don't give up
Be confident in your ability (last thing you want is to be trying stuff you don't have confidence in when it counts)
Be sure everything is well taken care of great days can't start without the basics covered.
FlipnLimits reply :
Some great posts and suggestions already given! I'll repeat some of my favorites and add a couple new.
1) The tourney doesn't end until it ends, so don't give up!! I caught a limit in the last 20 minutes of the day in a tournament and caught my limit fish during the last 5 minutes of a tournament quite a few times.
2) Dock talk is 100% bull crap, 100% of the time! Never listen and fall for advise given at tournaments. This is my #1 piece of advise. Fish your strength, not what you hear (dock talk again). It will take you longer to be a successful tournament fisherman but when you get there, you'll be well-rounded and ready for more situations. Even if dock talk was true, it may only work for the fisherman that gave the advise. It took me a long time to learn but you feel a sense of accomplishment when it's earned, not given.
3) Compete against the fish, conditions, season, etc. don't compete against others. This will help you overcome the nerves of competing against seasoned veterans and the local pros.
4) This kinda refers to #2, but don't give your hard earned knowledge away. Remember, if you haven't asked others for their information, why should you give yours away. Give your knowledge to kids or non tournament people but not to someone who competes against you.
5) If you are on a solid pattern, losing a fish should not bother you at all. If you are junk-fishing and not getting bit, then....Houston, we have a problem!
6) You will be nervous, learn to channel it. I get nervous every time I compete, every time. I'm hardwired that way and it's just the way it is. I learned to channel it by staying focused and fishing hard the first hour of the morning until it subsides. It's a good thing to be nervous, it keeps you mentally sharp. When my nerves stop, I'll quit fishing! Enjoy it, it means you have determination to succeed.
7) Obviously have your boat in top condition for every tournament. Do all your pre checks and do them twice. I always have fresh line on every rod for every tournament. I may skip restringing a rod if I didn't use it last time but every rod gets fresh line, every tournament, it's imperative for me. I don't understand having 10-15 rod/reel combos that cost $500 each and be cheap on line! Go fun fishing with old line, otherwise I'll take your money when you lose a fish because you are using last years mono. It's like taking candy from my kids 
8) If you practiced, found fish, and they're gone tournament day. You may have psyched yourself out! Unless they are smallies, the Largemouth are most likely still there. Move in, out, change bait, but don't abandon a productive spot too fast. If you leave, come back in a couple hours and try again. Over the years, my experiences tell me the bass are there the next day or two.
9) There is no lunch hour during a tournament. Eat while running or in a no-wake area or between casts. I put the sandwich on my butt seat between bites. I'd throw my partner off the boat if he sat down, and he'd do the same to me! If your partner wants to sit, tell him you'll buy dinner afterwards and he can sit then.
10) Always congratulate the winner(s), it's shows sportsmanship and it's the right thing to do, every time. Soon you'll be getting congratulated. Being cocky/snobbish is not acceptable at tournaments, don't be like those guys. Congratulating the winner shows confidence, even if you caught 1 dink that day.
Ok, that's a lot to digest for a first tournament. It is meant to be fun, so try to keep it that way. Being competitive is fun, so is cashing checks for fishing, so take your day seriously and have fun at it. I joke with my partner all day long but we fish non-stop for all 8 hours.
FL
Teal reply :
Everybody pretty much said everything I have to say, but I'm bored so I'm gonna say it anyways.
1. BE PREPARED.
Make sure to check the boat over and check the livewell. The last thing you want is to be broke down. Make sure batteries are charged and trolling motor works. These are little things that have crept up and bitten me before.
If you are using line that has been on the reel for a while. Make darn sure that you have checked for Knicks and dings and have cut some off of needed. I typically use all new leaders for tournament fishing and ill cut a few feet of the braid off.
USE SHARP HOOKS! Either tie new ones on or take time to sharpen them before and during the day.
HAVE A PLAN. I like to prefish when I can. Have a plan B.
BRING A LUNCH AND EAT WHILE YOU RIDE. Somebody mentioned no wake zones. That's a good idea.
2. STAY FOCUSED AND DON'T GET RATTLED.
Take what the fish give you and stick with YOUR PLAN UNTIL IT TIME TO ADJUST. If you lose a fish, or see others catching while your are not, you gotta stay confident and keep pushing.
I think everybody else said it, don't listen to dock talk. I prefer to say my hellos and get on my boat and get ready. I don't want to hear anything that's gonna make me doubt what I plan to do.
Keep an open mind, theres nothin wrong with adjustments. Knowing when to change something and when to stay the course is the difference in a food angler and a great one. But don't overthink it, it will just take away from your focus and confidence.
3.HAVE FUN. fishing is fun. No need to creat a mini drama in your head. Just go out and have a good time.
Have fun, focus, and don't waste as Mich time was we normally do on a fun fishing day.
Teal reply :
Sorry for all of the spelling errors. RaiderNationFisher is rubbing off on me.
clark9312 reply :
On 2/20/2014 at 11:44 AM, basseditor said:Is it a team event where your weights are combined or individual score?
Strategy is different for one or the other. When I fished team/combined weight events, I fished for big fish and my partner used finesse tactics to fill the limit. We were very successful that way.
Yes our weights are combined.
Vzwire reply :
Go to the bathroom (sit) right before you leave the house.
Can't tell you how many times I have gone through my checklist over and over in the morning at home, only to realize once the fishing starts that I forgot to handle business that day.
You'll be able to hold it but could mess you up mentally all day.
Felix77 reply :
Can't add any more than has already been said. The only thing I will add is if you enjoy the process everything else will come to you. 
FishinDaddy reply :
Have fun.
Slow Down.
Never leave fish to find other fish.
slonezp reply :
On 2/22/2014 at 9:02 AM, Vzwire said:Go to the bathroom (sit) right before you leave the house.
Can't tell you how many times I have gone through my checklist over and over in the morning at home, only to realize once the fishing starts that I forgot to handle business that day.
You'll be able to hold it but could mess you up mentally all day.
This is why I don't drink coffee on tourney day. I also eat lite the day before.
Catt reply :
Never ever fish to fill a limit...you in it to win it!
J Francho reply :
^yuuup!
ww2farmer reply :
I struggled for a while tournament fishing, until I basicly said "F-it" and just treated a tournament day like anyother day on the water and just went fishing, I do a lot better since adopting that mentality. Don't take it too serious, it's just for beer/play money and bragging rights.
dam0007 reply :
Everyone gave you great advice! Some of these guys gave me similar advice last year and it paid off.
z7master167 reply :
I will add to this. I dont know what kind of boat you are using, but when i had my nitro i would pull up to a spot and fish it for a few minutes and if nothing i would take off to another spot.
The boat i have now is a heck of a lot slower than the nitro, its so slow i think i should get a 15 min head start lol. But one thing it did drastically for me, was made me fish, i cant run and gun with my boat now like i use to and it has helped me out tremendously.
Its funny too because im fishing from a 1978 starcraft with a 25 hp motor and i repeatedly beat the guys in 50-60k dollar boats..
clark9312 reply :
Thanks guys I really appreciate it. We are thinking about fishing a open tourney for a different club this Sunday depending on the weather. Ill let all of you know how it goes.
slonezp reply :
On 2/26/2014 at 12:49 PM, z7master167 said:I will add to this. I dont know what kind of boat you are using, but when i had my nitro i would pull up to a spot and fish it for a few minutes and if nothing i would take off to another spot.
The boat i have now is a heck of a lot slower than the nitro, its so slow i think i should get a 15 min head start lol. But one thing it did drastically for me, was made me fish, i cant run and gun with my boat now like i use to and it has helped me out tremendously.
Its funny too because im fishing from a 1978 starcraft with a 25 hp motor and i repeatedly beat the guys in 50-60k dollar boats..
You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell
Lasher reply :
Just because there is money on the line does not mean you are fishing for money, prize money is a bonus but not the reason you go fishing.
jhoffman reply :
On 2/27/2014 at 12:07 AM, slonezp said:You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell
My current boat is a 17' with a 25hp motor. I fish tournaments. Sure I cant run to all the spots and I always get last pick of spots but I still go. Sometimes the guys in the big boats blow right past good spots trying to get away.
FlipnLimits reply :
On 2/27/2014 at 12:07 AM, slonezp said:You know, it's a shame more guys with tin or less expensive boats don't compete. I think a lot are intimidated, or think they don't have a chance. I fished tourneys out of a 17ft Mirrocraft for years. 1st tourney this past year, at weigh in a guy with a 16 or 17' Mirrocraft docks next to me and is complaining how his boat is not set up for fishing bass tourneys and better suited for catfish. I told him I went thru the same issues for many years but adapted to the situation and had good results. Never saw the guy again. We've got a few more guys fishing tin now. Maybe 5 out of 50. For many years it was 2 boats, then just us for a season or 2. Our AOY blew up his Skeeter and fished and cashed checks in 2 tourneys last year out of a jon boat with a 9.9 and modified cooler for a livewell
That's a great reply, in my opinion. Recalling my humble start in this sport and hobby, I'll gladly debate that the most successful fishermen had their start in small and slow boats. I recall fishing against the big 150's (huge in the day) while I was putting along to my fishing spots in my slow little rig. They blew past me coming and going and they always ran around, it seemed. Knowing I cannot cover water like that, I made the most of each fishing hole knowing I wasn't moving any time soon. Fishing 4-5 areas, was a lot. It teaches to surgically pick everything apart with an assortment of baits. Eventually you learn what works and doesn't and you fish more effectively. After a number of years, my boats got bigger and faster but my fishing is exactly the same as the humble beginnings. Now I can run with them, but don't. I'm still amazed that after an 0600 start, there are guys running around by 0700. I always figure they must have lots of money to spend on gas or something but I'll fish my slow, methodical, surgical type of fishing. I realize some guys stop to fish a single depression, rock, stump, log, etc. and thus they move quick but the majority are just pumped up all day and want to use those nice boats. So as Slone has accurately put it, the guys in the metal boats shouldn't fret, they can be competitive in most waters.
Oregon Native reply :
I won my very first tourney a "BASS Master Western Divisional many years ago on the California Delta. I had the second slowest boat in the tourney and would watch all the boats pass us on their way to their honey holes. My goal was to learn water close to ramp for more fishing time and less stress. Doesn't always work....but still have no complaints and I now have a much faster boat.
clark9312 reply :
really appreciate it guys. first tourney is in a week. water temp is still in the mid 40s hopin for a warm week and maybe get up to 50. what do you guys like to throw in colder water?
Wbeadlescomb reply :
Confidence is the best bait in the tackle box. I fish my strength no matter what. Deep clear water and light line for spots? Not for me if I can help it.I'm headed to the back of a creek looking for laydowns or grass in dirtier,shallower water to flip,swim a jig or throw a square bill.
A lot of these guys are saying go wide open for 8 hours. That's not me I need to sit down and clear my head every so often if the fish aren't biting like I think they should. Ever try to figure something out and just try it every way you can imagine for hours only to go sit down for a few minutes relax and immedately figure it out? I have more times than I can count
Don't fish the same stuff you always have just because you've caught fish there in the past. There really needs to be a rhyme or reason to why you are doing it.Everyone who fishes is guilty of that at one time or another.
You also need to pay attention to the fish are they barely swiping at a spinner bait or chatterbait? Maybe try to swim a jig in the same color or change your bait up slightly, use a different trailer or retrieve. If you catch a couple of fish on wood on wind blown points but not in the backs of creeks on grass look around and see if you can replicate that bite on another point.
Remember to be safe and have fun
clark9312 reply :
Well me and my partner fished our first tourney and we caught 5 fish all under 15 inches so no keepers. There were only about 8 or 9 boats weigh fish out of 25. The water was still under 50 so it was tough. Got my next one in two weeks so im hopin to get to weigh in a few then.
slonezp reply :
At least you caught some. You should be in prespawn/spawn in a couple weeks. Fish will be putting on the feedbag
Fish Murderer 71 reply :
Rule #1 keep at it till the very end, you only lose when you stop trying! Sooner or later you will win one.
Rule #2 It's never about the money. It's all about being the best YOU can be.
Rule #3 Always be flexible and not afraid to try something different. Don't get stuck in the rut using the same baits over and over (unless they work over and over)
Rule #4 Trust your instincts!!! Trust your partners instincts!!!
Rule #5 Do what the winners do! Go where the winners go! I like to walk around and say Hi to all the people before the tournament starts. Not just to be friendly, but to see what they have tied onto the rods on the deck. Especially those that fish the lake regularly... Sometimes I use what they do, sometimes I dont. Any information that can be added to your plans is a plus.
clark9312 reply :
well tourney number 2 is in the books. This is the lake me and my buddy have been catchin fish but not Saturday lol. The water couldn't have been more muddier. 3.00 lbs won the tournament Saturday.
FishinDaddy reply :
As the season progresses, don't overlook the first point or flat away from the ramp. Studies in Florida has shown that about half of the released fish eventually migrate back to the area they were originally caught in, leaving half somewhere around the release point. I always fish these spots and usually catch a keeper or two.
Hattrick7 reply :
Just the topic I was looking for. Great advice guys. I'm gonna be in my first tourney as a non boater tomorrow. Lots of good advice.
slonezp reply :
On 4/8/2014 at 2:46 AM, FishinDaddy said:As the season progresses, don't overlook the first point or flat away from the ramp. Studies in Florida has shown that about half of the released fish eventually migrate back to the area they were originally caught in, leaving half somewhere around the release point. I always fish these spots and usually catch a keeper or two.
I noticed this last year We caught the same fish in 2 tourneys, 2 weeks apart. It had some distinctive black markings on it. Weigh in was probably 4 or 5 miles from the location we caught it.
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