Great Practice, Horrible Tournament
by Trey Blocker
Practice Fish |
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The dreaded scenario has happened to most anglers at one time or another. The practice during the days and weeks leading up to the tournament were producing consistent patterns with quality fish only to yield a couple of scattered buck bass or perhaps the notorious "zero" on the days that count. Did the fish move? Have they just not turned on yet? Did a front come through bringing high pressure, or are the fish just keying in on something different today? These questions and more are a result of a baffling ending to a once consistent and predictable journey on the water.
The weather sometimes seems to change at the worst possible time for the tournament angler. This is extremely frustrating because there are so many factors that may change in regard to water temperature, cloud cover, barometric pressure, water clarity, water levels, current, and so on. Anglers who learn to adapt to the changes and make the right decisions when necessary will get the better end of the deal. Usually bass don’t just pack up and completely abandon an area overnight from a little climate change. They may just change their depth or how they stage around cover. The best starting point after any change would be where one left off in practice. The up sizing or downsizing of lure size can sometimes produce strikes from uncooperative bass. For example; if productivity was accomplished during practice fishing a 7-inch lizard with a 1/4 ounce weight, maybe switching to a 6-inch worm with a 3/16-ounce weight could offer a smaller profile and entice a strike, and vice versa. Sometimes, lures that trigger a reaction strike may be a game changer. Fishing lures like, jigs, lipless crank baits, spinnerbaits, and so on could offer something different for the senses. No matter what the climate change, staying with the initial game plan derived from practice until it doesn’t produce anymore is the safest route to take.
Tournament Fish |
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There will come a time during the day of an unproductive tournament to scratch the game plan altogether and start scouting again, trying to at least collect a limit. The amount of time and hard work, not to mention gas money, that goes into properly scouting for a tournament is extremely difficult to just disregard and throw out the window. This is not a time to panic, but to calm down and keep it simple. Getting back to basics may feel awkward after all that time fishing certain patterns and patterns within patterns, but sometimes less is more. Any angler will admit there are times when the most basic fishing lures out produced all the new and improved specialty type baits and techniques. One great way to regroup after scratching a game plan is to select one's most confident lure and start casting while covering plenty of water. Fishing a lure with confidence can work wonders in all cases, especially during a bad day. Give each area 10 to 15 minutes then pick up and motor on to another. A new pattern may emerge, and the day can quickly change from unproductive to action packed.
Tournament fishing is very exciting and rewarding, but at times can be mentally tormenting. Changing patterns can become confusing and make for plenty of indecisive moments so remember to keep it simple. Always start with what was working in practice and go from there. Sometimes simply changing the size and/or color of the lure can create strikes. Other times trying to find a reaction bite or switching to a finesse presentation can make it happen. If all else fails, maybe a short spell of amnesia is all one needs to live to fish another day.
About the Author: Trey Blocker is a pro angler and freelance outdoor writer in southern Louisiana. He competes in the Bass Master Weekend Series, other local circuits and charity tournaments. He is currently on team LOUISIANA FISH FRY, with other sponsors including SWAMP STICK RODS, and ROBELOCKER FISHING. Trey owns his own lawn and landscaping business named Blocker Landscaping and loves to cut grass and catch bass.
