By the grace of the good Lord my wife actually loves to go fishing with me. We bought our first boat a couple of years ago and have been fishing it regularly (3-4 times a month in summer season). Our boat is a starter boat, a '09 Tracker Pro 16. It doesn't have anything fancy or updated electronics, but I still love it. I plan on upgrading down the road, we both just turned 30, but for now this is my boat for at least the next few years.

I've been wanting for us to join a local club or maybe an amateur tourney, I know we'd enjoy the friendly competition and experience and could learn a lot. But from the clubs and tournaments I've found in the area, or anywhere, I don't feel equipped to join any of these - I don't even know if I'd be allowed to sign up. Everyone (generally), no matter their level, has 18+ ft fiberglass boats, motors with 150 hp MORE than what I have, and $500 more invested in electronics.

I've looked into co-angling tournaments but that doesn't work for me as my wife LOVE's fishing and I like having her with me. I'm a big fan of the forum and am hoping to get some advice or maybe some leads into anything that might be up our alley. Should we just do what we can to learn the lakes until I can upgrade or is there an actual poor-man's tourney/club/group, poor-man meaning <50hp?

There's not much poor about poor mans, that being said find a small little club to join. Me and my dad fish bass club of north Texas together and it's just some friendly competition. There are about 25 boat each tournament from what I recall. This months tournament is at lake athens on the 22nd and I Believe our monthly meeting is tomorrow at spring creek bbq in lewisville. PM me for more info and I can give you some contact info.

I have wanted to find this same sort of thing as my wife fishes with me most of the time. She loves it! It would be nice to find a friendly, couples, just-for-fun club/tournaments. Let me know if you find something.

Arlington bass club. Very laid back. Low entry fee.

basschamps was won years ago out of a boat similar to yours. dont discredit your boat. its good enough! we wold love to have you join us at Ray Hubbard Bass Club! next tournament is at Lake Palestine. meeting is the Thursday night before the tourney (every second saturday tournament)

Try a couple meetings at some different clubs, I bet you will find one that will be glad to take you and your wife. Good Luck.

Texas Bass couples have several different regions, we have met some really nice couples over the last few years, take a look at their website.

This. You and the misses will have a great time meeting and going to dinner with the other couples on tourn. weekends. It is a ways to drive to get to some of them; but well worth it.

C.A.S.T. is also still around. Just google both of them and decide which circuit and region best fits your schedule.

If you look for a club in your area; call and talk to the president. Ask how many other couples are on the roster. Having company at the meetings, traveling, and sharing stories is what it is all about. Some clubs will have more couples than others.

I've seen some pretty interesting boats at some of the tournaments I've fished this year. Your boat would be a gigantic improvement over some I've seen. Electronics are nice and if you are fishing offshore structure can make a huge difference but guys in nice boats have tough days too. Do you usually catch 5 keepers fishing a day with your wife? If so, you might be surprised at how well you do. Your boat would be just fine for fishing tournaments, give one a shot.

My wife and I fish East Region of Texas Bass couples. Great run program. Lots of friendly couples. Highly recommend them. There are also several regions you can choose from tied to the Texas bass couples.

As Ronnie mentioned above, Ray Hubbard Bass Club is a great group of guys and gals. I think we have 5 husband and wife teams that I can think of off the top of my head. Joining any club can seem intimidating at first. The only person that cares about what kind of boat you have is you. Most fisherman started out like you guys. An entry level boat and kept justifying why we needed something bigger, faster and more expensive. I don't catch anymore fish out of my 2016 20' Skeeter than I did out of my first boat which was a 17' Nitro with a 90hp Force motor (major pos). Fishing any club is about comraderie, learning new lakes that you otherwise wouldn't fish and learning a few things by talking to everyone at the ramps and meetings. Good luck yo you guys.

Another vote for Texas Bass Couples, my wife and I fish the NE and E division's of TBC's. We have a great time and have met a lot of great couples. It doesn't matter what kind of boat you have. There would be 3 division's that have tourney's close to Carrolton, Metro, Northeast and East. Shoot me a PM if you want the numbers to the Tournament directors or just go to www.texasbasscouples.com.

JB is right. We currently have five husband/wife teams regularly fishing with RHBC, and a couple more occasionally. Our Club or any Club may seem a bit intimidating at first, but even though we are large, we are a very inclusive and friendly group. Give CAST or Texas bass Couples a try, or if you like, come on out to our next meeting on May 11. You don't have to be a member to attend. Get a feel for how we work and who we are. If you like it, join up and come fish with us. I think you will enjoy yourself. If you decide we're not your cup of tea, you had a semi entertaining evening at a good restaurant so you can have a good meal and something to drink. PM me for more information.

Don't sweat the tin boat,they are a PITA but just go fishing and enjoy whatever club suits you. The tin boat is you chance to learn fishing shallow and up in the thick stuff. Lots of fish and good ones skinny year round. You start brining them to weigh in and the guys in glitter boats will notice

C A S T or The Metroplex Bass Club, they have several couples fishing it.