Is there a certain brand most tornaments use?

Nope... Depends on who the sponsor is in some cases. Look at the trail/event you are looking to fish. Or have the two major ones on board at all times:

Check-It Stick
Pro-Rule

Or just get what you want, and use the courtesy board to place painter's tape at the appropriate length for the lake you are fishing. For standard limit lakes, catch bigger fish so you don't have to worry about it!

Are these really different?? An inch is an inch....

The width of the line, the curve of the stop, the trueness of the board itself. They are not manufactured to that level of accuracy between brands. They are close, but if you are on a slot lake like Fork, and the difference between a penalty/DQ/fine is the width of a hair, you want to be sure where the line is for the tournament. Especially if you are talking about the big bass events for BIG BUCKS!

Go see Texas Nameplate. They will make a customized board for you and it is certified accurate to .003 of an inch. Great people over there!

http://www.nameplate.com/

Do NOT use a Golden Rule!

Yes! I carry a Pro Rule and a Check It Stick. If you are going to tournament fish it is a wise (and cheap) investment to have both and use the one the TD specifies.

I'm glad that tape measures are accurate or houses would look funny. Seems odd cause like above a
Inch is a inch

Always check you stick with the TD

I keep a check-it stick in the boat because at one time that was what the Texas game wardens used. Now they use the stick you have in your boat. I like the idea of carrying the 2 major brands though.

My Skeeter came with a check-it. So....that's what I use. I have slid the Walmart gold ruler next to it and it's EXACTLY the same.

Are they accurate? Who ever built my house must of Had a "lemon".

Thanks for the inputs

Hawg Trough. A million kayak anglers can't be wrong. It's the industry standard for kayak CPR (catch-photo-release) tournaments. Runs about $18.