Want to try tourneys

[cambo]

I am interested in entering a few tourneys this year, but until I can convince my wife that a fishing boat can serve the same purpose as a runabout, I'm stuck with a modified 18' runabout. I was just wondering if many people use a boat such as mine to fish tourneys or would I be chuckled at in my " wanna be fishin' rig." Also, any recommendations on a good way to rig up a tournament caliber livewell out of a cooler or such. Thanks!!

[Rob Ensor]

Don't worry about it, we all started out with less than perfect boats. I won my first club tournament in a 15' aluminum that originally had a front deck and rear wings (like 57' Chevy) I removed the wings and cut out the front deck, added a floor and casting deck. It wasn't perfect but it got me on the the water. Being on the water is where you develope the skills that it takes to compete. As your skills develope and improve, bigger and better boats will be avalible, be patient something always show's up.
Rob Ensor

[Juls_WI]

It floats, doesn't it? Like Rob said, "don't worry about it!" It's not the boat that catches fish, it's the angler inside it.
I think you should give tournies a try if your interested in doing them. They are a lot of fun! The last thing you should worry about is what others think about your boat.

Good luck to you!

Juls

[gonfishn95]

Hey ROB was that you.
Fish out of whatever you want don't worry about it the cost and looks don't mean a thing then buy a new one after you win a couple. Staight ahead.
larry NPAA 273

[FROGMAN]

By fishing tournaments out of your current boat you will be able to form an opinion on what type of new boat would fit your needs in the future. Different fishing styles are better served by different boats. After seeing firsthand the demands of a tournament circuit you have a better idea of what will work for you. I was once talking with Bob Probst many years ago, and he was extolling the virtues of fishing out of a Pontoon boat. It fit his needs for deep water impondment fishing very well, so you see other people fish out of "Non-normal" tourney boats. Main thing, just have fun!

PS. Fishing tourney WILL cost more than you ever thought, now you are forwarned! LOL

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Starfish]

You asked about turning a cooler into a livewell... BassPro sells a pump/hose setup that you can use in a cooler for an instant livewell. You can also buy each of the components separately from just about any of the catalogs.

[Dan(MI)]

You will see the best of boats and equipment out there. It will give you great ideas on how to rig your boat. If you can catch fish already in the areas where the tournaments you'll be fishing are don't worry.
You may even meet somebody who has a boat set up for that particular area.
If you fish rivers and you don't have a bow mounted trolling motor, may want to at least try a drift sock.
Go Fishin
Dan

[Bullfrog]

Want to fish tournaments? You can do it in some of the best boats in the world by fishing as an amateur in the PWT. Pro provides all tackle and boat; you get in and fish. And, in the process, check out the boat, rigging, electronics and all sorts of stuff. You might want to re-rig like Rob did and set your boat up like the pros. After all, it floats.

[EyeBoy]

Cambo;
I don't think that it makes any difference if your fishing out of a washtub, (with or w/o stickers,) as long as your fishin, and havin fun.
ON-PLANE!!!TOM

[Kelly]

Last year was my first year of fishing tourneys and I really enjoyed it. My boat was far from the perfect walleye tournament boat but it served me well. Besides I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I did like it and thus I spent every tourney asking questions and looking at all the different makes, models and set-ups of boats to see which I thought was best. I then gave it some thought and ordered a new boat late last year. The vast majority of tournament fisherpersons are great people with the odd scrooge thrown in, so I had no problem getting to know people. It is quite affordable to get a new boat these days with the financing options available. My advice is try it out and see if you like it. If so don't be afraid to approach people for advice and then go from there. My guess is you'll like it. Good Luck.

[Jiggereye]

Cambo,
I fish some tourneys and I Direct a few (21 this year) and
the things that are important are Safety and Fun, in that order.
Be sure to have your boat and safety equipment meeting Coast Guard, DNR and Common sense standards. In addition many tournaments including USFA Team Walleye require a kill switch including a line snapped to your life preserver that must be attached whenever you are on plane. Now the fun part is easy.
As far as people laughing at or complaining about your boat, I
cashed my first Tourney check out of a 12ft Fiberglass Boat with a trolling motor. With five kids and my life partner I will probably never have the boat of my dreams. The advice about the
PWT and waiting to see what you want for a boat by seeing what others are happy with is great advice. Oh ya and while your at it someone should tell you what first prize is at all tournaments: THE LIFELONG FRIENDS AND Memories. Lawrence

[WalleyeWiz]

Cambo,
My first tourney I fished was the NAWA out of Sandusky, Ohio.I fished out of my 1960 16 foot Starcraft with a 1977 70 horse motor. My boat was the oldest and uglyest boat out there.When I pulled into the marina I got all kinds of funny looks and laughs.To make a long story short we went on and finished 9th out of 57 teams. The way I look at it is that the fish do care what the boat looks like. It is the man in the boat that catches the fish.As long as the boat gets you from point A to Point B in a safe matter is all that counts.Have fun and catch lots of fish.
WalleyeWiz