Club tournament formats.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on June 15, 2011 at 7:51pm

In the Potholes bass club we use a team format. I love the team format. But we also have a pretty good showing at all tournaments. I think we avaerage around 20-25 teams. If a club can run 10 or more teams it might be the way to go.

 

What about giong to an individual tourament and team at the same time. I am not sure if you can do this per the state regs, but if so here is how you could do it. Each boat would come up. The two individuals would weigh there 5 fish. They would than select there 5 big fish between the two of them and declare that their team weight. Once the club grew enough you may be able to go to just a team format. It might be a little harder on the fish would be the down side.

 

The Central Bass Club uses an individual format. You select your own partner. One drawback is some fish as an indivividual or backseat their partner. This gives the front seater or individual a huge advantage. It is sort of frustrating when you and your partner come in say 3rd and 4th sharing fish and are beatin by two individuals. Not blaiming the individuals as I have won a few doing this. You could draw for partners, but Chad and I are against this for club tournaments on a lot of lakes as we don't want to be showing people around to spots that we have spent a lot of time on the water finding only to see this person fishing it the day before the Nixon, which has happened to me. Had a budy stick a 5 and a 3 off the spot we started the day before the Nixon. We ended up weighing 4 fish and were about 4 pounds out form the cut. Hence the reason I fish alone a lot.

Permalink Reply by Paul Harmon on June 16, 2011 at 5:54am

I like the team format, if you pick your own partner you enjoy being out there helping one another someone you trust. if you are competing against the person in the boat with you, then someone gonna get their feelers hurt, by being back boated. 

Permalink Reply by Bob Akers on June 23, 2011 at 7:35am

Ben and Paul,

Appreciate the input. I am familiar with your clubs format and have liked it the best over all I have fished in the past. After this season I plan on fishing both clubs.

I was hoping to see more WAFish members give some input. The decision for our club to go one way or the other is a in reality a big decision because we will run into some opposition and I need some good suggestions, either way, to take to the club for discussion. So, if there are other club guys out there that have suggestions we certainly welcome them. We want this club to grow and we need a format that will enhance that possibility. With the economy the way it is, many potential bass anglers are limited in funds and a decent boat may be a luxury. So, by teaming with a existing boat owner it could/would help the club grow. In addition, improve the clubs new members knowledge of bass fishing by fishing with a more experience angler. I would think it would be a win win situation.

Permalink Reply by Dropshot on June 23, 2011 at 1:31pm

Team format all the way in my opinion.  I enjoy spending the day on the water with a buddy and competing as a team, not against one another.  After all, I believe that these "club" tourneys are more for a fun competition to maybe win a little money and get a plaque.  If your strictly a money guy, then fish the other circuits where you compete solo.  Just my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Larry Austin on June 23, 2011 at 2:15pm

Hi Bob, Not to go against the grain but I like the format our cliub has. Northend Bass. It's individually based but most members fish together. The points and weights are seperate. I personally like fishing alone. My fishing partner's not a tournament guy. There are members who are more than willing to share the backeat but it's an option. Top 10 anglers move on to the state qualifier. I like that format.

Permalink Reply by Bob Akers on June 23, 2011 at 2:48pm

All good ideas and input. However, one last thought. As I had mentioned before, with the economy the way it is some anglers are opting to purchase smaller boats with limited livewell capacity. Some have even chosen to go to a samll boat club like Robt Manns group. None the less, any thoughts how to get around that issue. If smaller boats, smaller livewells, the team option seems pratical. Nothing against other clubs format but I am looking for a viable option for our club under the circumstances. Not everyone will be happy with one or the other. Just looking for a way to assure all to be happy and give more guys an opportunity to fish who have access to limited tools.

Permalink Reply by Larry Austin on June 24, 2011 at 6:54am

I joined Northend to fish tournaments and compete. The real bonus was the camaraderie within our bass club. Your format sounds a little tough, 2 guys in a dingy. I do it all the time and often out of a tube, but not in tournaments. Fuel is a tough one, but it's the price I pay to do what I love. Fish. Good luck

Permalink Reply by Bob Akers on June 24, 2011 at 7:26am

I am not advocating the much smaller boat idea; 10' to 12'. I am
referring to boats in the 16' to 17.5 ft range that have smaller live wells. Some are only 16 gallons.

That was my point. Smaller livewells like that would limit what 2 guys fishing against each other could do. That is where my idea of a team approach would apply. I see your point but that wasn't wasn't where I was going. I feel the point has been made and it all depends on the club as whole is willing to support and the ind. angler will have to decide what works best for them. Thanks for the help.
Larry Austin said:

I joined Northend to fish tournaments and compete. The real bonus was the camaraderie within our bass club. Your format sounds a little tough, 2 guys in a dingy. I do it all the time and often out of a tube, but not in tournaments. Fuel is a tough one, but it's the price I pay to do what I love. Fish. Good luck