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Tournament Fishing Participation - How do you decide?

After talking to some friends of mine about tournament fishing in general, the new tournaments coming, legacy tournaments that have been around a long time, and everything in between I want to know a couple things from the people on here:

  1. What you think about the number of tournaments in general?
  2. How do you decide which ones to do?

When you stop and think about all the tournaments coming in 2016 for example it is pretty shocking to see how far spread out anglers could become. That list of tournaments in 2016 includes:

  • Northwest Bass
  • ABA East and West
  • The New Big Bass Trail
  • TBF Qualifiers
  • BASS Qualifiers
  • Open Tournaments
  • Club Tournaments

Pretty wild when you consider how many tournaments that is and actually put those dates to the calendar and see almost every weekend with multiple events from April through September.

Here's my thoughts:

#1 In my opinion there are a limited number of tournament bass fishermen in the northwest and based on the participation of tournaments this year and in the last couple of years, almost across the board (there are a few exceptions), I would argue that so many tournaments is not good for tournament fishing in general. It appears to me that the market has become diluted already and even more events are coming up. That is not to say that I do not believe in competition. I will be the first person to tell you that when there's more competition, figure out a way to do what everyone else is doing and make it better, but unfortunately I don't see that now or in the future. I see too much of the same stuff, or see new things that just don't appeal to me.  Wasn't it alot more fun and didn't it mean a heck of alot more to the anglers personally when they did well, as well as the appeal to sponsors when there were 100+ boats at an event or events in a circuit. 

#2 For me, I typically choose a tournament trail based on the schedule, how "fun" the lake is to fish at the given time of year, and my level of confidence that I can get my money back. Alot of my decision making is about potential ROI for me at this point which pretty much rules out all club and qualifier events. I at least want the opportunity to make my money back if I get lucky enough to cash a check over a weekend or at least have a great time trying. So I choose the circuit where I both feel the most confident I can do well, compared with the investment and payback, and the uniqueness or amount of fun I am going to have to justify the expense. Then mix in an open tournament or two where it makes sense and doesn't conflict with prefish of whatever circuit I choose. Oh and then compare that with the family plans and events with the wife and kids. 

So I'll end my rambling with a challenge to tournament directors or circuits. Use the resources you have at your disposal, listen to the anglers, work a little harder to separate yourself, think outside of the box and figure out how to stand above everything else. Maybe this is being done now and I'm missing something and if so I apologize, but I can't be the only one feeling this way.

Thoughts? 

 

Views: 10790

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben Hanes on February 12, 2016 at 3:33pm

Jake,

I'm sorry I just got out of a long meeting at work, so my head is foggy, and I have a cold...I'm not clear, who is 'refusing to reply'?

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on February 12, 2016 at 4:58pm
I thought you'd never ask Ben! No e-mail has ever been sent. If it had, we'd have heard about it or seen it.

Here... I'll draft a template, that can be used in the future.


Dear (insert other directors names here),

In an attempt to appease the whining consortium of internet angling cowboys, and cowboy-ettes... I wanted to communicate my intent to hold a tournament on lake (insert sweet lake here) on (insert amaze-balls date) here. Now, I realize that in years past, the (insert super cool historic tournament name here), has been held in this time frame. In an attempt to allow anglers a choice to fish all the circuits that there tourney hungry bellies can handle, I wanted to verify that you intend to hold your (historic super cool tournament) on (insert sweet date here). If that is the case I will prioritize my permits with the state such that my event will offer a wide berth to yours. My hope is that if the state fouls up, that we could work together to change the schedule to accomodate the angling constituents. Please respond with your thoughts on the matter, as there are plenty of dates and lakes for everyone.

Regards,

(Insert communicative, team oriented, paper-trail loving, director name here)
Permalink Reply by Dana Steiner on February 12, 2016 at 6:17pm

Did anyone else notice that it's a smallmouth!

Jeff McBroom said:

This picture of you during what is obviously the "release" portion of catch and release is confusing me!! Maybe this is why you are such a successful fisherman??  This fish is probably too ashamed to tell the other fish in the school what has happened--which allows you to repeat this behavior over and over again!!



Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Jeff..... a product is most of times judged on perception and not intent. Unfairly it may seem but every product is judged this way, you cannot dispute that.

Also if you are saying I am throwing daggers you are judging me on perception and not on my intent. I have fished the last 2 tournaments and happily donated my money to Tag and Kelvin, did you see me at these events?

I would like to fish this circuit but do to scheduling blunders I am unable too and that is frustrating to me.


Also you contradict yourself in your 2 replies. Remember this "So throw that phone call that Russ "should" have made to Jeff out the window" then you follow it with this
"Better communication can only help--not hurt," so tell me which is it? One one you basically stated that making a call would not have helped and the other says it will help not hurt..... You are confusing me.
Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on February 13, 2016 at 7:02am
Mr. Steiner you made me laugh! Ha ha ha thanks!
Permalink Reply by Russ Baker on April 11, 2016 at 5:25pm

Prefish for each BBTT event is the Friday before the event actually starts to clarify what was said earlier. For example the Friday of the 22nd of April is the prefish day for the Moses Lake event. 



Russ Baker said:

Chris and I have been watching this thread for quite some time and have been taking notes on what has been stated regarding tournaments and the comments regarding prefish. We have also spoken to over 100 guys on this subject the last 3 years from 3 different states on what they like and dislike about tournaments in general. Of coarse as you all know multiple opinions were given to us and we took what the majority wanted in a tournament format and created the Big Bass Classic. After holding the Big Bass Classic we found folks loved the format. The Big Bass Classic has averaged 73 teams per event and has handed out over $35000 in prize money in the last 3 years. Not bad for a new format in a crowded arena. The Big Bass Tournament Trail(BBTT) was created from the BBC to simply offer more opportunities for the club guy, the open guys, and the tournament regular a different tournament format to fish as well as have a better opportunity to cash some money over 4 events and a championship. 

The BBTT has multiple sponsors including Lowrance/Go Free, Mercury/Motorguide, Power Pole, Phoenix Bass Boats, and Anglers Inn/Mike Whitlow not only donating prizes to the Championship but incentive payouts as well. 

We have decided based on many conversations that it would be best to open prefish up to the Friday before the event.  The only times this will change is for Memorial Day weekend when the WA Bass Federation has the Jamboree on Banks where Memorial Day falls on the Monday prior to the Banks event as we are allowing guys to fish that holiday and the Friday before the event on June 4th as well as the July 4th date as it falls on that  Monday prior to the Championship on the 9th. 

We look forward to seeing you on the water,

Russ Baker

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