muskie tournaments

[HooknHorns]

Been thinking about next year already and entering a tournament or two. Not that I expect to win anything just want to see how I can do. Which ones are a good starting point for a newbie? Plus what are the pros and cons of fishing in one, like is it enjoyable. How many of you fish in them and how did you do?

[smeese]

I think the forest lake one is suppossed to be a laid back atmosphere. Never entered one, but have thought about it. Need a few fish under my belt first

[Esox_Magnum]

I fish the Iowa Muskie trail and enjoy it alot. Not a big time event but a fun laid back tourney. Great way to fish new waters and learn new tactics. I'm currently in 6th place in the standings for Team of the Year and only 30 points out of first so theres a chance. My partner does the PMTT thats a little more hardcore.

[squeedunk]

The Metro Tourney in June, the week after muskie opener, is fun and only a $35 entry fee per person. There is also a Goerge Wahl tournament this fall (Oct. 3rd I think) that is the same setup as the June tourney but has a $50 entry fee. You can fish any of a 16 of metro lakes in the June tournament but I don't think the Wahl tourney has that many lakes to choose from.

I have fished the June tourney the past 3 years and feel like anyone has a chance to win. This year there were a lot of fish caught and it took a 53" and 46" to win it but in some of the previous years it only took one fish to win it.

Last year I caught a 40" and lost a 48" at the boat that would have won the tourney and this year I caught a 35" and 34" but they didn't do me any good because you need fish over 40" to qualify. My partner also lost a mid-40s boatside this year but even that wouldn't have earned him anything since it was such a good day for a lot of people.

Either way, it is a blast to fish in the June tournament and I hope to find the time to try the October tourney this fall.

I think there are typically 500 participants in the June tournament. Not sure about the October one but maybe Kellett will chime in and give you more info. I think he is organizing the George Wahl one this fall.

It's a great excuse to fish all day long and I believe a lot of the proceeds go towards stocking efforts in the area so it's $$$ well spent to sign up!

[iceman16]

mikes bait tourny is alot of fun. i fished in them last year had alot of fun. great way to get into the tourny sceen.

iceman

[brad coin]

You still have two great tournaments to fish this year if you want

The Frank Schneider tourney is Sept 10,11,12,,,Where you can win a new Skeeter glass boat with a 150 and all you need to do is catch a legal size muskie to be in the drawing

and October 2nd is the second annual George Wahl tourney in the metro and DOES include tonka,,very small entry fee and all the proceeds go to stocking fish

[Shoot2Kill]

I've never fished a muskie tourney but thought about it just for fun - since the fish go back in the lake right away and you can't bring them into the dock like a bass tourney I've always been curious - what are the requirements for scoring your fish? Who verifies the fish info is correct and your not full of chit when there is a Skeeter on the line?

[brad coin]

its the honor system and a photo of you holding fish,,we know you caught it that weekend because we have you pick up a hat when you show up the night before and hat with special logo and color must be worn in picture,,also you STILL have to have your name drawn from the fish caught bin,,so it dosent matter if someone smuggled in 100 fish you still only get one entry and still have to have your name drawn,,most years at least 600 to has many has 800 people attend most come back every year

[Shoot2Kill]

its the honor system and a photo of you holding fish,,we know you caught it that weekend because we have you pick up a hat when you show up the night before and hat with special logo and color must be worn in picture,,also you STILL have to have your name drawn from the fish caught bin,,so it dosent matter if someone smuggled in 100 fish you still only get one entry and still have to have your name drawn,,most years at least 600 to has many has 800 people attend most come back every year

very cool...thanks for the reply.