First Tournament

[Justin92297]

Because of my family's busy schedule, unfortunately the LOZ tourney isn't going to work out right now. However I am going to fish behind my dads friend who is a very competitive bass fisherman in a decent sized tournament on Kentucky lake. This should be a good experience for be since its my first one. Also thanks for all the good info I will use it next time I am at the lake

[fishinwrench]

Excellent plan!

And if in a few years you realize that all you ever think about/care about is big-headed green fish.....Every magazine, catalog and DVD in your house has a fish on the cover, and you can't keep a girlfriend for more than 4 months, then I'd say you're headed in the direction you are inquiring about whether you want to or not.

[Justin92297]

Haha thanks and that is very true fishinwrench

[Feathers and Fins]

Justin, Lots of good Advise above. When I started tournament fishing it was a ( natural progression ) so I thought. Grew up in the 70's 80's blah blah with all the hype and B.A.S.S. taking off so I thought I should do it. The first few tournaments were fun then it got to be exactly what they are, which is competition and I thrived on it right to the point I started hating fishing as it was more like a job. Don't be fooled for one minute when a guy tells you how lucky he is to be in one or is a guide its not LUCK its a job. If you fish for fun and relaxation tournaments can turn you off of what you love or make you very frustrated and not look forward to it but like a job you will drag yourself out of bed to do it.

Im not saying all people feel that way but when people talk to me about tournament fishing I tell them all the same thing because I want them to understand the "mental" aspect and toll that tournaments can extract on a person.

Jerry's advise was awesome but I add this to people. When you shadow fish a tournament donate the entry fee to a charity put out the expenses and time, simulate everything about a tournament you can. The best tournament anglers win because of what I still to this day believe is 90% mental game. They beat people because of the mental attitude more than anything else.

[kdan]

All these replys are on the money. Let me assure you, an all night tournament on LOZ in June, with boat traffic as it is, can be both phyically exhausting and mentally draining. Not a good place to start.

I can't add anything to what has all ready been said.