Fishing tournaments….how do i start?
I’m interested in starting one for the local people of my town. How do I get it started? What do I need, and who do I need to talk to?
You guys are misreading my question. I’m trying to start a tournament……and I want to know the steps involve in starting one.
BB has some good info, (thumbs up).
Other tips?
Finding a ramp or site to have the T will always be a concern. Public boat ramps usually have limited space and most States DNR (Dept Natural Resources) have regulations on using public ramps for private T over 15-20 boats.(You can’t impede the public from using the ramp.)
Contact your local DNR or Game & Freshwater Fish commission about your local laws regarding public ramps .
Another option?- Find a privately owned ramp with nice sized parking access. Ask them if you can rent the ramp for a day. Many waterfront restaurants that have their own ramp would LOVE the extra customer count………
ADVERTISING- Advertising is the most important feature. If only 5 people show up for the T your gonna be VERY sad! I suggest some radio spots and newspaper ads well before the actual event.
INSURANCE- Every boater MUST sign a waiver, (period). This keeps your butt out of jail when some idiot decides he/she is gonna show up drunk and drown his/herself. I suggest you talk to a lawyer about formulating an ironclad waiver.
SPONSORS- Sponsors are VITAL. Sponsors can add prizes and moneys for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th place Etc. Even the cheapest prize is STILL a prize!
Depending on how many boaters enter, your gonna need "holding tanks" for the fish.
A good idea is to talk to a local fishing club about hosting. Otherwise, your going to have to purchase scales, (and learn how to use them correctly), Etc.
If you decide to hold a bigger T (over 60-70 boats) your going to need at least 20-25 volunteers to check fishermen in, send boaters off in "waves" at T time, Etc. For the larger T I’ve fished we had a "T banquet dinner" a couple night’s before (or day before) the T where all the fishermen get a FREE dinner. At the banquet you sign waiver’s, ask Q to the T director, receive your "flight" number, resolve all T business/Q before T, Etc. Usually the banquet is held at one of your major sponsors, Moose Lodge, VFW, local Bar, local Church, Etc.
These tips are just the "tip of the iceberg"……
Hope this helps ya? Email me for any other Q you have.
March 11th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
you need a fishing rod
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Just wait for the tourneys to come to your town… there may be a fee to join, and you will need to have all of the proper licensing, but other than that… you should be good to go.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Talk to your local bait and tackle shop. Ask if he would advertise for you and put a bunch of flyers on the counter. Put a meeting time on the flyer to discuss the details of the tournament. Keep in mind any permits that may need to be required to fish our local waters aslo any rules you have some tourneys are land only others are boat only some dont care. There is usually a fee to join and the winner gets a percentage of the money, usually the other half of the money goes towards a cause or non profit organization. You`ll also need a weigh in place, maybe th ebait and tackle shop can be the place people weigh their fish in. also how long do you want the tourney to be some are just a weekend with strict start and stop times others are running tourney that last the entire season that a certain species can be fished.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
BB has some good info, (thumbs up).
Other tips?
Finding a ramp or site to have the T will always be a concern. Public boat ramps usually have limited space and most States DNR (Dept Natural Resources) have regulations on using public ramps for private T over 15-20 boats.(You can’t impede the public from using the ramp.)
Contact your local DNR or Game & Freshwater Fish commission about your local laws regarding public ramps .
Another option?- Find a privately owned ramp with nice sized parking access. Ask them if you can rent the ramp for a day. Many waterfront restaurants that have their own ramp would LOVE the extra customer count………
ADVERTISING- Advertising is the most important feature. If only 5 people show up for the T your gonna be VERY sad! I suggest some radio spots and newspaper ads well before the actual event.
INSURANCE- Every boater MUST sign a waiver, (period). This keeps your butt out of jail when some idiot decides he/she is gonna show up drunk and drown his/herself. I suggest you talk to a lawyer about formulating an ironclad waiver.
SPONSORS- Sponsors are VITAL. Sponsors can add prizes and moneys for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th place Etc. Even the cheapest prize is STILL a prize!
Depending on how many boaters enter, your gonna need "holding tanks" for the fish.
A good idea is to talk to a local fishing club about hosting. Otherwise, your going to have to purchase scales, (and learn how to use them correctly), Etc.
If you decide to hold a bigger T (over 60-70 boats) your going to need at least 20-25 volunteers to check fishermen in, send boaters off in "waves" at T time, Etc. For the larger T I’ve fished we had a "T banquet dinner" a couple night’s before (or day before) the T where all the fishermen get a FREE dinner. At the banquet you sign waiver’s, ask Q to the T director, receive your "flight" number, resolve all T business/Q before T, Etc. Usually the banquet is held at one of your major sponsors, Moose Lodge, VFW, local Bar, local Church, Etc.
These tips are just the "tip of the iceberg"……
Hope this helps ya? Email me for any other Q you have.
References :
March 12th, 2010 at 12:00 am
hey man, if i was you i would go around and ask the local businesses if they would want to help sponsor a tournament and if they did they could hang their business signs and all other what nots at the site. if they did that and flip you a few bucks for that make up some flyers and remember to put your sponsors on the flyers. go to your local bait and tackle shops see if they would sponsor it as well. but before you make up the flyers see how much money would be put into making up some good flyers and then figure out how much money you will have left and that will be the winnings and add a percentage of the entry fee to the winnings. say you have 200 dollars left well first will win 100 second 50 and third 25 plus a certain percentage of the entry fees from all that participate. take what you have left from the sponsors put it in your pocket but the rest that you have left over from the entry fee, use it to fatten up the purse on your next tournament. man i hope that i lead you in the right direction. good luck good fishin be safe and remember to share the experience
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