So You Want To Have A Rally

[Bud Kennedy]

This year marks our fourth consecutive year of holding a Rally at Lake Norman, North Carolina.  Until four years ago I had never attended or planned an event of this nature.  Thankfully I have been able to learn from some very experienced folks about what it takes to plan such an event. 

Here are some of the things to consider if you are thinking about planning an event in your area:

1.   Pick a lake that is convenient to the anglers.  Most won't travel great distances to go fishing.  They want to be able to drive to the lake on launch day and not have to spend money for hotel rooms.

2.   Do your research.  Understand what is going on in the area during the selected rally date.  Keep away from dates that will drive up hotel costs and availability.  Don't try to compete with other events, you don't want to compete for ramp space and you don't want to lose potential entries of your core group who may have already committed elsewhere.

3.   Most fishermen would like to have a chance to win a few dollars in the event.  Keep your entry fee balanced to create a small prize pool but still be affordable for the average person.

4.   Allow anglers that want to fish alone to register and adjust the entry fee accordingly.  If fishing alone then half the fee, they can bring a partner and the partner too has to pay the other half.  A big fish pot should be included in your entry fee but can be held separately if you choose.

5.   Be sure to obtain permits for the lake and launch area you will be fishing.

6.   If possible try to plan a simple meal and include this cost in the entry fee.

7.   Minimize the rules.  It is always best to keep it as simple as possible.

8.   Promote your event on a regular basis to be sure folks are aware of the dates and places.  Put flyers in local tackle shops to expand the communications of the event.

9.   Pick a tournament director that is resident in the area of the lake you are fishing.  It is important to have as much local knowledge as possible to ensure that arrangements are made for the local logistical items such as permits, hotels, meals, and can provide information about the area.

10.   Pay all prizes on rally day in cash.  Your goal is to achieve 100% payback after expenses.  Be sure to keep your budget as not to significantly impact the prize fund.

11.   The rally should be about friends, fun and food.  The bragging rights will be the most important for the future.

12.   Encourage family participation in the event.  Sons, daughters, wives and close friends can make for a really special day.  It also makes it easier to achieve that all too valuable kitchen pass.

13.   Make sure you have arranged for the weigh in by having proper scales.

14.   If you are planning a rally as a member of a website be sure to keep the website owner advised of your progress. 

15.   Take pictures of your event and post them on the website.  Everyone likes to see what was missed.  It just might encourage them to attend your next rally.

16.   Keep in mind that this is a rally.  It is designed for fun and is not a serious tournament event.  If people tell you they want to fish for more prize money you can direct them to other events in the area that may interest them.

17.   Don't panic if the entries aren't pouring in.  Most will wait until the last minute before making a commitment.  They want to keep their money as long as possible and they want to make their final decision based on weather.

18.   Have a foul weather plan.  You may have to make some changes and you need a way to communicate to the anglers.  In the past we have adopted trailer tournament rules in those cases where wind conditions make the lake difficult to run for the smaller boats.

19.   One of the most important things is to keep the event as simple as possible.  Anything you can do to minimize confusion will work to your advantage

20.   Try to pick a lake where people can catch fish.  A big fish lake may be great and interesting to some but the reality is that people just want to catch some fish.  You always run the chance that the fish can shut down but if your chosen lake has a reputation for numbers that's what you want.

21.   The Rally is also an effort to expand the membership base of the website and to introduce site sponsor products to the area.  Some sponsors may even provide some items to give away and some local businesses who are not sponsors may also be helpful with prizes or services. 

22.   Finally understand that putting together a rally can take a lot of effort.  Don't consider it as work; consider it a labor of love.  Have some partners helping you with the event planning and the event operations.   Make a plan and stick to it.  Too many changes will confuse things and have negative impact on the overall satisfaction of your event.



The Lake Norman location has been ideal for our rallies.  There is a good core group of anglers and the lake is easy to visit and has excellent facilities.  In our group, Rangerman (Boots Beasley) has always managed our rallies.  He has been involved in these types of events for many years and is truly a professional at making a rally a smooth and fun day.  As the Rally Director he has arranged for the pavilion, the permits, the food and has recruited local tackle shops to help in the registration process.  Boots is very well known in our area and just about everyone knows and trusts him as a friend and as an angler.  Without his involvement I doubt that our events would be as successful as they have become.