What Size Boat? April tournament

Anyone that fishes tournaments use a some what smaller boat? I have been using my 15′ footer last year and even ran the weekender series with it. This winter I had it painted and stickered and now I just noticed ABA updated a line in there rules for the weekender series that reads all boats must be at least 16′ feet in length. I know BFL has been at 17′. Normally it would be a great excuse for me to go buy a new boat but it stinks that I just had my old one repainted lol. Just curious If i’m the only that tries to fish tournaments with such a small boat?

P.S. Anyone entering in the Great River Series Team Bass tournament on april 15?

My 18′ champion is small compared to most that fish the same tournaments I do, seems like the majority is 19-20 footers with 200-225’s. But, for me my boat is more than adequate and the last time I checked my boat doesnt reel in the fish. Sometimes it’s nice to have a smaller boat, especially on the river

Thats kind of the way I looked at my boat. I would like a 20′ with 200hp but i have just always liked my boat and thought it worked out good.

I have looked into most places around this area…They won’t let me. I’m not sure if its so much the boat, or the fact that it doesn’t have livewells, or the fact that I’m 15 though

Sandman,

Take a look at what Steve Kennedy fished out of until a couple of years ago. There have been a couple articles about him lately (sorry I don’t have any links) but he fished out of a 16’ Bass Tracker for several years.

John

Rumor has it they guys got tired of being stuck behind a little 15 footer and changed the rules. (I’m totally kidding)

Seriously I think a minimum lenght is a stupid rule, I wonder if some lawyers dreamed this up.

I totally agree with you Nick. The only time I would say it is necessary is in major tournies where you have boters and non boters. I know when I join up, I don’t want to throw in a hundred bucks to fish out of a johnboat with a 25 horse although it would get the job done for the boater, I think it would be a real disappointment for the non boter. Otherwise, I don’t see any reason for the length rule either. As long as the fish come back alive, why does it matter?

I think I am gonna just run it one more year and skip the weekender one. Seems silly to paint it and sell it. Next year i’ll buy a bigger boat and take a stab at BFL.