Patterns

[RHuff]

I have my first club tournament coming up on Sunday on my home lake. I have fished this lake for several years and I feel like I know it pretty well. I have done a lot of research or (homework) over the last few weeks to prepare. I know where fish are. I know what they can be caught on. I feel pretty confident that I can catch a limit and have the chance to fish for some larger fish around noon for the rest of the day before weigh in. I am trying to plan out some potential patterns to set my game plan for tournament day and I just wanted your guys opinion on something. Do you think it's better to progress as the conditions change throughout the day and try to match the patterns with the conditions or should you go with the seasonal pattern and stick to it throughout the day. For example, should I start with an early morning pattern, then go morning, then high noon/afternoon pattern (supposed to be hot and clear with slight clouds)? 

 

I'm thinking of keying in 4 or 5 areas that I know are holding fish and going with early morning, morning, afternoon patterns based on water temp and visibility. Could the more experienced guys maybe chime in on how they might tackle this? I don't want to over complicate things but at the same time I wanna make sure I am prepared. 

[Turkey sandwich]

Sounds like you've done a lot of good homework.  The think, for tournament fishing, it's a good idea to see patterns as a guide or outline, but they aren't ever gaurunteed, and often you can't see the underwater conditions that can throw a wrench in your gears.  I think having plans is a good idea, but fishing the moment is just as important.  I also think that changes in conditions should guide your changes through the day until you hit on the patterns that work. 

[Ratherbfishing]

Assuming the fish are not small and assuming it works, I would remain with the same pattern you begin with UNTIL it stops being "the pattern."  Then move down the list and the water column.  Don't leave fish to find fish.

[mattkenzer]

21 minutes ago, RHuff said:

I feel pretty confident that I can catch a limit and have the chance to fish for some larger fish around noon for the rest of the day before weigh in.

Are you confident that you know where the larger fish in the lake will be?

Your best chance to catch them may be the first few hours of the tournament.

I believe it is counter-productive to just fish for a limit.

[Mike L]

Fish your strengths in the areas you think you know where they're at 

Just be prepared to move and find a pattern without trying to force feed them where they "should be"

 

Dont get locked into anything regardless of what happened before in the same place. 

 

Just be ready to Improvise Overcome and Adapt. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

Can't pattern nuthing till ya put a couple in the boat!

 

 

[RHuff]

7 hours ago, Mike L said:

Fish your strengths in the areas you think you know where they're at 

Just be prepared to move and find a pattern without trying to force feed them where they "should be"

 

Dont get locked into anything regardless of what happened before in the same place. 

 

Just be ready to Improvise Overcome and Adapt. 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

This is sorta my fear. Also, i’m not sure if they are the biggest bass in the lake but i am pretty confident they are solid enough to give me a chance to win.

[Catt]

How can y'all talk patterns when ya aint caught nothing?

 

Seasonal patterns tell ya nothing?

 

Bass are shallow in the spring!

 

OK I fish a lake that is 190,000 acres with 1,200 miles of shoreline!

 

Where ya starting?

 

As Mike L stated

"Fish your strengths in the areas you think you know where they're at 

 

Just be prepared to move and find a pattern without trying to force feed them where they "should be"

 

Dont get locked into anything regardless of what happened before in the same place. 

 

Just be ready to Improvise Overcome and Adapt."

[RHuff]

Thats what I’m trying to figure out. I feel like a plan is better than no plan.

[Catt]

"I have fished this lake for several years and I feel like I know it pretty well. I know where fish are. I know what they can be caught on."

 

"I'm thinking of keying in 4 or 5 areas that I know are holding fish"

 

There's your plan right there!

 

Once ya stick a couple of fish you'll know which way to proceed

 

"I don't want to over complicate things but at the same time I wanna make sure I am prepared."

 

You just need a little confidence & that'll come when you stick a couple!

[CroakHunter]

That plan or pattern is fine and dandy until you put the other competitors in the lake and they are in all of your good spots catching yourblimit of fish. On the fly, correct decisions win tournaments. 

[RHuff]

I am going into it expecting the unexpected. I know from researching enough on here that things usually don't pan out the way you hope they do doing into tournament day. I appreciate all of the advice that is given on here. Thanks guys. I may not catch a single fish but it won't be because I didn't try lol. 

[Catt]

Attitude! ?

[BassNJake]

On 5/16/2018 at 2:29 PM, mattkenzer said:

Are you confident that you know where the larger fish in the lake will be?

Your best chance to catch them may be the first few hours of the tournament.

I believe it is counter-productive to just fish for a limit.

I also look at tourney fishing like this.

However, it took many,many tourneys to be confident in fishing for larger fish while watching guys load their livewells with keepers.

[mattkenzer]

On 5/18/2018 at 5:33 PM, BassNJake said:

I also look at tourney fishing like this.

However, it took many,many tourneys to be confident in fishing for larger fish while watching guys load their livewells with keepers.

Yes sir .... the brain wants to listen to the pit in the stomach.

[scaleface]

 

On 5/17/2018 at 5:45 AM, CroakHunter said:

That plan or pattern is fine and dandy until you put the other competitors in the lake and they are in all of your good spots catching yourblimit of fish. On the fly, correct decisions win tournaments. 

Thats the truth . 

[Rahlow]

Well?

[RHuff]

I forgot about this post lol. It’s been a good first season I have placed in the top 5 once and top 3 twice in 6 tournaments. I am catching limits but just cannot seem to catch the right fish to get over the hump to get  a win.