Fist ever tournament coming up...advice?

[abelfisher]

Another member of BR and I are fishing our first tournament on Clear Lake, CA on May 5th.  I am excited and not showing any pre-tournamennt jitters (Yet).  Anyway, what can you advise as to things to be prepared for, or surprises, or anything that comes to mind about your ecperience in tournaments.

This is the first tourney either of us have entered and in fact , never fished this lake before.  So I know the odds are stacked against us, but we both have confidence going into it.  

Thanks!

Abelfisher

[preach4bass]

Go fishing at Clear Lake as much as you can before May 5th (and call it pre-fishing).  T

Then, on May 5th, go fishing at Clear Lake (and call it fishing a tournament).

You're just going fishing (and paying an entry fee).

[WBFishing]

Even if the weather says it will be a wonderful day, be prepared for the worst weather mother nature can throw at you .  I learned the hard way in my first tournament this year, was expecting 60 degrees and overcast so only took a light rainsuit to wear when my boater made runs and a sweater to cut off the chill.  We get a winter storm advisory the day I go to pre fish and the temps end up being in the 10s and 20s the whole weekend with 20 mph winds.  400 angler for a BFL and Weekend Series event in town at the same time made impossible to find reall good winter clothes and I live 100 miles away and the roads were icy.  Something I have learned, during the week, start your gear prep when you have extra time during the days leading up to the tournament.  I have been up till 12 and 1 in the morning respooling reels cause I thought, "I can just do it before bed, I got plenty of time".

I am no expert by any means, this is my first year, but I have learned these 2 important lessons in preparation.

[Garnet]

If you are a serous fisherman than your standard preps good line knots ect. should be good. So the only diffference is a paid entry and buddy told you when to start.

It's just another day try to act and react just like any other day and keep good notes before and after.

Garnet

[WBFishing]

I am a serious fisherman and my standard preps are good.  Part of my relaxation before any sporting event is to do maintenace and freshen my gear.  When I played baseball, I scrubbed spikes with toothbrushes, retied and checked straps on gloves, regripped my bats.  Before I play a rec game of golf, I scrub my clubs and check all the grooves.  I guess it even carried over to my fishing.

[cravenfish]

One thing I still do and I did it at my first tourny. Is be there early enough you can get in the water ,away from the ramp and sit in your boat and take a deep breath and relax. Then go with your game plan weather it be sit in one spot or move all day long. Its your money and time do what you like to do.

[Brian_Reeves]

Don't get too worked up over it.  Stay calm and try to think your way through it.  Stick with your baits, don't let your confidence fall, and react to the changing conditions on the lake.  If you backlash on your first cast or cast a Lucky Craft into the top of a tree and can't get it back...don't let that set the tone for the tournament.  Treat it like baseball or football.  One bad play doesn't make the game.