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If it were your first tournament trail, which one would you fish and why?
Which Tournament trail?
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I asked the same thing...
http://www.austinbassfishing.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1225756802
http://www.austinbassfishing.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1225756802
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FOM is definitely a good trail to start out fishing. Jeff does a great job running his tournaments and his staff is very friendly. Plus you get some great speakers to listen to at the pre-tournament meetings.
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Justin, you still fishing from your skeeter?
I'll have to check the entry fees for FOM, I stashed some cash this yr for fishing next yr and hope to get a little better at finding fish.
I'll have to check the entry fees for FOM, I stashed some cash this yr for fishing next yr and hope to get a little better at finding fish.
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170 Posts
Yep still have my Skeeter but I have been fortunate to hook up with Bryan Cotter to fish tournaments. We fish from his Cobra. FOM entry fees are 150 per team plus 25 dollars bonus bucks which I highly recommend adding on. It will increase your winnings if you do win. Have fun.
G
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·Basschamps! 20 grand.. Need I say more?
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Lance, I assume you're talking about a team trail?
Here's what I'd suggest for guys looking to get into the tourney scene, it's somewhat of a natural progression point of view.
1. Start out fishing local tourneys and jackpots. Prove you can be competitive in 20-30 boat fields on a lake you fish weekly, if not more, and actually enjoy fishing.
PROS: low cost, extremely fun fishing, choice of beverage consumption is unrestricted
CONS: same water day in/day out, locals may have a slight advantage, payouts are not as big
2. Once you've figured that out move on to a bigger trail like FOM. Great trail ran by great people. Like Justin said Jeff and crew do an outstanding job and make you feel right at home at each and every tourney. Fields range from 50-80+ boats.
PROS: affordable entry fees, fun fishing with good people, good variety of local lakes plus potential to fish out of state water, several ways to extend your season and qualify for year end events
CONS: choice of beverage consumption highly restricted, payouts leave something to be desired, point system incorporated into meeting attendance
3. When you figure out you're not dead money in FOM it's time to step up to the big leagues...Bass Champs. This is the highest level and most competitive team trail in TX. There's no beating around the bush here, people are here for one reason...20K. Fields range from 150-200+ boats.
PROS: 20K first prize guaranteed at every event, automatic qualification to the Championship if you register for all 5 events, did I mention 20K?
CONS: choice of beverage consumption highly restricted, "cut throat" approach to fishing...you'd better be ready for someone to pull up on you or cut you off.
So there you have it, my logical approach to fishing tournaments. Of course you can go straight to Champs but I can almost guarantee taking your entry and making a $280.00 yo bet on the craps table will give you better odds at taking home some money.
For any guys interested in getting into tournament fishing, we'll be starting our Wed Night tournaments in the Spring on Lake Austin. Everyone should give it a shot, competitive fishing is where it's at. Come on out and take home some local money. Who knows, one day you could be walking away 20K richer!
Here's what I'd suggest for guys looking to get into the tourney scene, it's somewhat of a natural progression point of view.
1. Start out fishing local tourneys and jackpots. Prove you can be competitive in 20-30 boat fields on a lake you fish weekly, if not more, and actually enjoy fishing.
PROS: low cost, extremely fun fishing, choice of beverage consumption is unrestricted
CONS: same water day in/day out, locals may have a slight advantage, payouts are not as big
2. Once you've figured that out move on to a bigger trail like FOM. Great trail ran by great people. Like Justin said Jeff and crew do an outstanding job and make you feel right at home at each and every tourney. Fields range from 50-80+ boats.
PROS: affordable entry fees, fun fishing with good people, good variety of local lakes plus potential to fish out of state water, several ways to extend your season and qualify for year end events
CONS: choice of beverage consumption highly restricted, payouts leave something to be desired, point system incorporated into meeting attendance
3. When you figure out you're not dead money in FOM it's time to step up to the big leagues...Bass Champs. This is the highest level and most competitive team trail in TX. There's no beating around the bush here, people are here for one reason...20K. Fields range from 150-200+ boats.
PROS: 20K first prize guaranteed at every event, automatic qualification to the Championship if you register for all 5 events, did I mention 20K?
CONS: choice of beverage consumption highly restricted, "cut throat" approach to fishing...you'd better be ready for someone to pull up on you or cut you off.
So there you have it, my logical approach to fishing tournaments. Of course you can go straight to Champs but I can almost guarantee taking your entry and making a $280.00 yo bet on the craps table will give you better odds at taking home some money.
For any guys interested in getting into tournament fishing, we'll be starting our Wed Night tournaments in the Spring on Lake Austin. Everyone should give it a shot, competitive fishing is where it's at. Come on out and take home some local money. Who knows, one day you could be walking away 20K richer!
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Just keepin' it real Wurm!
Wed Nighters are a blast for sure, only tournament where I have just as much fun whether I catch fish or not.
Wed Nighters are a blast for sure, only tournament where I have just as much fun whether I catch fish or not.
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Thanks Andy, thats alot of good points. Just found out my brother in the Air force will be moving to san antonio so we'll be fishing this summer local gigs. Can't wait!
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No problem Lance, looking forward to meeting your bro.
Also, don't let anything I said change your mind about fishing a trail this year. Winning money is not everything, the experiences and people you meet are worth way more than any amount of money.
Also, don't let anything I said change your mind about fishing a trail this year. Winning money is not everything, the experiences and people you meet are worth way more than any amount of money.
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Excellent idea's ANDY! Great insight coming from someone that won a boat!!
Tips on getting started in bass tournaments:
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournaments_beginning.html
Here is another site that provides opinions on bass tournament fishing.
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournament_tactics.html
Tips on getting started in bass tournaments:
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournaments_beginning.html
Here is another site that provides opinions on bass tournament fishing.
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/tournament_tactics.html
Here is another approach you may consider if you want to get a wide variety of ideas and strategies from different level of contenders on a personal basis.
Fish some of the trails as a co-angler. I have done this for years because I am not at the level I need to be to be a true contender in other tournament team trails.
I have had some great experiences and some I can not and would not share with others. I have developed long lasting relationships with some of the best fisherman in the country.
Some tournaments have been such a waste of time and I ask myself why do I subject myself and pay to be in this environment. But I look back at the other times and charish the moments and memories.
Several of the boaters I have been with are true professionals of bass fishing and you too can learn a lot from them in regards to just not catching fish but how to run and operate all of your equipment to the maximum level.
Some of the so called pros do not have a clue and the only major difference is that they paid the larger entry fee to be the boater. Some of them think just because they have the coolest ride and look great and have the most expensive equipment available makes them a pro and everyone should bow down to them.... those are the ones to stay clear from because they have not caught 50 pounds worth of bass in their live time or in the near future. Most of those guys have never won a check or will anytime soon.
Reason why you should:
Not very expensive.
Fish different lakes.
The opportunity to evaluate others and validate your level.
Win cash to offset some of the expense.
Its easy just show up but share the gas expenses.
Develop long lasting friendships.
Learn new techniques and methods.
Learn things you never want to do at someone elses expense.
Reason why you shold not:
Expense maybe prohibitive...find a traveling partner.
Putting your live in someone elses hands that you barely know his name. I know of a lot of co-anglers that have been seriously injured while riding with guys that should not be allowed on the lake.
You might draw a guy that you would not even want your ex wife with for the day.
Miserable day all around.
I too have fished club tournaments and have regular partners but if you do not go out with others and better fisherman you will only become as good as who you fish with... we are creature of habits and do not adjust to the time of the year and can not identify what the current pattern should be or is even when the fish tells us.
We try to make the fish bite on what we want to catch them on and the method. That only works once or twice a year. We must adapt to the conditions and fish where the fish are not where they were last time two months ago or last week since the last cold front.
Tips and past reports are only good for that day not tomorrow or surely not good for a tournament several weeks from today.
Good luck and see you at the Falcon Stren tournament.
awares
Fish some of the trails as a co-angler. I have done this for years because I am not at the level I need to be to be a true contender in other tournament team trails.
I have had some great experiences and some I can not and would not share with others. I have developed long lasting relationships with some of the best fisherman in the country.
Some tournaments have been such a waste of time and I ask myself why do I subject myself and pay to be in this environment. But I look back at the other times and charish the moments and memories.
Several of the boaters I have been with are true professionals of bass fishing and you too can learn a lot from them in regards to just not catching fish but how to run and operate all of your equipment to the maximum level.
Some of the so called pros do not have a clue and the only major difference is that they paid the larger entry fee to be the boater. Some of them think just because they have the coolest ride and look great and have the most expensive equipment available makes them a pro and everyone should bow down to them.... those are the ones to stay clear from because they have not caught 50 pounds worth of bass in their live time or in the near future. Most of those guys have never won a check or will anytime soon.
Reason why you should:
Not very expensive.
Fish different lakes.
The opportunity to evaluate others and validate your level.
Win cash to offset some of the expense.
Its easy just show up but share the gas expenses.
Develop long lasting friendships.
Learn new techniques and methods.
Learn things you never want to do at someone elses expense.
Reason why you shold not:
Expense maybe prohibitive...find a traveling partner.
Putting your live in someone elses hands that you barely know his name. I know of a lot of co-anglers that have been seriously injured while riding with guys that should not be allowed on the lake.
You might draw a guy that you would not even want your ex wife with for the day.
Miserable day all around.
I too have fished club tournaments and have regular partners but if you do not go out with others and better fisherman you will only become as good as who you fish with... we are creature of habits and do not adjust to the time of the year and can not identify what the current pattern should be or is even when the fish tells us.
We try to make the fish bite on what we want to catch them on and the method. That only works once or twice a year. We must adapt to the conditions and fish where the fish are not where they were last time two months ago or last week since the last cold front.
Tips and past reports are only good for that day not tomorrow or surely not good for a tournament several weeks from today.
Good luck and see you at the Falcon Stren tournament.
awares
That is a good write up Lostone. I would agree that being a Co-angler would teach you a lot that you do not know. It just comes with getting paired with some idiots, which I could never handle.
I look at this way. I am not that good at fishing, and do not pretend to be better than anyone else. If I do enter a T it is just to support the cause and donate money.
It is a skill on its own to keep your head in the game when things are not going well. This is one of my biggest hang ups for some reason.
Maybe one day that will change for me, but for now I will stick with making crazy fishing videos, running the weekly T's, hangin' out with the bro's, and supporting their tournament commitments in any way I can.
EA
I look at this way. I am not that good at fishing, and do not pretend to be better than anyone else. If I do enter a T it is just to support the cause and donate money.
It is a skill on its own to keep your head in the game when things are not going well. This is one of my biggest hang ups for some reason.
Maybe one day that will change for me, but for now I will stick with making crazy fishing videos, running the weekly T's, hangin' out with the bro's, and supporting their tournament commitments in any way I can.
EA
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259 Posts
I fished FOM for the first time this year and it was great. Bryan (btsmbass) was kind enough to take me on as his partner even though he had never met me. I will be fishing FOM again in 2009 with Fishless. It's hard to believe that the first tournament is a month away.
When I am able to make it, I fish the Wednesday night tournaments on Lake Austin. Those are always a good time and a nice way to get into tournament fishing.
When I am able to make it, I fish the Wednesday night tournaments on Lake Austin. Those are always a good time and a nice way to get into tournament fishing.
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