So I'm 15 and in High school.

And I'm looking for another Highschooler in the Jacksonville Florida area who has a boat to fish tournaments with. I really wanna get into tournaments I just don't have a boat.
Thanks! -Garrett Roberts

Find a local club in your area, even if it is all adults and talk to them. Assuming your age wont be a problem from them you can learn a ton from experienced anglers. Even if they don't let you participate in tournaments ask them to let you know if any of the members are going out for fun and have space in their boat. Finding another person your age with a boat and in your immediate area will likely be difficult especially if you are strangers.

 

A lot of older/experienced anglers love to help out young guys with fishing as long as the club is relaxed enough you might get a shot.

 

16 and 18 are typically the magic numbers for tournament angling but either way id advise you to start with a relaxed club no matter what, just do your research and you might find something.

 

Rob

First, check out the tournament trails you are considering and find out the minimum age to participate.

 

Second, as Corn-on-the-Rob suggests, check with local bass clubs to find out if any members have sons who can operate their father's bass boat who may want to team up with you to fish tournaments.

 

Also try to find out if any universities in the Jacksonville area like North Florida and find out if they have fishing teams that may have a member with a boat willing to join you in fishing tournaments.

 

And then there are the FLW and BASS Florida federations. Go on-line and find them and send an email. They may have some information on youngsters in your area that may want to fish tournaments with you.
 

Tournament fishing can be boring and tedious while putting yourself under a lot of pressure.  It is not glamorous and you and your boater have to get along and work as a team.

 

Most clubs have a 16 age limit to be eligible to join so you may have to wait one more year before you can go tournament fishing.

 

Good luck.

I am 14 as well but I have a boat. I would help but I am from South Carolina. I started a club at my school and we fish tournaments and we have volunteers from the community to offer in boats and to drive us around. My dad dosent like tournaments but i am trying to get him to fish with me. My boat was my grandfathers but he passed away and it was handed down to me. I have a special permit from boatus.com so i can fish alone on my boat. If you can find a boat this is a good start I guess. The club is probably the best way to go. 

Find a local club in your area, even if it is all adults and talk to them. Assuming your age wont be a problem from them you can learn a ton from experienced anglers. Even if they don't let you participate in tournaments ask them to let you know if any of the members are going out for fun and have space in their boat. Finding another person your age with a boat and in your immediate area will likely be difficult especially if you are strangers.

 

A lot of older/experienced anglers love to help out young guys with fishing as long as the club is relaxed enough you might get a shot.

 

16 and 18 are typically the magic numbers for tournament angling but either way id advise you to start with a relaxed club no matter what, just do your research and you might find something.

 

Rob

Thanks all of ya'll! And That's a great idea corn-on-the-rod and Sam!! And lucky dog haha, I have a jon boat but no motor or anything. Just the Jon Boat. And yeah I've been looking online for the past few months. And wanted to join Highschoolfishing.org but i don't have a boat or car. And I'm trying to figure out a way to get a boat, and I have a Boaters license so I could operate it alone. But I'm definitely gonna do all of that haha.

check with river city christian youth club. 

 

Jacksonville is a decent area for a guy to fish. Find somebody who can take you out on Rodman, or the St. Johns. I'm sure you'll find someone.

You can always do co-angler tournaments, and or start a high school club

You can always do co-angler tournaments, and or start a high school club

That's what I want to do. But I'm homeschooled so I can't start a school slub.

Thanks all of ya'll! And That's a great idea corn-on-the-rod and Sam!! And lucky dog haha, I have a jon boat but no motor or anything. Just the Jon Boat. And yeah I've been looking online for the past few months. And wanted to join Highschoolfishing.org but i don't have a boat or car. And I'm trying to figure out a way to get a boat, and I have a Boaters license so I could operate it alone. But I'm definitely gonna do all of that haha.

Just becuase you have a "boaters license doesn't necessarily mean you are capable in handling said boat. There are a lot of things to keep,in mind in regards to insurance, water pressure, depth, speed, trim and tons of other things. It's a huge responsibility. It's much different than driving a car. And not to mention the other people on the water. Some of them are the biggest hazards to everybody on the lake lol.

Tight lines

Andrew

Just becuase you have a "boaters license doesn't necessarily mean you are capable in handling said boat. There are a lot of things to keep,in mind in regards to insurance, water pressure, depth, speed, trim and tons of other things. It's a huge responsibility. It's much different than driving a car. And not to mention the other people on the water. Some of them are the biggest hazards to everybody on the lake lol.

Tight lines

Andrew

Yeah, I know. I grew up around boats and driving boats and operating boats.

I started fishing in an adult bass club when I was 16. I was the youngest member by 12 years but was lucky enough to find a group of guys that would let me fish with them. The potential problem you have is finding a club willing to deal with the liability of having a minor in their club. It would be worth looking and asking though.