Starting Tournaments

[bassbooger]

I have decided to start fishing in some local tournaments next season. I might even get in on a couple this fall just to see how I do. I looked into joining the local BASS federation club and was wondering what any of you guys think of those clubs? They charge 20 dollar a month which covers membership fees and the club tournament they have once a month. I know I can get in on some tournament action without being in a club, so I am hesitant about giving someone 20 bucks a month just to fish in their tourneys when I could use it to buy new lures and gas to get to the lake, also by what I have read, you don't really get any exposure being in those clubs if a person ever decided to try to go beyond the local level.

Can anybody give any insight on this?

Also, how can I get past being so nervous about getting in on tournaments? I want to do it, but everytime I see a tournament in my area I get nervous thinking about how embarrassed I would be if I signed up and didn't catch anything. Maybe this is normal, I don't know.

[JB]

Its a pretty good way to start, plus it gives you exposure to many lakes that the club will have tourneys on, that you may or may not have ever fished before, plus gives you insight on techniques others are using. I'd recommend it, plus you'll never get used to having the "jitters" before a tourney.

[PowerBass]

Booger, I did my first 3 this year, and still have the jitters. Next year I am joining a highly competitive club, which is part of the federation. You learn alot from these tournaments too! You may thin kyeah, I know that lake, but come tournament day, what you know may only produce say 6 lbs, while the winner has 20 lb bag. You definitley should do them.

[Bender]

I know that there are open tournaments around here, maybe something to check out. You just show up and fish. Also I fish with a local club that is a "learning" club with one tounrament at the end of the year. I have only been out once with them but it is a lot of fun and you can learn a lot since they meet up several times on the water to discuss what is working. Got another event this Saturday on a new lake. It is good to fish with different people and new lakes in this environment since there is not the pressure of an actual tournament.

[lizardsrule]

I highly reccomend them. It will get you to the next level if you stick with it. As for exsposure, you gotta start somewhere, and if you are winning all of the smaller tournies you will be noticed, and looks great on a resume. I got from your post you want to go big time, well then get started. If you are too worried about "YOUR" abilities, then obviously you aren't ready for the Big tours yet. This will help get your feet wet. I started fishing in the BFL's as my first tournies. Hindsight is that I would have been better off fishing some smaller tournies/clubs first. I learned a huge amount, but I took it and ran with it. If I wasn't good at a technique, then I went out and practiced it on the water. And BTW, $20 a month is cheap, when it includes the tourney entry fee. If you go as a non-boater don't forget to give the boater money for the gas.

Lizards

[JB]

gas money and cheese crackers, and a day on the lake, what a life!

[bassbooger]

Just wanted to say thanks for the input guys. Lizards, although I haven't made up my mind totally, I wouldn't mind going pro some day, but right now I am taking it one day at a time. I will take your advice to heart and stick with it. I know the only way to get into any of the action is to go for it, so that is exactly what I am doing. Plan on fishing my first tourney in the near future. I am in contacts with a man now that assists in holding them on a local lake. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes and how the "jitters" were beforehand.

[bassnman30]

Started fishing with a club appx. 20 yrs. ago. Your anticipation before the event will be sky high. After a while you get to where it doesn't bother you quite as much.
Going pro is a much more difficult life than most people think. The ones that you see on TV are the ones who succeed well. Then theres those who don't do as well as the top of the line pros. They live in trailers, vans,tents, and if the motel is cheap enough, they may combine costs to rent a room.
Try eating junk food for a while, i.e. chips,soft drinks,candy bars etc...
Then you've still got your vehicle that you have to keep up etc...
Take it from me, I know some of these guys who "tryed" to go pro, but things changed for the worst i.e. ran out of money. Oh and by the way, you've still got to do well in tournaments. Thats against the best of the best. Sorry for the discouraging comments about being a pro, but unfortunately thats the way it is.

[JB]

bassman, you summed it up in a nutshell..I've stayed in more fleabag motel rooms with 3-4 other guys on tournament weekends, slept in tents by the river, put the sleeping bag in the back of the truck with a shell over us, live on crackers and pop and subway sammies, its all exciting at first, but to do it for a living, plus have the pressure to perform, is alot more challenging than most anglers know, esp when they see on tv the pros living well, I think they all went through tough economic times.

[Fishie1]

any professional sport until you establish yourself is cut bait.....even then its tough to live up to your reputation.......anything that you wish to do at that level you have to be either a freak of nature or be committed 100 percent with your heart......