Those Crazy Tournament Trails

[PoorBoy]

I was just wondering what the rest of you guys think about all the different trails we have in Michigan right now and the new trails that will be here in the next year or two.

I mean with the NBAA, GNT, ABA, FLW/BFL, EVERSTARTS, and now with CATT starting next season and BASS in 06, how do you choose what to fish and what not to fish.

Do you guys favor team events over draw formats?
Do you base your decision on who has higher payouts?
Do sponsors of a particular trail have any influence on your choice?
Is reputation that important?

I know location of tournaments is important, as is expense... but with all the local clubs that fish the same lakes i just wonder why some choose club A and others opt for club B.

With all of the negative talk about certain trails this past year it makes ya wonder why some guys just cant get it right. The BFL is really getting a bad rep from what i have been hearing in the past few monthes. How many of you will still fish it next year? How many are planning on switching to BASS when they make it up here? How many of you will fish the new CATT trail?

just curious as to how you all feel. I have fished with only a few clubs since getting involved in bass tournaments 3 years ago. and i stuck with ABA because it fits me good. but i also fished BFL in 03 and fished a few NBAA tourneys and i liked both trails.

Next season i hope to have the time and money to fish a little bit more. i will still fish ABA tourneys but would also like to fish the CATT trail and perhaps a weeknight team trail.

what about you guys?

PoorBoy himself

[Eric]

My situation is a little different, because I live out where the hoot owls (procreate with) the wood ducks. If you ask anyone around here what big time bass fishing is, they will say an open tournament that will draw 15 boats and pay 300 to win.

I look for tournaments where there are opportunities to improve, progress to another level, make new friends (never have enough in this game), represent/support my sponsors, and of course, collect cash. Unfortuantely, I have to drive for hours to find anything close to fitting these criteria.

I think there are many little cliques of fisherman that will stay with what they have been doing and not change trails, formats, etc. I don't think any new trail, regardless of how good it seems to be, will do much damage in any other trail's competitors.

I've been fishing BFL for awhile, but this year quit in the middle of the year because I was so tired of them. I would love the opportunity to fish BASS, but I think it will be several years, if ever, we get that chance here.

Since there are no serious bass fisherman anywhere around me, I prefer draw trails. What I really like is draw trails where you fish as a team. Draw for partners and fish as a team. A Federation club I fished for a couple years did that, and it was my favorite format, by far.

It's way too early to say bout CATT. First off, there probasbly won't be any around here, and I'm not willing to decide based on speculation. I emailed the guy for the info he has available, though.

I have been looking at new knitting needles, though. Since I can't fish anyway, maybe I'll make a nice sweater.

[Northernbass]

Could someone tell me what the CATT tournament is and who is going to run it or what areas or lakes are they going to be fishing. I haven't heard of this tournament trail yet.

Thanks

[djkimmel]

CATT: Not a lot set yet for this new-to-Michigan circuit. There web site will be up in December, they're saying.

Here's the president: JERRY BASTIAN
269-372-1889

And Brian Clark (D&R Sport Parts manager) is running some of it: 269-372-2277.

Sounds like some Kalamazoo area stuff and maybe St. Clair area. They have a lot of plans for weekend and weeknight circuits, and promise a better payback.

[PoorBoy]

copied from lscn.net:

The Competitive Angler's Tournament Trail (C.A.T.T.) will begin accepting membership applications for the Northern Region starting November 1, 2004.

Division Qualifier-Team Series...
Our Divsion Qualifier Series schedule will fish Monday thru Saturday, evening and morning divisions. Anglers will fish a 12 week schedule to qualify for the Northern Regional DQ Championship. Not only will our DQ Teams Series divisions be a MINIMUM 90% payback, but many of our division and affiliate schedules are supported by sponsors and will have giveaways and additional prize money. A boat will be given at the DQ Championship along with a host of other prizes.

Johnson Outdoors, manufacturer of industry leading Minn Kota trolling motors and Humminbird Electronics has partnered with the C.A.T.T. to bring to you an exciting Weekend Team Shootout in which qualifiers will compete for a chance to fish in the Johnson Outdoors Weekend Classic. Not only will this series be a MINIMUM 90% payback but will offer additional giveaways and prizes.

C.A.T.T. will be hosting a variety of kids, family and charity events throughout the year. In addition, for those anglers who cannot get enough competitive fishing, we will be offering multi-species schedules including panfish, steelhead and other pre/post bass season events. C.A.T.T. is committed to providing more value for a single membership fee than any other competitive circuit in the market.

AFFILIATES WELCOME...
C.A.T.T. understands that the real power in fishing comes from the grass roots. That is why we have created the most attractive affiliate program in the industry. If your club is looking for support, resources, sponsorship or the chance to offer more fishing opportunities to your members, please contact Jerry Bastian at 269-372-1889 or Brian Clark at D and R Sports Center at 269-372-2277.

The C.A.T.T. website will be coming in mid December.

[Northernbass]

Thanks alot guys for the info.