The World Predator Classic 2024 was without doubt one of the toughest and most intense tournaments we’ve fished so far. Not just because it’s one of the biggest sport fishing tournaments in the Netherlands, but also because our tournament nearly fell apart before it had even properly begun.

What was supposed to be a strong start with our own boat suddenly turned into a complete scramble. A technical problem with the main engine meant we had to transfer everything to another boat at the last moment. Dismantling electronics, rebuilding screens, swapping batteries, reconnecting cables: it cost us an entire day.

Still, we decided to push through. And looking back, this edition of the World Predator Classic 2024 may have become one of the most memorable tournaments we’ve ever fished precisely because of that.

Problems before the World Predator Classic 2024 even started

We were hugely motivated for this tournament. In July 2024 we headed to the World Predator Classic 2024, an event known as one of the biggest predator fishing tournaments in the Netherlands. Our pre-training had gone well and we had confidence in our approach.

But things went wrong immediately while trailering.

Our Nitro, which we’d normally fish from, developed a fault on the digital throttle. As a result, the main engine stopped responding. And without an outboard, you can’t fish a serious tournament at this level. We tried to get the problem fixed, but couldn’t get it done in time for the start.

So at the very last moment we had to switch to another boat: a Lund belonging to Hans Roose. We rebuilt our Garmin screens, replaced the batteries with JAROCELLS batteries, and reconnected all the power and network cables. The result: we even missed the flag parade and were only allowed a short test run.

That was far from the preparation you want for a tournament at this level.

Day 1 of the World Predator Classic 2024 – a strong start despite tough conditions

When day one finally began, there was huge relief that everything worked technically. Jeffrey took the job of steering the boat, and our plan was clear: focus on perch, pick up an occasional pike, and hope zander would follow along the way.

Weather conditions were far from ideal:

• lots of wind
• rain
• difficult filming conditions
• constant adjusting on the water

Still, the fishing went surprisingly well. By midday we already had a full card, and even more than that. The average perch was around 46 cm, zander around 65 cm or more, with even a 70cm+ one thrown in. On top of that, an 81 cm pike was on the card.

From that point on, focus shifted to upgrading. We wanted to find bigger zander and, above all, a bigger pike, without burning our good spots for the following days. That’s always an important trade-off during a multi-day predator fishing tournament.

A nice upgrade in the form of a 70 cm zander on a chatterbait gave us extra confidence. By the end of day one, we stood in a solid 12th place. A strong start in a tournament like the World Predator Classic 2024.

Day 2 – wind, rain, and much tougher fishing

The second day of the World Predator Classic 2024 got tougher immediately. The forecasts weren’t wrong:

• heavy rain in the morning
• lots of wind
• big waves
• finesse fishing for perch became very difficult

And you feel that immediately in a tournament. Filling a card is already hard enough, but truly upgrading with bigger fish is a completely different story when you’re dealing with wind pressure and waves affecting your drift, boat control and presentation.

We again managed to catch fish, but the difference was in quality. The fish were smaller than on day one, and that immediately impacted the standings. After the second day of competition, we dropped back to 26th place.

That wasn’t dramatic, but it did put extra pressure on the final day. Everything had to come together on day three.

Day 3 – last chance at a top result

Due to weather conditions, the tournament schedule was adjusted and the third day was fished properly instead of used as a media day. Our plan barely changed:

• quickly fill the card
• focus on big perch
• hope for a nice pike as a bonus fish

We returned to exactly the same zone as the day before, because it had consistently produced fish. That gave us confidence. A staggered start made the beginning of the tournament a bit less spectacular, but safer — and safety is always crucial on big water.

The start of the day was good. Fairly quickly we managed to catch the required numbers of perch and zander, and in good sizes too. But the pike remained elusive. And in a tournament like the World Predator Classic 2024, that’s exactly the kind of detail that makes the difference between a solid day and a top day.

Eventually we even switched to a technique we feel less comfortable with: casting big lures into vegetation on a shallow flat. That’s far less our style, and moreover without the real advantage of our Garmin electronics. Suddenly you’re fishing much more blind than we’re used to.

When an interesting structure later showed up on LiveScope, we couldn’t resist fishing lighter rods again. That immediately gave us confidence, and by the end of the day we knew we’d had a strong session. Only the final result remained uncertain.

Final result of the World Predator Classic 2024 – 6th place overall

Our original goal for the World Predator Classic 2024 was simple: reach the top 20 and fill the card every day.

That already seemed ambitious enough beforehand, especially given the field of competitors. Anything above that would be a bonus.

When the results came in, it became clear just how strong our third day had been:

• 12th on day one
• 26th on day two
• 7th on day three

That ultimately brought us to 6th place overall.

And honestly: we were thrilled with that. Especially knowing how this tournament started, with a broken boat, a complete rebuild of all electronics, and barely any test time on the water.

For our first participation in this tournament, this felt like an absolute stroke of luck and confirmation that consistent card-filling, smart handling of conditions, and simply pushing through really does pay off.

What we learned from the World Predator Classic 2024

This edition of the World Predator Classic 2024 once again taught us a number of important lessons.

1. Gear and preparation are crucial

A boat problem right before the start can make or break your entire tournament. Being able to switch to another boat and get everything working was essential.

2. A full card remains the foundation

In multi-day predator fishing tournaments, consistency is often more important than one exceptional fish. Filling the card every day keeps you in the race.

3. Weather determines far more than you’d like

Wind direction, wave action and rain had a huge influence on our technique choices, speed and spot selection. Day two in particular made clear how hard conditions can affect your ranking.

4. Flexibility wins tournaments

We didn’t just have to switch boats, but constantly switch approach too. That ability to adapt is essential at this level.

Thanks to Hans Roose and Anyware Fishing

Without Hans Roose’s help, we probably wouldn’t even have been able to fish this edition of the World Predator Classic 2024. Thanks to his boat, we were still able to start, and that ultimately made a huge difference.

We want to explicitly express our thanks for that help. In situations like this, you realise just how important good people around you are.

Watch the full video of the World Predator Classic 2024

In the video you’ll see the full story of this tournament:

• the technical problems before the start
• the switch to another boat
• the three tournament days
• the difficult weather conditions
• and finally the surprisingly strong final ranking

Tournament fishing on big water demands more than just good fishing

A tournament like the World Predator Classic 2024 isn’t just about catching fish. It’s also about:

• boat control
• gear choices
• efficient use of time
• handling stress
• making quick decisions
• and seizing chances when they arise

That’s exactly why tournaments like this remain so valuable. You learn more in three days than during plenty of ordinary fishing days combined.

Gear that makes the difference at tournament level

During tournaments on big water, you really notice how important reliable gear is. Good electronics, solid batteries and an efficient boat setup aren’t a luxury — they’re a pure necessity.

In our webshop you’ll find the gear we ourselves fish with during training, fishing days and tournaments:

• Garmin marine electronics
• sonar solutions
• batteries
• accessories for predator fishing