Tournament fishing is part skill, part preparation. Here’s the Wichita catfish angler’s prep checklist for the night before any tournament.
Day Before — Gear
- Inspect all 4-6 rods. Replace any frayed line.
- Sharpen circle hooks (3/0 to 8/0)
- Fresh leader material (40-60 lb mono)
- Slip sinkers, 1-3 oz, variety
- Treble hooks for stink bait
- Backup rods + reels
- Working headlamp + extra batteries
- Sharp knife for cut bait
Day Before — Bait
- Live minnows — pick up at Mr. Mc’s by the pound the morning of, NOT the day before
- Cut shad / skipjack — freeze or buy fresh
- Live bluegill (flathead targets) — catch yourself or arrange day-of
- Stink bait — Mr. Mc’s Magical Catfish Stink Bait, multiple formulas
- Chicken livers — backup for channel cats
Day Before — Truck Load
- Cooler — ice + water + snacks + sandwich + Gatorade
- Rain gear (forecast doesn’t matter — bring it)
- Bug spray (Kansas mosquitoes don’t quit)
- Tournament rules printed out
- Kansas fishing license (digital + printed backup)
- Phone charger / power bank
- Folding chair
- Net (big enough for what you’re after)
- Tournament fish bag / livewell setup
- Tournament entry fee in cash if not pre-paid
📋 Pre-Tourney Recon
Drive the tournament water THE WEEK BEFORE. Identify launch spots, parking, deep holes, structure. You won’t have time on tournament morning.
Tournament Morning
- 2 hours before launch: pick up live bait at Mr. Mc’s
- Fuel up, top off ice
- Arrive at ramp 30+ min early — lines get long
- Captain’s meeting if required
- Check the radar one more time
During the Tournament
- Stick to your plan — don’t second-guess in the first hour
- Move when you’ve given a spot 30-45 min and gotten nothing
- Stay hydrated — Kansas summer dehydration kills focus
- Re-bait every cast unless you JUST checked it
- Save the biggest fish in your livewell, cull smaller as you upgrade
Related
Visit Mr. Mc’s Market
📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214
🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week