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