Hello, my names is Jackson I have been bass fishing for around a year and I live in Missouri. I was wondering what the best way to start tournament fishing is. I don't really understand all the different leagues. I'm 15 so I can't join a bass fishing club and my school does not have a bass fishing team and they are not willing to do one because of liability.  I do own a tracker 17 tx

I started fishing in a bass club when I was 16. It's a matter of the club being okay with having a minor in their group. 

There are plenty of youth clubs out there that would be happy to have you. They will show you the ropes of tournament gishing, and your experiences in a youth club will benefit you once you make the transition to adult tournaments. Another suggestion would be to find an adult fishing partner to fish team tournaments with. 

  Check with the bass clubs . Some will allow guest to fish . Youre 15 and already have a boat , thats a good start .

There might be a bass club nearby that is ok with minors fishing - just got to ask.  I'd research that school liability issue a little more.   Sometimes school principals play the liability card when what they really mean is "I don't want to mess with that."  It wouldn't be the first time that a school official was "flexible" with the truth when dealing with a 15 year old.  My next guess is that is isn't a principal's call, more likely it is a decision that would be made at the superintendent or school board level .  At that level, "NO" is seldom a final answer - it just means that they don't have enough information to say "Yes" yet.  If could be your job to give them enough information.

I don't know enough about high school bass fishing in Missouri to give you a better answer.  I know that some high schools have a team and some don't.

I'm sort of in the same scenario, Im 16 and dont have much access to clubs. I cant afford a boat so my best bet is probably co-angler tourneys. Are there age restrictions on co-angler fishing or is it just a matter of knowing the right people?

On 4/19/2016 at 10:42 PM, Pbkiller123 said:

Hello, my names is Jackson I have been bass fishing for around a year and I live in Missouri. I was wondering what the best way to start tournament fishing is. I don't really understand all the different leagues. I'm 15 so I can't join a bass fishing club and my school does not have a bass fishing team and they are not willing to do one because of liability.  I do own a tracker 17 tx

I was in the same boat as you buddy, I started doing tournaments at the same age.  For me I worked really hard to get my school to allow a bass team, they were worried about liability as well... I contacted the CEO of the FLW High School league and had him personally call my principle.  But if that is a no go for you then here are a few option that could work.

 

- Most bigger bass clubs will have a junior club as well, this will allow you to fish tournaments but do it with kids your age and then once you are old enough and feel ready you can move up to the adult club.

-Do some Google searches as there are plenty of small non B.A.S.S or FLW leagues out there for bass tournaments. As well as plenty of open tournaments out there for you to join I bet every weekend somewhere in your state.  Many of these you need to have at least someone in the boat who is 18, but these tournaments are also team tournaments so even if one of your parents or a family friend is not in to fishing you could ask them to at least ride along in the boat as your "partner" so that you are legal to fish the tournaments.    

 

I know this can all be confusing and I know exactly how you feel as this was me a few years ago.  So if you have any additional questions I will be more than willing to help you out just message me.