Entering Your First Fishing Derby
Fishing derbies are great fun. They are a way for anglers to improve their skills, meet up with other fishing enthusiasts, and most importantly, have a great time! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I fished my first derby a few years ago, but I was lucky enough to have Darrell there to guide me through the process. For those of you entering your first derby, here are the answers to some of the questions I’ve heard over the years.
How big of a boat do I need?
The great thing about fishing derbies is that you can fish from shore, a canoe, a kayak, a boat, and just about anything in between. At every derby I attend, there are countless anglers fishing from shore so if you don’t have access to a boat, don’t worry about it. I usually fish derbies out of our 12ft aluminum boat, even the ones on big water, such as the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular.
Our little 12ft tinny has worked well in every derby we’ve fished.
Do I need a livewell?
Some derbies are catch-and-release, some aren’t. For the ones that are not, you obviously don’t need a livewell. For the catch-and-release derbies you will need to read over the rules to see what is required. The Grand River Bass Derby requires that all fish be brought to the measuring station in aerated tubs or coolers with at least 20 litres of water. This is an easy requirement to meet – get a container of the required size and visit your local tackle shop to buy an aerator that will cost you $10-$15. I would suggest you have a container with an aerator for any catch-and-release derby you plan to fish. It’s the least you can do to ensure the health of the fishery. If you’re fishing from shore and don’t want to lug a large container, you can use a smaller one to transport the fish up to your vehicle. I have seen some pretty creative ‘livewells’ used in the Grand River derby and the fish are kept in excellent health.
For the Fish-a-Thon For A Cure no livewell is required because you take a picture of each catch against a ruler, and with the logo in the picture, then you release it.
How long do I have to fish?
One of the reasons I love derbies over tournaments is that you don’t have to fish for a defined period of time. Once the derby is open, and until it closes, you can fish whenever you like. Want to sleep in? That’s okay. At the Belwood Pike Derby I like to take a break for lunch and visit the little restaurant in town. You sometimes have a longer wait, but the food is worth it and it’s a nice spot for a rest. Some derbies are only one day, while others are spread out over several days. Being able to chose when you fish means that derbies are great for fitting into your regular schedule.
Do I need to have a lot of experience?
Absolutely not! Since it only takes one fish to win, you just need to be in the right place at the right time. Some people certainly know the water better than others, but anyone is capable of catching that winning fish. If you’re new to fishing, this is a great way to get out, fish new water, meet some new fishing buddies, learn some new fishing techniques, and enjoy the outdoors. You often see people in the prize presentations that are out fishing for the first time. That’s the great thing – everyone stands a chance.
Do I need to pre-register?
For some derbies you have to buy your tickets the day before you plan to fish, at other derbies, you can buy the ticket at the gate. Again, this is where reading the rules comes in handy.
Can I fish alone?
Certainly! I have the luxury of living with my fishing buddy, so I take him along when I want to go fishing. However, if you want to fish on your own, or you just can’t find someone to go with, don’t let that hold you back. Derbies are friendly events where everyone seems to encourage you on. You’ll end up with fishing buddies in no time, just don’t be afraid to talk to other anglers. Also, if you want to fish with someone, don’t be afraid to ask around. I love being able to fish with other people and am happy to add another fishing freak to the party (though we don’t always have room in the boat).
How is the winner determined?
For some derbies the winner is the longest fish, for other derbies it is the heaviest fish. It’s not just the winner that gets a prize though. Most derbies have prizes for the top 5 finishers or so, some have youth categories, some have daily prizes, and still others award you for catching a tagged fish. Almost every derby has door prizes which make it well worth your while to hang around for the presentations, even if you didn’t win.
The presentations at the 2012 Binbrook Crappie Derby.
I encourage you to get out and participate in your first fishing derby this year. These are great events where you will have a ton of fun and learn a lot. Even better, by participating in derbies you are helping out your favorite fishery as the funds raised in ticket purchases are usually used to stock more fish, or are put towards conservation activities. Join the fun!
argosgirl
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Cool blog. Nice to learn about the derbies.
Thanks! The derbies are so much fun, I hope everyone gets to experience at least one.
Do you have any suggestions/recommendations as to what I will need to bring with me for my first time?? (Other than warm clothing, food, first aid kit, pole, line, hooks, bait, etc…)
If it’s a live release derby and you’re not in a boat with a livewell, make sure you have a suitable container for the size of fish you hope to catch, and a portable aerator if you aren’t able to take it in right away. Take more water than you think you’ll drink and make sure you’ve read over the rules. Otherwise, a good attitude is the most important thing 🙂 Good luck!