When you're in your staging area for a tournament do you drop anchor while waiting? FIRST TOURNAMENT What can I expect 214 boat high school tourney lake lewisville...Fished out of boat just not a tourney

Get on the trolling motor and start getting in position for the start. if you have an early number get up front, If you have a late number back way out and give the guys with early numbers room.

When they get 3-4 boats ahead of your number, pull the trolling motor and start lining up with the big motor.

That's the main reason I decided not to captain. Too many boats for me.

What is generally done they make you do a drive by; but don't know about High School tournaments:
- Drive by the end of the dock.
- With livewell lids up and pumps running.
- Then pull the kill switch.
- Live jackets on.
- Running lights on.

So you will be staging like Fish Killer says; waiting until your number gets close.

The early numbers will already be staging by the dock/check in area. Just kinda find an area and wait for your number to be called. Ask around what other boaters' numbers are and that'll kinda give you an idea of where to be. It's not too hard. Just kinda hang back till they start getting close to your number then make your way to the dock.

The THSBA do a very good job managing flighted starts! They will communicate over the PA system which flight is being released, they will call out each team in sequential numerical order, and move the next flight into position at the appropriate time.

If you draw later than 50, please stay way back. At every one of these, I've had to pass boat 118 which is sitting 50yds from the dock you idle by.
It will go so much faster if guys are not having to navigate through the later numbers to get to the front. Seems like as soon as they call boat "one", it's a surge to get to the front. Wait. Your. Turn.
Other than that, ask the guy next to you what number he is and stage from there. Have fun and don't let it bother you.

Lots of good replies. Matt will be staging everyone in the back of the cove. See map below, if you are past 50 please stay to the back away from the dock. Drive SLOWLY past Matt and have the following on...LIFE Jackets, Kill Switch, Lights(even if it is daylight when you leave ,MUST HAVE THEM ON, live wells open and preferably running, IF ANY OF THESE ARE NOT ON WHEN YOU PASS BY THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR YOU WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO THE SIDE UNTIL THEY ARE DONE.There will be a lot of boats, best thing to do is get on the trolling motor and watch for everyone around you.

Never been in a tourney where they have you actually pull the kill switch while idling thru or have to have full live wells with pumps running. They will make sure there are no fish, life jackets are fastened, and kill switch attached.

Communicate on the water and be close to others in your number range.

Idle past where they tell you before you jump on plane.

[quote=David Burton]Never been in a tourney where they have you actually pull the kill switch while idling thru or have to have full live wells with pumps running. They will make sure there are no fish, life jackets are fastened, and kill switch attached.

Communicate on the water and be close to others in your number range.

Idle past where they tell you before you jump on plane. [/quote

I've had to in basscat owner's and also media/fishers of men I believe

We don't make you pull the kill switch or have the live wells running. I just put the live wells running in case you wanted to do that.

Sounds like Bassmaster. If so...it goes smoothly. Just watch the others and be ready for your turn.

You can always go to the bank and wait if you have a late number. This saves the hassle of being on the TM.

When they get within 12-15 of your number, start slowly moving in that direction. Be sure everything is ready to go (TM up, life jackets on, rods strapped down, net secured, etc).

Be very aware as you get on plane of other boats around you. They'll be boats in front of you and they'll be boats on plane behind you. Always be looking in all directions and KNOW THE LAWS AS FAR AS WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE WATER. Maybe someone can post that chart that shows this.

This is a good point. It's kind of hectic the first couple miles of running. The water will be chopped up and boats will be headed different directions. You might be fast enough to pass people and probably some will pass you. I always tell my partner to keep an eye all around for boats, as do I, but if he helps I can focus on driving more because waves are coming from every direction. I know that makes it sound a little scary and it might be the first time but it's really fun. One of the best parts of the day to me. Just make sure if your going to be making any turns that nobody is coming up on that side and if someone is close give them a wave or something to show your about to turn. The pre launch stuff isn't hard. If it's a late number, I would beach the boat and wait or stay in the back. You will see what everybody else is doing then just fall in when they call your number. Usually I'm waiting to hear the numbers a few ahead and then when they call the number ahead of me I take note of that guys boat so I know who I'm supposed to follow

It sounds scarier than it is. Just make sure everything is strapped down and secured, last thing you want is to come off pad 75 yds away from the takeoff..not a good place to be sitting still. And like said above, keep your head on a swivel. It will e tempting to try and outrun everyone but the water is sloshing every which way so drive as fast as your comfortable. Good luck and don't make any rookie moves like leave your tm down when you takeoff.