Well I was supposed to link with a friend and local pro for the BASS Weekend Series in NC this year, but he had to back out. Therefore, I no longer have anyone to split gas or hotel costs with and need to travel as cheap as possible. I have met Dearal Rodgers (2010 Forrest Wood Cup Co-Angler Champion) a couple times and he told me that he used to camp during tournaments to save cash. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm thinking a tent, a nice sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, and I'm set. Is this a terrible idea? :-/

Rick Clunn is famous for camping out.

Omori spent a couple of his early years

camping before he won The Classic, too!

8-)

Camping is great if/when you can sleep.  Personally, I don't usually sleep well when I'm camping and I stink when I don't get enough sleep.  So it wouldn't work for me very well.  Plus you can't ever rely on the weather.  Can you sleep in the back of your truck?

I love camping for tourneys.  Keep it simple, though.  Practice setup and pack up before you try it.

It's the only way I've done it at the club level so far....don't think it should be that much different for any level.

Why camp?  Just sleep late Friday, stay up all night and fish all day Sat.  Then drive home.

Why camp? Just sleep late Friday, stay up all night and fish all day Sat. Then drive home.

I'd have to drink so much coffee I'd be doing this  . Seriously though I used to sleep in the cab of my truck at the ramp the night of a tournament. You don't have to pay for a camping spot and you don't need an alarm because everyone showing up for the tournament should wake you up. I fished buddy tournaments for a year and my partner and I used to trade off, one of us sleeping in the cab, the other slept in the bed of the truck. Sucks if it's cold but it doesn't cost anything and you don't have to worry about anyone messing with your boat.  ;D

Why camp? Just sleep late Friday, stay up all night and fish all day Sat. Then drive home.

Most camping is for two dayers.

just take a whole bunch of amphetamines and fish for weeks on end

just take a whole bunch of amphetamines and fish for weeks on end

I wouldn't have made it last fall without 5 Hour Energy, Community Coffee and cigarettes.

Work Thurs night 1900-0500, sleep Friday from 0700-1400, work sidelines at football game from 1700-2230, hook up boat and drive to lake.  Fish 0600-1630, drive home.

just take a whole bunch of amphetamines and fish for weeks on end

Adderall... you can clean the house in ten seconds on that stuff.

I slept in a tent for 10 years of tournament fishing until I got a truck with a canopy, then I slept in the back for another 10 years.  Now I have a camper.

I did the hotel/motel thing for a few times, but never really liked it.  I kept worrying about somebody messing with my boat and not being able to hear it.

So in my mind, camping is the only way to go.

I always camp for tournaments.  Partly because of cost and partly because of the Clunn- Zen closeness with nature.   l like to be right there at the boat for doing tackle prep and just keeping an eye on it.  Plus the electric outlet is right there to recharge TM batteries.

I tried sleeping in the truck a few times but it is much nicer to put up a decent size tent so you can get comfortable and get the sleep/rest you need to compete.

I'd recommend getting a cot rather than a sleeping pad.  They are so much more comfortable and don't cost much more.  They also keep you off the ground which is important if it is cold or if it rains and some water gets in the tent.

I also take along a small electric heater when the temp is below 40*.  Makes getting going in the morning a lot nicer and a less of a shock to the system.

Biggest draw back is that sometimes you have to take down the tent in the dark/wet when the camp site "check out" time is prior to final weigh-in.

Tent camping is my preferred way to go. I have a tent I got at Cabela's I can set up myself in 10 minutes. It is very waterproof and windproof. I use an air mattress. I select a campsite that has electric plugins and is close to the showerhouse. I bring my breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks. I usually go to the nearest cafe for dinner if possible so that I can eat a good dinner.

     I never break camp until after the weighin, then I shower and drive home clean and refreshed. It works great for me, is much more private, and very affordable. I pack a small heater and a small fan.

     I absolutely hate taking my gear into a motel room  every night. I also do not like sitting in the parking lot setting everything up for the next day.

   

If you have a pick-up with a topper or an suv, there are air mattresses you can buy that are shaped to fit perfectly in the back.

Then you are comfy, and don't have to worry about breaking camp in the morning on day 2.

There are also tents that set up over/into the bed of a pick-up.

I think they are called sport tentz??

about the staying up to fish, thats what i would do and i also do that for school lol.  during exam week about 2 months ago i went 74 hours without sleep to get ready for an exam haha.  once exams were done i literly slept for 5 days non stop.

about the staying up to fish, thats what i would do and i also do that for school lol. during exam week about 2 months ago i went 74 hours without sleep to get ready for an exam haha. once exams were done i literly slept for 5 days non stop.

Enjoy that while you can.  You won't be able to do that once you hit 40 or even 30.  I speak from experience  ;D

haha, i hope i can keep it up for a little bit.  ive noticed that you can actually train your body to get less sleep and be normal.  ive done that so i get about 5 hours a night or so and feel fine everyday and not tired at all.

I have a tent I can put in the back of my tundra and a thick camping pad/ warm sleeping bag. Works great.