We have a big bass tournament this weekend with hourly payouts and biggest for 2 days wins a big pot. A buddy of mine has mentioned a couple times he knows where there is a fish big enough to win it, over 10 easy he said, that broke off on him 3 weeks ago. He has left her alone for the tournament. He is not going to fish now but his son is who is a friend of mine too. Anyway last weekend I hung a monster that wrapped up and broke off. I was telling the guy about it, not where but he knows the area we fish. About 30 minutes later my partner calls and tells me the guy came by and told him where his fish was and it is on the exact same laydown. Tournament is first man there gets the spot and we were planning to be there an hour before start time so we would be the first there. Now that I know he planned to fish it I don't know. The cast after I broke off hooked about a 5 lb'er and then we pulled out. He knows the lake a lot better and knows where other big fish are and I don't. So do I beat him there since I found the fish without help or stay out of it. And I am in another guys boat so it is up to him but want some opinions.

Let the boater make the decision and invest in some braid

Braid on all rods now. Hung it on the only pole with mono.

I never fished a tournament of anykind that didn't have an officical launch so that kind of thing doesn't happen. Everyone starts at the same time and whoever has the fastest boat wins unless there are enough boats that you go out in flights and if you have the early flight you have the spot but being able to launch an hour before the start doesn't sound fair.

You can launch anytime but no wet hooks until 6. Winners subject to polygraph test.

Ok this is one of the Big Bass formats and you can be on your spot early as he was saying but no wet lines til you get a text message or the start over the radio. Let the boater make the decision and you already took the advice to go to braid.

Good Luck

first come first serve in a tournament .

Too many friends in this tournament and I am worrying too much about someone getting mad. I have decided to let the boater go where he wants and I am just there to fish and enjoy myself. I think for either of us to camp on it all day would be stupid because there are weigh-ins every hour. This is my first tournament bigger than a 10 boat jackpot and I am not gonna let this stress me out. I want to enjoy it not fight with friends. We are planning to launch at 4:30 though. : )