| I remember my dad taking me and my brothers | | | | trolling motor batteries and big motor |
| fishing in Michigan many years ago. We would | | | | battery. 4- Check your trailer tires/tow |
| often go to a local river, lake or cut to | | | | vehicle tires for air pressure and lube the |
| fish for perch, bluegills or anything else | | | | trailer wheel bearings via the zerk fitting. |
| that would hit. Often, the fish weren't | | | | 5- Fill up your tow vehicle and check the oil |
| biting and my dad and brothers would want to | | | | and antifreeze. 6- Bring an inexpensive 12V |
| pack up and go home. I would almost always | | | | air inflator and tire plug kit. These work |
| ask to stay a little bit longer but usually | | | | great in case you get a screw/nail in either |
| the answer was a vote, and I normally lost. I | | | | your tow vehicle or trailer tire. 7- Make |
| distinctly remember a trip to a Michigan cut, | | | | sure your vehicle jack will work on your |
| off of Lake Huron, when supposedly the perch | | | | trailer, if not you may need to buy a bottle |
| were running. After a couple of hours soaking | | | | jack for your trailer in case it gets a flat. |
| minnows, we had not caught a thing. My dad | | | | 8- Make sure your spare tires have air in |
| had a friend who lived within a mile of the | | | | them. 9- Always hook up your safety chains |
| cut and told us to pack it up and we'll all | | | | when towing and check your winch strap/cable |
| get warmer at his buddies house. I complained | | | | for any signs of wear. 10- Be sure to plug in |
| as usual and asked him if I could stay | | | | your trailer lights 11- Put in your boat plug |
| because I thought the fish would start biting | | | | just to be on the safe side. If it is raining |
| when the water started warming up later in | | | | you can always bilge or pull out your plug at |
| the day. He took a while to answer and | | | | the ramp. It's better than trying to get the |
| replied "Paul, aren't you cold? Let's warm up | | | | boat back on the trailer when it's sinking |
| at my buddy's place. Besides, the fish aren't | | | | because you forgot to put the plug in! 12- |
| biting." Of course my answer was, "Dad, | | | | Check your boat lights out to make sure they |
| please can I stay longer? I know they'll | | | | work. 13- Make sure you bring your raingear |
| start biting." Dad said, " You know Paul, you | | | | and lifejackets. 14- Make sure you have non |
| must love fishing. I'll tell you what, you | | | | expired flares, fire extinguishers and |
| can fish for a couple of hours and I'll take | | | | whistle or horn. 15- Check your boat |
| Mark and Matt with me unless they want to | | | | registration/trailer registration. I leave |
| stay." Was I ever happy and of course my | | | | these in a compartment in my boat. 16- Pack |
| brothers didn't want to stay, so they took | | | | your float markers. 17- Bring your fishfinder |
| off with dad. It was cold, about 40 degrees | | | | and GPS. 18- Check all your trailer and tow |
| and I checked/changed my minnow every 5 | | | | vehicle lights. 19- Bring your weigh in bags. |
| minutes or so. I'd cast up the cut, down the | | | | There's probably some other things, but this |
| cut, changed my spot but nothing seemed to | | | | list should always be checked. Boat Ramp |
| want my bait. I was watching my line (no | | | | Launch Preparation and Launch: 1st, make sure |
| bobber) when finally I got a bite. Jerked on | | | | you leave early enough to get to the boat |
| the pole and reeled in a 10" perch. Within | | | | ramp at least one hour before safelight. |
| about 10 minutes I caught about 5 perch, | | | | Safelight does not equal sunrise! It is |
| stringered them all up and time expired as my | | | | usually 30 minute to an hour before sunrise. |
| dad and brothers came to pick me up. Darn, I | | | | Bass tournaments start the launch process at |
| wish they had stayed at my dad's buddies | | | | safelight. Bass tournament fishermen are |
| house a little longer. Well guess what, they | | | | often impatient. That's their competitive |
| were so surprised that I caught some fish, we | | | | nature going to work and rookies at boat |
| got to stay a couple more hours and we came | | | | ramps are often aggravating to tournament |
| home with a nice bucket of yellow bellied | | | | fishing pros. The main reason is the amount |
| perch (Mmmm, these were delicious). | | | | of time the rookies take to launch their |
| Prerequisites for a Tournament Bass | | | | boat. When you get to the ramp and you are |
| Fisherman: So what's my point? The point is | | | | approaching a line of boats switch to your |
| that you either love to fish, even if they | | | | parking lights only (as long as you can see |
| aren't biting or you like to do it once in | | | | in front of you). This helps the fishermen |
| awhile. If you love fishing as I do, you can | | | | who are launching their boats see the ramp |
| be very competitive in bass tournaments, | | | | and the path their boat is taking while they |
| while if you only want to fish once in | | | | back up. Bright headlights in their eyes |
| awhile, you won't be too successful. If you | | | | while backing up blinds them! While in line, |
| are the latter, just fish for fun and save | | | | both you and your partner need to make launch |
| your tournament entry money. Another | | | | preparations. here's the list: 1- Keep your |
| prerequisite for a good bass tournament | | | | parking lights on and exit the vehicle. 2- |
| fisherman is the will to compete. If you are | | | | Remove your boat straps, transom saver and |
| laid back, just like to cast your line out | | | | double check that your boat plug is in. 3- If |
| and wait for the fish to hit, then tournament | | | | a vehicle ahead of you pulls up, get back in |
| fishing isn't for you. I grew up playing | | | | your vehicle and pull up again. This will |
| baseball, running some track and enjoyed | | | | prevent a line forming that goes out to the |
| these sports. I also had a bunch of brothers, | | | | main highway. 4- Prime your fuel bulb in your |
| so competition has been instilled in my | | | | boat. 5- Put in your boat lights. 6- Lower |
| personality. In fact, whenever I get together | | | | your motor to a lower position, but not to |
| with my best bass fishing buddy (met him in | | | | low as to hit the ground while going over |
| Gainesville, Florida while going to UF for my | | | | bumps/grade. 7- Make sure everything is out |
| degree) either fishing for fun or prefishing | | | | of the tow vehicle and in your boat that you |
| for a tournament, we are always raz each | | | | are going to take. If there is a boat check |
| other. If he has more fish, he'll yell | | | | in the line, open up your livewells and your |
| something my way saying something like "So, | | | | compartments so the check can be done |
| when you going to learn how to fish" or " | | | | quickly. 8- If you are next in line to |
| That's a sissy bait your throwing, no wonder | | | | launch, line up the tow vehicle and boat to |
| you can't catch any fish!" Big fish also has | | | | the ramp. If the non boater can, have him |
| the braggin rights and usually we tease each | | | | back in the boat with you in it. Make sure |
| other with sayings like this, "How many more | | | | you tell him to close all windows, bring the |
| dinks ya gonna catch?" or "My one fish | | | | keys and lock up the vehicle after he parks. |
| outweighs all 3 of yours", etc. It's always | | | | Tell him to watch you for hand signals as the |
| competitive, so if you have this spirit in | | | | backup lights will light you up and that you |
| your blood, then you can be a good tournament | | | | will be having him stop when the tires first |
| fisherman. How to Start Bass Fishing in | | | | touch water. This is so you can undo the bow |
| Tournaments: OK- So you think you have met | | | | strap/cable. Also have him open up the side |
| the prereqs and want to tournament fish. | | | | window so he can here you just in case |
| Here's my first suggestion, join a local bass | | | | something happens or he misunderstands your |
| club. There are many published bass club | | | | hand signals. Usually a come here motion with |
| lists on the internet, so just Google with | | | | your hands means keep backing up while a palm |
| "Bass clubs your state" for a list to start | | | | forward (like a policeman stop) means stop. |
| with. You could also inquire at a local lake | | | | Tell him to take his time. A point to the |
| and talk to some fishermen there. There are | | | | left or right means that the boat needs to go |
| two types of bass clubs: 1- Draw tournament | | | | that way, while a straight back come here |
| and 2- Team tournaments. The draw clubs have | | | | means to go straight back. 9- When the tires |
| boaters and non-boaters prior to the | | | | 1st hit the water (this is approx. and may |
| tournament launch, the boaters are paired | | | | vary according to what you like), indicate a |
| with non boaters through a random draw out of | | | | stop. Go to the front and undo your bow |
| a hat. If possible, try this club style 1st | | | | strap. Get back in the boat driver seat, and |
| and fish a few tournaments as a non-boater. | | | | have the non boater come back until the boat |
| You will be surprised how much you didn't | | | | is floating, then give him the stop signal. |
| know about bass fishing when you see how your | | | | Give him the go forward signal (motion |
| boater partner fishes. It's great to learn | | | | forward) so he can park. 10- Lower your motor |
| from more experienced anglers! The team type | | | | the rest of the way for carbureted motors |
| clubs have the same non boater and boater | | | | (not necessary for EFI systems) and put your |
| teamed up all year long. If you have a good | | | | idle bar in the best position to start . |
| fishing buddy that you want to fish with, go | | | | Prime the motor by holding the key in (most |
| ahead and join this type. The main | | | | motors) and start the motors. Get out of the |
| disadvantage of this style of tournament | | | | way of the ramp as soon as you can and find a |
| fishing is that your learning curve for | | | | spot to beach or dock. 11- Turn on your boat |
| competitive fishing is much longer because | | | | lights. 12- Warm your engine until it's warm |
| you don't have any experienced tournament | | | | enough that it will be easy to start at |
| fishermen to learn from. You'll miss out on | | | | launch time. Then turn it off. 13- Plug your |
| some special tips on how to flip, pitch, | | | | livewells. 14- While your partner makes his |
| sidearm cast, prevent splashes during | | | | way back to your boat, get the rods out you |
| pitching, Texas rig correctly, etc. If you do | | | | are going to use and strap them in with your |
| this style, read a lot of online information | | | | Rod Savers or bungies on your front deck. 15- |
| and perhaps subscribe to Bassin' or | | | | Use your flashlight and get your soft |
| Bassmaster magazine (I think FLW also has | | | | plastics on. 16- Now your ready for the |
| one). So, you followed my recommendation and | | | | pre-tournament meeting. Pre-tournament |
| want to join a draw style club tournament so | | | | meeting: This meeting is usually held when |
| what's next. You will usually need to attend | | | | all fishermen have launched their boats. It |
| their club meetings. In the south, there's | | | | may start before if there are late arrivers, |
| usually one club meeting a month while in the | | | | but those late arrivals will just miss the |
| north it maybe as often as twice a month | | | | meeting. During the meeting, the size limit, |
| because of their limited fishing season. At | | | | the number of fish per fisherman or boat, off |
| the club meeting they usually discuss new | | | | limits, weigh in time and other items will be |
| members, tournament results, payouts, the | | | | discussed. Make sure you get the weigh in |
| next tournaments location and a sundry of | | | | time and the official time. The official time |
| items. In that meeting, you usually decide to | | | | is the one announced that corresponds to the |
| go boater or non boater. After this, the | | | | tournament directors time. Therefore offset |
| boater is paired with the non boater and | | | | your watch to match the tournaments official |
| you'll find out who your partner will be. If | | | | time. Once the meeting is over, go to your |
| there are more boaters than non boaters, it's | | | | boat, dawn your lifejackets and attach your |
| usually worked out who will be the boater | | | | kill switch. Don't start your motor until it |
| through a rule or through negotiation between | | | | gets closer to your launch number. This just |
| the paired boaters. During the meeting, get | | | | makes it easier to hear the tournament |
| your partners phone number so you can call | | | | director. If the boat check is on the water, |
| him. During this meeting, the boat launch | | | | idle slowly by the check point with livewells |
| position is usually announced as well. Prior | | | | running. They will signal you to go if they |
| to the actual tournament call your partner. | | | | see you are clear. When your boat number is |
| When you get a hold of him ask him the | | | | called idle beyond all other boats, once you |
| following questions: 1- Do you want me to | | | | have cleared them, get on plane quickly so |
| come to your house and we can go together or | | | | you don't hold up the line. Never start to |
| do you want to just meet at the ramp? Tell | | | | plane if there are alot of boats idling in |
| him you will share all gas expenses with him | | | | your planing path. Just use common sense here |
| which is the norm for draw tournaments or | | | | as no one likes to have a wave come over the |
| team tournaments for that matter. Of course | | | | sides of their boat when another boat planes |
| you don't have to pay for his truck gas if he | | | | right next to them! Tournament Time If you |
| says just meet him at the ramp. You will | | | | and your partner did your "homework", you |
| always need to split the cost of the boat | | | | won't be doing a lot of lure changing, tying |
| gas! 2- How many rods can I bring and how | | | | lures or running around the lake trying to |
| much tackle ? Can I bring my cooler or do you | | | | find biting bass. If there was a major cold |
| have one for my drinks? If the boater has a | | | | front or other major change like water level |
| small boat, he may ask you to downsize the | | | | drop, you may have to adjust. Still rely on |
| amount of equipment to bring. This is a | | | | the spots you caught fish in pre-fishing but |
| common courtesy, besides you are using his | | | | you may have to flip or go to the next |
| boat aren't you? 3- Do I need to bring my | | | | closest dropoff to find the fish you located |
| lifejacket? Lifejackets are a mandatory item | | | | during practice. The non boater must respect |
| for bass tournaments, however your boating | | | | the boaters preferences, however if you |
| partner may already have 2 and your extra one | | | | developed a good rapport prior to the |
| may only crowd the boat. Ask him just in case | | | | tournament, things will go much smoother. The |
| he doesn't have an extra, or he doesn't like | | | | non boater usually has rights to 50% of the |
| strangers using them out of courtesy. 4- What | | | | front of the boat during a club tournament. |
| time do you want me at your house or ramp? | | | | In some big tournaments this is not the case. |
| There's nothing more aggravating to a boater | | | | If you want the front, just be courteous and |
| than a late non boater. Usually the boater | | | | ask. If the boater says no, don't bring it up |
| will "pad" the travel time with an hour or so | | | | any further and do the best you can from the |
| to allow for gas stops, snack stops and | | | | back. A boater that always says no to a non |
| possible flat tires. So if your are not | | | | boaters request will often be found out at a |
| spending the night before at a local hotel | | | | later time and will no longer be welcome in |
| near the lake, be ready to get up very early | | | | that club. If you are a non boater and |
| to make the trip to the boaters house or be | | | | fishing from the back of the boat always cast |
| ready for an early pickup by the boater. Just | | | | towards the front or side of the boat, never |
| be ready when the boater asks you to be. 5- | | | | behind when working a weed/timber line. Just |
| Would you like me to make some sandwiches for | | | | respect the boaters line and never cast over |
| you? Although not a mandatory question, it is | | | | his line or into the path of the trolling |
| a nice offer and the boater will be more | | | | motor. If you are the boater, just remember |
| willing to help you during the tournament. I | | | | when you 1st started and how unfair it was |
| probably forgot some questions, but please | | | | when that boater never let you up front. |
| ask the ones I listed. Things will go a lot | | | | Don't you remember the club murmurs of a |
| more smooth if you do. Pre Tournament | | | | certain individual that constantly backboated |
| Preparation Prefishing: The most neglected | | | | his partner, elbows out like a chicken so |
| part of pre-tournament preparation is the | | | | there was no way a non boater could |
| lack of pre-fishing. If you are a boater or | | | | effectively cast. I guess this is the biggest |
| non-boater, just like a class in high school | | | | downside of a draw tournament! When you catch |
| or college, if you don't do your homework you | | | | your 1st fish, quickly measure it, closed |
| will not do well on your test. Just think of | | | | mouth on a metal ruler like the "Golden |
| the tournament as a test and pre-fishing as | | | | Rule". Make sure it measures as not only can |
| homework. Pre-fishing involves checking out | | | | you be penalized at weigh in but you could |
| the lake where the tournament is to take | | | | get a ticket from the wildlife officer. Close |
| place prior to the actual tournament. No | | | | the drain plugs for your livewells if you |
| matter how many times you have been | | | | haven't already and turn on the aerators. Put |
| successful on this lake in the past, you | | | | the fish in the livewell as soon as possible. |
| should pre-fish to find the dominant pattern | | | | When the livewells are full, I like to switch |
| for the current weather conditions, water | | | | over to recirculate and put my timer on. If |
| levels, cover and time of the year. Try to | | | | you gut hook a fish, I normally leave the |
| pre-fish as close to possible to the | | | | hook in it's stomach and cut of the line. |
| tournament date. During prefishing, never | | | | This will do a lot less damage than ripping |
| stick more than 2 fish in one spot, and if | | | | out the hook. If you get a limit, I cull by |
| the fish are not very active such as in cold | | | | weighing all my fish and using a numbered |
| fronts, you may want to limits it to 1 fish. | | | | float system. For example, #1 float = 2.8 |
| After that, use hooks with the barbs removed | | | | pounds, #2= 1.5 pounds, etc.. I record this |
| if you want further verification that the | | | | on a piece of paper. When I get my next fish |
| bass concentration is good and don't set the | | | | over the limit, I release the lightest one |
| hook on any more hits in that area. If you | | | | and place the new weight on the paper for |
| are sight fishing, just use your GPS to mark | | | | that float number. Hopefully you'll be doing |
| the spots and maybe toss a hook less bait to | | | | this all day long, but remember never to have |
| verify that the fish would be willing to hit | | | | more fish in your livewell than the limit. |
| the bait. Try a variety of baits and | | | | Netting fish properly is also very important. |
| locations during prefishing. GPS all of the | | | | The last thing you want to do is to wack the |
| spots that produced fish and note the cover | | | | fish in the side or the head and knock off |
| depth and weather conditions when/where you | | | | the fish. When your partner has a fish on, |
| caught fish. If you are the non-boater, it is | | | | quickly reel in your line and get the net. |
| still your obligation to pre-fish if you have | | | | Try to get the net near the water, when the |
| a boat. You need to help your partner as much | | | | fish approaches, try to net it by submerging |
| as possible, and you never know as you may | | | | the net before the fish and getting it head |
| have better spots than your boating partner. | | | | first. That way the fish is swimming into the |
| Try prefishing with a partner. The partner | | | | net rather than away from it. Never hit your |
| does not have to be your boater/non boater, | | | | partners line or the side of the fish with |
| but the more lines in the water with various | | | | the net. Usually your partner will let you |
| baits, the more likely you will find the | | | | know when to net, but you must be ready! If |
| successful pattern. Fishing Tackle: Make sure | | | | it is hot, be sure to add ice to your |
| your reels have good line on them i.e. the | | | | livewells on occasion. Also make sure you use |
| line is not old or has not taken too much set | | | | sunscreen. When it gets close to tournament |
| resulting in tight curly loops. Replace the | | | | weigh in time, remind each other of what time |
| line if necessary. Lube up your reels if time | | | | it is and how long it's going to take. Make |
| permits. Retie all lures with fresh knots | | | | time adjustments according to weather |
| while removing the 1st couple of feet of | | | | conditions. A thunderstorm or high winds in |
| line. You never know if you have nicks or | | | | the afternoon will likely double or triple |
| knot abrasion from your last fishing trip. If | | | | the time it took you to get to your spot. |
| you still have plastics on your hook, throw | | | | Just make sure you adjust for this. It's time |
| them away, leave the hook barren until the | | | | to go, so put on your lifejackets, attach the |
| day of the tournament, then put on your soft | | | | kill switch and go! Weigh In If there is a |
| plastic. This retains the smell/scent of the | | | | big line, keep your fish in the livewell so |
| bait. Be sure you have adequate fish scent | | | | they don't have to be in un-oxygenated weigh |
| for your soft plastics as well as enough | | | | in bag. When the time is close, quickly move |
| toothpicks for Texas rigged baits. Make sure | | | | your fish into the weigh bags being careful |
| you pack your pliers and clippers. Sharpen | | | | that the fish don't jump out of your |
| all of your hooks. If possible replace your | | | | livewells (Hmmm, has this ever happened to |
| worm hooks with new ones. Crankbaits such as | | | | me) and into the lake. For the too close for |
| Rattletraps often have dull hooks. Replace | | | | comfort fish, re-measure and if not sure ask |
| them with sharper ones like Gamagatzu's. | | | | the tournament director for a courtesy |
| While pre-fishing, tune your lipped | | | | measure. This will prevent measurement of |
| crankbaits by bending the eye so they run | | | | short fish and a hefty penalty. Watch the |
| straight. Finally, use a rod cover if | | | | scales while your fish are being weighed. If |
| possible prior to storing the rods in your | | | | the scale doesn't closely match your culling |
| rod locker (it's also good for the non | | | | weigh paper, ask for a retare of the scale if |
| boater). This will not only protect the rods, | | | | possible. Sometimes the scales mess up do to |
| but will prevent the rods from tangling | | | | low battery or wind conditions. If your in |
| inside your box. Boat Gear and Tow Vehicle: | | | | the money, congrats! Shake the tournament |
| As a boater you need to check the following: | | | | directors hand with a big smile on your face. |
| 1- 2 cycle oil reservoir is filled and take | | | | If you got the prereqs, you've got to try |
| an extra gallon if possible. 2- Fill up the | | | | tournament bass fishing! So pre-fish and Do |
| gas tank or at least put in enough to last | | | | ore Catching with Less Fishing. |
| the whole tournament. 3- Charge up your | | | | |