Check Out Local Fishing Tournaments

There are many reasons to fish. Stress release, fun, or the challenge, are some of the most popular reasons. Some anglers even enjoy a fishing competition.

There are hundreds of fishing tournaments organized all around the country. To find the best fishing tournaments near you, start with a search on the internet by region, method, or species. Even the smallest local fishing tournaments may have a web site where they list rules, sponsors, and such. Also watch for ads in your local newspaper or post the question on social media.

In many fishing tournaments, anglers compete while on a boat. This is a simple way to keep anglers confined to the same fishing area. But you don’t always have to own a 70 mph bass boat. There are local fishing tournaments for all kinds of watercrafts such as kayaks, johnboats, even float tubes.

Bass fishing tournaments are highly popular but you may also find tournaments for crappie, walleye, or trout. The Field and Stream Catfish Classic is a huge yearly event near Pittsburgh, PA. Most anglers race to their spots in heavy aluminum river boats but contests also can fish from shore here.

Most tournaments support catch and release. Bass and catfish tournament anglers usually have boats with live wells so that the fish can be weighed and then quickly returned to the water. The Kayak Anglers Fishing Club uses a format where fish are photographed with a digital camera on a measuring board, along with the date and angler id number. Fish are then released immediately and the winner determined by achieving a maximum total length.

If you are interested in a local fishing tournament, attend a weigh in or a local bass club meeting to make sure it is the best fit for you. Some tournament money also supports other causes such as conservation efforts or charities. Whatever the best fishing tournament is near you, you’ll have to have a valid fishing license and boat registration.