Competition can be a good thing and most people engage in
one way or another, whether they’d care to admit it or
not. Bowlers will join leagues, same for golfers, same thing
for archers. Card players might enter Texas Holdem’ Tournaments,
pie bakers enter baking contests, and so on and so on. There’s
competition involved and all would like to win and it gives
them a chance to see how they stack up. Anglers really aren’t
any different and many have joined clubs, fished in a league,
or entered a big time team or pro-am tournament.
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A big catch at the right time can mean huge bucks! |
They do it because they love to fish and enjoy the competition
along with the camaraderie. It doesn’t make them
any better than anyone else, but it can make them better
anglers.
Becoming a better angler was my goal when I joined a bass
club way back when and it was a super competitive bunch
that were well versed in a lot of different presentations. |
Some had started fishing “money tournaments” and
were doing quite well. The club tournaments we competed in were
the draw type and you fished with another member which was a
perfect learning format. After taking my lumps for a couple
of years I started to make some ground and took the next step
which was to enter a team money tournament with a fellow club
member who knew the ropes. We didn’t do all that well
but I still remember it and learned ever more about finding
and catching bass. In the next few years that followed I started
competing in money circuits and was able to hold my own and
won a few bucks. Then came the In-Fisherman which started a
big time walleye circuit and I decided to give it a go and did
mediocre in the inaugural event and got killed the first year
they had a full schedule. But I did learn. I also learned I
needed a lot of improvement in a lot of areas and took the next
year off and did my homework on Mille Lacs Lake. Came back the
next year and did fairly well and learned a ton while competing
on diverse lakes from Erie to Oahe. I no longer compete but
the lessons learned on the trail have definitely helped me become
a better angler, which was my real goal all along.
The grassroots is really where it all gets started and there
are typically a wide range of skill levels involved including
seasoned “pros” and those that are just learning
the ropes and is all part of the process. Crestliner recognizes
the importance of the grassroots and has introduced a tremendous
opportunity for anglers to make some more cash, and maybe even
win a rigged 1850 Fish Hawk or a 202 Tournament Series boat!
The program is called the Crestliner Angler’s Tour and
includes a $1,000 bonus for each tournament you compete in and
win, that meets the program’s guidelines. They include
a field of at least 50 anglers in a Crestliner sanctioned tournament.
Also; the first place Angler of the Year finisher will win a
202 Tournament Series, 225hp Optimax, and trailer, while the
second place finisher will win an 1850 Fish Hawk, 150hp Optimax,
and trailer, which really is incredible! Having a shot to win
a fabulous boat package or extra $1,000 cash without paying
any extra entry fee is huge! To qualify anglers must be the
original owner of a ’06 or newer Crestliner Boat with
a factory installed livewell and pay a minimal $25 membership
fee. The fee will get you registered as well as a hat and boat
stickers. The Angler’s Tour program shows a real commitment
to Crestliner owners and is an opportunity for making some serious
bucks. For more details and to get signed up go to www.crestlinersanglerstour.com.
Ron Anlauf
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