Page 15 - Crappie NOW - April 2017
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The Future of Crappie Tournaments
Costs of Fishing Tournaments
…Are Tournaments a Rich Man’s Game? A well-rigged boat from front to back is
Just read our articles and look to see a big investment. Sponsored teams like
what the experts are using. $8,000 worth this one typically receive help in expenses
of electronics on the boat, $2000+ trolling making it possible for them to travel and
motor, at least three sets of eight poles, fish more tournaments.
rigging and rod racks. Of course you can
add Power Poles and other extras. Big fish faster and be more efficient. However,
boats require big motors to push them and the truth is that basics are all a fisherman
big trucks to pull them. Tournament fees really needs to compete. A guy in a jonboat
aren’t cheap. So how much should you can compete and win. The common
spend? denominator is knowledge. You must have
Your budget and fishing goals must studied the species, studied the lake and
meet a happy medium. If money is not a put time on the water finding the big fish
major object just go for it. But if money is spots. If you do all of that anybody can win
an object and you’re serious about your no mater how basic the equipment.”
crappie fishing, determine what you need Jonathon Sheridan, KY Lake, says,
and find something within your budget. “I’m sure we spend a $1000 or more fishing
For example, you are techie oriented you’ll an out of town tournament. The costs really
want a good graph. All the major companies add up quickly.”
are offering units in the $500-$700 range Billy Don Surface, Missouri Corn
with bright, medium-sized screens with Growers/Ethanol team, says, “Not counting
high-tech sonar, mapping, side and down lodging, we spent probably $800 to $900
imaging. If you want to go bigger you can going to Talquin, FL. We went thru 250 jigs
spend thousands. while pulling. Add all the fuel and other
Is fishing becoming a rich man’s game? costs and it doesn’t take long to add up. If I
Bart Gillon, TN, says he drops a $1000 wasn’t retired I couldn’t do it.”
when going to an out-of-town tournament. So what is the conclusion? Large
“Our vehicle isn’t cheap, our boat and all the glass boats add safety along with a heavy
extras aren’t cheap. Technology evolves platform to navigate and fish rougher water.
and so do costs. What it does is help us find Advanced electronics, Power Poles, a
15 Crappie NOW April 2017
