Is It Impossible? 2024
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I've always wanted to fish a local tournament here in NC. Only issue is I do not have a "super expensive bass boat". I have heard people mention a co-angler scenario, but I really want to use what I have now. What I have now is a 10 foot johnboat. It does have a power plant and a trolling motor. New paint job and two seats custom made with a live well and electronics. I just am curious if I can use this in a tournament to start out. I don't have the funds yet to buy a big expensive bass boat. However I would like to try with my johnboat to start with. Do all tournaments have specific guidelines as to what kind of boat you can use? Thanks! Joe
airborne_angler reply :
I heard that Ike made his start fishing tourneys out of a jon boat, look where hes at now......
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
airborne made my day. :-)
slonezp reply :
Check with the local clubs on their requirements. Some have minimum and maximum hp requirements. Working livewell is a necessity. The other thing the club will probably require is liability insurance.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
Liability on the boat?
gripnrip reply :
On 2/24/2013 at 8:46 AM, jnatale3 said:Liability on the boat?
No. Liability that if you damage someone else's boat or injure another person. You can also check your area for a club that is electric only. Like in Oklahoma there is such a club called "Belly Boat Club. You can fish in anything that doesn't have a motor. The only reason I'm not a member of that club is it is on the opposite side of the state!
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I think I have that insurance. I'll check with my agent though.
mc6524 reply :
The challenge is having two people fish out of a 10 foot boat, but more importantly the size of the lake you're fishing. I use to fish tourney's out of a 16" Deep V with a 60 HP motor. It worked fine on the small local lakes, but it was tough fishing the bigger lakes. Why do you ask? Gas, your limited where you can fish from the bast-off if you only have 10-12 gal.....
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
Are there any tournaments that you can do solo? I have two chairs and it holds two adults fine but I didn't know if you can do a tournament by yourself?
Teal reply :
My adivce, fish your boat for fun and practice and learn all you can. Join a club and fish as a co angler on someone elses boat for tourneys. Use your boat for prefish and fun fishin. Being a co angler, you will climb thee learning curve alot faster.
There are multiple clubs in your area, just google. I think there is an actuallyy list of clubs in nc.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I will surely use it for practice too. I may try the co angler idea here and there. I found some club info on electric only tourneys and also solo only tourneys. Just to get a feel for it all. I just think this project "John boat" is awesome. Lol. It's like my custom little bass monster. ;-)
slonezp reply :
If you've never tournament fished before, I'd suggest you start small or as a co angler just to see what it's like. I started tourney fishing in 2005 with my then 15yo son.. I had a brand new 18k 17ft deep v with a 90hp. Our first tourney, the only thing I remember was my son saying "Dad, You have the crappiest boat out here" We fished against guys who were sponsored up. Real fancy rigs. One guy even had his truck painted the same color as his boat. Very intimidating to say the least. It took us a couple years and a whole lot of work to start cashing some checks. I currently fish against guys in FLW and BFL and regular guys like me. The glitz and glamour you see on tv is misleading. Last year we qualified to fish the tournament of champions on Guntersville against 196 other boats. Still in the same 17ft deep v. Prefishing 12 hrs a day for 4 days is more work than actually working. I have to hand it to the guys struggling to make a living at it. It's tough. It's mentaly and physicaly straining. Good luck in whatever you decide.
RyneB reply :
On 2/24/2013 at 11:46 AM, slonezp said:If you've never tournament fished before, I'd suggest you start small or as a co angler just to see what it's like. I started tourney fishing in 2005 with my then 15yo son.. I had a brand new 18k 17ft deep v with a 90hp. Our first tourney, the only thing I remember was my son saying "Dad, You have the crappiest boat out here" We fished against guys who were sponsored up. Real fancy rigs. One guy even had his truck painted the same color as his boat. Very intimidating to say the least. It took us a couple years and a whole lot of work to start cashing some checks. I currently fish against guys in FLW and BFL and regular guys like me. The glitz and glamour you see on tv is misleading. Last year we qualified to fish the tournament of champions on Guntersville against 196 other boats. Still in the same 17ft deep v. Prefishing 12 hrs a day for 4 days is more work than actually working. I have to hand it to the guys struggling to make a living at it. It's tough. It's mentaly and physicaly straining. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Good post. i have not entered the tournament scene, but stories like this make me realize i am not cut out for it. Once fishing becomes work, i feel i will lose the love for it.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I have never done it but I have an optimistic perspective on it. That's just my personality. I know of countless people who have done it and some say it was a lot of work but they still enjoyed it. They learned a lot from other guys and had fun too. My personality is not one that is intimidated by bigger, flashier, more expensive stuff other people have. If that is anyone else, then cool. I for one enjoy seeing the bigger and better to some extent to gain insight as to what others are using. I would love to enter into a tourney with my john boat, a canoe, a kayak, or anything else the specific tourney mandates. I need to at least try. From there I can see what adjustments I need to make. The saying goes, "to each his own" and I am just searching for input as to if it is possible to enter in with what I have for now. Who knows, maybe one day I can be on the Classic with a picture of my first "decked out" John Boat on the dash of my new Nitro.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I am game to try the co angler stuff too. Whatever I can do to gain experience. I have wanted to compete for a long time. It also reminds me of the importance of the angler skills. The boat, tackles, gear, etc. is great, however the skills and knowledge of the sport is vital too. Reminds me of my previous canoe. I was on Lake Wheeler here in NC last summer and a few guys were making little comments about my canoe. Nothing really bad, but they kinda viewed me as "out of the realm" of what needed to be holding my bass fishing stuff. I saw two of the boats in one of the coves and they could not get into the shallower water. I got my $19.99 Dick's Sporting Goods paddle and got in there several yards ahead of them. I casted a white spinner a few times them caught a nice 3+ pounder. They saw it and one guy said "no way, that's the canoe guy." they yelled over to me "nice!" and I paddled in. Good time, but my lats were on fire for the rest of the day. LOL
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
On 2/24/2013 at 11:46 AM, slonezp said:If you've never tournament fished before, I'd suggest you start small or as a co angler just to see what it's like. I started tourney fishing in 2005 with my then 15yo son.. I had a brand new 18k 17ft deep v with a 90hp. Our first tourney, the only thing I remember was my son saying "Dad, You have the crappiest boat out here" We fished against guys who were sponsored up. Real fancy rigs. One guy even had his truck painted the same color as his boat. Very intimidating to say the least. It took us a couple years and a whole lot of work to start cashing some checks. I currently fish against guys in FLW and BFL and regular guys like me. The glitz and glamour you see on tv is misleading. Last year we qualified to fish the tournament of champions on Guntersville against 196 other boats. Still in the same 17ft deep v. Prefishing 12 hrs a day for 4 days is more work than actually working. I have to hand it to the guys struggling to make a living at it. It's tough. It's mentaly and physicaly straining. Good luck in whatever you decide.
What do you mean slone? Sounds to me like the "glitz and glamour" you said was misleading was actually true for you, at least to me its true in your case. Hear me out. It may have been some hard work and that was poop, but you and your son got to fish some tourneys and you sound like you got some cash and a good deal of experience. Your boat couldn't have been too crappy because it got the job done and you will always remember getting on the water with your son. That's awesome you guys have those memories though. That is the bottom line. Our 6 year old daughter LOVES to fish. Even if we go out and I catch a small one, she FLIPS out and begs me to hold it and then she wants to put it back. Best feeling to me. Fun is what I love about this sport. Winning money is just a bonus. :-)
slonezp reply :
. I'm not trying to talk you out of it. Just trying to be honest with you. I'm still fishing tourneys 8 years later. It's draining and It's not cheap. I do enjoy it or I woudn't be doing it. The mentality is different when you are fishing competitivly vs fun fishing.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
True that! I can imagine that it has its draining parts too. Check out my 3 posts above this one. I had added some stuff in response to your original post. I think it is aweome that you do compete. Keep in mind I have only been bass fishing 14 months. I still get excited when I catch anything. LOL :-)
slonezp reply :
On 2/24/2013 at 12:24 PM, jnatale3 said:What do you mean slone? Sounds to me like the "glitz and glamour" you said was misleading was actually true for you, at least to me its true in your case. Hear me out. It may have been some hard work and that was poop, but you and your son got to fish some tourneys and you sound like you got some cash and a good deal of experience. Your boat couldn't have been too crappy because it got the job done and you will always remember getting on the water with your son. That's awesome you guys have those memories though. That is the bottom line. Our 6 year old daughter LOVES to fish. Even if we go out and I catch a small one, she FLIPS out and begs me to hold it and then she wants to put it back. Best feeling to me. Fun is what I love about this sport. Winning money is just a bonus. :-)
Glitz and glamour to spend 3 grand to fish a 2 day tournament and come home with nothing is hardly winning money. No, I don't regret it at all. It was quite the learnng experience and if we qualify again I'm sure I would go. As far as winning money, I can normally win enough to pay for my fishing, so I break out even for the year. The crappy boat is going up for sale. I bought a new boat that is more tournament friendly than the last. Boats don't catch fish. They are just a too for a craftsman to perfect his skills
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
That's a great point about the tool analogy. The glamour to me is the memories you have competing and also with your son. As for the $3k part, I would feel bummed too. Lol Keep the good work up in the tourneys. You need to get up there at the Classis and fish in 38 degree water temps. I still can't believe they are catching fish the last two days. They look like Eskimos out there LOL!
slonezp reply :
My son has turned into a maniac. He is very competitive. Now 23yo, he emailed me a spread sheet with all the local clubs and a schedule of what tourneys we should fish. LOL.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I'm 29 and I know the feeling. That's awesome he shares the love for the sport. We have only one kid for now. Even if we don't have anymore I am still very happy and content that my daughter shares the love for the sport with me. If we ever have another child and it is a son he will fish and God help our bank account. Lol
jhoffman reply :
I have the smallest boat in my club, however there are events where it will be the better boat, when guys dont wanna run their $50,000 rig up into the low rivers. The biggest issue with a small boat/motor combo is someone else will almost always beat you to a prime spot. You either have to be ok coming through second or fish other stuff. Even if you draw to launch first by the time you get 500 yards someone who just pulled out will smoke you in the blink of an eye.
It might not seem like much but it can add up quick. You might have to make the best of it and fish 2-3 spots close to eachother where the other guy can run one end of the lake to the other in five mins.
Teal reply :
On 2/26/2013 at 1:21 AM, jhoffman said:I have the smallest boat in my club, however there are events where it will be the better boat, when guys dont wanna run their $50,000 rig up into the low rivers. The biggest issue with a small boat/motor combo is someone else will almost always beat you to a prime spot. You either have to be ok coming through second or fish other stuff. Even if you draw to launch first by the time you get 500 yards someone who just pulled out will smoke you in the blink of an eye.
It might not seem like much but it can add up quick. You might have to make the best of it and fish 2-3 spots close to eachother where the other guy can run one end of the lake to the other in five mins.
exactly right!! Thats where knowing the body of water and being a good "junk" fisherman can really play into your hand.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I wound up putting a seat on the front and a seat on the back I left the center bench empty. It is very stable in the water. I've had several compliments too from the before pictures and after when they see it. :-)
brgbassmaster reply :
Depends on the club. Me and my buddy fished out of a 14ft jon boat for 2 seasons. Had a nice front deck a small 7 horse motor and a 45lb thrust bow mounted trolling motor and a cooler with a pump made into a live well. I still remember the first tourney showing up with that camoflauged beast and everyone looking at us 16 yr old kids lol. Did pretty well to finished 9th overall in the standings with 50 teams. They had respect after the first couple tourneys. Now 9 yrs later had a real bass boat fished bigger tourneys and since sold that moved to Guam and am fishing saltwater. Ready to be back in the states in a yr so i can get back on the freshwater.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Heavy high horsepower boats will get you from point A to point B faster and and are generally a more stable platform for fishing in the wind. But no amount of money or equipment will, in and of itself, catch fish for you. Besides, as already mentioned, lighter, shallower draft boats have certain advantages, too.
Fishes in trees reply :
Many tournament circuits have a minimum length limit. I believe in Walmart BFL it is 17'. Maybe a club in your neighborhood has a shorter length limit, maybe not, I don't know.
I think that you would really be handicapping yourself, trying to fish even a club tournament out of that little boat. In a tournament, time management is important and the ability to go from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time is important. Tournaments don't always happen on perfect days, that 10' boat you've is approaching being dangerous in a 10 MPH wind. I don't see you going anywhere when there is more than a 6" chop on the water, and that happens frequently.
If I were you, I'd start as a co-angler, even at the club level rather than fish out of that boat. (I went over to the boat forum and found the picture of your boat. The way the seats were mounted, at the extreme ends of the boat, just doesn't look safe to me. Any kind of a live well would make it even less safe.) JMO
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
I'm leaving it as is with no live well. As for the seats, they are perfect. They hold two people fine even with one standing. Safety is no issue with it. I have been in it myself and walked to both seats. Level as can be. Turns great and is pretty fast. Just using it for fun and getting a bass boat to tourney in one day. I've seen other John boats with seats set up like mine on the local lakes too. I talked to some folks and they said they loved the extra room they have in the middle of the boat.
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