Tournament July 12! Any Tips Or Advice?

[Kfreker]

So this will be the second year I will be entering into this tournament with my girlfriends brothers work. We have a team of 4 and last year we came in last because we had no idea what we were doing. Personally I had some knowledge of how to catch bass with cranks and spinners but not under a time frame. This year I know a hell of a lot more and thought I would turn to bass resource for extra help! So the tournament is in Lake St. Clair. (Mitchells bay). I know the water is still going to be cold so the fish will be deep. This we are going to try an assortment of soft baits.. And also deep divers for cranks. Just wondering if there is any other suggestions! Anything would be appreciated. Thanks

Keenan

[ColdSVT]

I cant stress this enough

DO WHAT YOU DO! dont overthink the situation...that being said dont be afraid to change tactics quickly just make sure you stay within your nomal scope of practice

And last but not least DO NOT FORGET YOUR RAINGEAR!!! I dont care if there is a 0% chance of rain

[Felix77]

Focus on the baits that will meet the conditions you are faced with and just plain fish them!  As ColdSVT said do NOT overthink things.  Keep your line in the water and fish hard!

 

Good luck!

[Kfreker]

Thanks man. I think best thing to do ( since we dont have a fish finder/ depth finder) is too power fish with spinners and cranks to locate them first, than once we do that, we will need to start using the soft baits..

[Brian6428]

I cant stress this enough

DO WHAT YOU DO! dont overthink the situation...that being said dont be afraid to change tactics quickly just make sure you stay within your nomal scope of practice

And last but not least DO NOT FORGET YOUR RAINGEAR!!! I dont care if there is a 0% chance of rain

Lol. I bought my boat used from a relatively successful tourney angler. The very last thing he said to me was "always carry your rain gear." I thought that was funny given all the other important things he could have said. He was right, nothing ruins a day like having to make a run back to the ramp in the rain without even a jacket to wear.

 

Brian

[Lund Explorer]

Thanks man. I think best thing to do ( since we dont have a fish finder/ depth finder) is too power fish with spinners and cranks to locate them first, than once we do that, we will need to start using the soft baits..

 

Rather than worry about what lure you're going to throw, I'd worry about locating the fish.  This year has been abnormally cold in all of the Great Lakes so you need to find out what stage they are going to in by next weekend.  Here's the first few questions you need to address.

 

1. Are you going after smallies or green fish?

 

2. What is the water temp. today?  What was it last week?  What should it be the day of the tournament?

 

3. Have those fish hit the beds yet, and if they have, how long ago?

 

In my opinion, what you throw isn't nearly as important as where you throw it.  Even if this is one of the worst weekends to be on the water, you need to take a boat ride and see what you can find before you plunk down some hard earned cash.