I "Survived" my first tournament.

[Hobious]

seeing all the boat together was kinda cool. the blast off was cool. 

first I woke up at 1:30 am.  I was a zombie until the festivities started.  we checked in like at 4:00 am.  fishing was tough, but our mission was clear.  DONT COME IN LAST!!  no results yet, but I do not think we are last.  both of us were total rookies.  my first time.

what I loved and didnt expect was the added excitement of catching a fish.  even a small one.  never has a 2lb bass caused just a rush.  GET THE NET!  normally, I would just unhook and lower a 2 into the water with barely a "goodbye".  we lost our brains when we boated a 3.

it was fun.  I now have the motivation to do my own thing and sign up for a kayak tournament.  I was co-angler and I think we passed some bassy looking waters.  I want to win/lose under my own juice.  for example it was overcast and cool most of the day.  I think we burned too much time trying to punch a bass in the weeds.  it was still fun as heck.  and I see why some of you do it. 

we got a limit. a humble one, but a limit nevertheless. 

hope we didnt come in last.  ahhahahahha..

[J.W.]

If you caught a limit, I doubt you'll finish last. Probably middle of the pack at worst.

One thing about tournaments is that there is almost always someone that whacks 'em even if it's tough, and there's almost always someone who zeros even if they're biting. I've been the latter more times than I'd care to admit 

[big g]

Good for you, sounds like you enjoyed the experience.  What body of water were you fishing?    

[Hobious]

the California Delta

update.  we finished mid-pack!!

[Princeton_Man]

I remember my first tournament. Sounds like you're yet again hooked!

[D.W. Verts]

Fished my first one at the age of 15 in 1979. I got over the excitement of it after a while, then got some of it back this past year. Tournament fishing can be the ruination of a great hobby. Or it may bring a whole new level of enjoyment. Good luck in the future.

Dale

[FlatsNBay]

Good job. I knew you'd do ok.

[Mike Cork]

Congrats on stepping out there. Lots to be learned as a co angler but it does come down to the draw. Not sure what Circuit you fished but Richard Dobyns fishes that way and if you end up in the boat, get the mental note pad working...

There is a giant rush in catching a tournament fish, wait until you hook a 5-6 pounder. You fish the waters that it will happen and WOW..