Alright, let’s talk about them fishin’ tournaments in Washington State, you know, the bass kind. I ain’t no fancy expert, but I know a thing or two about catchin’ fish, and I hear tell these tournaments are a big deal for some folks.
What kind of fishin’ tournaments are we talkin’ about?
Well, mostly bass, you know, largemouth and smallmouth. I reckon there’s other fish too, like walleye, trout, and them tiger muskie things, but bass is where the money’s at, I guess. They got all sorts of contests, some big, some small, some for the fancy folks with their shiny boats, some for the regular Joes like me… well, maybe not like me, ’cause I ain’t enterin’ no tournament, but you get the picture.
Where do they hold these fishin’ thingamajigs?
All over the state, I tell ya. They got ’em in Alder Lake, over in Thurston County. I heard tell they even have some up in Moses Lake. And there’s this Nixon’s Marine fella, he runs a whole circuit, up in the Northwest. Sounds fancy, don’t it? They probably got nice bathrooms and everything.
- Alder Lake, Thurston County
- Moses Lake
- Northwest Circuit (Nixon’s Marine)
- Other places I can’t rightly remember right now, but there’s a lot.
How do you find out about these tournaments?
Well, the internet, I guess. That’s where all the young folks get their information these days. They got this WDFW website, somethin’ to do with fish and wildlife. They post schedules and stuff. You can also go to your local tackle shop, the one down by the feed store, you know the place? Them fellas always know what’s goin’ on. Or just ask around, somebody’s bound to know somethin’. Maybe even them fancy fishin’ clubs, they have meetings and stuff, talkin’ ’bout fish all day long, I bet.
What’s the big deal with these tournaments anyway?
Well, some folks like the competition, I guess. They like to show off their fishin’ skills, see who can catch the biggest bass, win some money. I heard tell about this Bassmaster Classic, they call it the Super Bowl of fishin’. Big money prizes, hundreds of thousands of dollars! Can you believe that? Enough money to buy a whole new tractor, maybe two! And bragging rights, of course. Folks like to brag, especially when they catch a big ol’ fish.
When can you go fishin’ in Washington?
Well, that depends. If you’re fishin’ in lakes and ponds, you can pretty much go anytime, year-round. But rivers are different, they got rules and seasons and such. Usually starts ’round Memorial Day, I think. But don’t take my word for it, check them rules and regulations, you don’t wanna get in trouble with the game warden. Them fellas don’t mess around.
And what about this tackle swap meet thing I heard about?
Yeah, they have those too. Like a flea market for fishin’ stuff. You can buy used rods and reels, lures, all sorts of things. Might find a good deal, might not. But it’s a good place to meet other fishin’ folks, swap stories, maybe learn a new trick or two. This one is in November, they call it WA STATE BASS ANGLER TACKLE SWAP.
So, should you enter one of these bass tournaments?
Well, that’s up to you. If you like to fish, and you like a little competition, and you don’t mind gettin’ up early and stayin’ out on the water all day, then maybe it’s for you. But it ain’t for the faint of heart, I tell ya. You gotta be tough, gotta be patient, and gotta be lucky. And you gotta have a good boat, or at least a buddy with a good boat. And don’t forget your sunscreen and your snacks. And most important, don’t forget to have fun. ‘Cause fishin’ is supposed to be fun, even if you don’t win no money. Just bein’ out on the water, enjoyin’ nature, that’s reward enough for some folks. Me, I’ll stick to fishin’ off the dock, thank you very much. Less hassle, and I still catch plenty of fish, even if they ain’t no tournament winners.
In conclusion, these fishing tournaments sound complicated and fancy, but it’s all just about catching bass and maybe winning some money if you’re lucky. They have tournaments all over Washington State, and you can find out about them online, at the tackle shop, or by talking to other fishermen. Just remember to follow the rules, be safe, and have fun. And if you see me down by the dock, don’t forget to say howdy.
Tags: [Washington State, Bass Tournaments, Fishing Contests, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, WDFW, Nixon’s Marine, Bassmaster Classic, Fishing Season, Tackle Swap]
