[ShawnF]

Was thinking about starting to shoot some tournaments. I have planned in the past to shoot some, but my schedule never has let me. I was wondering is there any strategy involved? And I understand prefishing and scouting, but any other tips or tricks, such as dealing with fish weight in a smaller boat, does anyone offload to a truck mid tournament? Any advice would help.

 

[petescraft]

I've known boats that have made 2-3 trips to unload in a single tournament. My advice would be to figure out what everyone's strengths are in the boat, for example what side they shoot off the best. Then figure out a system to keep everyone fishing after someone gets a fish. For example, in my boat if I shoot a fish the guy behind me will step to the middle and I will walk down the side to fight the fish. He steps up in my place and drives the boat. Pay attention to the time and have fun.

 

[Shooter007]

We started doing the same thing Pete mentioned last year with guys rotating to drive when one guy shoots a fish, and unless its a hog we don't help each other, this keeps more guys shooting.

 

[AllOut]

Yep....
Work as a team and keep it running like a well oiled machine. Learn to anticipate your other guys moves and reactions and be ready to act. Everyone has a role to play, usually their strength like stated above. I shoot my best behind me to my left, so my spot is behind the guy up front running the troller. I'm also the "mechanic" so if something breaks on the boat or someones bow I immediately take to getting it fixed. If that means handing my bow to another guy while I fix his real quick then by all means that's what I'm gonna do. Fish in the boat is fish in the boat, who puts them there doesn't matter.
As far as off loading fish, do whatever it takes to stay afloat.

 

[Ramon]

Preparation/scouting is very important. Put a game plan together stick too it. Never leave fish to go find fish in tournament what I mean by that is if your still seeing/killing them don't make a move till it plays out. It doesn't matter how the fish get in the boat as long as they get in so try put whoever is shooting the best that night of the shooters in the front of the boat. Main thing is to have fun! Worry about what you can control everything else doesn't matter. Good luck I hope I could be of help.

Ramon McDonald

 

[cntryboy081]

When shooting unfamiliar waters it doesn't hurt to do some internet research. Google Maps is always helpful when locating slues and hidden pockets in the water. I fish the river mainly so water levels are always changing. I us this site to see up-to-date water levels, very helpful. http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lsx

 

[garpwacker]

If shoot retrievers everyone shoot a different colored line to help and make it quicker if lines get tangled up

 

[schaff]

If shoot retrievers everyone shoot a different colored line to help and make it quicker if lines get tangled up

This X10, we all shoot different color arrows and lighted nocks to know who hit the fish as well

 

[bonefish]

Preparation/scouting is very important. Put a game plan together stick too it. Never leave fish to go find fish in tournament what I mean by that is if your still seeing/killing them don't make a move till it plays out. It doesn't matter how the fish get in the boat as long as they get in so try put whoever is shooting the best that night of the shooters in the front of the boat. Main thing is to have fun! Worry about what you can control everything else doesn't matter. Good luck I hope I could be of help.

Ramon McDonald

Right on.

 

[ShawnF]

Great info! Keep em coming!

 

[walteman]

Make sure everyone knows the plan, knows how to drive the boat, and knows where everything in the boat is located. Make sure everyone helps in the morning with the counting/weighing of fish too.

Be a democracy, but with one president. What i mean is, take eveyone's suggestions into consideration, but have one guy make the final call (usually the guy who owns the boat). It will avoid hurt feelings and save time and effort.

 

[g-devil]

Lot of people over look this, set your own pace ! Don't fish faster or slower then u normally do. U just screw stuff up, and u will over look alot of things.

 

[Ramon]

Plan "B"must be just as good as Plan "A" when scouting for a tournament.

 

[garpwacker]

And if you do cheat,don't get caught most of our types would likely whoop your azz. Just kidding of coarse.... Don't cheat and even if not on fish don't give up and grind it out,other boats might be having the same problem

 

[ShawnF]

Never understood why guys would cheat. Prize money usually isn't that great, and really, kinda would take all the fun out of actually winning. Guess some ppl weren't raised right.