I've been fishing open tournaments all of 2011 and off and on for the past 5 years. I am ready to dedicate myself and my time to fish a tournament series or in a club. Just not too sure where to start. Any experiences or advice? What do i look for in a club and how do i get started? I live in Northeast Ohio.

Thanks

Casey Hay

Google it. Ohiobassclubs.com has a list of clubs.

Then decide if you want to fish draw or buddy tourneys. I fish a buddy tourney. Then if you can afford it. Entry fees around here vary from $100 a boat to $250, then there are the side pots.

I started fishing opens then joined a small club that fished northern IL ans southern WI. It was run by a Skeeter dealer and was very clique'ish. I now fish USAnglerschoice. Much better run club. There is a classic at seasons end, and a chance to win big money and boats at the TOC. There are still cliques and alot of egos flying around, but a little easier to deal with as they are not so tight knit. Guys act differently when there on the water than when they are sitting at the dock. I found it hard to get respect from guys at frst, and the only thing I can attribute it to is fishing out of a tin boat. "I must be an amatuer" Mind you there are a number of guys who are sponsored up that I fish against. Kind of funny, My son and I did pretty well this past 2 years and we were invited to join one of the cliques at seasons end.

Good luck with your search

Here's a few articles that will help you out:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-clubs/bass_clubs.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournaments_beginning.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fishing_tournaments.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Bagwell/bagwells_bass_tactics_8.html

I would strongly look into USA BASSIN TOURNAMENT LEAGUES there will be a series for almost every major lake or river in almost all states. This is as long as you have your own boat or have a partener who has a boat that wants to fish them. Its a team tournament there very cheap to enter and have nice payouts at least here in Indiana they are. Hope this helps