| Have you ever tuned your TV to ESPN early | | | | types of baits and colors to see what kinds of |
| Sunday morning and found yourself watching | | | | combinations are working. |
| some kind of tournament fishing? You avid | | | | But there is still Mother Nature to contend with. |
| fishermen would probably say no, I was on the | | | | What is working well during practice can quickly |
| lake early Sunday and Late Saturday!! And to you | | | | become useless when a sudden storm front |
| I say, you have to see how the other half is living | | | | presents itself. Waves kick up sediment which |
| by doing our dream job. | | | | clouds the water and can make a previously good |
| Professional anglers such as those on the | | | | bait-color combination useless. |
| Bassmaster circuit and the Redfish tournaments | | | | This is where the true professional fisherman will |
| have the ability to earn thousands of dollars for | | | | distinguish him or herself from you or me. Having |
| winning or even finishing in the top ten. How are | | | | spent hours and hours on the water in all different |
| these guys and gals able to do this when the | | | | surroundings and conditions they have the ability |
| average fisherman is not? | | | | to improvise, adapt and overcome. Sounds like |
| Well it all comes down to dedication and believe it | | | | professional football without the 280 lb. linebacker |
| or not a lot of hard work. Professional | | | | coming for your head. |
| tournament fishermen are on the water on days | | | | I guess there is a lesson in here for all of us when |
| it would make some say, let's try it tomorrow. | | | | it comes to preparing for a fishing trip. Unless |
| The pros don't have this luxury. Rain or shine they | | | | you're fishing in your favorite spot the need to |
| are out there studying the lake topography, | | | | study maps, conditions and hit up the locals for |
| water color and whatever it takes to win. | | | | some information is still there. |
| The pros will also do a lot of preparation before | | | | Even with all of this hard work it still sounds like a |
| they get to the tournament. They will study | | | | really cool job. Can you imagine the first time |
| maps, read old and new articles from their | | | | some of these pros told their spouses that they |
| favorite fishing magazines and even contact locals | | | | were going to be a professional tournament |
| for current conditions. | | | | fisherman. I can tell you what would happen at |
| When the pros get to their fishing destination | | | | my house. First the wife would grab the cast iron |
| they will prepare for the tournament by using | | | | frying pan and then the running would begin. See |
| their sonar to determine where fish may have | | | | you on the water, Tim Stokes. |
| some kind of cover. They will also try different | | | | |