[lajoi1dr]

I really want to start getting into some tournament fishing. It seems like a great excuse to get out on the water to learn/practice, and ultimately network to make some friends. And you just can't beat friendly competition. It seems like there are a lot of organizations out there that offer tournaments. Just wanted some insight and would like to hear some of your guys' experiences with them, whether good or bad.

 

[Oyey]

I have fished many types of tournaments and I can tell you this. There is nothing that will sharpen your skill better than tournaments. It will frustrate you, it will force you to pay attention to details and it will expose you to others who are doing the same.

Word of warning. They are work. It takes some of the fun out of fishing, especially for the time you are actually tourney fishing. To me, it's worth it. I don't enter many anymore, although I am down for one or two a year and personally I like to do different species because I learn so much.

I highly recommend it for people, especially those intermediate fishermen who really want a boost.

 

[lajoi1dr]

Thanks for your opinion. I can imagine the frustration. I'll keep my expectations low. Just want to be able to soak it all in and learn as much as I can. I'm still getting used to fishing here in Colorado, as I am from Michigan and that is a battle in itself. At the end of the day though it is all about having fun and I think tournaments would be a hell of a time.

 

[walleye seeker]

you might like to join the CWA colo. walleye assn. you can get a link on line,there is a find a partner on their site. the membership is cheep but if you want to fish the tourneys it will cost you. most teams fish about 5 days for a 2 day tourney. I have fished them for many years, they are fun but I am getting to old to do 5 days in a boat anymore. I am doing the walleye insanity tourneys now as they are only 1 day and I will be fishing the pueblo tourney in may. 1 or 2 days isn't to tough for an old fart and my boy can partner with me for 2 days. check out CWA that is a good way to start. there is a cold water tourney may 21&22 at 11 mile and you can fish from shore or boat. contact the 11 mile general store.com 45 .00 entry fee, and lots of door prizes. I fished it for 15 years and won something almost every year.

 

[COpanfishin]

I have only fished in one of the Colorado Kayak Fishing Clubs tournaments last year up at Spinney and I loved it. They put on a great event and everyone seemed like they had a good time. I love the competition aspect of it and the fact that I get to spend a whole day out on the water is always a bonus (wife and baby have limited my outings and the time I get to spend on the water since my baby was born so an all day tournament is perfect for me!). The multi-species format that they use for most of their tournaments really helped with my decision making and planning. In the past when I was up there fun fishing I might get stuck trying to force the fish into biting one particular presentation, but because I knew that I needed to catch a limit to be competitive I had to make some quick decisions to change presentations and also change locations. You will definitely learn a lot about yourself and your fishing styles during the tournaments. This year I'm planning on fishing more of their tournaments but I can't get the wife to let me fish all of them...yet.

I also want to try to fish one of the tournaments hosted by the Tightline guys.

 

[BuckMaxx]

I don't know where you are but I am pretty active in Bass tournaments I would answer your questions.