just wondering what you all fish!

[thatoneguy]

This year was my first year bass fishing. I would really like to get into a league to meet some new peoples and speed up my learning curve. Anyone know of any Leech Lake-area (or within reasonable driving distance) bass leagues?

[Raider4ever]

You know what, I'm out. If you spend money to fish your local lake, I suppose it is no different that me spending it on a trip to Canada or elsewhere.

Thinking about it, personally comes down to:

I just wouldn't like to be told to be at THIS lake; at THIS time; you can only fish THIS long; for only THIS species; and oh by the way, you need to give me THIS amount of dollars for the privilege of doing so. If that floats your boat, go for it.

Heck, if I wanted that, I'd go all out and call it a job if I had to put up with that kind of regimentation. Fishing is what I do to get away from that.

[RickyBobby]

definitely not interested in arguing......

and by the way, thanks for not correcting my grammar

[ikeslayer]

off topic

its only november and we are getting spunky already - hate to see how ugly it might get come feb.

on topic

I fish mostly B.A.S.S. club events as a part of zumbro valley bassmasters- I learn quite a bit by getting a butt kicken but what is best about them is that questions are expected - it is not like a money tourney where the winners beat everyone grab the money and go. I do however like winning money and yes like it has already been said in the grand scheme of things you most likely will not come out ahead as far as money goes. You might come out ahead if we has bass fisherman could exercise some restraint but if we could do that we wouldn't have all the stuff and probably wouldnt' even fish - only difference between us and a meth addict is that what we do is legal - oh and we will still have a face persueing our addiction.

most times however any money we make just gets dumped back into the game or for some at the bar in between 2 day events.

This next year i plan on fishing a few weekday events on the miss. river but other than that and club events probalby won't do much - i got small babes and as long as there are still bass to catch when they are 20 will try and say no more than yes

winter well fellas

ike

[skeeterpro1]

Raider4ever,

Obviously you have a hard time winning. But after a tournament you would think a guy would reflect on how it was and what you could've done better, all of that helps a guy learn the fish better and then is able to go find fish faster.

Also tournaments are a way to link up, meet new people and a way to get yourself out there for more experiences.

[gregg52]

one thing I found fishing tournaments was they could be a very good learning experience weather it was a lake i fished religously or a new one

I was fishing tournaments over my head probably

but it was fun and i'm better fisherman for it

did i spend some money

well ya !!!!!!!!

but thats why I work so i can do fun things buy toys drink beer etc etc

that money does be no good 6ft under!!!!!!...lol

[Burchoid]

You know what, I'm out. If you spend money to fish your local lake, I suppose it is no different that me spending it on a trip to Canada or elsewhere.

Thinking about it, personally comes down to:

I just wouldn't like to be told to be at THIS lake; at THIS time; you can only fish THIS long; for only THIS species; and oh by the way, you need to give me THIS amount of dollars for the privilege of doing so. If that floats your boat, go for it.

Heck, if I wanted that, I'd go all out and call it a job if I had to put up with that kind of regimentation. Fishing is what I do to get away from that.

You are still missing the point... no one pays to fish a tournament just for the sake of coughing up money, as you seem to be putting it. You won't have a chance at cashing a multi-thoasand dollar check by going to Canada.

You are putting money into a pot, a pot that is split between the top 25% of weights at the end of the day. (usually the top 25%, it varies). Your money isn't gone. Its there for you to compete for against your peers. I shouldn't have to explain how a tournament works... its not like fishing is the only sport where there are tournaments/competitions.

Tournament day isn't the only day you have on the water either, as you seem to assume. The tournament angler spends as much time as possible the days and weeks before the tournament locating schools of fish, patterns, techniques, etc before game time.

The person that enjoys this thrives on competition, loves the sport, and usually is on their A-game. If you don't have or want all 3 of these factors, then no, you aren't a good candidate for tournament fishing. Which is perfectly OK. You can still love the sport and be on your A-game, but dislike competition and therefor not fish tournaments. That makes sense.

To make it sound like we are nuts for fishing tournaments is off-base.

I'm not dissing you for only enjoying recreational fishing. I enjoy it too... but I also love tournament fishing!! I think if you better understand WHY people do it, you might come to better terms with whatever it is that makes you think its a waste of time and money.

[Smallie Hunter]

The last two years I have been in a federation club out of Amery, WI. It has been alot of fun and I have learned alot about about some lakes. I like fishing the state event and they have have a four man team tournament. Before this I was in BASS weekend series as a non boater and did not really like it because I had no control.

[Chad_Fish]

Thanks Ricky any info on those tournaments you could get me would be great. [email protected]

[Ray Esboldt]

I am laughing my tail-end off, Ricky. That was good one.

Can't we all be nice? I am going out to my truck to check my compass.

[Jig Master]

I can't wait to fish all those east side tournaments on the Frankies trail. Rush Lake, and Green. How long will it take me to get there from St. Paul? I'm assuming I take 94 East to get there? I might get into some south side tournaments next year too, like on Minnetonka. Never been there before. I'm guessing the lake is somewhere off Interstate 35 south? Maybe Magellan, I mean RickyBobby can chime in? Or Ray, if his compass is in top shape. Thanks for the help!

[RickyBobby]

Ike,

Same situation here with young ones at home. Mine are both daycare babies so weekdays when the kids are in daycare and the wife is at work are golden opportunities to get out. The problem is that vacation days from work are constantly in low supply as a result. Otherwise all my outings are extremely early and relatively short on weekends. The club events are crucial because kid coverage can be planned well in advance, and if you've paid up front, you're forced to fish rather than waste the money. Getting time to pre-fish is always a challenge. Its all good though.... our day will come and if we play our cards right, our kids will be bass pros and put us to work as advance scouts.

Good luck

[grab the net]

On most weekend circuits, you do fish the same lakes over and over. They do not vary from year to year. Reason being, because there are only so many lakes that will bear a 40+ boat tournament. Look at the Silverado, Big Bass Bonanza, Reel Team, etc.. Those tournaments are all on the same lakes, year after year. Reason I fish the same lakes over and over? I like to catch fish. Get to know a lake well, you learn several different patterns for different times of the year, weather conditions etc.. But then again, it is hard to argue with the Clear lake, back to back, 06 and 07 Rock Bass Champ. You did realize we were talking about LM and SM right?

[Fishwrench]

I see some interest in weekday tournaments, and tournaments for those that want to get their feet wet. [YouNeedAuthorization] operates FWBass, a series for 'the rest of us'. We're weekend warriors that want to compete with those on the same level; we don't want to donate our dollars to those that make every tournament a payday.

We operate 3-weekday and 2-weekend tournaments. One of the 5 is a throw-away, so only your best 4 scores are used to determine where you stand in the league. We have a banquet at the end of each season and crown a champion.

League fees are paid up-front. This ensures that we have enough boats in the field during the year to keep the league afloat. It also, as RickyBobby stated, ensures commitment by each participant.

For more information about FWBass and [YouNeedAuthorization], visit http://www.[YouNeedAuthorization]/about-2/about-fwbass. Hurry --- there is a cap on the number of boats we can accept.

Bob

[Burchoid]

http://classicbass.com/2011sched.htm

Everyone should have this site bookmarked for MN tournies!