Henna’s and Ila's Tips for First-Time Fishing Tournament Participants

Fishing tournaments can add a new level of excitement, social interaction, and adrenaline to your hobby! However, getting started can feel overwhelming, especially if you're venturing into competitions without an experienced tournament angler by your side. We decided to dive into the world of fishing tournaments and have compiled our insights for other beginners!

Before the Tournament:

• Registration: Register for the tournament in advance, so check the dates and mark them on your calendar!
• Goals: Consider what you want to achieve in the tournament and adjust your mindset accordingly.
• Tournament Area: Research the tournament area, boat launch sites, trailer parking, necessary permits, and any restriction or conservation zones.
• Maps: Study waterway maps in advance (e.g., online maps, Navionics), paying special attention to reefs, banks, holes, and slopes. Plan which areas you want to explore during the tournament. Focus effectively on one or two potential areas rather than wandering all over the lake.
• Break Spots: Consider possible break or landing spots, especially if the tournament is long! Fire pit locations can be found through area websites or apps like outdoor guides. Ensure, however, that tournament rules allow landing at places other than the tournament center.
• Social Media: Check what is said on forums and social media about the area – what are the conditions like, is the water clear or murky, what fish species are present, and what are their natural prey? All this information affects your gear and strategy, so thorough preparation pays off!
• Mindset: The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the tournament with your team, without focusing too much on placement, other teams, or successes. The experience and atmosphere are what matter most!
• No Pressure: Don't put too much pressure on yourself – focus on the aspects of fishing you enjoy the most and where you feel most skilled! Trust the techniques and methods you usually use.
• First Tournament: The first tournament can be nerve-racking, but if you go in with confidence and trust in your skills, you'll surely create amazing memories and experiences!

On Tournament Day:

• Preparation: Pack the boat in advance so you don't have to remember everything on the day. Don’t bring too much gear!
• Schedule: Plan your start and transitions to avoid unnecessary rush. Be prepared for waiting times at the boat launch, especially in large tournaments where queues can form. Stay calm – patience is key!
• Follow Others: If you're unsure how to act in a situation (e.g., in the boat launch queue), follow others' examples or ask the organizers or fellow competitors – everyone has been a beginner, and new teams are always welcomed.
• Follow Rules: Adhere to the given instructions and safety regulations.
• Adjust Your Plan: Adapt your plan to the conditions – consider weather, wind, and the pressure on different areas, and systematically implement your strategy! If the tournament involves multiple fish species, decide in what order to fill your card. Remember to look for mixed schools – you might catch several different species in one spot.
• Enjoy Fishing: Don’t stress over the competition, just enjoy the fishing!
• Social Media: Social media and score tracking adds a fun social element to the competition, but if you find it stressful, focus on fishing and check the results after the tournament!
• Reporting Fish: Follow the instructions for reporting caught fish to the tournament organizers and the correct measurement and reporting techniques. In photo-based competitions, instructions are often precise, so double-check them before releasing the tournament fish.
• Responsibility: Be responsible, respect the environment, and consider other anglers and people on the water!
• Post-Tournament: After the tournament, it's a great opportunity to meet other teams and organizers. Queues can easily form at boat ramps, so be patient.

After the Tournament:

• Return Equipment: Remember to return any distributed tournament equipment and provide feedback to the organizers! Positive feedback is always appreciated, and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
• Post-Tournament Reflections: Share the tournament highlights on social media for several days. You get the most out of the tournament when you share the experiences with other anglers. You can also learn a lot from tournament reports and photos!

Experiences from Happy Angler Challenge 2021

The day was relaxed and enjoyable despite some competition nerves. We first focused on mixed schools, but the perch were very sluggish. Frustrated, we started looking for zander on the slopes and soon got bites. After one undersized zander, we landed a nice one in the boat, opening our tournament card! We tried for perch again, hoping for a bonus pike, but the catches were few and small. The fish bit sporadically on different colors and models of jigs, and we didn't find a clear winning technique. We trolled short distances but with no results. In the end, only the one zander made it onto the card, but given the challenging conditions and the new lake, we were satisfied with the result. Overall, it was a fantastic day and a great experience!

Dare to compete!

@neitinuuskamuikkunen & @ila.fishing / Friends of Happy Angler

Translated from Finnish 2024