Begining tournament fishing

[Dylan6157]

Hey guys i got a boat and finally got everything ready and got it on the water yesterday iv been wanting to tournament fish so bad iv lived in chester frost park my whole life and always had to drool over all yall guys with the nice boats getting to fish the tournaments every weekend but finally the day has come where i can get out there and i was just wondering if anyone could tell me where to start what tournaments to start off in where i dont get eat alive to bad im still learning to fish from the opposite direction lol anyway if anybody has has any suggestions on where to begin please let me know because i have no idea
Thanks guys
Dylan

 

[bricknbass]

Start with the dog fights. But remember any tournament on the chick unless you are on fish most likely gonna get eating alive. Unless your really lucky

 

[Dylan6157]

Do you have any idea how i would sign up for the dog fights?

 

[FishingwithRusty]

not sure how old you are Dylan but here's my advice: save the money you would spend on entry fees for gas. fish as much and as often as you can, get to where you feel like you can catch a decent limit every time out, then start trying to compete. very few folks catch a limit EVERY time but that "feeling" confidence in your knowledge and skills is what gets you there, time on the water is what gets you that knowledge and confidence.

 

[BulletTJ]

^^^^^What he said. The only thing I would add is get really comfortable with the boat before you try to run in a crowd. You never know what the fool next to you is going to do.

 

[flyman]

The Friday and Sat nights out of HBSP are fun, the CFF trail and the thursday nights out of HBSP are fun..yes you will take your lumps but i believe it will make you better in the long run. there are several good clubs in the area that are always looking for boaters and non boaters. My advice to you would be to Join a club as a non boater and learn from as many people as you can.

 

[Dylan6157]

Yeah maybe i should wait till next year and give it some time with my boat as far as catching fish im pretty comfortable with that i bass fish every day pretty much but iv never owned a boat i had a kayak but never anything with a motor i think all the tournaments are a little more aggressive around here i was hopeing to find something a little more layed back im 22 and all these high school fishing teams didnt pop up till right after i got out of school i wish i could have got my foot in the door with one of them because i have no idea about these tournaments iv just seen them my whole life and wanted to give it a shot but i think yall may be right maybe i should wait a little while longer and get a feel for my boat before i jump right in with the people who have been doing it for years but if anybody has any tips for me im all ears thanks guys

 

[derek81]

FishingwithRusty - 4/20/2017 11:17 AM

not sure how old you are Dylan but here's my advice: save the money you would spend on entry fees for gas. fish as much and as often as you can, get to where you feel like you can catch a decent limit every time out, then start trying to compete. very few folks catch a limit EVERY time but that "feeling" confidence in your knowledge and skills is what gets you there, time on the water is what gets you that knowledge and confidence.

Good advice above. Until you can consistently catch fish and feel comfortable fishing multiple techniques save your money and practice. The dogfights on the Chick can be the who's who of local anglers around here.

 

[Mikie]

I am sending you a PM.

 

[Jmax]

What they said is all good stuff. However here is another angle of it. In some of the dog fights the entry is only $15 per person. If you hang with the guys who catch fish and keep your ears open and be open minded you will pick up information. If you can afford it that is not a bad thing to do. Just remember your going for the knowledge and be ready to make your donation. emoAngel Jmax

 

[lafae7]

Go for it. Don't wait. You will learn more faster and become more efficient with your boat and tackle system. Sometimes the hard way to learn is the best way.

 

[BRamsey]

Start goin to some of the sign ups and weigh ins just to see how all that's done. Also if a tx is from let's say 6-9, go fish that same time like you're fishin the tx, weigh your best 3 or 5, whatever it may be, then go to the weigh in and see how you would've done. If I can ever get to where I can catch 3 keepers consistently, that's when I'll start givin them my money. If you go to a weigh in just be respectful and park your boat somewhere out of their way.

 

[Muskrat]

I think some of the dog-fights with lower entry fees might be a good start. The competition is tough with most any tournament but the experience would be great. Debbie my gal-friend has two sons and a 12 year old grandson that fish the Thursday night dogfights. Her grandson is named Dylan also.

 

[jb366]

As long as you are confident you can put 3 or 5 in the livewell and feel like you are a competent boat operator I'd say jump in a small tx if you want before they're all pulled out deep for summer. Stay out of the tourneys for the summer months and learn how to fish ledges and get back in a few in the fall.

 

[jr_37355]

Man I ask micheL neal what tournaments to fish he told when u finally catch a big sack might as well be in a big tourn makes sense to me

 

[stockcarm14]

If your anything like me I only like tournament fishing or fishing to prepare for a tournament find a buddy to back seat with you to split the cost of gas and entry fees. then fishing a tournament is as cheap or cheaper that just spending a day on the water plus you have a chance to win some it or all.of it back. You should check the tournaments that go out of Dayton boat dock on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evening usually just a small crowd alot of oldtimers. You don't have to worry about boat traffic nd usually don't take lot to win. also he pays 3 spots no matter how few of boats 4 spots at 10 and 5 at 15 not gonna win alot but lot easier not to loose money plus something about getting a little money at the end of a tournament no matter how much makes you feel like you accomplished something. usually 10 to 15 boats. Sundays safe light to 2 Tuesday 5 to dark. 30 dollars a boat and 5 of that goes to lunker. I think they call it the poor boys bass club

 

[Bbassslayer1988]

If you need a fishing partner or someone to fish with im always game i dont have a boat but have been doing pretty well from the bank and if anyone knows of a non boaters club please let me know id love to get bavk into fishing tournaments

 

[Volfish]

I go with what Jmax said. Keep your ears open and do not be to aggressive when seeking info. Most fishermen love to help young people learn.

 

[whitakermk]

Good luck getting started - I just sold my boat last year with the idea of getting a newer one - of course something came up and that cash went elsewhere! But, starting to look around again for a boat so my son and I can enter a few events. I don't know if it would be practical to try doing a tournament off the back of the houseboat - my wife would kill me!

 

[Dylan6157]

Thanks for all the help guys im probably gonna enter a few cheaper ones and learn all i can sometimes you gotta pay to learn but i will be looking for someone to fish with me so pm me if you want to and we will go from there thanks again for all the help guys!