Jan 01

2021 Qualifier 1: Table Rock Lake

Dec 29

2021 Membership Registration is Open

The Missouri TBF team is excited to extend you an invitation to fish with us in the 2021 Missouri TBF Qualifier Series.  The 2021 season will be a memorable one that we hope you will make plans to be a part of.  The Missouri TBF Qualifier Series is your pathway to the TBF National Sem-final and ultimately the TBF National Championship.  It is anglers, like you that make our sport great, and we appreciate you fishing with us.  2021 membership registration is open now.

The 2021 Missouri TBF Qualifier Schedule features three events (two boater/co-angler events, one team event) plus the opportunity to qualify through Missouri TBF affiliated club champion competition.  Anglers will be qualified from each event, giving you the opportunity to fit the TBF within your busy schedule. Tournament qualifiers and club champions earn a shot at winning over $100,000 at the TBF National Championship.  The winning co-angler at the TBF National Championship earns over $30,000.  Additionally, the top boater and co-angler from each of the seven TBF divisions will advance to the Major League Fishing BFL All American (If you meet MLF Competitor Membership requirements prior to qualifying).

Missouri TBF Membership and Entry Fees remain unchanged at $80 for membership and $150 boaters and $100 co-angler per tournament.  The 2021 Missouri TBF Boater and Co-Angler of the Year earn their 2022 MO-TBF qualifier entry fees paid.

2021 Schedule:

March 27 & 28 – Qualifier #1 Table Rock Lake (top three boaters and co-anglers advance)

April 25 – Team Open Lake of the Ozarks (top team advances)

May 22 & 23 – Qualifier #2 Truman Lake (top three boaters and co-anglers advance)

If you are 16 or older please do not miss the opportunity to be counted among the best anglers in the state and country.

For membership do not hesitate to contact Dennis Maggart (Dennis@mcinnesgroup.com) or Chris Dougan (d.chris.dougan@gmail.com).

We hope to see you on the water soon.

Sincerely,

Dennis Maggart                                               

President, Missouri The Bass Federation      

Chris Dougan

 Secretary, Missouri The Bass Federation

Dec 15

Why Fish with the TBF

There are a lot of tournament series out there, so why should an angler consider fishing with the TBF?  While each circuit has some advantages, the Missouri TBF offers a unique combination of benefits for both boaters and co-anglers.  The TBF difference starts at the club level where we have existing clubs throughout the state that offer a range of fishing opportunities.  Some of these clubs have local tournaments while others are used as a platform for our state level tournaments.  We can help a boater or co-angler find an existing TBF club, help their existing club sign up with the TBF or assist them in setting up a new club. 

Once a member joins a club, they have access to all club events and Missouri TBF state-wide tournaments. While these events are competitive, our tournaments are structured to assure each member, regardless of age or skill level, has a fun time on the water. Our schedule was designed to give our anglers multiple paths to qualify for the TBF National Semi-Final and move on to the TBF National Championship where they fish for prize packages worth up to $100,000!  We offer three different ways to qualify for the next level of competition:

STATE QUALIFIERS – We offer 2 separate State Qualifying events each year.  These are separate tournaments, so anglers do not have to fish both to advance.  Boaters and Co-anglers are randomly paired each day and we take the top 3 boaters and top 3 co-anglers from each event to advance on to the TBF National Semi-Final. 

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP –For those anglers that like to fish with a regular boater and co-angler team, we host the Missouri TBF Team Championship each year.  At this event we have merchandise giveaways from our sponsors as well as trophies and cash prizes for the top teams.  In addition, the top team from this event also advances to the TBF National Semi-Final. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS –In addition to the events above each MO TBF club can send their club champion angler and co-angler to the TBF National Semi-Final.  Each club has its own rules on how the champions are designated but this often provides members with a more convenient way to move on to our National Semi-Final. As you can see the Missouri TBF format is unique and provides a lot of flexibility to anglers who may have limited time for travel or busy tournament schedules. The random draw format provides a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new techniques and explore new water for both the boater and the co-angler. We have a talented group of anglers that will make boaters and co-anglers feel welcome while they enjoy the fun and competition of tournament bass fishing. We would love to have you join us for 2021 so feel free to reach out to any of the officers to discuss the benefits of fishing with the Missouri TBF!

Dec 08

5 Mental Skills to Accelerate Tournament Success

Everyone wants to get better right?  Tournament fishing has a steep learning curve to place well consistently.   At times this can be frustrating when you do not do as well as you think you should.  Here are five mental skills to help you take a longer view, learn, improve, and ultimately accelerate your tournament success. 

  1. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable – Fish with new partners, new lakes, more competitive tournaments, co-angler fish as a boater, boater fish as a co-angler, be a MLF Marshall, etc. 
  2. You learn, you do not lose – No matter the results, your pairing, weather, or any other excuses.  Make it a point to pay attention and learn.  File it away in your toolbox and practice it.
  3. Give to get – Have a positive attitude, respect your partners pattern and locations, and help each other on the boat.  More times than not you will end up with a new friend, more fish in the boat and some more tools in your toolbox.
  4. Be prepared – Before you show up at the ramp do your homework to understand the lake, season, past tournaments and have your boat and gear ready.  Do not just show up and expect to have a good result.
  5. Presentation – Make it a point to present your bait in a different manner from your partner.  Usually a more quiet approach will work but sometimes it may take a subtle change in weight or speed of retrieve to trigger a bite.  Practice this, it works.

A bonus, most of these skills do not cost a dime!  No secret lures or techniques, just some simple mental skills that will help you move up the leaderboard.  I promise you the boaters and co-anglers at the top are already doing these.  Best of luck for your 2021 season.