My Strengths and weaknesses- Will they hurt me in tournaments?

[basslover12345]

My Strengths: Soft plastic/Finesse presentations with light line, Fishing Jigs, Fishing topwaters, Generally Slow moving baits,  shallow water structure

My Weaknesses: Spinnerbaits, Crank baits, Deep water fishing, Fishing really fast

What should I work on? I really want to improve this year

[Rangerphil]

The only way to get better with certain lures or techniques is to go fishing with just that one lure. A few years back I wanted to get better with a jig so I went fishing with just jigs and one rod. After a few times of just fishing like that you learn how to use the lure and work the technique. Also once you catch a few fish you will gain confidence and that is what is most important no matter what or how you fish!

Just make sure you only take what you want to learn, because if you take other stuff you may get frustrated and go back to what you always do and that will not help you in the long run. Good luck and have fun!

[slonezp]

Confidence

[Lund Explorer]

In tournament fishing, you aren't going to be able to escape your weaknesses.  Outside of the tournament realm, the average fisherman can fish his strengths and either do good, or simply assume that the fish weren't biting that day.  But in a tournament, you'll get to weigh in against the competition, some of which will be using the baits and tactics that are your self described weak areas.

You WILL have certain days when you come in after a long day with a really short sack, only to watch others come in with a limit of brutes.  If you are lucky, you'll use those days entry fees not as lost money, but as tuition and learn from it.  That is one of the keys to a good tournament fisherman.

You'll probably use your strengths to start your day, but if they aren't working, you'll spend the rest of those days operating outside of your comfort zone.  You will have a modest selection of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and such that you will be able to haul out and give them an honest try.  You'll spend more of your pre-tournament fishing using these baits as well.

Finally, through a combination of learning how to strengthen your overall game, time on the water, and a pinch of luck, you will gain enough confidence in those formerly weak lures, that on some days you will actually start your day with them.  You'll know how and when seasons and conditions warrant using certain baits over others.

The faster you decide to work on those weaknesses, the faster you will stop donating entry fees and going home with a few other peoples money in your pocket!

[hookingem]

Of course your weaknesses may hurt you in some tournaments. But you'll find more times than none you will be able to catch fish on techniques you have confidence in and are proficient at

[Hot Rod]

Read an article about Denny Brauer. 

His theorey is that as a tournament fisherman you have to have a specialty that you excel at.  You should still be versatile and learn a lot of techniques.  Your specialty won't always work and you can't fish it in all tournaments. 

But every so often you will fish a tournament that the situation fits your specialty perfect, right in the wheel house so to speak.  That is your best chance to win.

So his logic was learn them all but keep one as your specialty.

[fishermantony]

In tournament fishing, you aren't going to be able to escape your weaknesses. Outside of the tournament realm, the average fisherman can fish his strengths and either do good, or simply assume that the fish weren't biting that day. But in a tournament, you'll get to weigh in against the competition, some of which will be using the baits and tactics that are your self described weak areas.

You WILL have certain days when you come in after a long day with a really short sack, only to watch others come in with a limit of brutes. If you are lucky, you'll use those days entry fees not as lost money, but as tuition and learn from it. That is one of the keys to a good tournament fisherman.

You'll probably use your strengths to start your day, but if they aren't working, you'll spend the rest of those days operating outside of your comfort zone. You will have a modest selection of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and such that you will be able to haul out and give them an honest try. You'll spend more of your pre-tournament fishing using these baits as well.

Finally, through a combination of learning how to strengthen your overall game, time on the water, and a pinch of luck, you will gain enough confidence in those formerly weak lures, that on some days you will actually start your day with them. You'll know how and when seasons and conditions warrant using certain baits over others.

The faster you decide to work on those weaknesses, the faster you will stop donating entry fees and going home with a few other peoples money in your pocket!

Wow!  Perfectly said, could be in a book!

[haydenf96]

In tournament fishing, you aren't going to be able to escape your weaknesses. Outside of the tournament realm, the average fisherman can fish his strengths and either do good, or simply assume that the fish weren't biting that day. But in a tournament, you'll get to weigh in against the competition, some of which will be using the baits and tactics that are your self described weak areas.

You WILL have certain days when you come in after a long day with a really short sack, only to watch others come in with a limit of brutes. If you are lucky, you'll use those days entry fees not as lost money, but as tuition and learn from it. That is one of the keys to a good tournament fisherman.

You'll probably use your strengths to start your day, but if they aren't working, you'll spend the rest of those days operating outside of your comfort zone. You will have a modest selection of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and such that you will be able to haul out and give them an honest try. You'll spend more of your pre-tournament fishing using these baits as well.

Finally, through a combination of learning how to strengthen your overall game, time on the water, and a pinch of luck, you will gain enough confidence in those formerly weak lures, that on some days you will actually start your day with them. You'll know how and when seasons and conditions warrant using certain baits over others.

The faster you decide to work on those weaknesses, the faster you will stop donating entry fees and going home with a few other peoples money in your pocket!

Listen to this right here!

[scaleface]

If jigs are your strengths , then deep water fishing should come rather easily.

My weakness is fishing in a crowd. I have never been able to beat the competition doing the same thing as them.

[Shoop05]

Be sure to practice your weaknesses on good fishing days. The best way to build confidence..... CATCH FISH. Tournaments aren't necessarily the time to work on weaknesses, but the more time you spend on the water practicing and honing your weaknesses, the more confident you will be to pick up that spinnerbait in a tournament when the conditions are right and you need a kicker!!

[jbsoonerfan]

Last year was my first year to fish a tournament series. I am failry good at certain techniques and not so good at others. If there was a tournament that I didn't do so well in, I would try to find someone who did well and ask them what they were catching them on. Most of the guys on our trail were good guys and were willing to tell you what worked that day. I wasn't asking specific areas, or specific baits or anything, just what techniques (ie DS, T-rigs, etc) If you are comfortable asking some of the guys who did well what they used, then I would go this route and learn what you did wrong that day.

[tbone1993]

Working on cranking and spinnerbaits will be beneficial to winning tournaments. Living in the midwest most lakes are fairly shallow compared to down south. Fishing deep is something that can make or break you in some tournaments. Try learning more about crankbaits and spinnerbaits especially around cover and using cover/ deflections to your advantage. I feel that those will be fairly easy to pick up rather than learning to fish deep.