Experience in fishing tournaments

[geye]

I was in a little debate on tournament fishing (with my fishing buddy) for you folks that fish in tournaments and wanted to know YOUR OPINION? What separates yourself from the rest of the field, experience, presentation, location ie.. knowing the specefic body of water? We look forward to your response! Thanks.

[Weyes1]

I fished the local circuit for the past 4 years. I didn't fish this year just because of the finances. I basically fished them for the fun of it and the competition involved with it. You meet a lot of good people, and can learn a lot. Best placement was a 7th place finish, my first year with a real partner. Average was in the 20's -low 30's out of 100 teams.
You really can't say that if you fish a tournament you are a better fisherman than someone who doesn't. You can say that you do it to be in a social gathering, and the better team that particular day wins. I've seen teams do good at the beginning and fizzle out at the end of the season and also seen the opposite, blank out the first and slowly progress to win at the end of the year.
A lot of winning is being at the right place at the right time using the right method to catch the fish.
Hope this is what your were looking for.

[Dutchman]

Definatly tournament anglers are not better anglers than non tourney anglers. I fish as many tourneys as I can, and have several fishing buddy's that do not fish any. This certainly does not meen that I'm a better angler. On any given day they could kick my bottomside fishing side by side. I choose to fish tourneys for the competition but mosty to meet with other anglers and just have fun. I've won some money, and got some nice plaques hanging on the wall, but that doesn't give up anything to the times I've hammered the eye's with my Dad or my son's or any of my buddy's. I guess it boils down to the fact that I love to fish. With tourneys you put your money down and roll the dice. I always felt that you fish enough of them you'll place somewhere down the line "Every dog has their day" type of thing. The professional bracket of fishing does provide for some above average anglers, but they have their good and bad days too. If you get on fish and can put a pattern together that sticks with you for a couple of days you'll finish well. If you don't, you'll be in the list of also rans...Just my 2-cents

[Chad]

Your question is kind of like asking what is the difference between a car driver and a race car driver.

The only difference between a tournament fisherman and a reguler angler is that the tournament anglers are looking for competition. Most tournament anglers have experience fishing and consider themselves somewhat of an expert. But, In both categories you have the broad range of experience from novice to old hats.

There is a difference between the Tournament angler and the professional angler. The professional has made a decision to try to make a living out of fishing. Most all Pros make their money from fishing related industries rather then from winning $$$ at tournaments. Tournament anglers may have a few supporting sponsors but most have a regular day job and foot their own bills to play the game.

[jayw]

the only difference between a tournament angler and a non tournament angler is the entry fee.

[Todd_NE]

Fishing is Fishing.... but...

The most successful anglers:

1. Dedicated - always believe fish are biting somewhere, somehow
2. Know the biologic tendencies of the fish
3. Learn constantly (read, teach others (reinforce), learn from partners, seminars, trial and error)
4. Are in tune with nature, notice weather, bugs, fish breaking, water discoloration, current break, etc
5. Visualize what's going on under water
6. Extreme ability for concentration on the water
7. Actually have a plan when they hit the water, but can quickly adjust
8. Have memories, but not hard wired brains (Adaptive knowledge)
9. Like to fish, sounds crazy, but lots of people say they like to fish, but really like to talk about, read about, watch, be on the boat, mess with equipment, more than they really have a PASSION to fish.
10. And yes my friends, some people are born with "it". Talk to Bob Probst for a few minutes (I mean listen, you don't get to talk much :))

Tournament anglers must deal with:

1. Money pressure
2. Time pressure
3. Partner relationships
4. Spouse
5. And do all of the above in the fishing list in the top few % of all anglers consistently, then still expect to "fail" most of the time without losing confidence in ability or losing desire.

I contend that many anglers can become as good as 90-95% of most anglers, but that last 5-10% in knowledge, skill, and ability is incredibly difficult to attain. The difference between climbing Pike's Peak and Mt. Everest. They're both mountains, right?

Todd

[cisco]

There's a bait shop that books outings for guides out of Mobridge South Dakota, and it is a local hang out of sorts for several area guides. Just prior to a major NAWA tourney several years ago, the guides agreed that the pros would do no better than they do, day in and day out.

When the tourney was over, the local guides agreed that the pros were, in fact, very good -- much better than they had expected.
Some went so far as to say they were better than the local guides. High praise, it seems to me.

[Gord]

Never underestimate a tournament pro. He puts his money where his mouth is. One of the recipes for winning is 1. lots of experience at all kinds of fishing. 2. keep up to date. 3. Being able to read the water and the weather and knowing how the fish will react. where to find them and how to catch them. 4. Must be able to figure out the highest percentage presentation for the given conditions and location. 5. having the best equipment and knowing how to use it. Just owning a fiddle is no good. You have to know how to play it too. 6. must have self confidence, be able to keep his cool and have a competitive nature. 7. Like a good boyscout, a tournament fisherman must do his homework and always be prepared.

[Mike]

A few years ago a tournament angler got into a little trouble because he stated that the local guides on Erie wouldn't do as well in a big tournament as the "Pros" would. Turned out he was right. Most of the guides got smoked.

I think one of the big differences between the tournament anglers and the rest of us is that they have a level of commitment to fishing that most of do not or cannot have. Most of us just can't take 6-8 weeks of our summer to dedicate to our passions. I think that there are many people that could be successful tournament walleye anglers, but are not willing to make the sacrifices needed to do it. I also think that there just isn't enough money in walleye fishing to draw that many people in. There are many many more bass pros because there is so much more money in bass tounaments.

Sorry I rambled

Mike

[cisco]

If you "rambled," it was nonetheless on target. I believe you are 100 percent correct on the passion element. Many of us could indeed take the time and afford the fees to compete on the pro trail -- but, not as many of us have the passion for a full summer of high tension competition. When fishing becomes work, then I get out.

Yes, the Bass guys do have much more $$$ to pursue, but must do so over an even longer season. Again, passion has to push the purpose, even with bigger purses.

[Great Plains]

I have fished local tournaments off and on for the last twelve years, work permitting. This year I decided to fish all six of the PWT tournaments as an am. I spend at least three days a week on the water, (thanks to living close to Red Wing, that includes all winter). I catch a lot of eyes, saugers, and saugeyes. I don't consider myself a great fisherman, just ate up! Because of my "addiction", I have a difficult time finding fishing partners to spend 12 hours in my boat, at least on a regular basis. But I have made some great friends on the PWT, and been in the boat with some of the most intense fisherman I have ever met. They don't have any secrets. They use the same equipment I have in my boat, use the same techniques, same bait, etc. They are just totally into it. They are also extremely in tune with what's going on on the water. They see shells from a recent hatch, reads cups, finger points, temp. changes, color changes, etc. Their years of experience tells them when slowing down, or speeding up, will get larger fish to bite. I used to think of myself as a master boat controller. I can get it done, but these guys are incredible. I'm not star struck by these guys,at least not now that I have gotten to know some of them. But no matter how good you are, these guys can teach you some things. And they sure don't have a problem spending 12 hours on the water! Just my thoughts. Keep it vertical!