Tournament Fishing Setups

[hully1029]

My son will be on the bass fishing team this year for his high school. I'm a pretty handy angler, but the ol ditch pickles aren't my specialty.
Sept 28 - Ray Roberts
Oct 19 - Texoma
Nov 16 - Lewisville
March 15 - Tawakoni
April 5 - Fork

Pretty decent schedule, from what little I know.

My question is, if it were your son, what setups would you prepare?

[Quackerbox]

The modern day rick clunn, aka chase this will be along to tell you that you need two matching skeeters with double FSSs and 150 matching rods.

I will say this, get ready for some drama. Its like dance moms with wieners. Best buds kid did it for 4 years, was always at the top of the leader board and went to and won nationals. The ramp stories, bumping boats getting to fish, telephoto lenses watching boats to make sure all the rules are followed etc was crazy. Glad my kid steered away from fishing and into shotguns

[hully1029]

Gross. Didn’t know it was like that. This is his first year, so more of just a feeler. We’ll see how it goes and definitely reevaluate if it doesn’t feel right. I appreciate your objective input.

[Quackerbox]

Its the parents and boat captains. Kids are just along for the ride for the most part. Everyone I know in it is in a different region than yall and theres a BUNCH of teams and getting bigger. He and i fished a lake at the same time regionals was there and his boat got recognized even though his son is in college in alabama. While pitching docks we came up on a boat and the dad told us he watched us from across the cove and thought dad (my buddy) was fishing and his kid was in the back. I was in the back

We actually saw a dad fishing that was on buddy's prior team. Dad denied it bigger than dallas and I saw him cast 4-5 times before we got within talking distance.

[Mayhem]

The 250 boat tournaments would turn me off quick.

Good luck to yall.

[Man]

Thats awesome. I hope he has a great time. Its a good parenting moment to teach him how to tune out negativity/drama and to focus on catching fish, learning and improving his techniques and to utilize and be thankful for what gear he can afford.

[adam_p]

My son will be on the bass fishing team this year for his high school. I'm a pretty handy angler, but the ol ditch pickles aren't my specialty.
Sept 28 - Ray Roberts
Oct 19 - Texoma
Nov 16 - Lewisville
March 15 - Tawakoni
April 5 - Fork

Pretty decent schedule, from what little I know.

My question is, if it were your son, what setups would you prepare?

Ray Bob in September is almost certainly going to be tough, I'd focus on shallow grass and throw a frog, chatterbait, swimbait, have a texas rig rigged up for pitching at trees.

Texoma, Mid depth crankbait in shad colors and a big walking top water.

Lewisville, I've never been on it but in November I'd probably through square bills on rip rap and rock

Tawakoni, chatterbait, squarebill, swimjig and a senko. Stay dirt shallow. Buy Tom Maynes running lanes, you'll need them

Fork in April I'm probably soaking a senko all day unless I can sight fish.

[Sasqy]

Just find out what he likes, and support that !
Tell him follow his heart, not his peers.

[Chase This!]

The modern day rick clunn, aka chase this will be along to tell you that you need two matching skeeters with double FSSs and 150 matching rods.

I will say this, get ready for some drama. Its like dance moms with wieners. Best buds kid did it for 4 years, was always at the top of the leader board and went to and won nationals. The ramp stories, bumping boats getting to fish, telephoto lenses watching boats to make sure all the rules are followed etc was crazy. Glad my kid steered away from fishing and into shotguns

Rangers. Not Skeeters.

and the rest of your post is total bull****. Our fourth year and never seen any of that!

[BertramBass]

I assume he can fish with a baitcaster if he is gonna fish tourneys. I've seen some kids that just use 1 spinning rod all day and some that have a rod/reel/line/bait for every technique out there. LOL A bare minimum IMO would be a walk the dog style topwater bait on a baitcast rig for fall events. A baitcast crank bait set up for a lipless/squarebill for all events along with a spinning set up for Senkos. If he is good with all those techniques and wants to run 7 or 8 rods then I would have a baitcast with braid for a frog, a baitcaster for a spinner bait, a finesse spinning set up for drop shot/shaky head, a baitcast swimbait set up and maybe a baitcast umbrella rig.

[Chase This!]

To the OP. It has been one of the best things I’ve done. My son and I get to spend a lot of time together and the tournaments are a blast. We’ve made it all the way to state two out of three years. We are entering our last year. I have seen literally ZERO drama. I can’t recommend it enough. Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

[Quackerbox]

Rangers. Not Skeeters.

and the rest of your post is total bull****. Our fourth year and never seen any of that!

I guess it's only the guys at the top then. I mean even the pros who cash checks get followed

[Chance Love]

It's my son's senior year, and 4th year on the team. We do pretty decent. And have a lot of fun. Holler with any questions.

[hully1029]

Glad to read some of the more positive feedback.. keep it coming

[Quackerbox]

There are programs out there to help pay for and get some sponsored stuff. St. Croix and kistler rods come to mind but some tackle shops provide discounts. The college level is even better