My best friend recently bought a boat big enough for tournaments and the livewell is all ready. My question is what are all the required things needed for tournaments. An example would be do you need to carry safety equipment likeflares and an air horn, i know life jackets obviously. What about actual products for the fishing part, i know you need a culling system tags to attach to the fish, are digital scales allowed? Im sorry if these answers are in the FAQ'S, its just i wasnt sure so i decided to post in the tournament section. Any help is much appreciated because i want to make sure we have everything needed. I cant wait to do some tourny fishing, kind of nervous but very excited at the same time. Thanks again guys- Jon

Hey Jon, you can use any kind of scale you want. Here are few other items you could probably use:

 A trowable floation device

 Fishing net

 Good set of pliers

 I also keep side cutters in case I have to snip off a hook barb in a fishes gullet or out of me!

 A couple of towels

 Good scissors to cut line.

 A weigh bag

 A balance board ( take the guess work out of witch fish is bigger)

 

Hope this helps. I have a tournament tomorrow hope I need to use my culling system!!  

You need to check with the tournament organization or club that you will be fishing with. They will probably just want the boat to be legal per state rules, have two working live wells, and you both will need life vests. You may also need proof of insurance on the boat.They may have restrictions on motor size or boat length. Flares are not required in Oklahoma, but are always a good idea.Anything else like culling sys ect. is up to you, but not required. I always use one because culling takes up valuable time. Digital scales are a good culling tool and I've used them in both BASS and FLW affiliated tournaments so there shouldnt be a prob. Also some organizations will only let you use their weigh in bags.Good luck.

Don't forget state boating laws too....Legal HP for the boat should be posted.  Find out what your boat is required to have by law..then what your tournament also needs added onto.

All the info you need should be with your state boating sites, and your tournament rules.

Good luck in your tournament.

You wanna make sure your boat is equipped with a shut off switch  attached to your life vest.

I'm with the other guys.  Check with whatever organization you're fishing with and they should have a list of rules and safety equipment.