Hey fellas, Im gonna fish my first toourney in January and Im just wanting advice on everything to do with tourney fishing.  Things like culling, etiquette, weigh ins ect ect...  Just any and all advice you guys have for me.

Dano

PS It will be at Amistad in the end of January

Are you fishing a draw tourney or a buddy tourney.

If it's a buddy tourney then don't change anything from your normal fishing day be aware of all rules and have fun. At the end of the day write a report in a three ring binder were you fish what the general conditions and what you wieght and what the winners wieght. At this piont there will be no end of ways to improve your skills have fun on your adventure.

Garnet

Here are some pointers as a non-boater.

1.  Be early at the dock.

2.  If possible, contact the boat owner prior to the tournament and discuss what you are going to bring (food, tackle box, drinks, etc.) to make sure he has room for all of your stuff on the boat.

3.  Bring two baitcaster and two spinning rods set up and ready to go.

4.  Pack in your tackle box two fully spooled baitcasters and two fully spooled spinning reels to change out as the day progresses.  This saves space as you will not have to bring 12 rod set ups or sit there and try to work out a backlash.

5.  Find out if there is a charge for gasoline, such as $30 or more, and have the money ready and give it to the boat owner before he has to ask you for it.

6.  Look over the back of the boat very carefully as you don't want to have a misstep and fall out of the boat.  It is embarrassing.

7.  Ask where the net is located so you won't have to run around the boat looking for the net to net one of the boat owners fish or vise versa.

8.  Talk to the boat owner to see what he is going to throw first so you can throw something else as two different baits are better than two of the same kind of baits.  Once either starts hitting fish you can change out to what is working.

9.  Take the lead from the boat owner.  He may be a quiet guy or a talker.  Do what he does regarding talking while fishing.

10.  If you are not a great caster tell the boat owner so he will be prepared to go to the shore to get your lure out of the bushes or trees or docks, etc.

11.  Try not to cross his line, which sometimes is easier said then done.

12.  Understand that some boat owners want to go fast and cover a lot of water while others want to fish slow and work different baits and presentations at the same strucutre or shore line so be ready to do both.

13.  If it is cold, bring a second set of clothing just in case you do fall out of the boat!!!

14. Have fun.  This is a learning experience. Don't get upset if you don't win the tournament or the non-boater class.  Watch what the boat owner does and how he fishes, especially if he 1) is catching fish or 2) if he is familiar with the body of water.

15. Have fun, again.  You will get better as the year progresses and you fish more tournaments.

Good luck.

Set your goals so you can meet them.  Catchin one keeper is not a bad goal.  A lot of people get skunked, I did.   I went on that season to be the top non-boater.

Tell your boater this is your first, and fish hard!  

Make sure you vote in the poll also.  

Jeff

Because of its length this will be in 7 parts, starting with parts 1-3

First Lesson: let's just review the most important things.

PFD it needs to fit: being too large is just as bad as too small. Be sure that it has large arm openings for full range of motion. Always check to be sure that it has not been torn and the zipper and latches are in proper working order. If not throw it away and get a new one, your life is worth it.

Sunscreen skin protection is very important. If you are not careful the sun can and will kill you. Skin cancer is no joke. Fishing in the winter you still need to be careful.

Clothing have the proper outer garments for the conditions. I would like to suggest a set of insulated rain suit. It will protect you from the wind and rain on cold days. A second set for milder climate.

Note: this may not be what you first expected but some careful planning will make your tournament fishing a lot more fun.

Second Lesson: your head beanie knoggen etc.

This is were your head needs to be after taking care of the first list. No matter what you have heard and see on TV you must have fun or you will not return. Fun, after all is when you can enjoy being in the great outdoors and take in the beauty and glory of the day. Prepare your self to make new friends. If you don't you may not asked to return. What a shame that would be. Friends will help you get thru life no matter what you are doing. Fishing is a great way to do this.

Note: do pass over these lessons lightly, as you gain more knowledge and experience you will understand that fishing is where you will learn about life and having fun and then being able to make a friend or two is just spectacular, just as you have here in TTF.

Third Lesson: your gear

As you will most likely be going as a non-boater, the amount of gear you do not take is very important. Most pairings are done prior to the tournament day. This will give you time to talk to the boater that you have been paired with. Ask the boater just what he/she wants to do. 99 times of a 100 he/she has some experience at Tournament fishing and has a plan. This is important to do before showing up at the ramp with a 5 ton dump truck full of gear. By talking you two will establish what you want to accomplish. If you are new you may not have a lot to offer then again you may. When asked be truthful. Your mother and father taught you this as a child and that lesson is very important now. The boater may find out that this is were you have fished as a child and you may have the key to unlock the secret of the days fishing. If your memory is not sharp then take notes. You may be excited and trying to remember everything just will not work.

By preplanning you will begin to see what lies before you in your minds eye. You will go to your dwelling thinking and concentrating on your discussion. This is when you need to sit down and review your notes. If you have the time, sleep on it.

Prepare your gear prior to the tournament day. Your gear now consists of the first and second lesson. Don't leave your head at home. If you wait till the last minute you will forget something. No not maybe or might, you will. So don't do it. Why mess up a good day of fishing by not planning properly.

For your first year of tournament fishing do not take more than 4 - 6 rods for a tournament. Generally speaking you do not the years of experience under your belt so take the rods and reels you feel you can operate the best. There are NO rules that say you must use certain type of rods and reels. If you have fished with spinning rigs and this is your strong suit then stay with what you know. There will be time to learn how to do other things but not on the day of the tournament. Try to limit yourself to one one tackle box. You probably will find out that you could have left half of the contents at home. This only comes with experience.

For your first year of tournament fishing do not take more than 4 - 6 rods for a tournament. Generally speaking you do not the years of experience under your belt so take the rods and reels you feel you can operate the best. There are NO rules that say you must use certain type of rods and reels. If you have fished with spinning rigs and this is your strong suit then stay with what you know.

Catt, nice post.

One thing though, I believe there are rules on the length of a rod.  I believe they can not be over 8 feet long.

Fourth Lesson: preparing to board

You are a guest in another person's boat. Treat it properly. Try not to smoke in the boat as burn marks will detract from the carpet and seats. If you must smoke, ask for permission, even if the boater is smoking. They will think better of you for asking. Do not tell them that you know of so in so that has this boat and that boat. Endless chatter is very distracting. You do not want to belittle this person about his/her boat.

No matter what size of boat and motor fuel is required. Be prepared prior to arriving at the ramp to have cash money to pay for 1/2 the fuel cost. Do not stiff the boater. The word gets out quickly that you do not pay up. This will cause problems among yourself and others. At the end of the day when you ask how much money they want for gas and they answer "oh I don't know" just look at the size of the fuel tank in the rear of the boat and figure on paying for 1/2 of that tank. It does not matter if half was used, pay for half. This what will happen: this boater will see that you are serious about sharing expenses and will say to you let's plan to fun fish next weekend since you have paid so much and it will not cost you a thing". Always treat the boater with respect and you get the same in return. This is when lesson two comes in to play. By treating the boated properly you will make a new fishing friend.

Lesson Five:  your stuff you can NOT do without

Fluids: have drink with you ...water...lemon aid ...ice tea...coffee... juice...etc... You get the idea... replacing fluids is very important

Snacks: you will need munchies... take them... only you know what you like be sure to have them

Good snacks can be shared with the boater ... most of them like that... they will pass on head cheese... HO HO's are great...

Sun glasses: you do not need to spend a small fortune for them. Wal-Mart and Kmart sell them for under $15.00. and they are polarized. Most come with some kind of a case.

Great info guys, but Ill be the boater and its just a local club tourney.  I finally joined a club and Im gonna fish it hard this year and if I do good and like the tourney fishing Im gonna join a local club thats a little bigger.  Im really just looking to hear little tricks you guys use to ge your bait in the water faster and more often and little nuiances of tourney fishing

Thanks

Dano

Everybody basically fishes the same just small little things they do. So you will need to work your way thourgh all this stuff. Were you but your rods how you cull fish weres the net and a million other things.

Thats the fun of tourney fishing I could give you a list of 100 of my do's and don't and not one will help you because that issues is solved for you or it hasn't came up yet.

Just go out try hard and keep some notes and next fall read them over you will laugh at all the stupid thing you were doing and marvel at your improvements.

And have fun.

Garnet

Here's a couple...leave your  front seat at home, it gets in the way, beside you catch that kicker, and you'll want to break dance ! ;D

Take your cup holder out and use it to hold the net. Your co-partner knows where its always at and so do you!  

Lastly if all else fails, ask one of these guys!

 

whose in the mossy oak boat?  is that martens and ike?  cool pic, did you take it?????  thank for sharing

You got Martens, but I think Kevin might take exception to being called IKE !  

So I don't drive you nuts, I was shot gun in Jeff Reynold's mossey oak! Copperhead Island, SC. Lake Wylie 2006

KVD that close to you, the wrap sould have gave it away but I was star struck by how close you were!!!!  Those are sweet pics!  How did you do as a co angler?  How was it, I plan on doing some co angling later on for practive, experiance, guiadance and all else I can get out of it.  Living in TX theres lots of oppurtunities a year to co angle with the big boys  Thanks

Danny

well be there one of these days man, might be fishin together but well be there

First day I drew Chad Brauer, before blast off we had Dad Denny on one side and Kevin VanDam on the other and Gerald Swindle in front...anyway, KVD was signing a hat for his Co and looked at me sitting next to him and said "want somethin signed"? I said how about a personal check! We all laughed...G-Man the hardest.

 Thats when I knew I had to bring the camera the next day.

Quinny, did you talk to J?  He seems like a cool dude man!  So KVD is as nice as they say he is huh?  Is it worth the experiance, I think your photos answer the question!  You still havent told me how you did?  

Hey Flukenlizard, we will be there but we will be fishing against eachother my brother!

Ill call you from BPS to rub it in

Later

Dano

Hey Billy, I wanna see Marty Stones Bass Cat, you got any of that?  Did you meet Timmy Horton, he is one of my favs!  Id really like to meet Ike too!

Later

Dano

Looked for a pic of Stoney's boat, but couldn't find one. Sorry! So many stories to tell about that tournament, wouldn't know where to start. It was a major last year ...The Memorial... I was an observer. Got to watch Chad flip under boat docks and trees ... bait caster...and he skipped jigs I swear 50' to the back of them!!! NEVER backlashed! Wonder who he learned that from? Theres just so much your emagination lets you by with, until you actually see it.

Timmy's wife and kids ate with my wife and I, at the dinner. Didn't know it though until he sat down, great guy!

 Jason Q. actually lost a fan during the tournament, but Jeff Reynolds gained one! Jeff's a great stick, and will eventually learn to put himself first! I don't know anyone who doesn't like him!

If you want to learn, and experience what the Elite's all about, for the money, it whops the pooh out of BASS University!! Plus one of the fifty observers takes a $40K rig home with him. I didn't win it.

 Last year was my step back and learn year. I had never been a CO. before last year, always in the front of my boat. But when I got hammered, year before last in the Series Championship, I lost confidence. Soooo, I decided to Co-angle on the Northern Tour and Elites. Best thing I could have done!!!!! Ended up making Elite Wildcard and alot of friends.

Confidence is back, and I'm ready to open up a can of "you know what" this year in the Opens. Chris Bowes, tour director, said both fields, already over 2hundred on the Pro-side. He's still got spots on Co-partner side...and theres 2 lakes we're going to in Tx.

 I highly recommend it!!!  Maybe you'll draw the winner.....ME

 

I got a long road to where your at but Ill be there one day!  I just turned 28 2 days ago and Im planning on being in a better place to allow for more fishing in about a year and Im hoping to be doing much bigger things into my 30s.  Im gonna start small and work my way up.  Where you fishing in TX?  I live in TX!  Thanks for all the info and best of luck man, I really hope you achieve your goals!!!

Danny

Lived in Texas for 3 yrs . Kingsville, Tx. Stationed in the Navy there. Will be glad to see it again on my way back from Amistad. Got one in Texoma also. Maybe you can make it. Plus plan on going down to Fork...got two amigos I fished with last season from there, they guide on Fork...Jason Welsh and Dave Parsons. If you ever want to fish Lake Fork look them up!

Me and my father in law (my fishing partner and pretty much my best friend) will be heading to Fork in May.  Would your buddys give us some pointers as we dont want a guide.  Im trying to learn patterns on lakes better and faster and we both are wanting to try it at Fork.  Plus we can bring the wives and my kiddos and they can spend our money while we fish

Danny

Im glad you had fun at BPS, sombody had to stay here and save the world ,one nasty , greasy, smelly, creakin, groanin, oil makin, pump jack at a time.

oh you and my dad are goin to fork in may? i see how it is. might have to fish 3 outta the BassCat