New to tournaments - advice

[Idaho Jeep]

New bass boat owner after years of fishing out of father-in-laws boat (not bass boat). Love to fish like the rest of you and really want to get involved in tournament fishing. My 12 year old son lives to fish, out fishes me half the time and will be my co-angler. I found a local club that seems to be newbie friendly and hosts about 6 small tournaments every year. After talking to the club president (also a member here) the club seems to be well suited for us.

I believe I understand the rules, dos and don'ts... etc.. would just appreciate any other advice as we get ready to fish our first tournament. Again talking about really small tournaments - 10 boats +/-.. $50 entry fee.

Thanks.

[cmclairday2]

That size club tournament is fun. Generally not enough money on the line for folks to be to serious about themselves.
The best advice I have is to enjoy yourself. Bad finish, good finish, or in the middle of the pack, have a good time and learn from those around you.
I have learned a lot fishing small clubs, from guys who have been at this a long time. I fish tournaments with 100+ boats on a regular basis, but I still fish a small club every month that averages 10 boats. Those club tournaments are more like a group of close friends getting together and going fishing than a tournament. I've been fishing and hanging out with the same small group for years. You'll enjoy the time spent with the other guys and your son..

[NewRangerMan]

fish the style you like then learn from the results. have fun! Thats how I got hooked, I was 11 when my dad started taking me to club tourneys...find a club that has a youth division. Nothing is more fun than winning when u are a kid. I forgot my password but I am that guy from Nampa if you need help

[Idaho Jeep]

Thats what I am hoping for and wanted to hear... more fun and learning than anything else.... Maybe at some point in the future we can think of the larger tourneys. This particular club does have a youth tourney (as well as ladies tourney) which I am excited about as it will give the other members of my family the chance to take part. My 12 year old has dreamt of fishing a tourney for years so he is beside himself excited...

[somerdink]

[quote=cmclairday2]That size club tournament is fun. Generally not enough money on the line for folks to be to serious about themselves.
The best advice I have is to enjoy yourself.

Alot of people take the fun out of the sport and once you do that you wont like touranment fishing anymore. A few of our local clubs had a couple of guys like that in them and it didnt make them fun at all thats why I left the club because it made me uncomfortable when I was younger. You and tour son will have a great time fishing these little events always a few laughs to go along with them.

[TightLip]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by somerdink &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">[quote=cmclairday2]That size club tournament is fun. Generally not enough money on the line for folks to be to serious about themselves.
The best advice I have is to enjoy yourself.

Alot of people take the fun out of the sport and once you do that you wont like touranment fishing anymore. A few of our local clubs had a couple of guys like that in them and it didnt make them fun at all thats why I left the club because it made me uncomfortable when I was younger. You and tour son will have a great time fishing these little events always a few laughs to go along with them.</td></tr></table>

+1
Go and have fun! The best thing about a small group is people are more open to sharing which helps you learn.

[hawg whacker]

Don't be afraid to ask the guys in the club for help/advice. And don't be afraid to ask them what is expected of you.

After you whup on 'em a few times, they'll be asking YOU these things.&lt;grin&gt;

[Idaho Jeep]

Yesterday was our first tourney.... Thought Id give a report and hear any comments.

The water we fished [brownlee reservoir] was way way low - the last 30 or so feet was mud. Once launched in the dark mostly we waited for the other boats. Then the wind went crazy - waves coming over the bow, water hitting us in the face etc.. lol. Fortunately my 20' Champ did great but that wind was difficult to deal with all day. Couple times it almost blew me into the bank. Found fish in an area that was suggested to me and threw a little bit of everything at them... Water temp was mid to high 40s and very muddy. Ended up fishing tubes and jigs most of the day which I guess was a mistake as at the weigh in there were several boats that had their limit of 5 legal fish. We only had one 13" Smallie to weigh in. We hooked a few others but nothing legal. There were a couple other boats that only had one fish as well but still feel like we got our butts whooped. lol. Every other guy we talked to was throwing jerk baits... We fished plugs some but not enough I guess. Wish I would have known that would be the key for the day as it seems like almost everyone else knew what to use.

It was a good experience though. I noticed we fish differently in a tournament (even a little club tournament). We hardly stopped to eat and relax much. Of course the 25 mph gusts of wind prevented much lounging around. We are looking forward to our next tournament in May which should allow for better fishing and weather. We will also plan to pre-fish that water before the tournament.

Thanks for the advice and comments.. keep it coming.

[Elite198]

In the May tournament, don't be surprised if you hear afterward that the guys were fishing bed fish. Up in Idaho I'm sure you have the same timeline that I do(WI). Just an FYI, you will do well with Senkos and tubes most likely.

[Idaho Jeep]

Interesting... The May tourney will be in a lake I have fished a few times before - and Tubes are what we use most often and had great success there. Hoping for the same.

[Munkin]

Fish your strengths and what you are confident in! By switching to I started doing soo much better in tournaments. Every tournament is a learning experience and while they will beat up on you at first you will learn and be winning in no time.

Allen

[NewRangerMan]

where is your may tourney?

[Idaho Jeep]

Cascade - May 14th.

[NewRangerMan]

STAYSEE 90s.

[Idaho Jeep]

Like this?
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/..._link

A jerkbait you have had luck with there?

[NewRangerMan]

EXACTLY! tablerock shad and ghostminnow are all you need there. western has them

[Idaho Jeep]

Thanks NewRangerMan.. I will pick up a couple.

Also, just saw some of the photos from my last tournament. You can read my description above... was really rough water... I forgot to mention that one of the boats started going down while we were waiting to blast off. The waves were so big that they were coming over the bow of all the boats... wasn't fun. Anyway fortunately this guy made it to shore before it sank.

[NewRangerMan]

what club are you in?

[Idaho Jeep]

Snake River Bassmasters

[RangerRick54]

I feel for that guy, that sucks!