WeighBook
The WeighBook blog

Field notes for tournament directors.

Guides, tips, and industry knowledge for tournament directors and competitive anglers.

Guides

How to Run a Fishing Tournament: Complete Director's Guide

A step-by-step guide for tournament directors covering planning, registration, weigh-ins, payouts, and everything you need to run a successful fishing tournament.

Feb 20, 202612 min read
Comparisons

Best Fishing Tournament Software Compared (2026)

An honest comparison of the top fishing tournament software platforms in 2026 — features, pricing, offline capability, and which one fits your needs.

Feb 18, 202610 min read
Technology

Digital vs. Manual Weigh-Ins: Why Offline-First Matters

Why digital weigh-in software beats pen-and-paper scoring, and why offline capability is critical for fishing tournaments at boat ramps with no cell service.

Feb 15, 20268 min read
Guides

How to Set Up Online Registration for Your Fishing Tournament

Step-by-step guide for tournament directors to set up online registration and payment collection for fishing tournaments using tournament management software.

Feb 12, 20269 min read
Guides

Tournament Payout Calculator & Guide

How to calculate fishing tournament payouts — percentage-based, fixed, and tiered structures explained with examples for any field size.

Feb 10, 20268 min read
Guides

Bass Club Management: How to Run a Successful Fishing Club

Practical tips for managing a bass fishing club — organizing seasons, tracking standings, handling finances, growing membership, and using tournament software to simplify club operations.

Mar 10, 202610 min read
Guides

How to Score a Bass Tournament: Rules, Penalties & Live Scoring

Everything you need to know about scoring bass tournaments — weight-based scoring, penalties, dead fish deductions, tiebreakers, and how live scoring software works.

Mar 7, 20269 min read
Resources

Fishing Tournament Rules Template (Free Download)

A complete, customizable fishing tournament rules template covering eligibility, registration, safety, weigh-in procedures, penalties, payouts, and conduct — ready to use for bass, walleye, catfish, or any species.

Mar 5, 202611 min read
Tips

Tournament Livewell Setup: Keep Your Fish Alive & Avoid Dead Fish Penalties

How to set up and maintain your livewell for bass tournaments — aeration, water temperature, additives, and tips to keep fish alive and avoid dead fish penalties.

Mar 1, 20268 min read
Resources

Fishing Tournament Director Checklist: Everything You Need on Event Day

A comprehensive tournament day checklist for fishing tournament directors — equipment, supplies, staff assignments, weigh-in setup, and post-event tasks all in one place.

Feb 28, 20267 min read
Guides

How to Grow Your Fishing Tournament Trail: From 20 Boats to 200

Proven strategies for tournament directors who want to grow their events — from grassroots marketing and angler retention to scaling operations without losing the feel of your trail.

Apr 19, 202611 min read
Guides

Fishing Tournament Sponsorship Guide: How to Land and Keep Sponsors

A practical guide for tournament directors on finding sponsors, building compelling packages, delivering real value, and turning one-time deals into long-term partnerships.

Apr 18, 202610 min read
Guides

How to Handle Tournament Protests and Disputes Like a Pro

A tournament director's guide to handling protests, rules disputes, and conflicts fairly — with procedures that protect your credibility and keep anglers coming back.

Apr 17, 20269 min read
Guides

Multi-Species Tournament Management: Running Events Beyond Bass

A guide for tournament directors running walleye, catfish, crappie, redfish, and saltwater events — species-specific scoring, rules, and operational differences from bass tournaments.

Apr 16, 202610 min read
Guides

Tournament Trail Season Planning: Schedules, Points Systems, and Angler Retention

How to plan a full tournament season — building schedules, designing points systems, running AOY races, and keeping anglers engaged from the first event to the championship.

Apr 15, 202611 min read

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