What you need for a big-game fishing competition

A big-game fishing competition needs more than rods, hooks and bait. You also need a reliable weigh station, clearly marked teams, equipment for handling catches and enough shelter for registration and catering. Use the item list below to shop for the event, then check quantities against your number of boats, teams and guests. The items people most often arrange too late are weighing bags, measuring mats, power supplies and communication equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 50
Beer tablesqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Small bowlsqty 12

Sports equipment

Fish scalesqty 2
Weighing bagsqty 4
Measuring matsqty 4
Landing netsqty 6
Race numbersqty 50
Marker conesqty 20
Measuring tapesqty 6
Undocking matsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Rubber glovesqty 2
Ropeqty 100
Cable tiesqty 100
Waterproof storage boxesqty 8
Fishing linesqty 10
Fish hooksqty 100
Carabinersqty 20

Equipment

Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Laptopsqty 2
Smartphonesqty 3
Camera

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 4
String lightsqty 4

Safety

Life ringsqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 10
Fire extinguisher

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pliersqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Dishpanqty 2

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 8
Registration board
Prize table

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Bucketqty 3
Cleaning spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Beef burgers - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 50 pieces
- Hot dogs - 50 pieces
- Vegan hot dogs - 10 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kg
- Cucumbers - 3 kg
- Onions - 3 kg
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Grated cheese - 2 kg
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Potato salad - 6 kg
- Pasta salad - 6 kg
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Bar snack nuts - 4 kg
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 5 kg
- Bananas - 4 kg
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Sparkling water - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Lemons - 2 kg
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Office

Participant formsqty 60
Score sheetsqty 80
Clipboardsqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Waterproof markersqty 12
Paper wristbandsqty 60
Envelopesqty 30
Prizesqty 10
Vouchersqty 10
Printer paper

Tips

Prepare one weighing and measuring set for every active weigh station, including fish scales, weighing bags, measuring mats, measuring tapes and landing nets. Add a spare set if several boats may arrive at once.
Plan seating and shelter from your headcount: provide one chair per seated guest, enough tables for registration and catering, and party tents that cover both the briefing area and the weigh station.
Give each team or boat a race number and keep marker cones at the dock or venue so spots are visible before participants arrive. Pack a few spare numbers in case one is lost or damaged.
Pack power items together rather than leaving them until setup: extension cords, power strips, power banks and LED work lights should be checked before the day, especially if weighing continues after dark.
For catering, count reusable cups, plates, cutlery sets and coffee cups per guest, then add a small buffer of about 10%. Small bowls, coolers and rubber gloves are easy to overlook when buying food and drinks.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a big-game fishing competition?: At minimum, prepare fish scales, weighing bags, measuring mats, measuring tapes, landing nets, buckets and rubber gloves for the weigh station. You will also need race numbers, marker cones, undocking mats and communication equipment such as walkie-talkies.
How many cups, plates and cutlery sets should I buy per person?: Buy at least one plate, one cutlery set and two reusable cups per guest if food and drinks are served during the event. For coffee, allow one coffee cup per expected coffee drinker and add roughly 10% spare tableware.
How many party tents and tables are needed for the competition?: Cover at least three separate areas: registration, the briefing or catering area, and the weigh station. The exact number depends on tent and table sizes, but each registration point needs a table, while seating requires one chair per seated guest.
When should I check the fishing and weighing equipment?: Check fish scales, weighing bags, measuring mats, hooks and lines at least 24 hours before the competition. Test laptops, smartphones, walkie-talkies, power banks and lighting during the same check so missing batteries or cables can be replaced before setup.

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