[Guest]

I hope I don't sound like a moron, but I have always wanted to ask this question and I just can't stand it anymore. How do you guys keep up with all the different tournament circuits? I want to know what your personal preference is and why you fish those particular tournaments. What did you like and dislike. Is it the payout? I fished in only one tournament and that was an allstar tournament at apache lake. It seemed like a low payout for all the boats we had. But I'm no expert that's why I'm asking your opinion guys. I'm looking for all tournament experiences, the veterans and people like me. How many different tournaments circuits are there ABA, Monterey Bass, abf , allstar? And how come some tournaments you can have a partner and others you can't? This could end up being a hall of fame post if everyone replies. Please be candid.

Thanks,
J.D.

 

[splitshot]

some teams fish certain lakes and just that lake and don't follow a circut.some of us like myself,like the pressure and of tournament fishing.MBC is a all year long tournament,always on Pleasant ,with good payouts,with no championship boat,just real casual and good people,with a reasonable $80/entry fee,good food,FREE give aways.I guess it all depends what you want in a tourny or circut.some pay way down,some you have to win top 3 to get a good check,thats why options work for some people.they all have there ups and downs,good and bads.Wonbass pro/am's are excellent to fish. If your just starting out,fishing for money could be a long frustrating experience.there are very good fisherman in all the tourny's/circut's.they been doin it for awhile.,and still have tough days.there are so many variables on catching fish here.there is a MBC on Pleasant this weekend and a Allstar team on Bartlett,and its a great time of year to be fishing,not much boat traffic on the lakes. someone will post with more indepth details,i just beep it simple. good luck

 

[RookieBoy]

I wanted the tourny experience without the pressure of the big "time money" so I went to Monterey Bass Co. Wayne (Nastybasser)had posted on here that he needed a backseater. That was my opportunity to learn what Tourny fishing is all about. I had to try out, to fish in Wayne's boat though. Wayne said I barely beat the blind guy out for the seat. Wayne said the other guy casts better, but I'm the better net man. So I won the backseat!!

I've learned a lot and made some new friends. Wayne is a topwater specialist and has a nose to put us on fish. 8)

Randy does a great job on putting on these events. The payouts are pretty good ($3200-1st place?) for seven hours of fishing. There's always the hotdogs, chilli, soda, and ice cream at the end of the day. The freebies are pretty good too. Suffix line, Yamamoto products, Got Furniture? t-shirts, and lots more! The lady that tosses the freebies out to us is easy on the eyes as well.

My first time experience has been a good one. All we (team stinky) need is a win now. Those hotdogs are getting pretty expensive, that's what the wife tells me anyway. :wink:

 

[Riggin-1]

J.D.
You are in luck around here you have everything from simple club formats that are real cheap to trails like everstart. Like everyone else so far that has responded I think Randy does a good job with his trails ABF may be a little pricy for what it sounds like you are looking for so go with Montery. Tom with allstar does a good job as well he has been doing it for a long time. although there are those out there that will disagre. Tom also put on a couples tournament that is a lot of fun and an aluminum boat tournament. Tom and Randy are both straight up with the way they pay back and how much they keep. don't be afraid to go ask and have them explaine how it is all done. If this is more then what you want join one of the clubs. several of them are federation clubs which could give you a chance to go to the classic.

As far as keeping up, Well once you start the information just seems to come your way . You begine to talk to folks you fish with and they have a little info then you start looking at all of the takel shops for the flyers in just seems to take over. Believe me the info just ends up being there. Hope this help.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Guys for the help. Is there anyone else? Da, Delw what tourneys do you fish?

 

[Delw]

J.D

Thats one reason Da and I did this website was to make keeping track of tournys alot easier. Dan And I are talking about something new to add also to make it even much easier.

I fish monterey, and abf right now.

I have fished roostertales and southwest bass as far as federation clubs went.

I look for the payouts and the potenial of the payouts Ie monterey if they get alot of boats the payouts will be fantastic, like the abf tourny.

I dont like to be forced to join a club to fish a tourny, (have to for everstart and won bass though) I dont want to be forced to buy a magazine either. the clubs here in the valley are not worth this when you have monterey and ABF


Delw

 

[d a]

J.D.

I fish Monterey and just started fishing ABF at Bartlett. I've fished All-Star and Ray Hill in the past and fish a few Wed. nite WaterDog Willie/Fisherman's Choice events in the summer. Its not about the money for me. Though cashing a check to cover expenses once and a while is nice. The competition keeps you focused and thinking. Pre-fishing keeps you on the water learning new techniques and locations. Landing a 7 or 8 lb bass while fun fishing is exciting, but nothing beats putting a toad in the boat during a tournament when it counts.

I'm a better golfer than I am a fisherman. Won more money, trophies, and tournaments with a golf club in my hand than a fishing rod. Had a hole-in-one and sunk 25 footers on the final hole to win a golf tournament. I can tell you my knees didn't shake after either like they did after landing a 9.8 in an All-Star at Pleasant in 1997. To me that's what its all about.

 

[Guest]

J.D. It's pretty hard to jump into the tournament ring when you dump your Nitro! Are you looking to getting into another boat? I am fishing ABF and soon(Saturday) will be fishing Monterey. I fished Best Bet for 2 seasons and have tried some Allstar teams as well as the old Pro-Ams. I don't know if your interested in or just curious about tournaments but will suggest fishing some of the BASS club tournaments as a Non-Boater. You learned quite a bit about Canyon and Apache fishing with Joe Owens and now can benefit from riding with differant people in a Tournament setting. If the payouts/entry at Allstar discouraged you then I suggest you check out the ABF payouts in the Tournament Page of this site. And if anyone out there is interested in a great Real Estate agent I can suggest one.

 

[Guest]

Hey Rich thanks for the encouragement and kind words. I would like to get another boat but I just can't decide if I should get a fish and ski again or just a regular bass boat. I also have considered giving up the sport , selling all of my loomis rods and fishing gear and buying a family fun runabout boat just to spend time with my family. Although I really miss fishing and being on the water. I guess since I don't have a boat anymore the idea as a non-boater in a tournament is a great idea just so i could get back on the water.

Thanks Da, Delw, Rich for all the info. and everyone lelse that posted.

J.D.

 

[Guest]

There's are a few advantages of being a backseater in a bass boat. One, you can concentrate on your fishing instead of battling the trolling motor on a windy day.
Two; the cost savings of insurance and boat payments ofowning a bass boat that has a 250hp motor on the back versus a fun ride for the family.
Three; You can't fit a bbq grill on a bass boat, but you can on a bass buggy that you bought for the family.
Four;It's easier to climb into a bass buggy after being thrown overboard by your best friend.
Five; Bass buggys are built for pleasure, not speed.
Six; a keg sits nicely next to the bbq grill. you make more friends in Humbug cove with a keg on your boat in the summer time!
Seven; the whole family gets to ride in comfort in a bass buggy. Don't bring the keg though, it causes problems.
Eight,nine, and ten; the keg attracts more thongs than a bass boat.

 

[d-shot]

.........eleven - the keg hooks you up with a B.U.I. because all the thongs, bassers, family boats, and john law think you're a smuck :wink: !