So tell me about the boat traffic. It seems like it would be hell? Am I mistaken? Is it the few bad apples that get all the attention and give these things a bad reputation?

There is some strategy to fishing a Big Bass tournament. Every hour comes with decisions to make. Let's say you catch a 5 lbr at 9:15am, If you look at the 8-9 weigh-in and see that it took 5 lbs or better
to place in the top 10, you will need to know the history of the tournament on the lake you are fishing. Then decide if you are going to weigh-in at the 9-10am hour or place that 5lbr in the live well and continue to
fish and hopefully catch two bigger ones or weigh-in at the 10-11,11-12,12-1,1-2,2-3 hours.. The Bass Pro Big Bass allows you to carry only three fish in the live-well at a time per angler. So, there are some decisions to weigh throughout the day(s) of the tournament.

Boat traffic is not bad if everyone is catching. You can tell whether people are catching or not. If boats are zipping across the lake continuously, it's a sign they are not catching. I have fished the events
on Lake Conroe, Table Rock and Lake Guntersville. Conroe is by far the most dangerous lake during this event.

There will be a lot of boats and just about every main lake, secondary points will be covered up. You just have to jump in line.

I personally enjoy the Bass Pro Big Bass because it is the best ran Big Bass tournament that I have ever fished. The folks are Top notch.

Don't get hung up with "entries" vs "boats"

I would posit there's far fewer boats than 1000. Many of these amateur events have 2-3 anglers per boat. Yes, it's crowded, but I'm usually game. Because I like more opportunities, and the chance to win big!

CUE Rener with the "everyone gets a trophy" rant....

You just don't want that many people seeing you cannot fish.

Love those bass fishing big bass derby’s in Texas. Been fishing them for years.

So much truth to this ^^^^

Not sure why you chose to mention me and to misspell my name?

Sorry, I could blame it on auto-correct, but I was thinking about my drive home by Renner Road.

Sorry, Doug! Feel free to misspell my name anytime!

My strategy for big bass tournaments is to find out what lake they are on and get as far away from it as possible. They are not my thing, but I support your right to enjoy them.

I really like the Big Bass/hourly weight style tournament's. The most money I ever won was during one of these. It's great for solo anglers too. I won big fish of the event with my personal best. We won 2300 combined that day during a local bass club event that was put on.

I haven't fished a tournament trail in a while, too busy with work, farm and family stuff, but these style's of tournament's are more suitable for me.

They have one local one here in NC that runs 5 or 6 of them with championship and a prize boat. The lakes don't get crowded here for them and the entry fee is minimal.

Never fished from horseback, sure didn't know that it was a competitive thing. I do have a boat and fish tournaments a lot. I think Derbys are for those up north or liberals.

Jody