Tournament Fishing and Fast Boats 2024

roadwarrior reply :

Okay Hale,

Why are fast boats such an important advantage in tournament fishing?

Hale reply :

LOL....you beat me to the post RW!

So there seems to be different opinions on the nessecity of having a bigger faster boat. Im sure we can all agree that a fish doesnt care what your in...but does that really win tournaments?

I believe that if you want to be succesful on big water and big events you must have a boat that can handle it. I think the most important aspect is getting in on your holes before the other boats. Example: Your honey hole is most likely not a secret and others are headed for it. Likewise, your honey hole produces the best fish between 7am and 9am on a topwater. The launch point is 20 miles away across Okeechobee. Your 14' 25hp jon is not only going to fail in the journey if the winds are anything above 10knots, but you will waste a lot of that small window.

Yesterday was a perfect example for me: I run a Nitro with a 90hp. Shes brand new and nice but not top of the line by any means. Two people and tourny rigged I can push here around the 50mph range. Not bad...but not good enough. Where we fished it was known that the fish are back in the flats and thats where the weight would come from. I was in the first flight for launching and was stoked as this gave me a shot to be get on the flats before others. Well I was getting blown in by some of these other bigger boats and when I arrived 18 miles later to the areas I wanted to cover...they were already taken. And Im not talking about counting on hitting one spot...I mean several areas. Could I have won if I got there first? Who knows. Did the winner and other top spots come out of those areas...yes!

Garnet reply :

Fast boats are not that important until you go to that 1 lake thats big big big and nasty nasty nasty and we have one in every area and then it's just big hp=big boat=safety.

That being said there could advantage on a spawning area for the 50hp if buddy left his tourney shirt off and just went right at it buddy in the big equipment might not worry about little old me in a 50hp.

I'd get a bad hat and try to look new at the game many half fall in a couple times sit down and fart around a bit until I found the big girls.

Garnet

cbfishalot reply :

I would agree that on a small lake or in a small tournament boat motor size makes alot less of a difference. However, In a large tournament on big water it makes all the difference. The example that came to my mind was the 2006 bassmasters classic. Take the winner Luke Clausen, he was fishing on the far end of Lake Kissimmee and the launch was on Lake Toho.

Everday of the tournament he made this run there and back

-across Lake Toho to the southport locks and the locks only hold a certain number of boats. If he was running a 50hp motor he might of needed to wait costing him important time. (the florida guys might help me out on how many boats the lock holds)

-once the lock opens he would run down Southport Canal

-then across Lake Cypress

-down Hatchineha Canal

-across Lake Hatchineha

-past Camp Mack on the Kissimmee River

-into Lake Kissimmee

-now he needed to run the hole length of Lake Kissimmee to the spot he fished the hole tournament.

This is a long run and Luke did it every day of the tournament. I have made only parts of this run and it is a long ways. (if the florida guys would be so kind to help me out once again with the miles)

Now im not saying that this run cant be done with a 50hp motor but I am saying that it will take you a lot longer with one. We all know that time is money when it comes to fishing tournaments because when your line is not in the water you cant catch fish. With only a 50hp motor your probley in a smaller boat with a smaller gas tank. You might need to stop and get gas at some point costing you more time.

COULD LUKE HAVE WON THE CLASSIC RUNNING A 50hp MOTOR?

COULD LUKE HAVE WON THE CLASSIC ONLY FISHING IN TOHO BY PUT IN?

I DONT KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BillyBob reply :

Guys, its this simple.... at that level or some lesser level, there comes a time when everyone on that particular tour looks for an edge against his competion. Be it technology, intelligence, equippment. Why would anyone put themselves at such a disadvantage ? Why so much time given to Rods & Reels? Why don't we all just use cane poles? If you don't think there is a difference between a duck boat and a bass boat, then you ain't been there yet!

Garnet reply :

Yes Luke wins hands down if every boat has been there for a full hour. Now how is luke going to beat all these guys 1 hr late.

My luke knows every square inch of that flat, 3/4 of the boat there think this is just one big flat, and you just keep fishing.

My luke knows ever little edge, every little dark spot, he knows were some cane grew 2 years ago, and 4 years ago he even knows were theres a little depression just in the middle of nothing.

I'm betting on my luke because he new work harder than everbody and hard work will allways beat hp.

Of course the real Luke Clausen in a rowboat is going to out work 8/10 guys.

Garnet

Hale reply :

cbfishalots post: its close to 40 miles one way for the run you were talking about. Dont forget the nasty north winds they were up against (very rough water).

garnet: I cant understand the grammer in any of your posts!

BillyBob: Thats a good point. Small waters, club tourneys and all that, nah its not necessary to run a 21' ranger with a 300hp envirude. Thats a bit overkill. Big waters, big tourneys, want to make a living, then yeah the big boat is critical.

5bass reply :

It's all about getting where you're going the fastest way possible.....in a tournament you dont have time to be put put putting along. Time is valuable when you are fishing "against the clock". Its a must on big lakes because you dont want to limit yourself on where you have to fish....you want the whole lake to be available to you,not just the sections around the ramp. You simply cant cover a big lake with a slow boat. Like someone mentioned above,some of the pros are traveling 20-30-40 miles one way to get to the honey hole.....thats alot of water to cover.

And a bigger boat in nasty weather is obviously safer.

Obviously my opinions are only during a tournament situation,you can catch a fish from any kind of boat, just like you dont have to use Shimano high dollar reels to catch fish.

roadwarrior reply :

[Obviously my opinions are only during a tournament situation,you can catch a fish from any kind of boat, just like you dont have to use Shimano high dollar reels to catch fish.

What? :

squid reply :

Do you want someone fishing in your hole or not? But if you are boat 200....does the size of the motor really matter now....when 199 others have the same size motor, or close to it? If you are not in the top 20...unles it's a secret spot....You are screwed!! Even with smaller lakes....the earliest and the fastest boats makes it to the hole fisrt...plain and simple. I have a 115hp, but have passed alot of bigger motors due to the size of the boat and the fact that I am alluminum...helps too. But most of the time...big or small lakes...size will beat you to the hole...that is why you need more than one hole to fish from.

5bass reply :

Quote
What? :

Dont you roll your eyes at me! ;D

Garnet reply :

Halew put bunch of , in. Just rambling and haven fun.

Garnet

topwaterdog91 reply :

I've read that Skeet Reese would prefer to run a 17 or 18 foot boat, but due to the fact that these "pros" need to run so far it's tough for them to run a boat of this size. Whether this is true or not, who knows? I know Ike got stuck in his boat at one time and had to jump into another boat to finish the tournament for that day, would this have happened in a 16 footer with a 50 horse? Maybe, maybe not. In Skeet's case, I've read that he would prefer a smaller boat in order to fish some of the shallower back waters.

cabela10 reply :

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I know Ike got stuck in his boat at one time and had to jump into another boat to finish the tournament for that day,

There there sir would be illegal and he would of been DQed if he jumped into another boat if he got himself stuck during the tournament. The only time they can switch boats is if the boat they are giving to compete in the final day of the tournament breaks down. They then provide him with a boat asap.

Also, I think the reason this thread was started, was for a far different reason that just strictly horsepower, like what is being talked about in here. Obviously we were originally talking about lower end tournaments, and if somebody is running a 50hp compared to others in a 250hp. The 50hp guy will not run a long distance and find fishing spots closer to the launch. They adapt.

HPBB reply :

The boat switch with Ike, was not illegal, It was in the 2005 Bass masters Classic. If its the one he is talking about. The video showed Ike trying to push the boat in ankle deep water, and trying the merc, but just sparying mud and water everywhere. Not only did he get that boat "stuck" it was damaged. under that mud was cement.

"would this have happened in a 16 footer with a 50 horse?" let me say Yes!! i know where he got stuck. I fish by there all the time. I live by there to. even if it was a 12 jon with a 5hp motor it would have gotten stuck, you could have pulled the jon off by yourself, but it would have been stuck.

On fast boats. My boat isn't that fast 35- 40 mph, because of that I know my limits. Most of my tournaments are on smaller lakes, but I still get beat to spots all the time. However; if I have a spot and its a 20-30 mile run, and I know there are good fish there. I will make it. I know I'll get beat there by the big boats, but I'll still run. I do think a big fast boat is an advantage, I guess i'll have to use my fishing skills to overcome that for now.

Yes, I want a big, fast boat. I even have it picked out (Blazer 210 with a 250merc or yam) And one day I'll have one. Life hit me before i could get one, wife, kids, house..ect.., but right now my boats(I have 2) are just great. You know, as much as I lust over those big shinny new rigs. there are lots of guys with small boats or no boats that lust after mine.

Hale reply :

Yeah, the boat switches arenet illegal should it be because your boat is damaged or broke down. Naturally they have a particular proccess you must follow in order to do it but you can have your pit crew, another competitors crew, or even in some cases tournament officials bring a new boat to you and they will take care of towing the other in.

FIN-S-R reply :

My 17 footer runs 60mph wide open on normal water, I regulary get "beat" to my spots. My partners boat runs upwards of 80 and we dont get beat. it matters...2 wks ago we got paid fishing a spot that we beat 5 other boats to (passed all of them) and it was pretty rough. My boat can take a 2 foot swell and stay dry, but a 2.5' swell get you wet. We fish lots of offshore structure and bridges and ledges and you have to be able to take a 3-4 footer square in the face without flinching. Bigger boat bigger motor= more competitive and safer...easier on your back too

Catt reply :

The correct answer here is the adrenaline rush of running Legend LE21 with a 300 HPDI Yamaha at 80+ mph is unmatched.

My view is any boat over 18' in length and an outboard over 150 hp is simply bragging

I fish Toledo Bend Reservoir there are not many lake that get any nastier than this and I win my share of tournaments while fishing in boats from 16' to 18'. The key to handling rough water is not the boat but the driver.

5bass reply :

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My view is any boat over 18' in length and an outboard over 150 hp is simply bragging

Really? Bragging? :-?

cabela10 reply :

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The boat switch with Ike, was not illegal, It was in the 2005 Bass masters Classic. If its the one he is talking about. The video showed Ike trying to push the boat in ankle deep water, and trying the merc, but just sparying mud and water everywhere. Not only did he get that boat "stuck" it was damaged. under that mud was cement..

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here but I must say. If Ike tryed to get his boat into a place with low water levels and he damaged the boat for being stupid, while getting it stuck all at the same time. He should not be giving another boat to fish from, he should have to suffer and deal with it. On the other hand, if your screaming down the lake and the big motor breaks down, THEN B.A.S.S. would supply him with a new boat to use, or if his trolling motor break down. But that only happens on the final day, when they use the sponsored rigs.

If Ike got his boat stuck and damaged it in the process, and they gave him a new boat for it, I would be ticked off if I was competing against him because you shouldn't be rewarded with a new boat.

Ky_Lake_Dude reply :

So they can look cool LOL :D.Naw really I have heard pros say that the faster they get to there spot the more time they have to fish.

cabela10 reply :

At the professional level..BASS and FLW...all those boats are comparable in motor size. Of course a fast boat, 60+mph, is needed to get to those far away places.

cart7t reply :

Quote
Okay Hale,
Why are fast boats such an important advantage in tournament fishing?

Simple

If I'm spending less time motoring around I've got more time to fish.

Now, as to why bass anglers like to have a fast boat, that's an entirely different matter.

Catt reply :

First most 18 foot bass boats are actually over 18'

Basscat Sabre 18' 1 93

Champion 188 Elite: 18' 8 beam 92.5

Nitro 591 18' 7 beam 94

Ranger 188 VS 18' 8 beam 92.5

Skeeter SX 190 18' 5 beam 90

Triton 186 18' 6 beam 91'

Any one of these boats will handle any body of water under rough conditions if driven correctly. If it's too rough for any of these boats to safely handle it a foot or two additional lengths will not be a huge advantage. Both B.A.S.S. and FLW will delay, postpone, or cancel tournaments if the conditions are that unsafe.

Hale reply :

Cabela; I believe there is stipulations on break downs and switch outs. I believe they cant switch when it was neglegience (sp?) For instance, Ike was able to switch when his motor just died and left him floating in the gulf, but another time he was forced to stay in a boat he tore the lower unit off of from runing the river.

Then of course there is the gray area of sponsor/event boats on that last day or other events (which they would hate me using, I tear my boats up I could only imagine what I would do to theirs! ;D)

Maybe its an extension of a small ummmm 'unit'...but if it were possible I would have a 22' boat that run 95+ mph. And as a man I could give you twenty logical reasons of why its necessary!

nightbow reply :

I have a triton 186 and i am now getting a legend le 21 yes for the power but lets face it my rods just do not fit in the smaller boat , the tips keep breaking off when pushed up into the nose of the boat and having other boats pass you like you are standing still is just frustating

stormcar reply :

The one thank, I did not here mentioned was we a fast boat you get a little longer to fish your spot, procraft 186 200mer get there fast , fish longer

Matt Fly reply :

Quote

Quote
The boat switch with Ike, was not illegal, It was in the 2005 Bass masters Classic. If its the one he is talking about. The video showed Ike trying to push the boat in ankle deep water, and trying the merc, but just sparying mud and water everywhere. Not only did he get that boat "stuck" it was damaged. under that mud was cement..

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here but I must say. If Ike tryed to get his boat into a place with low water levels and he damaged the boat for being stupid, while getting it stuck all at the same time. He should not be giving another boat to fish from, he should have to suffer and deal with it. On the other hand, if your screaming down the lake and the big motor breaks down, THEN B.A.S.S. would supply him with a new boat to use, or if his trolling motor break down. But that only happens on the final day, when they use the sponsored rigs.

If Ike got his boat stuck and damaged it in the process, and they gave him a new boat for it, I would be ticked off if I was competing against him because you shouldn't be rewarded with a new boat.

Most boat sponsors show up with numerous spare boats just incase something happens to one of their sponsored boats.

Its not just an Ike thing, if it was KVD, Nitro would have another boat ready to go, no matter what the reason was. Thats just sponsors taking care of business.

Matt

basspro05 reply :

I personally started tournament fishing out of a 17.6' tracker boat with a 40hp mercury, it was a great little fishing boat, really reliable always ran perfect, another thing it was really reliable at was making me wear rain gear all of the time, because water would splash over the small boat on big waters, and it never let me down on having someone pass me on the way to a fishing hole and seeing that same boat where i wanted to fish. So now I have a 18.6' skeeter with a 150HP mercury that has been tuned so I go about 62 MPH on GPS with my gear, partner, and I and that is just about perfect for the 7,000+ acre lakes that I normally fish, but every once in awhile I need to get back in a creek that I wish I had that little tracker back again

cabela10 reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
The boat switch with Ike, was not illegal, It was in the 2005 Bass masters Classic. If its the one he is talking about. The video showed Ike trying to push the boat in ankle deep water, and trying the merc, but just sparying mud and water everywhere. Not only did he get that boat "stuck" it was damaged. under that mud was cement..

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here but I must say. If Ike tryed to get his boat into a place with low water levels and he damaged the boat for being stupid, while getting it stuck all at the same time. He should not be giving another boat to fish from, he should have to suffer and deal with it. On the other hand, if your screaming down the lake and the big motor breaks down, THEN B.A.S.S. would supply him with a new boat to use, or if his trolling motor break down. But that only happens on the final day, when they use the sponsored rigs.

If Ike got his boat stuck and damaged it in the process, and they gave him a new boat for it, I would be ticked off if I was competing against him because you shouldn't be rewarded with a new boat.

Most boat sponsors show up with numerous spare boats just incase something happens to one of their sponsored boats.

Its not just an Ike thing, if it was KVD, Nitro would have another boat ready to go, no matter what the reason was. Thats just sponsors taking care of business.

Matt

If Ike got his boat stuck in the morning of DAY 1, he should not be allowed to get another boat that morning. For DAY 2, I know that sponsors have other boats for them to fish out of. I was refering to them getting a new/different boat during the same day if they do something stupid.

Matt Fly reply :

Anyone recall seeing a BASS event were a few competitors had to lasso one of the competitors boats off dry ground?

I don't recall if it was a federation tourny or what, but the guy got caught in some one boat wake and ran ashore. Took two boats to tow him off the beach.

I bet he gets embarrassed every time they show that clip.

matt

cabela10 reply :

That was a well known touring professional and the name slips my mind right now.

5bass reply :

****MODERATOR NOTE****

Fellas,lets try to get back on topic here. Thanks for your support. Carry on.

fivebasslimit

Global Moderator

cabela10 reply :

Isn't a boat running aground the conversation. The guy had a fast boat and couldn't control it. Endangering others with all the horsepower. I think all boaters that get behind a boat should have a boating license, just like a drivers license. It's the only way everyone will be safer on the water. Make everyone go through a course, or grandfather it in to the younger kids coming up. I see no issues with this. They should charge money for this privilege of having a boating license.

You could even have a symbol of a boat on your drivers license meaning you can drive a boat. If you get a DWI in a car or boat, then you lose ALL PRIVILEGES. I see to many people dying in fast boats especially during 4th of july weekend.

Garnet reply :

I don't really think fast boats are that much problem. But these seadoo's are wicked fast for cheap money any kid can get one and age doesn't seam to be a factor. Every close call has something to do with a seadoo.

We have boat liences in Ont. and it still comes down to you can't legislate idiots.

They did make it well known last year that DWI on boats are the same penaltys as cars.

Garnet

5bass reply :

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Isn't a boat running aground the conversation.

No.

RW asked "Why are fast boats such an important advantage in tournament fishing?"

Thread was going good,then the conversation took a left turn and went into someone getting stuck and then he got a different boat when he shouldnt have and on and on about tournament rules and switching boats.

frogtog reply :

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The correct answer here is the adrenaline rush of running Legend LE21 with a 300 HPDI Yamaha at 80+ mph is unmatched.
My view is any boat over 18' in length and an outboard over 150 hp is simply bragging

I fish Toledo Bend Reservoir there are not many lake that get any nastier than this and I win my share of tournaments while fishing in boats from 16' to 18'. The key to handling rough water is not the boat but the driver.

I run a 19'8 Skeeter with a 200 3.0 and if you like adrenaline rush just go into a curve and don't trim that sucker down. It gets real exciting!

CJ reply :

I fish big water and a 18' regardless of driver will not run with a 21'.

The weight of the boat is going to make a difference as well.

Scernario:

Ky.Lake,winds N at 20 mph.Most guys in anything smaller than a 20' would do good to get out of the bays on a day like that.I fish a Stratos that measures 20'10".Not only does a longer boat ride better,the length and weight allows it to fish better for an offshore guy.

As for the original question,they all wanna get there first,RW.I can say that I have a 21'w/250 H.P Merc.It will hit 80 but I drive 65mph at the most in tournaments.There's always that guy who is trying to win the boat race.The boat race is usually all he wins.

RHuff reply :

My 17' aluminum with a 50HP runs right around 30mph. Yes a faster boat would be nice. Living to see the next day and being able to fish the next tournament is a little bit nicer.

haydenf96 reply :

It depends. I fish for Arizona State’s bass team and we just had an FLW qualifier on the California Delta. I own a 21 foot boat with a 225 but circumstances lead us to bring my partners 16 foot ranger with a 60 hp. Mine gets close to 70 his, we topped out at 30.

During the 7 hour tournament, 2 hours were spent behind the wheel. The place is huge and it takes time to get places. With a faster boat, we would have had more time to fish.

Speed is just a tool to make things more efficient

12poundbass reply :

Ahhhhh fall is in the air. The fall bit is slowing, the temps. are dropping, the leaves are changing, and 11 year old threads are being revived! ????

J Francho reply :

Four score and nearly twelve years ago...

Still a good discussion topic.

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