To All Fish Pittsburgh Readers:

As you can see by looking at the applications for the statewide tournaments, the PA Bass Federation Nation is a few riders short for each of the statewide tournaments. Often getting anglers to go as a rider can be a challenge because they feel disadvantaged going to tournaments as a rider. Over the last five years, I have been a member of the PA Bass Federation Nation. I personally have gone to many of these tournaments as a rider even though I own a 20-foot Nitro. I wanted to write a quick note to discuss the advantages that I have found by going to these tournaments as a rider

For many years, I only fished buddy tournaments with my dad. I learned almost everything that I know from dad and fishing brought us closer together (which is priceless). Since we both started fishing Federation tournaments, it has helped both of us hone our skills as anglers. When fishing with dad for all of these years, I mostly used the same techniques as he did because that was all I knew. When you get the opportunity to fish with other anglers, it is amazing the new techniques and strategies that you will pick up by going as a rider. Every time fishing with a different angler, I have picked up at least one thing from that angler.

Secondly, the cost of going to these tournaments as a rider is approximately half the price. Going as a boater, the cost can be large with boat gas, practice days, cost of hauling the boat, and boat repairs. This can add up to thousands of dollars in a year of fishing. With many on a budget crunch, going as a rider can be a great way to save a few dollars but still enjoy the sport we love.

Finally, with this year’s new tournament format, the Federation Nation is trying to make it more rider friendly. This year the Federation is paying out the top three riders for each of the statewide tournament plus the riders will be eligible for the main pot. This allows riders to compete against the entire field plus against other riders.

Hopefully, this provides you with some insight to going as a rider in Federation Nation tournaments. Almost every time I have been on the water with a new angler, I have learned something new that has made me a better angler. Also, you will have the opportunity to fish with a lot of great people. If you have any questions about the Federation Nation or would like to join a club, please contact me at kimmel65@hotmail.com. Hope to see you on the water!


Sincerely,

Christopher M. Kimmel
Pa Bass Federation Nation
State Tournament Director