tournament question

[senkoskipper]

So what is the process to get into the big tournaments like Citgo bassmaster classic champions or the FLW tournaments? Do you have to start out fishing the local fishing clubs?

[TB Basser]

As a pro or co-angler?

[senkoskipper]

pro i guess.

[andy j]

Have a lot of money for entry fees travel, GAS, etc. or work your way up to get spoonsers to help pay for expenses.

[mnbass2002]

you have to qualify on the pro side.

[ZOKU]

*nod*

I'm pretty sure qualification is a must...

[st.crioxfishin]

You can qualify through the B.A.S.S. federation as well. Which means that you first have to join a bass club. You fish the club tournaments; if you do well enough in those(usualy top 6 go to state) you qualify for the Minnesota state federation tourney. If you finish high in this tourney (i think 5th or better?) then you move on to a Northern regional tournament.

Do well in that tournament and you move on to the fedartion championship. In the fed. championship 5 people move on to the bassmasters classic.

If you keep doing well at the highest level you will eventually gain sponsers to help you out and then if you are good enough you can fish the tour-this is the B.A.S.S tour; I don't kow how to become a pro on the FLW tour.

I don't know if you are familiar with Mike Iaconelli(sp?), but he worked his way up through the federation to become a pro. It sounds easy in writing, but its really a tough battle. Iaconelli just published a book recently about his fight through the federation and about the highs and lows that come with it. I have yet to read it, but hear that its a real eye opener.

You can find a lot of info on the bassmaster HSOforum about all the tournaments. Theres others like the "opens" that only have a 3 tournament schedule in different divisions of the nation. You can also work your way up into the ranks through these tourney's. Or you can fish as an amature to get a feel of how good those guys really are.

[Daze Off]

I'll add just a few clarifications to the federation circuit - I believe the top 38% of fishermen in the club go to state tournament. If I recall correctly, the top 11 or 12 finishers (of around 200 anglers) go to regionals.

Since I have not been to regionals I have no clue from there but each region sends a set number of anglers to the national tourney.

Aside from Iaconelli, there has been one amatuer federation angler who made the classic who actually won it - I think it was around 1997 or so and the guy's name was Chaney or something like it. Unfortunately, he was killed a short time later in a plane crash.

Daze Off

[st.crioxfishin]

You are probably correct daze, I was just throwing it out there from what I had heard with the state stuff. You are also right about the other person, Brian Kershall(sp?), who qualified for the classic through the fed. and ended up winning it. <---It gives you a dream to shoot for!

I have not yet joined and adult club yet, but am fishing jr. ones right now. I am planning on doing the adult ones next yr when Im 18.

[TB Basser]

FlW has couple of steps. The BFL has local one day tournaments the you can fish and work you way thru several

levels to their TOC which is the All-American. Use to be called the Redman I believe. Also they have the Everstart which is similar to FLW only regional and you qualify for their championship and if you finish high enough you qualify for the FLW. Take alot of money and time. There is alot about it on the net if you want to dig deeper. Try the local bigger circuits and see how you stack up against the Ravelings,Capra's and Lifermans etc.

[senkoskipper]

u need a ranger or a triton to be able to compete in those tournaments tho right ?

[Daze Off]

Bob -

There are two "juniors" who are fishing with our club this year and both are going to the Classic in Pittsburgh to fish with the big boys.....it can be done!

Daze Off

[st.crioxfishin]

I know it can be done, its a dream of mine to move up through the fed. ranks, its tough, but who says you can't dream ?

Are those two fishing in the junior world championship or the classic? Congrats to them.