Question for tourney fishers

[randerson52]

First off, I was wondering what entry fees for them are. Secondly I would like more info about the Teen Anglers Program. I am looking into fishing competiitvely(spelling). And lastly if anyone here is giving away excess baits at the end of the tourney season. Being in school, money is hard to get. Thanks in advance for any replys.

[macgyver]

I started fishing the BFL this year as a non-boater. The entry fee for the boater is $200, and it's $100 for the non-boater. It's a pretty competetive league, and unless you are really a fishing nut, and can deal with an awful lot of stuff and folks probably not the best starting place. So far the least amount of boats we've had in a toureny is 151, which is 302 anglers fishing, and it can be intimidating. I know nothing about the Teen tournament, don't think they'd allow a 40 year old in those, but if you run across one that does, and has some 18 year old girls let me know LOL. I would start in some smaller local club tourneys, and work up to the bigger ones. Usually the fees are less, and a lot less folks.

Lizards

[randerson52]

200 aint too bad, but i have to wait till im 18 right? Also the BFL is the netry league to the FLW?

[Infisherman1]

I did teenanglers this season, and it was ok, but for me its not really worth doing it for a couple of reasons. I don't like being in the backseat when people who don't know how to fish are up front. And I hate how some kids dads practically do the fishing for them. I plan on getting a job in a month and hope to save up enough money to get a jon boat with about a 25 on it. After that I can fish a few club tourneys around here like pond jumpers or just do whatever.

[randerson52]

ya, i hate when kids dads do that, but hey maybe they were just learning, i remember the good time I had with my dad always helping me out with everything. Taught me just about everything I know.

[macgyver]

[quote author=PowerBass link=board=MessBoards;num=1117827336;start=0#2 date=06/03/05 at 15:56:57]200 aint too bad, but i have to wait till im 18 right? Also the BFL is the netry league to the FLW?[/quote]
No you only need to be 16 to fish them, but would need a parents signature and permission. If you qualify in the top 40 for the BFL, then you can move up to the Everstart series, and then if you qualify high enough in that, you can move up to the FLW. I do like the format, of competing only against other non-boaters. And boaters compete only against other boaters.

Lizards

[Rob Mak]

i think the list of clubs are found at
bassdozer.com
click on clubs they are by state. it don't list every club but there is a plum ton of them in nj.


zooker

[sabass]

can't let the numbers intimidate ya, just gotta stay focused on the task at hand, catching fish, and remember, its you against the fish, not you against the boaters.

[Bassin_Dude]

im not to sure i want to start to tourny fish, its just adding expense to what is already expensive, then it takes alot away from your noncompetitive fishing time.

[bassmania25]

the average team tourney I fish is around 200.00 and the average pro am is any where from 400.00 to 500.00. It is expensive to do this. But I know the feeling you have with an inexperienced boater, I fished as an amateur for 5 yrs + on the pro am trail. It will finally get to you. I took a year off from from fishing the tour and just fished club. Then decided i was gonna go for it or give it up. Well, a New ranger later and an angler of the year title reconfirmed my love for the sport and willingness to continue at full speed. I do have my bad days where I think why do i continue to do this, and second guess my ablilties. But I always have a good tourney soon afterwards and answer my own question. bottom line is, I struggle to work a full time job raise kids and try to afford the entry fees for what i want to fish. Its not cheap by any means to fish a fulll series of any type back seater or front seater. good luck and hope you find your answer. Thank god for sponsors and the support they give me. Scott R

[okefenokee010]

Another thing to consider with tournament fishing is that it tends to take some of the fun out of fishing. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the occassional tournament that I fish, but there is a lot of pressure in tournament fishing. I don't know that I would rush into it. I had been fishing probably 30 years or more when I entered my first. I knew how to catch fish pretty reliably, but the time clock can make your brain work different. It is a lot like learning to fish all over again. Tournament tactics are nothing like a day at the lake fishing for fun, at least for me. I guess my advice would be fish one or two if you want, but don't let it be the only reason that you fish.

[Fishin4theday]

The mental aspect of tournament fishing is the most important part. Keep a positive attitude and fish your own fish. Even if another competitor gives you good info that does not put you on fish. Fish your strengths. learn new methods on practice days not during tournamnets.
I have won a lot of tournamnets the last 2 hours. Like Iconelli says never give up. Fish2win

[bearpaw]

Some open tournaments won't cost you much to enter. ($10-$40) The more that you fish tournaments the better that you'll become. Thats when you may wish to enter a bigger tournament for a bigger pay out. Granted, there will be more competitive anglers who have graduated up to the bigger events as well. I've payed big money to enter and got skunked, then I've payed big money and did ok. For me it has all balanced out.
The more practice that you can get the better off that you'll be. If you know where the fish are or should be then your that much better off than those who fail to recognize these things.

[daveraynor]

I'm fishing the junior bassmasters this year and there isn't any entry fee for mine I just had to pay to join a club. If you win you get some prizes. But if you make it to the classic you get an all expense paid trip to where it is and if you win that you get 20,000 in shcolorship money and other prizes. In the club I'm in we draw to see who we go with, cause they won't let us go with our dads for that reason.

[Fishin4theday]

Thats great Curado. I whish you all the luck you can possibly have. Fish2win

[daveraynor]

[quote author=Fish2win link=board=MessBoards;num=1117827336;start=0#14 date=06/07/05 at 08:41:18]Thats great Curado. I whish you all the luck you can possibly have. Fish2win[/quote]
Thanks Fish2win. I'll let yall know how it turns out, I got a tournament on June 19(they moved it from June 25) that is the Oklahoma qualifier for the classic and this weekend is my last chance to be on the lake.