Hey folks, I plan to fish my first bass tournament (this is not a big tournament) and wanted to know what to expect/how things work. It pays out team 1st through 3rd and largest bass 1st through 3rd every hour. I'm not 100% sure what it means. Every hour you have to go check in the largest bass you caught (with in the past hour?). Does this fish add to your total for the team event? Do they keep these hourly fish or do you keep them in your live well until the end?

I believe you can't drive with the big motor with in 50 yards of another boat and can't fish with in 25 yards of someone using their trolling motor?
If a fish dies on you, do you take it in to get it weighed? Take if home to eat? Toss it in the water?
When driving with big motor you have to wear a life vest and kill switch (yes)?

Am i missing anything?

You don't have to weigh in your biggest every hour. Fishing is best in the morning, maybe you want to hold that big fish to weigh in a later hour when the fishing is not so good. With that being said, sometimes the best hour to weigh a not so big fish in and still maybe have a chance to get paid is the first hour. Most people make long runs to get to their spot and don't have time to make it back in on the first hour. You can bet the second and third hours will take a big fish to win, these hours will probably be when the biggest fish of the day gets weighed .... unless of course others have my logic in mind.

Don�t forget to have a fishing license and if you break any of the rules, be prepared to fail a polygraph, if you happen to win.

>>> READ the rules for the tournament you are fishing <<<<<
most tournaments are similar in nature --- BUT different in the details.

remember to yell "Its a big one!" every time u catch one.

A Laser range finder should help you with the 25 yard limit... be that guy.

Read the rules & follow them but the most important thing is be safe & have fun

If a fish dies you must keep it... Take your time and fish your strength. Have fun, a make sure you measure the fish the right way and DO not take a fish under the legal limit in. Have fun...

Don't do it !!! its like playing Golf ONLY WORSE .It becomes an obsession and will cost you DEARLY LOL I no because its been costing me for 50 years .LOL

I to fished my first tourney this year and I will give you some advise, Just because you are courteous does not mean the next guy is!! some people will pull right up beside you if they see you catching fish! Some people have trouble with rules and remember , its your word against theirs!! People like this give the sport a bad name!

Make sure to wear your jersey and flat bill cap. The other contestants will be so impressed and demoralized that they may not even fish.

And white Costas!