Go to weigh-ins to see if you can compete

[Wizard]

When I was working in federal government, I traveled a lot around the country. If I was going to spend a month or more at a facility and a good lake was nearby, I pulled my boat with me. I worked for 6 months at the Redstone Arsenal and spent all my free time at G-ville. I was always on call and didn't fish any tourneys. Still, I wanted to know how I would do against the local anglers. I would fish during the tourney and go to the weigh-in. Comparing my weight to the leader board let me know how I stood. Many anglers do this but if you want to tournament fish and not donate money, it is necessary.

Wizard

[Capt. BassinLou]

  .. that's great idea Wiz.

I happened to be fishing with a buddy of mine a few years ago at the same time a tournament was underway on a well known Central FL Lake.  We wrapped up our fishing around the same time the tournament finished, and when my buddy told me the winning weights and the big fish of the tournament of the day.  We took both. 

[Smallie_Stalker]

When I was working in federal government, I traveled a lot around the country. If I was going to spend a month or more at a facility and a good lake was nearby, I pulled my boat with me. I worked for 6 months at the Redstone Arsenal and spent all my free time at G-ville. I was always on call and didn't fish any tourneys. Still, I wanted to know how I would do against the local anglers. I would fish during the tourney and go to the weigh-in. Comparing my weight to the leader board let me know how I stood. Many anglers do this but if you want to tournament fish and not donate money, it is necessary.

Wizard

Sadly I donated far more money than I ever won in fishing tourneys.

This is valuable advice Wiz. Literally!!!

Sent from my LG-H932 (LG V30 Plus) using Tapatalk

[Lipripper]

I know better than to be fishing for money.  It's a good way to find out how good you really are. 

[Pipepro]

Great advice Mr. Wizard.

I have been stalking the local leagues and tournaments on social media. They are great about posting the weigh in totals.

I have secretly been fishing the same waters, granted on different days/conditions and trying to see where I stack up. Sadly, its not looking good for me.

For most of the weeknight leagues, 15lbs will get you in contention for the top. Big bass is usually around 4ish. Now I am not weighing every fish I catch but I know the best 5 I get in 4 hours (most leagues are 5-9pm) is around 10lbs if I get all 5.

I am hoping that some more time on the water, and maybe learning a few offshore techniques will help put me up where I can justify the cost of tournament fishing.

[zippyduck]

Presgue Isle Bay just had a 2 day tourney. One day was only largemouth the other was all species.
Well I would have been in first the day for largies, not so good on the smallies.
But then guys like Dave Lefebre  and a few of his co-horts were fishing it. He is a LAKE ERIE MASTER.
OH HE WON BY 4 LBS.

[D.W. Verts]

April, 1982. My senior year in high school. I fished LOZ three days straight during the Missouri Invitational, same hours as the tournament, including travel time. Steered clear of the real guys, but fished around them. I think I ended up with 44 lbs. 6 oz. Whatever it was, I'd have finished second to Randy Behringer.

But like so many of my friends said, including Gete-

"So what?"

[Oldfart9999]

If you want to get better join a local club that has co-anglers, most entry fees aren't bad and you usually are able to ask questions and hopefully draw enough good sticks to learn a lot. It can be a lot of fun and you are able to make some good friends.
Rodney