Tournaments

fishn4fun · #1 03-20-2013, 02:09 PM

Ok stop laughin....just wondering if you see many pontoon boats in tourneys,just bought one and wouldn't mind trying a couple

huntsfurfish · #2 03-20-2013, 02:10 PM

What kind of tournaments?

fishn4fun · #3 03-20-2013, 02:11 PM

walleye

Mutter87 · #4 03-20-2013, 02:15 PM

Those look like great boats to fish from if you don't have to go far or travel around the lake. Big flat decks, Can get a bbq on them, big bench to relax. If I had a cabin I would definitely have a single level pontoon boat to fish with on relaxing days.

cube · #5 03-20-2013, 02:15 PM

Do you have a live well? If so Good luck to you, I think it would be a hoot if you won. I can just see the faces of the others

huntsfurfish · #6 03-20-2013, 02:17 PM

Where will you put your partner? He may not want to be seen

jk
Also require a working/suitable livewell. Then good to go

huntsfurfish · #7 03-20-2013, 02:20 PM

Check out SAWT if you are in the south country. Plus other trails are listed on go walleye site.

HuyFishin · #8 03-20-2013, 02:23 PM

is there any place u can get aftermarket livewells

huntsfurfish · #9 03-20-2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_man

is there any place u can get aftermarket livewells

Maybe check Overtons, Cabelas, Bass pro.

Seen people make them out of large coolers.

huntsfurfish · #10 03-20-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_man

is there any place u can get aftermarket livewells

You can buy portable aerators and pumps(12 volt).

cube · #11 03-20-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_man

is there any place u can get aftermarket livewells

Yes http://www.basspro.com/TohoRig-Livewell/product/883/

You can also make yourself one from an old cooler. Just search portable live well or somethning along those lines and I'm sure you will see lots.

Good Luck

Walleyedude · #12 03-20-2013, 02:54 PM

You'd be the first pontoon I've ever seen, but I have seen all kinds of boats at the starting line, from $5000 to $95,000. They all go out and go fishing, so it can't be that bad.

You'd be at a pretty big disadvantage to some of the dedicated tournament boats out there, especially if conditions are less than ideal, but ultimately, it's not the boat you're in that wins a tournament.

As long as you have a decent live well and you want to compete, then by all means, sign up and go for it. It's quite the experience and a great way to learn about walleye fishing too.

Freedom55 · #13 03-20-2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_man

is there any place u can get aftermarket livewells

Try www.baitwells.com. Scroll down to Toho Livewell.

Free

HuyFishin · #14 03-20-2013, 03:53 PM

is it legal to enter walleye tournys with homemade or after market livewells?
i'm quite interested to giving a tourny a try looks so fun!

fishn4fun · #15 03-20-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

Where will you put your partner? He may not want to be seen

jk
Also require a working/suitable livewell. Then good to go

Would have to check to see if it is big enough but it does have a live well

huntsfurfish · #16 03-20-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_man

is it legal to enter walleye tournys with homemade or after market livewells?
i'm quite interested to giving a tourny a try looks so fun!

Yes

fishn4fun · #17 03-20-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walleyedude

You'd be the first pontoon I've ever seen, but I have seen all kinds of boats at the starting line, from $5000 to $95,000. They all go out and go fishing, so it can't be that bad.

You'd be at a pretty big disadvantage to some of the dedicated tournament boats out there, especially if conditions are less than ideal, but ultimately, it's not the boat you're in that wins a tournament.

As long as you have a decent live well and you want to compete, then by all means, sign up and go for it. It's quite the experience and a great way to learn about walleye fishing too.

It's all for fun

fishn4fun · #18 03-20-2013, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cube

Do you have a live well? If so Good luck to you, I think it would be a hoot if you won. I can just see the faces of the others

I would too lol

EZM · #19 03-20-2013, 04:29 PM

On those fair weather days on smaller to mid sized lakes where you don't have to travel a long way - you probably can't find anything more comfortable than a pimped out pontoon.

npauls · #20 03-20-2013, 06:13 PM

If the weather is bad like it was at chin and Travers last year you may need a pretty big anchor to keep you on a spot or quite a few batteries if you are going to use a trolling motor on windy days.

I think it would be pretty comfortable to fish from but probably not the greatest for boat control.

Enter into a few and see how it goes. If you are a competitive type of person you will be hooked.

Like mentioned before check out the go walleye website and check out the tourneys on there.

bobalong · #21 03-20-2013, 09:30 PM

Pontoons are quite nice to fish out of, like mentioned boat control would be the big issue if it got pretty rough. I have a 70 lb electric on the front of mine and have used it in about 2 1/2 chop. Mine is a fishing model so it has the ped seats and livewell in it, but I only have a 60HP (about 20MPH WOT) on it so I still use the Sylvan for tournaments.

It is a great family boat, this is where the pontoon really shines

fishn4fun · #22 03-21-2013, 07:14 AM

Mine will have a 90 Merc and it is a fish and cruise, would love to see pictures of your electric motor setup

yardape · #23 03-21-2013, 08:54 AM

golden walleye classic tournament has had a couple of pontoon boats fish the tournament the last couple of years

trapshooter · #24 03-21-2013, 09:01 AM

Super fun to fish from but like a big kite on windy days, they catch all the wind.

farmsniper · #25 03-21-2013, 09:46 AM

There was a young couple team in one tournament we did last year, they did very well the first day anchored using slip bobbers. The second day we made one pass by them and pulled 2 good fish out from under their boat and we were headed straight to the weigh-in. The rest of the day was slow and I don't think they even weighed a single fish. My point being a big boat is not as agile if you want to switch presentations from a jig or slip bobber to slow lindyrig where speed is absolutely crutial. Good luck.

EZM · #26 03-21-2013, 10:32 AM

Boat control really is probably the biggest issue with a pontoon.

You could always put a electric motor on each corner and have them syncronized .....lol.

Freedom55 · #27 03-22-2013, 07:30 AM

Drag that pontooner out to Big River and fish the Walleye Classic. Most of the fishing will be done in the first 20 miles of the lake so your craft might do very nicely. Only $600 to try. Friendly lake, friendly town.

Same goes for anyone who has considered tournament fishing. Big River is the perfect fit for having a go-round with the pros and the joes. Too much fun!

Free

bobalong · #28 03-22-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishn4fun

Mine will have a 90 Merc and it is a fish and cruise, would love to see pictures of your electric motor setup

I have two or three pics, pretty simple install. I have a small compartment on each side of the boat at the front, I put the two batteries on one side and the charger and anchor on the other. I have a co-pilot remote that works well, with all the room, I move around the boat more. Bought the co-pilot before the I-pilot came out. I have the I-pilot (80lb) on my Sylvan and would probably go that route if you are buying a new one.

baptiste_moose · #29 03-22-2013, 11:40 PM

Don't bother. You meet lots of nice people but lots who take it way to seriously and leave a sour taste in your mouth. I would have rather burned the 600$ after a few tourneys. A gentlemen died in a Slave tourney I fished a few years back when his boat got swamped by big waves. He was in a well equipped tracker targa 20 ft and he was VERY experienced. That was a nasty day. 7' chop on slave is life threatening. I'd hate to see what would happen to a pontoon. Spend your 600$ else where. IMO.

Freedom55 · #30 03-24-2013, 03:34 PM

I'm gonna guess Mr Moose that it is you that has a bad taste in his mouth and you no longer enter the tournaments. That is your choice. But someone has to fill your shoes.

Surely the OP will recognize that his craft should not be on the water on certain days. Besides, the event you mention won't see his boat for a few years yet. There are waiting lists now at these shows that offer the large prizes. Better that he come to Big River and get a taste for it before he decides if he should invest in a walleye boat.

While I'm at it, if anyone reading this has an interest in trying this type of fishing and don't know how to get into it, message bsnyder or me and we'll put you on the path to glory. At least, show you a good time at the Big River Walleye Classic. No sourpusses here.

Free