Thread: Opinions on crappie tournaments

Originally Posted by Jigging15

The upper arms of each arm on Truman produce bigger fish. The further up the Grand arm you go the less fish you will catch in a day but the bigger they will be. I have told people that if you want to catch big fish turn right out of Bucksaw and head up river. If they want to catch limits turn left and head towards the dam. There are a few arms that just do not consistently produce big fish. The Tebo arm is one of them. Can catch a good one now and then but would be hard pressed to ever catch 7 good ones in a day and I dont think they could ever compete with 7 from the Grand or Osage.

I figured you were talking about Truman. I just don't think there is such an area on Stockton that the majority of Tournaments are won from. I could be wrong but I just don't catch bigger fish in one part of the lake vs others. I have caught 13 and 14 inch fish all over the lake and only one 15 inch fish. The 13's are common but the 14 are not all that common. I have seen three in the last month though.

Thanks for the reply.

I agree with hunter 7711

If you want everyone to have an equal chance then tournament formats like the one Duncan mentioned are the ones to enter. If you want to up your chances in any multiple fish tournament then spend time on the water, try new area's,put in structure, try different techniques, keep daily logs, adapt to the conditions, burn $$$ in gas burn $$$ in gas and burn $$$ in gas. 7 or 10 or 30, you still have to find them and then catch them. I don't agree that all big fish are only in upper ends of lakes, they are everywhere. Every lake has sweet spots at different times of the year. What makes some area's better then others is food source,water quality, cover and fishing pressure. I have to think that there are 2+lbers laying in 30 FOW right in the middle of Truman just no one has found them yet consistantly. Too much water to cover. Timing is also critical in my opinion. The saying" here today and gone tomorrow" can be so true. Pre fishing is overatted to me just for that reason. You can be on good fish the day before and have the air let out of you tournament day when conditions change. If you can't adapt you will be in trouble. Those that venture to the lake for the sole purpose of putting a limit or two in the boat in under an hour will most likely never find these sweet spots becasue they become creatures of habit and will return to the most plentiful waters. Not saying that is a bad thing, just saying. When I am looking for area's to try, if I see other fishing boats, I keep moving. The best way for a fish to get big is to escape being caught. Just my thoughts and they won't buy you a cup of Joe but whatever the format, I love the competition and the conversations afterwards.

How 'bout 7 fish and weigh in at noon if we're really worried about the fish's health.

Interesting conversation. Good crappie in clear water reservoirs hold deeper the cleaner the water gets as you progress from upper to lower end. Few will refute that Truman has cleared up some over the last couple decades. I'm convinced, just my opinion, there is an untapped quality fishery in the lower half of the lake but it will take some serious homework and expense to begin to unravel it, and it will take more than 8 feet of line and a more stealthy approach. Will personally never understand the thought process of "had my limit in an hour and headed home". To each their own I guess but I look for an excuse to stay longer not to leave sooner.

Kaz and Lenny, I don't fish tournaments but your comments on the subject are excellent. I enjoyed reading this thread, thanks.

Back to what this thread originally asked, I think several people brought up some good feed back. Short tourny = lower creel number. Aske those who quit fishing in the local tournys why they quit. Less can be good, but don't make it into a "one" fish shooting match. 7 - 10 fish weigh-ins.

I'd say take a bit of a survey before you put on your event with the people who you believe will compete and have competed in the past. Ask some "what if" questions on it about number of fish to be weighed, pole limits, team limits, and hours the tourny is to be held for example. Another thing, pay back has seemed to be a pretty big concern with competitors in my experience. Don't take too much off the top, or people just won't come to the event.

My personal preferences would be: 6:30am start, 3pm finish, 7 fish weigh in, seperate big fish pot with 2 paid places, 2 people per team & a max of 4 poles in water at any one time per team. Not hating on the spider riggers mind you, just think that keeping the limits at 2 poles per person at one time gives everyone competing more of a sporting chance. I think that will attract more boats than it will lose too. Best of success to you and your endevors!

There is no magic 'one size fits all' tournament creel and rules.
I believe the Market will tell you what you need to know.
So who's ever in the tournament ask them why they participate. If someone no longer participates in a particular tournament ask them why.
In forums like these continue toget opinions.
The hard part is figuring out which things are major issues and which ones really don't make a difference.
Keeping the rules consistent throughout the year is the most importan to me. Only rule I'm flexible on is the start time based on available daylight.