| Across the country, you'll find several | | | | get back on time for judging. At the same |
| catfish tournaments throughout the year. | | | | time, you want to be sure to know where many |
| Fishing in general tends to evoke a | | | | of these creeks and feeders are because, |
| competitive spirit in anglers, but something | | | | often, catfish are more readily found here |
| about catfish just brings out the real beast. | | | | than in main areas of a lake or river. You |
| There are ways that most fishermen go about | | | | also need to know about structures in the |
| getting ready for a catfish tournament, and | | | | water that can damage your boat, like the |
| there are several tips that can come in handy | | | | many trail and wing dikes in the Mississippi |
| when you're getting ready to join in your | | | | River. Know where the high mud banks, brush |
| first. | | | | piles, and other structures are - these are |
| | | | always great locations to find catfish trying |
| First of all, under normal circumstances, you | | | | to feed. |
| will probably settle for whatever bait is | | | | |
| available at the time and work with it. | | | | Another thing you should do to prepare for |
| However, for catfish tournaments, where | | | | catfish tournaments is to get used to being |
| you'll be competing for the most and largest | | | | around a lot of other boats. You certainly |
| fish, you'll want to seek out the bait with | | | | won't be navigating an open waterway alone |
| which you usually get the best results. | | | | during these competitions, so you need to |
| Depending on the type of catfish you are | | | | brush up on your boat safety and check out |
| aiming for, this could be night crawlers, | | | | the rules requiring that you maintain a |
| crawfish, chicken livers, or some other bait | | | | certain distance from other fishermen in the |
| that you have found incredible success with | | | | tournament. Prepare yourself - know what to |
| in the past. | | | | expect from the weather. |
| | | | |
| Secondly, you want to be familiar with the | | | | Catfish tournaments will go on regardless of |
| waters in which the catfish tournament is | | | | the weather, whether it is pouring rain or |
| taking place. Most tournaments will not be | | | | the heat index is pushing 115. Therefore, it |
| at your home lake or river, and scouting out | | | | is important to be prepared for all types of |
| the tournament location can give you an upper | | | | weather. Make certain that you have proper |
| hand. Also, some lakes and rivers have so | | | | shelter and plenty of liquids to drink. |
| many offshoots and side pools that it's easy | | | | Protective gear, such as hats, and sunblock |
| to get lost in them, making it difficult to | | | | is also a good idea. |