The Opportunities and Obstacles of Tournament Fishing

Tournament fishing can be a great opportunity to combine your passion with competition – but there is always more than meets the eye. On the one hand, you can create long-lasting memories with your family and meet others in the industry with the same passions for travel and sportfishing. Getting out and competing can even lead you to places all across the country and even the world. 

However, despite the many benefits, you may face some obstacles in the tournament circuit. Tournament fees can accrue high expenses, especially for those just starting out. If you’re just entering your first competition, you may notice highly competitive attitudes that go along with the sport. If you’re interested in tournament fishing, you should consider all the factors before jumping right in. Learn more below about the opportunities and obstacles you’ll encounter in this exciting world.

Benefits You’ll Encounter

A Sense of Community

It’s no wonder that sportfishing teams truly enjoy their time outdoors. With the sun shining, bright blue waters ahead and best of all, great fishing, what’s not to love? The sport allows you to take time off and simply focus on the ocean. In a tournament setting, the competition is exciting and offers long-lasting memories of great catches, big wins and lively banter with fellow competitors. As you continue to compete in multiple tournaments, you’ll encounter the same crew of competitors and often develop lasting friendships over time. This great sense of community is just one of the many reasons people enjoy competing. 

The Joys of Travel

If you have the means to travel as a tournament fisherman, you will get the chance to travel to the best fishing grounds all over the world. As Floridians, we are lucky that the state happens to hosts numerous tournaments each year so you can experience different waters and locales without traveling too far. If you’re more adventurous, the competitions can take you from Australia, to Costa Rica, to the Caribbean.

Giving Back to a Good Cause

The allure of tournaments often comes from the thrill of the catch, the skill involved, and the sense of being a part of the fishing community. However, many tournaments also benefit important community fundraising efforts. Regardless of whether you win or not, being out in the water can help support community organizations such as youth programs and health research/awareness. These events often promote ecological conservation and education within the community. For many competitors, this is the main reason to come out and compete to support these worthy causes.  

Obstacles In Your Path

Expenses Can Easily Rack Up

Tournament fishing is expensive – there’s no doubt about it. You have to consider the costs of registration fees, tackle, extra crew, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. As a result of putting extra hours on the boat and being exposed to the elements, you also have to consider wear and tear. 

Entries for tournaments can range from $1,500 to $5,000 per team, but some can be as high as $20,000. Depending on the size of the tournament and entry levels, the payout can vary. 

High Stakes Competition

At the end of the day, many folks are competing because of their passion for fishing. Sometimes being out on the water in a competitive environment can bring out the worst in some participants. When it is blazing hot and no fish in sight, the thrill of the competition can easily turn sour. Winning is not everything, but when there are large amounts of prize money on the line, it can definitely raise the stakes and for some,  stress levels. As payouts rise in numbers, you also run the risk of cheating scandals and dishonesty. Be sure to keep a level honest head during the competition, follow the rules, and don’t let the pressure ruin the enjoyment of being out on the water.