Got a question

[courville69]

Can you fish local tournaments in an aluminum boat and have a shot at winning?I'm buying my dads 15ft all welded with 40 mercury and would like to dabble in tournaments.I figure since this would be my first boat it would be better to learn the ins and outs with a smaller aluminum boat.Any input will be appreciated.

[Kal-Kevin]

As a tracker fan this is right up my alley, I run a tournament in the Michigan area and we have two trackers and had a john boat in it. There are two things you need to watch for, try to stay to tournaments on local lakes and if the tournament plays for big money.

If you are just starting out a local tournament club is more friendly and the guy will show you the ins and out of the game. When I started out tournament fishing with my club I thought I was the odd ball and even thought of not fishing with them. They made me feel at home and even said we all started out in aluminum boat. so the thing they do are small but add up fast. thing like giving you a little more room so their wake does not rock you as much. Tell you how they fished that day so you can learn and one day you are look for and asked why you where not at the last tournament.

one thing on tournaments, there are things you have to have and they must be in working order. As in a live well and Safety gear, contact the club you are thinking fishing with and ask them if there are any requirement. Most groups are happy to let you know if they have any extra thing you will need. Or just what they look for in boat related items. now a live well does not need to be built in but local ones most time make room if you got a way to do it that is safe for the fish.

If you are looking for a tournament group look in our list of clubs and see who is in your area. one of them would love to have you come fish with them.

Now on the side note you stand as good  a chance as any one at winning two years ago we had a father and son show up never fished a tournament ,in a John boat with a cooler live well. they walk out with first place  and big Bass and the jaw dropping from most of the club. 

[BassFeed]

All sound advice from Kal.
One other thing you should be aware of is that some of the tournaments do have a minimum boat size (16-feet is not unusual). Be aware of it and read the tournament rules carefully to be sure you qualify.

BF

[Kal-Kevin]

good point forgot that one thanks for bring it up

Kal-Kevin

[courville69]

Thanks for the info guys.The boat is a nice lil 15 ft boat with built in live wells (2 i believe).Its a 1994 superior with a 40 mercury and i'm getting it for $1800 bucks so i cant complain lol.Like i said it will be my first boat and i'm not the most experienced boater so i guess it will be best to learn on.I was gonna buy a stratos with a 150 from my neighbor but like i said i wouldnt be to comfortable with that big a boat at first.

[Kal-Kevin]

Glad to help if you have more question feel free to ask, that one thing we share a lot of here is information.