What do you look for in a Tourney Organization?

[Brian D.]

Is it the fellow anglers who fish it? The organization and people running it? The newsletter and Web site? The year end championship? The payout? The schedule of lakes?

Reason I am asking is that in choosing my 2009 schedule I have a few criteria that need to be addressed before I fully commit. I don't want to go into this half-arse. As my old roommate use to say, never gamble with skaird money. It all boils down to time and money. I have budgeted the money to fish most any of the local circuits (including higher price tag events such as TopStick or Won Pro/AM). The big issue for me is the time. I can't take off 3-4 days to prefish for each event, at best one, maybe two.

One circuit i will be definitely fishing is the CA Bass Federation which is manageable. Now I need to choose a second one.

Most anglers who fish two or more circuits are frequently doing Ironman events on back-to-back-to-back weekends. It can be a drain on yourself and the family. Can something like this be managed successfully? Uhg. Also, can the fishing still be fun if you are constantly weekend after weekend fishing a derbys or prefishing for the next event?

Anyway, just a few questions to see how the other tournament guns manage family, work, and other commitments.

What say you?

[some guy]

Im single and have a great job with alot of flexibilty. I can't count how many times i have worked on DVL from my lap top when the bite is just too good to be at work. Fishing is fishing is my book, whether you are pre fishing or taking your dad out trying to out fish him. I fish as many tournaments as i can and im on the lake as much i can be come derby season. The feeling sitting at blast off just knowing you are going to put together another big bag never gets old.

It basically boils down to preferrence for me. For instance, since DVL is closed for the time being my partner and I are trying to figure out where we can make the most money. If everything gets switched to Perris you can expect me to see us at every event, if not. It will be between Castaic or the SD ciruicts. It's all about the money for me.

[Big Ed]

I realize that this forum is primarily used by tournament anglers in various circuits. It is widely read by alot of regular recreational fishing for fun enthusiasts as well and club fisherman also.

There are many anglers here in So Cal who have the time, talent, nice boats, excellent equipment and an eagerness to compete above the smaller club level and still have fun while enjoying quality time with friends and family on the water.

While I posses those traits, except for the talent, I have found myself looking for a circuit this year that will provide all of those things. I plan on sharing prefishing with my 11yr old son and with some of my good friends. The club scene has provided that so far with the occasional exception sometimes of keeping it just fun. Im still looking around to see what taylors to me specific needs. Entry fees and expenses dont really play a roll for me because no matter what its going to cost just to pull out of the driveway.

I fish as many tournaments as i can, It's all about the money for me.

I am enjoying this part of my life with a good job a wonderfull family and a good core of friends who keep me sharp. Tournament fishing has provided an excellent way for me to recharge my own battery and just like SomeGuy wrote; "The feeling sitting at blast off just knowing you are going to put together another big bag never gets old".

Still not sure; Top Stick Joes, Federation or something else?

Later; Big Ed!

[buddy brown]

As a married guy w/ two little ones working full time and finishing a second master degree it is hard to find time to prefish, my family comes first. But like a crackhead doing the carpet crawl searching for that little piece of rock I feel the need to tournament fish. I love it from the week prior to the blastoff, weighin, and usual dissappointment afterwards it is a process that I enjoy very much. The probability of cashing is a factor, but as a relative new comer to the game I realize that it will take some time to acheive on a regular basis.

I will fish Topstick again as an AM to gain experience and improve, I will also fish TS Joes. I will soon be 5 mins from Pudd so that is another one I may fish. The bottom line is logistics, improvement and supporting those that I feel are quality people offering a quality product. I look forward to doing the carpet crawl again next year

[Big Ed]

But like a crackhead doing the carpet crawl searching for that little piece of rock

Scary....

[buddy brown]

But like a crackhead doing the carpet crawl searching for that little piece of rock

Scary....

but true in a light hearted masochistic way...

[some guy]

amen gentlenman..i know my days are numbered. One day ill do the wifey and family thing, hopefully not too soon though! I tip my hat to the guys with rugrats and wifey's at home and still manage to get out and fish tournaments. Thats just pure love for the game.

[hippie]

exactly what you wrote organization.say it with me ORGANIZTION. its totally important. knowing where the next tourny is going to be at instead of changing things cause some people don't like the schedule. comING THROUGH WITH PROMISES, and following tourny rules not bending them for others. ONE AND most of all BUT NEVER SEE IT the PAY OUT. I base what i have the chance to win for what im spending the LINEHAN sisters i believe have good math. the competion , how many anglers the tourny draws. TOC location is a big plus too NBW good pick HAVASU. ISN't ABA a 1 day TOC tourny thats lame.

[DAKINE198]

PUT THE PIPE DOWN

[sniper]

Hey Buddy Brown, Nice moniker at the end. "I don't hate people, I just like it better when theyr'e not around" . From Mickey Rourke in Barfly, right?

[Lance]

Brian,

I'm hitting 2 orgs this year, CA Bass Federation and JB's Average Joe. I have to admit that Ray L runs a pretty good show, he's light hearted, fun and consistant. JB, dont think I need to mention the amount of respect anglers have for him.

[Dave Wilson]

I like NBW because they are polite, super fast on results, have great pay- outs, and draw some great anglers.
I like Angler's Choice because they have great T.O.C.'s- like 3 of them I can attend, the tourneys are local for me, Jimmy's a nice guy, and we have awesome competition.
I kin't afford anymore circuits or I'd do Top Stick 'cause John's the shizzle, and WON Bass Pro too.

[buddy brown]

Hey Buddy Brown, Nice moniker at the end. "I don't hate people, I just like it better when theyr'e not around" . From Mickey Rourke in Barfly, right?

that's right. Good flick.

JB is the man and he should take up stand up comedy from some of his weighin comments. He may not get a word out of me but always a smile... or chuckle

[Brian D.]

I'm lookin close at Won Pro/AM or Top Stick.

[Darkman]

I'm a Top stick/JB guy...i am always gonna support him in what ever he does Top stick...top stick joes (nunyo and I are gonna have a blast)...same goes for Ray L (I'm gonna fish the feds this year)

and as far as the carpet crawl goes...its mine if I find it first

as a side note...CJ is a Chud