Does anyone know how i can get started in tournament fishing? I would love putting my skills up against other anglers, but have run into some problems. I live in SW michigan and the local clubs wont answer my e-mail. I am 15 years old, and only have a small 12' aluminum boat with a trolling motor and 7 horse gas motor. I was also wondering how i would get over that problem. Any advice would be greatly apreciated.

Here is the Michigan BASS Federation http://www.michiganbass.net/ . You can fish the youth or wait a year and fish the adult club. This is the youth tournament trail that you fish to go to the Jr. Bassmaster Classic, while the adult club leads to the Bassmaster Classic.

Two questions for you. First does your boat have a live well? Second where about are you in South West Michigan. Depending where you are I do know of 2 small stores that have tournaments. Either post the info or send me a pm.

bassodcktor

Just an additional note.  I believe a minimum of 10 hp motor is required to fish in the federation tourny's.  You may have to join as a non-boater....

I don't get that one, why would they put a hp minimum?  

Someone afraid to get beat by the guy "rowing"?

I can understand a maximum but if you choose to fish at a disadvantage, you should be able to.

I've usually seen a hp minimum for safety reasons. A few of the cooling lakes I know of here in Illinois atleast used to have them. The main reason was if the wind started to really blow they could get waves up to around 5-6ft. So they felt it was for the peoples safety. I would guess it's because of safety.

bassdocktor