Winning Tournament Tactics For Largemouth Bass

There are certain tactics that give a tournamentby recreational and tournament anglers for years
fisherman an edge over the other competitors,and years, become conditioned to certain baits.
and produce a win. Sometimes just doing a littleThere are always fish that can be caught on
extra homework and preparation is all it takes.conventional baits such as spinnerbaits, worms,
Planning, practice, and confidence are the keysand jerkbaits, but these generally are the fish that
factors that helped us win local, state, club, anddon't win tournaments. You can come in with a
regional tournaments consistently while workingdecent bag of five fish weighing ten to thirteen
our way up the ranks of competitive bass fishing.pounds, but it generally doesn't get you a check
Here are some of the most important things toexcept in some local and club tournaments. The
do to prepare yourself mentally and physically forlarger fish, the from five and six pounds up,are
the challenge.MENTAL AND PHYSICALusually caught on baits such as "Snag Proof"
PREPARATIONBefore you even can considerfrogs, prop baits, walking baits, and other types
embarking on a tournament trail, or even local,of new freak baits, such as a "Sweet Beaver".
and club events, you must be in good physicalJigs will always take some of the better fish, but
condition. This involves being able to lift, bend,will not always win. Old style topwaters, such as a
twist, and move in a variety of positions, withoutDevils Horse, Dying Flutters, and others, take
getting injured. Many people think that fishing is amany large bass. Let me emphasize though, that I
leisurely sport, but in order to be in top shape forlike to get a limit in the boat first before pursuing
winning tournaments, you must prepare ahead ofthat big "kicker" fish!Creek Chubs, Zara Spooks,
time. We not only eat and sleep properly, but doLucky Craft "Sammy's", Jitterbugs, and others,
regular physical workouts, to get in good shape totake more quality fish than you can imagine, due
lift equipment, jump from the front and back ofto the fact that they are fooled by the baits they
boats, maintain good balance, have quick reflexes,just don't see. Of course, there are specific ways
and be able to go long periods of time, withoutto work these baits, that will produce the better
wasting time eating and drinking. Being able tofish, even if you are using the same baits as
jump down to your knees quickly, andanother angler, and that is the trick.Recent studies
maneuvering many directions efficiently can meanjust out this year in 2005, indicate that bass may
the difference in winning or losing. One lost fishlearn and remember lures they were caught on
can mean the difference in first place and lastmuch longer than previously thought. The new
place many times. Not only do we work outresearch indicates that bass can remember up to
physically to prepare, but we practice oursix weeks, so this really comes into play when
techniques in the off season as well.In the winter,fishing heavily pressured lakes.When casting to
and all times of the year in between tournaments,structure with a topwater bait, dead sticking, and
we practice our flipping, pitching, and castingcasting directly to the target, and not past it, can
techniques. In the colder months we set upbe critical. Patience and steady nerves are
boxes, simulate docks to practice pitching andrequired to do this properly. Deadsticking a bait is
flipping, and cast to targets in the yard. Knowingan extremely effective way to win a tournament
your equipment like the back of your hand, andon highly pressured waters such as Table Rock
being able to quickly execute a maneuver isLake and many other highly pressured
critical in a tournament. Practicing all techniquesimpoundments. In colder water, this is extremely
constantly is vital in giving you the confidence thatimportant also. You should let a Senko or other
you need to win when you get to thebait such as a fluke or "Sizmic Flugo" fall
tournament. Being able to control your emotions,weightless for a long time by the structure,
and relax in the prior days and nights can givewithout giving it any movement at all. Suspending
you an edge over the more inexperienced anglers.Jerkbaits worked in this manner also produce the
Most tournament pros even at intermediate levelsbigger bass in pressured waters. Don't give the
are at the top of their game, and take it verybait to much action, and let it sit for a long time in
seriously, so a slight edge can mean a great deal.between movements. This is the key.TIME
The people who can maintain their composure andMANAGEMENTYou must learn how to manage
confidence, and can stick to their game plansyour time properly also, as you have to be
under pressure, are the ones that consistentlythorough with the baits, but know when to switch
place in the rankings.STUDYING THEand when to move. Plan this out in advance and
COMPETITION SITEBefore we even start tobe able to adjust to the water conditions and
prefish the lakes or rivers, we obtain all themood of the fish that day, as things can change
information we can in the way of lake maps,rapidly from one day to the next on a body of
topographical maps, baitfish, and lake conditionswater, especially when a clod front moves
from a variety of sources. Talking to anglers atthrough. Practice at all times of the year, when
the lake and local tackle shops can sometimesthe weather is bad, and cold, odds are, that many
reveal some interesting information. By no means,tournament days will be in the rain and wind. You
do what they say dictate what our plans will be,need to know how to catch these fish under
but it is another tool to use in planning a strategyadverse conditions, not just fair weather. Plan
for the lake. Knowing the lake age, composition ofyour trips when the weather is poor. It's the only
the bottom, structure, both natural and manmade,way the learn what to do. You must get practice
along with water quality, fertility, and oxygenin real tournament conditions. Make sure you time
levels, all come into play when deciding how toyour run to the spots, and spend your time
start pre-fishing the lake. Contacting local guides,wisely there. Make as many casts as you can until
and having some experience on the body ofthe very last minute, and then open it up and get
water all help, although sometimes this isn't alwaysback as quickly as you can. You need to practice
possible.When we start to prefish the lake beforedriving your boat in bad weather, under rough
a tournament, we break the lake down intoconditions, and at high speeds, if you really want
sections. We eliminate the unproductive water forto win.PRACTICE LANDING BIG FISHYou should
that time of year, and then section it off ontry to join a private lake and a club, or make trips
maps. We pick the most likely locations where theto Mexico, Texas, Florida, and wherever else you
fish should be holding for the water temperaturecan experience fighting and landing a lot of larger
and lake conditions, and then make a completefish. Confidence is the key to success in this
run around the lake to view it physically beforebusiness. You must have the confidence in your
fishing.We start by looking for sandbars, points,ability to land big fish without getting overly
humps, structure, laydowns, grass beds, etc., allexcited. This is hard to do, so as much practice
the time watching the shoreline in the area foras you can get doing this before entering major
contours to indicate dropoffs and other structure.tournaments is a definite plus! A big part of this
After surveying the lake, we then section offgame is mental. You must learn how to to
several of the best possible locations, and startmaintain a high level of concentration also. Don't
fishing there. First starting with a search bait, suchpay attention to other things other than your line,
as a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and a crankbait forthe lure, and the fish. Ignore other anglers and
active fish. We mark the locations of where thespectators that are close by. Keep your focus,
active fish are on the GPS, and move on to theand stick to your game plan. Don't try to show
next spot. We never stick more than two fish inoff. That comes later at the weigh in with a
an area. Sometimes we fish the baits without anytwenty pound bag!Maintain and use the best
hooks in them, and when they hit you just pull itquality equipment that you can get. This plays a
away from them. Try to find three good sectionsbig part in confidence also. It doesn't always have
of the lake with decent fish first, before exploringto be the very highest quality equipment, but you
further for the kicker fish. You can go back tomust have confidence in it, and in your own ability
these areas later the next day, and slow down toto use it properly. Sometimes I go through thirty
find the fish that you need to win. Sometimescrankbaits and jerkbaits before I find the best
early in the year bass will stage on a single pieceones. Don't neglect the basics either. Learn how to
of cover as small as a stick or blade of grass. Ittie all the proper knots for the baits you are
doesn't even have to be real structureusing, and use the highest quality hooks available. I
sometimes, they just hold next to it. Most of thecan't stress this enough. Follow these guidelines,
time, the larger bass, five pounds and up, areand get out and practice as much as you can, and
alone. They occupy the structure in the area byyour recreational fishing as well as tournament
themselves, rarely schooling with fish of the samefishing will improve drastically.1998 Big Bass World
size.UNCONVENTIONAL BAITSMost pros won'tChamp/book author,tournament angler, and
reveal what they really catch the larger fish on.professional guide.
Most of the fish in lakes that are highly pressured