Although professional tournaments are all the rave on the television, they don’t come close in numbers comparing to team tournaments. Team tournaments are the most popular type of tournaments in the nation. They draw anglers from all walks of life, ages and skill levels. Although these types of tournaments are usually the first steps for touring pros, they are also usually the last phase for tournament anglers also. For beginning anglers these tournaments provide practice and lots of pre-fishing hours for the future draw tournaments for touring pros. For the seasoned anglers, they provide a way to focus on competitive fishing while usually staying close to home.

 Of course team tournaments are approached totally different from most other tournaments such as draws and pro-ams. Teams have to rely on the partner instead of the luck of the draw. Usually these teams are long time friends or relatives. Both on the water for a good days fishing and the possibility of maybe winning a little money to take home to their better halves.

  If you’re fishing a team tournament and want to figure out just who in the field is the most beatable, just find the one boat with two pros or semi-pros partnered up together. You show me two anglers paired up who are usually fishing individually, and used to fishing against the field, and I’ll show you a team that is "usually" divided. Most of the time a top angling team is a leader with a teammate. It’s a matter of roles, although not always spoken. Whether it’s the areas to fish, or the patterns to be used, one member will usually be the one to make the decision and try to ensure that the most bass are available for both.

 The perfect team partner is versatile. He or she usually has little or no ego, so what’s important is not what he or she caught, but what the total of the team managed to weigh. No team is made up the same though. A smart team will find the keys soon. Such as running the boat, or fishing pattern "A" or "B". Teams have to keep in mind that the front pedestal is not reserved for the team celebrity. It is a vantage point that is there to make the most of the team’s catch. I’ve seen teams place the young buck up front that’s great at flipping or a good fast fisherman, while the old seasoned veteran (usually the leader), just sits back and takes his time dragging a Carolina rig or some type backup method from the rear seat. It’s only a matter of making the best of what you have.

 The team’s decision making process plays a big role in the team’s success. Having an agreed starting point helps in a number of ways. It establishes a confident tone for the day, and if it produces, it makes looking for patterns not necessary.  A smart team will make decisions together, although one member will usually be the one that makes the final decision. Decisions such as fishing complimentary methods and agreed patterns provides for broader coverage of fishing areas.

  Teams which have had success and have stayed together for years make choices and changes easily. The plus side of good partner relationships is the ability of either to ask for suggestions or assessments. Team tournaments are the number one style tournaments across this great nation, you might as well establish yours as one of the best.