hey everyone. now that I'm out of college and working and have more free time I'm going to start fishing tournaments again as a co-angler. its not a big club or anything but i would like to improve my placements and my knowledge on tournament fishing instead of just fishing for the afternoon type deal. Thanks to everyone in advance

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

I'll help you if I can, exactly what would you like to know?

 

Mike

Good technique for the guy in the back of the boat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqGTzPt6TIQ

Also this: http://fishingtheback.com/

thanks everybody. good links and mike L im just looking for an edge to become a competitive angler

The best way to get better at fishing tournaments is to fish with guys who are better/ more experienced then you.  A local club might not be the best route.  Back in the day - I had a year of fishing Red Man tournaments as a co-angler under my belt (Redman was the precursor to FLW & BFL) .   Anyway, I decided/got talked into joining a local club that was trying to start up.   There were 30 or so members - more boaters than non-boaters and decided that they were going to fish a semi-regional tournament schedule.  By the end of the year I had discovered  that all any of the boaters knew how to fish was to beat the banks.   The problem was that I already knew how to beat the banks.

When I did the math on out of town tournament expenses, I found out that aside from the entry fee, expenses were the same as BFL, i.e.  I stayed in similar motels.   I didn't eat any different.   My gasoline expenses were roughly similar - everything was similar except for the entry fee.   the BFL co-angler entry fee was higher than the club entry fee.

 

After a year of club fishing, I did the math and decided that I didn't learn enough fishing in the local club to justify the savings.    Going to the BFL's and drawing partners whose fishing skills went beyond the banks enabled me to learn a lot.   Hanging out in the parking lot the couple of days prior to the tournament, I learned a lot of stuff that I could apply to my week to week private fishing and also to the tournament situation.

I'm not saying don't join a local club.   I'm just saying that in my opinion, fishing in a local club set back my skills accumulation compared to what I learned in a season of BFL.   AND the BFL didn't cost that much more

A national or regional tournament organization might be a good choice for you also.

 

 

As someone who had little tourney experience I joined a local club. It's been a huge benifit. I'm lucky to say I've fished behind some talented guys. One of them having fished on the BASS top 100 circuit. I would look into your local clubs, and find one that fits the level you want to fish at. Some clubs maybe more of let's have tourney and it's just about people being on the water vs an ultra competitive club. Then get behind folks my club allows me to pick who I fish with as there is only one other non boater. But other clubs may have a draw for non boaters.

As far as competitive angler you will need to be a very versatile angler as you have to fish behind someone that's fishing there style. So get comfortable with some different presentations and use the them at the right time to pick off fish behind your boater, and if they offer you the bow jump on it. My boater this year after filling his limit gave me the bow to work a big female on a bed. I didn't get her but the time and experience was extremely valuable.

And always offer to chip in on gas (they might not take it) and help your boater before and after if at all possible. 

On 9/20/2016 at 1:47 AM, Fishes in trees said:

The best way to get better at fishing tournaments is to fish with guys who are better/ more experienced then you.  A local club might not be the best route.  Back in the day - I had a year of fishing Red Man tournaments as a co-angler under my belt (Redman was the precursor to FLW & BFL) .   Anyway, I decided/got talked into joining a local club that was trying to start up.   There were 30 or so members - more boaters than non-boaters and decided that they were going to fish a semi-regional tournament schedule.  By the end of the year I had discovered  that all any of the boaters knew how to fish was to beat the banks.   The problem was that I already knew how to best the banks.

When I did the math on out of town tournament expenses, I found out that aside from the entry fee, expenses were the same as BFL, i.e.  I stayed in similar motels.   I didn't eat any different.   My gasoline expenses were roughly similar - everything was similar except for the entry fee.   the BFL co-angler entry fee was higher than the club entry fee.

 

After a year of club fishing, I did the math and decided that I didn't learn enough fishing in the local club to justify the savings.    Going to the BFL's and drawing partners whose fishing skills went beyond the banks enabled me to learn a lot.   Hanging out in the parking lot the couple of days prior to the tournament, I learned a lot of stuff that I could apply to my week to week private fishing and also to the tournament situation.

I'm not saying don't join a local club.   I'm just saying that in my opinion, fishing in a local club set back my skills accumulation compared to what I learned in a season of BFL.   AND the BFL didn't cost that much more

A national or regional tournament organization might be a good choice for you also.

 

 

I was in a bank beaters club too . Only thing I learned from those guys was that I was using crappy equipment .

Good thread here...but the gem is Glenn's post down the page that lists a bunch of other threads and articles