THE OPPONENT OF TIME
After trying to figure out how to
best land the biggest bass in tournament fishing, the biggest opponent in
tournament fishing is time. "Safe light" to 3:00pm really flies on tournament
day, so anything we can do to make better use of our time will make us all
better tournament fisherman. I have found over the years that the more I do
before the tournament, the better I perform. The whole purpose of this
preparation is to allow time to think only of fishing strategies, including what
lures to start with and the presentation of those lures; not wasting time
worrying that everything else is in order. This includes prefishing, boat and
trailer preparation, tackle preparation, personal preparation, and miscellaneous
details.
The single most important thing to do prior to
tournament day is prefish the tournament lake. ALWAYS PREFISH! Even if you have
been on the water hundreds of times, prefishing reaffirms confindent spots and
baits. Check water levels, clarity of the water, and temperature of the water.
Also look for new spots and make a plan, with no doubt in your mind, where you
are going to go on tournament day.
The next step in winning the
battle of time is assuring that the boat and trailer are ready for tournament
day. This starts three or four days prior to the tournament. Develop a routine.
Check the air pressure in the tires including the spare tire. Assure that lug
nuts are tight and keep grease in the bearings, keeping in mind that a little
goes a long way. I lost a tire at 50 mph once because I greased the bearings too
much and broke the seal (not a pleasant experience and a little costly too!).
Check that the batteries are charged and have proper water levels. Take
extension cords for overnight trips to charge the batteries. Nothing could be
worse than having a trolling motor stop in the middle of a tournament because
the battery is dead. Consider putting a trickle charge on the starter battery to
ensure that the cranking battery is charged. I only have a 2-bank charge on my
Stratos 201 so this is a must for me. Next check the lights for the trailer and
the boat to assure they are working properly. Other preparatory items include
putting the drain plug in, placing the keys in the boat, checking the oil, and
making sure the net, life jackets, map for the lake, the GPS, and new line are
all in the boat. I also use my travel cover on overnight trips and put gas in
the night before if needed. I like to keep my boat looking sharp. I use Protec
fiberglass sealant at least once a month. It's the best cleaner I've found in
keeping my boat looking good. No their not a sponsor. It's just a great
product.
When getting tackle ready, my routine is probably very
much the same as anybody's. I change rod and reels to make the right
combinations I need for each tournament. I try and stay basic to begin with and
let the fish tell me what they want. Five or six rod and reels with proven lures
is what I start with and then I refine after I prefish. All line is changed
before prefishing and only changed again if there is a problem or a certain rod
and reel is used alot in prefishing. I buy line in bulk, so I can change line
anytime needed. I also keep extra line in the boat. Sharpen all hooks before the
tournament. Keep all tackle in excellent condition for duability. Organizing
your tackle saves time during the tournament meaning more casts on the water. I
keep soft plastics and hooks in my pockets to save time digging in compartments.
Prepare tackle thinking ahead as to what you might need including extra Carolina
rig leaders, trailors, skirts, swivels, beads, etc.. Have them readily available
for quick access. I have cranks, jerks, top waters, hooks and weights in
separate 3700 Plano boxes. I have soft plastics and spinnerbaits in Tackle Logic
Totes. I know exactly what is in each box and tote for fast availability. Put
tackle in the same place on the boat everytime so you can find it in a hurry.
Also, if I don't need a particular box, I leave it at home. Trust yourself and
your experience--DON'T take everything you own to every
tournament.
A personal routine makes for a more smooth tournament
day. I make sure I have all the things I need to perform the best that I can.
This includes food and drinks. What I take depends mostly on the weather. I, of
course, take plenty of water and other beverages on hot days, and I eat more in
cold weather for more energy. I dress appropriately for the weather making sure
to remember clothing with my sponsor's logo. Always keep a rainsuit in the boat!
Other items I make sure I have are hats, sunglasses, license, and cell phone. I
make sure I know exactly what the tournament times are, especially in larger
tournaments. Before getting to bed at a reasonable hour, I check the weather for
any last minute changes.
The morning of the tournament I get ice
if needed and try to arrive at least one hour before take off. Get your check-in
and livewell checks done as soon as possible. This allows at least 45 minutes to
attend to anything I've forgotten and to help anyone else that may have
problems. Be available to help others. They may return the favor someday. Now
it's time to get the boat in the water. I usually check the livewells to make
sure water is pumping in. If for some reason they are not, I should still have
15-20 minutes to check it out before take off. Everything is now taken care of
(most of the time). It's time to catch fish!!
I can rest assured
that I have made the best of my time and only the bass are now my opponent. Does
this mean that I do well in every tournament? NO. But I have given myself the
best chance to concentrate solely on fishing and not where things are, if things
are not working, or hoping we have enough gas. However you prepare, do it with a
goal in mind. We have alot of time and money invested to not prepare as best we
can and ruin a tournament because we wasted our time before.
Good Luck,
Good Fishing, and God Bless.
Roger
Spaulding
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