I've never fished a tourney with hourly weigh-ins and hourly payouts. Fishing starts at 5;30 and the first weigh-in starts at 8AM. There is only one weigh-in station that is open each hour after that, for 30 minutes, you can only weigh in one fish each hour, but you can possess 3. It's very hard for me to strategize and plan for this. I can't see spending all my time going back and forth to the weigh station and waiting in the line (COVID will increase this wait I'm sure). Plus I don't want to fish near the weigh-in station. What would be a good strategy for this format?

Catch a 14 lber and win everything

Well, you'll be having a good day if you weigh in multiple times (with a fish actually worth weighing) - so I wouldn't be worried about that. You can trailer, so you could try to catch 2 or 3 good fish on the other end of the lake and trailer to weigh in for the last 2 or 3 hours.

Generally speaking, it takes less weight the first hour or two to cash a check.

You'll understand after you fish a big bass event on Fork. You will look back and want to delete your post.

My 13 year old son and I are thinking about fishing this event. We have never fished a tournament, but fish on Fork as often as possible. I know it will be an eye opening experience for us both, but how many boats should we expect to join us?

I believe they said there were 1700 entries last year. I'd guess that would be about 1000 boats? maybe more.

that's the plan, but I'd like to have a backup!!

Ive not fished one there, but been on the lake for plenty of them.

I'm sure KMOO will cover the event and give updates all day as they normally do. Listen to the updates. They will let you know if a fish you have is worth the run. Generally speaking, a fish under 2lbs is worth running up until maybe the 9am hour. After that, 2.25 plus is about all that gets checks. It's a complete absolute circle&%&, but wouldn't miss it!!

good advice! thanks!!