So..which one is it?

[813basstard]

All the threads about 7’ vs 7’3, Fluoro vs mono vs braid, leader vs no leader, gear ratio’s, electronics, scent, sound etc..

When you read the bottom line for tournaments you usually get:

”well I didn’t practice much, I just put the trolling motor down and just fished..”

Top baits usually include: wacky worms, spinnerbaits, jigs and frogs. 

Then you’ll hear pro’s say: ‘it’s the details that make the difference between weekend anglers and pro’s’

So...what is it exactly then??

[papajoe222]

I believe I know what you're asking, though you didn't explain what 'it' refers to.

I don't know what tournament results you read, but I know very few tournament anglers that don't practice much and just put the TM down and fish, that place in the money consistently. What baits are top producers in any tournament depends a lot on the lake and weather conditions along with the season. Line choices, in most situations, are a personal choice. eg I would never use braid for crankbaits,  fluoro for top water, or mono for jig fishing but I know many anglers that do so successfully.  The same goes for gear (rods, reels, electronics, etc.). I fished tournaments before the invention of side scan and GPS units with way points and won more than my share of money.

What you need to instill in your thought process is this: Everything you mentioned can be lumped into a group I call tools. There aren't any magic tools that guarantee you'll catch fish every time. The most important tool at your disposal is the one located between your ears.

You need an understanding of the fish and the forage base of the lake you're fishing, knowing how different seasons and weather patterns affect fish movement and most importantly, how to locate fish in a given body of water.  Trust me when I say that then and only then will what tool to use come somewhere down the list of your priorities.

[WRB]

Very few pros just go fishing without a game plan, if they did they wouldn't be making a living tournament bass fishing.

The difference between earning a check is knowing when to hold them or fold them.

Tom

[813basstard]

Not saying they just show up without any prep, just seems they are detailed within what they do rather than ‘everything’. Fritts isn’t probably as detailed with a jig as G-man who’s not as detailed as Aaron is with a drop shot and so on. I get the impression pro guys know what they do well and max it out. The weekend guy tends to attempt to be good at everything which is nearly impossible with a day or two of fishing. 

[Fishes in trees]

IMO, the pro fishermen give interviews in generalities and broad statements because that is what journalists, who write the articles that allow them to communicate with the fishing public, let them get away with.  A pro isn't going to say, "I didn't practice much because I didn't need to,  I've been in touch with various buddies over the past few weeks, they have practice fished for me, I trust their info, so I have several specific areas and waypoints."   

The information sharing rules are kind of silly because, IMO, everyone does it, so everyone just winks and pretends like no one does it.  Every so often someone gets steamed at some one else, plays the information sharing card and sometimes DQ's happen and sometimes they don't.

 

Plus there is a LOT of information on the lakes where the major tournaments are staged,  available on the internet that is readily available to all.  The line on what is private and public information is fuzzy.  A guy can get information privately and then, because great minds think alike, find very similar opinions on the internet later.

 

At the beginning of the day, what all the tournament competitors are required to do is "put the trolling motor down & go fishing", so, technically, no one is lying or concealing private info.

[BoatSquirrel]

Several great explanations above.  

I will add...most pros have fished every single minute of every day they can possibly be on the water so when they put the trolling motor down, they have stopped in a high percentage spot with a careful game plan based upon recent info and years of experience, then add the ability to change and follow the fish.  

With the consistent top pros, imagine the prep Tom Brady puts in during the month of November.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

10 hours ago, 813basstard said:

I get the impression pro guys know what they do well and max it out. The weekend guy tends to attempt to be good at everything which is nearly impossible with a day or two of fishing. 

Really like that statement. I love the articles that come out like after tournaments, "top ten lures for lake such an such".

 

The pros have their niche. They know what they're good at, and they exploit it. Sometimes the lakes cooperate, sometimes not. In my opinion which ain't much, in order to be a better angler learn what your best at and get better. Better to be great at one or two techniques, then sub-par at many. 

 

Anyways just thoughts, rambling on

[813basstard]

3 hours ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Several great explanations above.  

I will add...most pros have fished every single minute of every day they can possibly be on the water so when they put the trolling motor down, they have stopped in a high percentage spot with a careful game plan based upon recent info and years of experience, then add the ability to change and follow the fish.  

With the consistent top pros, imagine the prep Tom Brady puts in during the month of November.

At Tom Brady’s age, he puts in that much prep every week. But that’s a great analogy. Belichick is the angler and the players are what’s tied on the end. He gets it. So they get it. So they win. 

I think it’s overwhelming prep + experience + natural feel that gets results. I’ve fished with guys who can’t cast 30 yards and got out fished. Also fished with guys in a 70k bass boat and 12 rods and I’m in the back wearin’ them out on $30 combos...so I guess I answered my own question 

[WRB]

Sharing pre fish information in cash prize draw partner tournaments is a disqualifying offense for nearly every bass fishing organization. Sharing information when you are done competing the event isn't a rules infraction.

If you feel the rules are unfair then voice your concerns before paying your money entering the event. Violating rules is unfair to all the other anglers obeying the rules and anyone doing this should be DQ'd.

Any tournament angler worth thier salt develops go to presentations they have confidence catching bass with under the conditions they are fishing. When the Lane brothers started competing in MLF neither owned a spinning finesse outfit and had to learn fast to make the cut on lakes with numbers of keeper size bass.

Tom

[Catt]

Larry Nixon is known on the tournament trail as Mr. Versatile. Larry isn't "versatile" because he is a master of every technique, his versatility is in his ability to quickly detect subtle changes in weather/water conditions & adjust accordingly to maximize his strength...Plastics.

[Jleebesaw]

So a guy who makes a living catching bass gives vague, general answers when asked how he catches them? Huh, who would have thought? 

[papajoe222]

On 6/3/2019 at 3:15 PM, Jleebesaw said:

So a guy who makes a living catching bass gives vague, general answers when asked how he catches them? Huh, who would have thought? 

This, unless he's hawking one of his sponsors products. That us when they give a three minute response to the most often asked question; How did you catch them. They answer with a general location and an in depth explanation of how they used their sponsors product because some other brand wasn't producing.