I Need Your Opinion On Tournament Practice For Possible Offshore Bite

[mattk22]

I have a tournament next Saturday, no off limit time.  I have three days off of work (Wed-Friday), but only two of those days to fish.  Let’s assume the weather pattern is pretty steady next week.  I believe this tournament is going to be won offshore.  What days would you fish and how would you do it? 

1. Spend a good bit of scanning the first day and then do more fishing on the second day to see what of those spots produce. 
2. Do some scanning and fishing each day, with maybe a little more fishing to “find” quality fish the first day and more scanning similar areas the next day
3. Do equal amounts of fishing and scanning each day

 

Then what days do you suggest I fish.  Wednesday and Thursday and let the fish rest Friday (even though I will shake most off), or fishing Thursday and Friday and let Friday be a day of more scanning so I have a really good idea where the schools may be the next day?

[Scorchx1245]

I would side scan and then map promising spots see if it holds fish, study contour maps and find good ledges, bumps, brush piles etc. Definitely figure out if its gonna be won shallow or deep, I've seen tourneys where both is good. Don't totally commit on offshore, you have to atleast check on shallow cover. If np side scan at least run some down imaging. I've spent a day with a buddy side scanning up in lake ontario didn't even cast a lure, just find good structure mark it, then fish it the next day.