New to tournaments 2024

jag119105 reply :

hey,

I have really been looking into fishing tournaments and i am purchasing a bass tracker pro 16 w/ a 30hp mercury on it... will this boat do the trick for me and what fishing clubs/tournaments do they have here in south texas... Im only 18 and know how to fish but not looking to go into the big money yet lol... so do y'all have any suggestions for a youngster looking for experience tournaments and fishing clubs

Thanks

Josh

bass wrangler569 reply :

Hey dude, I'm only 17 so I'll give a fellow teenager some advice. First, yes, that boat will work, although it's not ideal for tournaments. I would suggest though, and I would tell you this even if you had a brand new ranger with a 225hp, that you join a club and fish the first year as a rider. Being a rider, you get to fish with a lot of different people who will have different styles and strengths and you will gain very valuable experience along the way.

squid reply :

Check the club rules first. I own an aluminum 17' Triton with a 115 merc on the back and I have been beat by a team in a 14ft boat with a 25hp reach behind. As long as they have a working live well of some kind, should be ok.

Like the other youngster said. Be a co-angler first, then jump into it.

fishizzle reply :

I'm a teenager too, X2 =37 yrs old

I'm a NB for 3 yrs and have fished club events and larger trails. I've learned how to outfish the boater sometimes by hitting the spots they miss and fishing slower then they do. Sometimes their lure just "warms up" the bass. Then I sock it to 'em.

I've learned new techniques and perfected some others by putting a new spin on my own.

Be proud to be a boater but fish a few events on unfamiliar waters. You will learn their secret spots too

Good luck

jag119105 reply :

Thanks eveyone for the advice... i can honestly say being a rider never crossed my mind and im very interested in doing that, i will be contacting a few clubs today to check out fees boat regulations and age restrictions... ill see whats out there ill get back with yall as soon as i join one

Thanks

Josh

AndrewCB reply :

is there a resource eihter on here or somewhere else that would put someone in touch with a fishing club? I live in villa rica georgia, am 32, fish every day. We have 3 lakes out here I fish, I live on the lake, but we have no clubs in here. I was just hoping there was a website, or search engine that I could put in my zip code and go form there.

Any suggestions?

bowfish12 reply :

Yahoo usually works for me, just put in bass clubs in georgia, and then narrow it down. I have been able to find quite a few for Tennessee this way, you just have to try different words in different ways to get some of them to show up.

geckert reply :

Don't forget to look into insurance if you plan to be a boater usually 100-300k of liability. Usually for like Bass or FLW you need a fishing deck both front and back, Divided live well , and hard wired running lights. I have a triton tr21 but am still a PROUD co angler

Mottfia reply :

Greta advice from everyone. if I was in your situation, I would have to say " Heck yea that boat will do". If you're fishing then you're doing fine. Money wise, make sure that you can afford the boat, gas, oil, insurance, and another payments that may arise. Secondly with that size motor, learn to fish a small area hard. You must really learn which areas in a small place hold fish. Ex. the points in a creek arm. You don't have the run and gun power of bigger boats so stay local and pound out the close holes. Also they release fish from those marinas and those fish will stay in that area until they recover...sometimes they don't leave so you can find fish that replenish sometimes like that.

Mottfia

Bigs reply :

I live 3 miles from one of the best fishing rivers in the usa, the potomac river. And every week theres lots of tourneys, one in particular has 2 teams that fish from a jon boat with 9.9's. One of those 2 teams finished in the money 7 weeks in a row this summer and they usually cash a check every week. They get into the spots that others cant get into or that others simply overlook. However youre much better off fishing as a non boater to start off, you will gain tons of experience, get in more casts(no trolling motor workout)learn secrets and cover alot more water. Also keep in mind with some aluminum boats that the livewells can get very very hot fast and keeping fish alive can be a challenge in the summer. With my 2004 tracker thats not the case but with my '87 sea nymph , forget about it. That livewell might as well be called a deadwell. Just my 2 cents. Good luck

cart7t reply :

Quote
Hey dude, I'm only 17 so I'll give a fellow teenager some advice. First, yes, that boat will work, although it's not ideal for tournaments. I would suggest though, and I would tell you this even if you had a brand new ranger with a 225hp, that you join a club and fish the first year as a rider. Being a rider, you get to fish with a lot of different people who will have different styles and strengths and you will gain very valuable experience along the way.

Excellent advice. I too had a boat my first year in a club but often back seat fished for the simple reason of learning various methods I didn't know. It's not quite as big a deal as it used to be 35 years ago what with the internet, video's, TV shows and magazines but at the very least you learn your potential competitions strengths and weaknesses.

RobbyZ5001 reply :

If you want to fast track learning you can really load up on tournaments you fish as a non boater. Last year I fished with a club as a rider, the BFL, and college tournaments. You can also be a rider with the BASS wkd series, and ABA. I also just noticed your from Texas so you may have different circuits. Talk to some guys on the forum who are from Texas. I have only done serious fishing for 2 years. I did it as a rider for all but one tournament.

Olebiker reply :

Here is a terrfic article on getting started in tournament fishing:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Tournament-Bass-Fishing,-Is-it-for-You?&id=628703

simplejoe reply :

I tried to be a rider my first couple tourneys to learn different techniques. But I was doing poorly with somebody else in charge of the boat, I couldn't fish the way I wanted too. I brought my boat to the next tourney and been doing good ever since. I'm sitting in 10th place now compared to the 24th position I was at before. I'll get'em next year.

My advice is, If you can do well with somebody else controlling the boat and all you gotta do is fish then by all means do it. If your one of those guys (like me) who gotta be in control of the boat and go to your own places to fish and fish the way you want to then I would bring my own boat. ONE THING IS if you bring your own boat to the tourneys you got to research all the lakes or rivers you will be fishing and prefish them so you know what spots are good and which ones aren't so you know where to go the day of the tournament. Just remember if you have a bad day of fishing ( not being able to find fish ) on the day of the tournament you will also be hurting you rider as well unless they know spots to go.

joe t.

Raymond de Leur Jr. A.S. reply :

You can also look here for clubs in your state:

http://www.bassresource.com/bassfish/bass_fishing_clubs.html

suzukibullfrog reply :

hey dude im a youngster as well, but i fish club tournaments here in south florida and i fish federation events as well as BFL events. I had same questions and doubts when i first wanted to begin tournaments, the best thing you can do and most likely the smartest is to just to go a club and explain who you are and what you would like to do and they will guide you in the right direction

Wesley reply :

Quote
hey,
I have really been looking into fishing tournaments and i am purchasing a bass tracker pro 16 w/ a 30hp mercury on it... will this boat do the trick for me and what fishing clubs/tournaments do they have here in south texas... Im only 18 and know how to fish but not looking to go into the big money yet lol... so do y'all have any suggestions for a youngster looking for experience tournaments and fishing clubs

Thanks

Josh

Check out the Texas Bass federation web site they have a club locator that will help you find some.

Chris reply :

Right here on this site has a long list of club links that will help you figure out which is close to you. Most clubs have a draw tournament style format where where you draw partners. Some have a team tournament format and others are single boater events. It just depends on what guidelines they follow. As a non-boater in a draw format you get a good front seat to learn new techniques and can build great friendships. Depending on where they fish you might not need a big boat with a large outboard. Some tournaments because of the area is trolling motor only. A small boat does have its advantages in slipping into areas others can not even on big water. If you find yourself in a position that your not near any clubs start your own. I grew up with a guy that started a weekly tournament in Florida that grew into a big deal tournament about two years later. Many guys kinda get tired of the politics of a club format and start their own weekly or monthly tournament. Many find that they grow into a club of fishermen that fish without the club headache. There is a guy I know that started one in Illinois and called it a weekly qualifier tournament. It drew more of a crowd then some regular clubs. Whichever direction you go is up to you but the education you gain from tournaments is priceless.

SWMIBASSER reply :

While you will certainly learn alot being a co-angler there are many things to learn having your own boat too.

One of the most important being boat positioning which you can't learn without on the water experience.

Also, being a co-angler doesn't mean you are paired with a better fisherman in the front of the boat. They may need to develop their skills as well, but prefer to fish from their own boat.

In that case, what are you gaining? You saved on entry fees, but if you aren't on fish you are SOL. So the entry fee is lost anyhow as you aren't on fish......

I don't mean to paint a negative light but I know of a couple of guys who have fished BFL tournaments as boaters, and honestly I'd be disappointed to draw them.

kikstand454 reply :

Quote
Here is a terrfic article on getting started in tournament fishing:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tournament-Bass-Fishing,-Is-it-for-You?&id=628703

that was a great article!

fishfordollars reply :

Lots of great advice about fishing as a non boater that you should follow. You will learn a lot.

Some suggested that you would also learn the boaters "sweet spots". That's great to, but remember if you get the reputation of going back and burning someone's spot it will get around. If a boater carries you to an area, respect it. Lakes are free, just don't burn it up, or worse, carry someone else and show them how to fish it.

So learn as much as you can, and develope your areas to fish. Plenty out there that is untouched.

Good luck.

EasternPAfisherman reply :

Quote
If you want to fast track learning you can really load up on tournaments you fish as a non boater. Last year I fished with a club as a rider, the BFL, and college tournaments. You can also be a rider with the BASS wkd series, and ABA. I also just noticed your from Texas so you may have different circuits. Talk to some guys on the forum who are from Texas. I have only done serious fishing for 2 years. I did it as a rider for all but one tournament.

Hello Robby, I live near you so I want to know if you know the club called the Delaware River Bassmasters?

chris090981 reply :

Quote
hey,
I have really been looking into fishing tournaments and i am purchasing a bass tracker pro 16 w/ a 30hp mercury on it... will this boat do the trick for me and what fishing clubs/tournaments do they have here in south texas... Im only 18 and know how to fish but not looking to go into the big money yet lol... so do y'all have any suggestions for a youngster looking for experience tournaments and fishing clubs

Thanks

Josh

I have to go against the grain on being a non-boater ... If you've only been fishing for 2-3 years sure go as a non-boater but if your familiar with all presentations and all weather conditions i'd go as a boater ! Anything you want to learn as far as patterns and experience you can learn online and no experience is as good as on the water experience ! I fished non-boater with some BIG name fisher's and everything they were doing i was very knowledgeable with prior to .. All i got out of it was their leftover fish which isn't much fishing behind such BIG name fisher's ! Get out there on your own ... But study study study ! And remember what you read ! And don't be afraid to switch presentations when you are catching fish ! That switch may be the 1 that trigger's off the bigger fish ! Learn how to thurally read a fish finder as well ! You gotta fish where the fish live ! And don't ever quit a job for fishing ! There's no guarantee in this game !

flipnpitch reply :

Great point, fishfordollars, and very well said.

RobbyZ5001 reply :

Quote

Quote
If you want to fast track learning you can really load up on tournaments you fish as a non boater. Last year I fished with a club as a rider, the BFL, and college tournaments. You can also be a rider with the BASS wkd series, and ABA. I also just noticed your from Texas so you may have different circuits. Talk to some guys on the forum who are from Texas. I have only done serious fishing for 2 years. I did it as a rider for all but one tournament.

Hello Robby, I live near you so I want to know if you know the club called the Delaware River Bassmasters?

Hey man,

We should try to get out fishing at some point since we aren't far from each other! I live right next to Beltzville so I spend the majority of my time there. I don't know any of the guys in the club so I would suggest attending a meeting and see how you mesh. How the guys are in the club can tell you a lot about the enjoyment level you will receive by joining and attending events. I looked at their tournament schedule and all I have to say is d**n! They will have you fishing some awesome water and some small PA waters. Some of the places they are having tourneys blow my mind. I have a cabin on Promised Land and I am surprised they chose that body of water. You will catch a lot of fish, but winning weight will probably be around 8 lbs (someone had 12#'s last year which is awesome!). Honestly this club looks like a lot of fun, and depending where I will be this summer I will take a look at it as well. PM me we can talk more about our area etc..

florida strain reply :

the boat will be ok in small waterbody..if you just wanna learn stuff join a club ..if you just wanna be in competitive envirorment go with open tournaments you can find them in local newspapers or ask local tackle shops..there is no member fees like a club

RichF reply :

It really is a good idea to start as a non-boater like everyone is saying. The boat you're looking at should be fine too. My dad and I fish tourneys out of a tracker pro team 170 with a 50hp and do pretty well against the big rigs. Good luck man!

Flukeman reply :

One good thing about being a co-angler first is you get to see many different boats. This will help you decide if that boat is what you want for fishing tournaments. Some clubs and trails also have boat size and motor limitations, be sure your boat qualifies for what you want to fish. You could also look up some folks with similar boats to what you are looking at and ask about pluses and minuses.

You will also need to know the tournament format. If it is a shared water tournament and the other persons water is not close to yours, a 30hp really cuts into your fishing time on larger bodies of water.

Just make sure you check out all the variables before you drop down your hard earned cash.

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