IDA Walleye Tourney

  • derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    March 10, 2006 at 9:45 pm #1249235

    We are one week away from the first IDA Walleye Tourney on pool 4.. For anyone that has not fished a tourney or is “thinking” about it. Heres my take on Walleye tourneys..

    I started fishing walleye tourneys about 6 years ago. My very first walleye tourney was the Wave Wacker on lake Mille lacs. I was running a 1650 Explorer with a 40 HP Yamaha. Boy was I pumped to finally get into that tourney. I had all the confidence in the world and couldnt wait for blast off..

    I started to feel “out of place” at the rules meeting. I’m standing next to Gary Roach, Al Linder, Gary Parsons and so on.. It then hit me, this is going to be harder than I had expected.

    The next day we arrived at the access. My boat could probably fit into most of the boats I saw.. I was thinking, what the hell am I doing.. We were team 100 something and lined up for blast off. Watching all these boats take off was a sight to see, our turn came and I hammered down my 40 and all three pistons were chugging along. I did the only I could think of, get the hell out of the way..

    Which we did, we took a sharp left and got out of the turbulance and headed down to Big Point. After we got two slot fish in the livewell before 8am, I was feeling pretty good.. After the tourney we had placed in the top 100 out of 225 boats.. Not bad for the smallest boat in the field.

    But the best experiance I got was learning. Tourney fishing isnt just about fishing for money. Its about learning. I believe it was Issac Walton that once said ” fishing is like mathematics, it can never be fully learned”

    Every tourney I have fished, I have gained priceless knowledge. And when you talk to the big names, they will tell you the same.. Every year they learn something new..

    You dont have to be a pro or a guide to fish tourneys. Dont have the attitude ” I’m not wasting my time and money”. Ive always said tourney fishing is 20% skill and 80% luck. Being in the right place at the right time.. With that, anyone has a chance. But you cant win, if you dont play..

    Tourney fishing for me is addictive and takes fun fishing to a new level.. The IDA walleye tourneys are a great way to learn the river..

    Hope to see you there..!!!

    Jami Ritter
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 3065
    March 12, 2006 at 12:04 pm #429149

    I’ll see you down there! If anyone spots a white prov with the binos out, its just me, watching you! I’ve got a lot to learn and short time to get there.
    Swing on over and say hi. I have the white indepth angeling sticker on the windshield.

    Jami

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11374
    March 14, 2006 at 3:55 pm #429820

    D. I must of missed this the first time you posted it. Thanks for the great read.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    March 16, 2006 at 1:37 am #430483

    Derek, Good post. I wish I lived a little closer. It’d be a great way to meet some of the members here and a great opportunity to learn from some of the best.

    If anyone is interested there’s all kinds of information in the Tournament Forum . If you don’t have a partner just ask for one. There’s almost always some else who needs a partner too.

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    March 16, 2006 at 3:51 am #430521

    It’s my understanding James and Dustin will be guiding all weekend so I guess we killed two birds,I mean river rats, with one stone..

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