Question For The Pro Fisherman And Pro Fisherwomen Too?

[bigbill]

How many different patterns (lures) do you master and actually use in competitions?

Do you stick with the pattern your the best at?

I know the locals are asked what is the hot lure for this body of water your going to compete on but have you ever started a tornie with no previous knowledge of the body of water that's new to you?

If you haven't figured out the pattern on practice day what's your next move?

[Catt]

You can't figure out a "Pattern" untl you've caught fish

[Marty]

 

I know the locals are asked what is the hot lure for this body of water your going to compete on

 

I'm not a pro (far from it) and have never fished a tournament, but I have very little confidence that I'd do any better on a new lake after hearing someone's opinion of what the "hot lure" was on that lake.

[tbone1993]

I am nowhere near a pro but I fish tournaments in college. I went into a tournament blind this summer because I had work obligations. Honestly it was the worst tournament of my life. My boater had no idea even though he pre fished for two weekends in a row. I had more knowledge and experience than him so I had to take lead.  I dont feel as bad because 2 fish weighing  4.3lbs ( 1.3 and 3lb ) won the tournament and only 6 keepers were caught out of  18 people fishing. It was a rough tournament but if I had caught a keeper prefishing I could have had an idea what to throw. That being said I adjusted on the fly and must have retied and changed presentations a 100 times that day.  I havent mastered a presentation yet because I constantly learn new things.  In my experience the locals seem to throw the most obvious things. I would take advice from a guide before a local because they are paid to find and catch the fish. Your average angler may sit on the lake for 8 hours throwing a hula popper or dragging a manns jelly worm and catch tons of decent fish but not key in on what the big ones want. That being said working in a bait shop I learned to  take everything with a grain of salt.  Attend a fishing class you will learn tons and be able to ask the pros questions.