What would you do?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keith Brooks on November 3, 2009 at 8:42pm

I really believe the TBF Qualifiers a great series. They give you the opportunity to test your skills and learn a lot without a huge buy in and with only three one day events they are not a huge time investment. Next year the lakes are scheduled to be Chelan, Riffe and Moses if I remember correctly. Also if you do well and make the State team you can advance to higher competition without any further entry fees.

Permalink Reply by C-RIDE on November 3, 2009 at 8:55pm

I would recommend the qualifiers because you get to experience a high level of competition and learn from the big shots. Don't do what I did and go as a boater. Do it as a backseater. The worst thing you can do is think you know too much. I have done that the past couple of years and have really slowed my skill level down. Nw bass is an extremely high level of fishing with some of the best fisherman in the country. I have not fished the ABA tournaments but I know that the guys that fish it have a blast and there are some very good sticks in it. I would say if you want to learn, go Qualifiers. If you want a taste of the big stuff go NW bass. And if you are in between go ABA.

Permalink Reply by Gary Stiles on November 3, 2009 at 9:01pm

I would agree with Keith. Fishing the qualifiers regardless of affiliation (TBA---Fed Nat.) is a fantastic way to branch out. I also think that A.B.A. and N.W.B. offer opportunities that allow the anlger to stretch skill level without braking the bank. We in the Northwest are lucky to have such great choices. Good luck! I'm sure that you won't be disapointed with what ever direction you choose to favor.
Gary

Permalink Reply by Gary Stiles on November 3, 2009 at 9:15pm

Chris
I can only hope to fish with you guys one day. Take good care,
Stilen

Gary Stiles said:

C-RIDE said:

I would recommend the qualifiers because you get to experience a high level of competition and learn from the big shots. Don't do what I did and go as a boater. Do it as a backseater. The worst thing you can do is think you know too much. I have done that the past couple of years and have really slowed my skill level down. Nw bass is an extremely high level of fishing with some of the best fisherman in the country. I have not fished the ABA tournaments but I know that the guys that fish it have a blast and there are some very good sticks in it. I would say if you want to learn, go Qualifiers. If you want a taste of the big stuff go NW bass. And if you are in between go ABA.

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on November 3, 2009 at 9:16pm

What are the TBF Qualifiers and how do I find out more about them?

Permalink Reply by Willie Parsons on November 4, 2009 at 12:05am

Joel, TBF, the bass federation, is associated with the FLW side of things. You have to be a member of aTBF affiliated club and a member of FLW to sign up for the qualifiers.
You can get information at www.wabass.org which is the WSBF, Washington State Bass Federations website. If you have any questions email me and I can help out.

Joel Alinen said:

What are the TBF Qualifiers and how do I find out more about them?

Permalink Reply by Rick Innocenti on November 4, 2009 at 9:26am

I would definately agree with Gary Stiles. I as well started at club level then federation level many year ago. Starting as a back seater was the best thing I ever did to better understand the major bodies of water that tournaments are held on. You will pick up many techniques as well as possibly safety concerns you may not want to find out on your own. As one memeber mentioned below don't think you know too much and try to leap to the FLW stren/elite series and think you are going to be a pro instantly. It takes many years to understand patterns, cold fronts.. and techniques to apply when conditions change as often as they do here in the NW. Federation whether TBF or Fed Nat would be a great foundation to build on your tournament experience. Just remember to practice the un written rule of water ethics don't poach and don't take advantage of anglers who show you spots.

As far as NWB highly reccomended but I'm a little partial. Wouldn't mis a NWB event! It is the most competitve circuit in the NW and maybe west coast. It is the NW best of the best here. If you are new don't get discouraged you sometimes have to pay your dues and learn new patterns and techniques as allot of these team have been competing at this level for 10+ years. I wish you the best of luck ! and maybe I'll draw you in a tournament some day, my first goal is just to make sure you have fun and a good experience!

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on November 4, 2009 at 9:33am

It sounds like your next step would be the qualifiers. The team circuits such as NW Bass and ABA will depend on if you have a good partner to fish those events with.
I fished the BASS Fed Nation qualifiers in 2007 and had a great time. Being paired with a different partner each day causes you to learn a great deal in a short amount of time.
I was fortunate enough to qualify for the state team and fish the Western Divisional last May and then qualify to represent the state of Washington at the National Championship. The Washington State Federation paid my airfare (wife too)to fly back to Florida to compete in the BASS Fed Nation Championships. BASS paid for my hotel room, and provided me with a brand new Skeeter to fish out of for the Championship. Gas, lunch, ice were provided each day -3 days of practice and 3 days of competition. I didn't have to launch or pull the boat out of the water - they handled all of that. Any issues with the boat, electronics, or trolling motor were handled by service crews. BASS provided several first rate meals in the evening for me and my wife. It got to the point were I felt a little guilty, because all I was doing was going fishing for 6 days. I had the experience of a lifetime for next to nothing out of my pocket.
http://bassfedwa.homestead.com/

Permalink Reply by Dave Massey on November 4, 2009 at 11:33am

OK so I have a question then. I am probably going to join a club here in my neck of the woods that is affiliated with FLW and BASS. Once I have paid my dues to the club and paid the $30 or $40 to join the FLW and the same for BASS, then is there an entry fee of some sort to enter the qualifier tournaments?

Also, if I am a member of the needed affiliations, do I then need to be selected by the club to fish the events or can I just sign up as a non boater?

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on November 4, 2009 at 11:39am

If you are selected by your club to fish the qualifiers, some clubs pay for you. Otherwise, it is $200 for all 3 events and you must sign up with a partner, 1 boater and 1 non-boater. Also, there are option pots if you want to get in. I think they are $20 for big fish and big bag, but can't remember for sure.

Dave Massey said:

OK so I have a question then. I am probably going to join a club here in my neck of the woods that is affiliated with FLW and BASS. Once I have paid my dues to the club and paid the $30 or $40 to join the FLW and the same for BASS, then is there an entry fee of some sort to enter the qualifier tournaments?

Also, if I am a member of the needed affiliations, do I then need to be selected by the club to fish the events or can I just sign up as a non boater?

Permalink Reply by bogey4444 on November 4, 2009 at 1:37pm

I want to thank everyone for their input on this. Right now I am leaning twords doing the qualifiers and maybe some or all of the NW bass. I know I have a lot to learn and I am willing to put in the effort it takes. I have busted my butt to get where I am now. I know it will take paying some dues for a while. Gary(I mean Lisa) puts on a great series and I really want to do some of those.
Don, why did you choose the Fed Nation over the TBF?



Don Hogue said:

It sounds like your next step would be the qualifiers. The team circuits such as NW Bass and ABA will depend on if you have a good partner to fish those events with.
I fished the BASS Fed Nation qualifiers in 2007 and had a great time. Being paired with a different partner each day causes you to learn a great deal in a short amount of time.
I was fortunate enough to qualify for the state team and fish the Western Divisional last May and then qualify to represent the state of Washington at the National Championship. The Washington State Federation paid my airfare (wife too)to fly back to Florida to compete in the BASS Fed Nation Championships. BASS paid for my hotel room, and provided me with a brand new Skeeter to fish out of for the Championship. Gas, lunch, ice were provided each day -3 days of practice and 3 days of competition. I didn't have to launch or pull the boat out of the water - they handled all of that. Any issues with the boat, electronics, or trolling motor were handled by service crews. BASS provided several first rate meals in the evening for me and my wife. It got to the point were I felt a little guilty, because all I was doing was going fishing for 6 days. I had the experience of a lifetime for next to nothing out of my pocket.
http://bassfedwa.homestead.com/

Permalink Reply by Keith Brooks on November 4, 2009 at 5:03pm

Many anglers are still somewhat confused by the two Federations... TBF/FLW is the current affiliation of the Washington State Bass Federation (WSBF). The WSBF is the original Federation of clubs in Washington and left BASS several years ago during a political shake up. BASS Federation Nation of Washington came to be after WSBF left BASS and there was no longer an avenue for competition on the BASS side. Some clubs are affiliated with one or the other, some with both, and we have many clubs which are not affiliated at all. It is really up to you to visit some clubs, ask some questions and see where you are comfortable. Each has its pros and cons and I for one hope this thread does not turn into any sort of brand bashing...

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