Fished my first tournament today (10/16)

[helms83]

I fished my first tournament today at Nolin Lake in KY. It was quite the learning experience. My partner, John Newton, taught me alot. I only caught one fish (non-keeper) to John's 10+ (2 keepers including big fish of 2.31lbs).

I do however have another "one that got away" story. As John said, "the rookie forgot to adjust his drag." I was using a shakey head with a zoom trick worm in pumpkin green. It was off a point, could feel the rocky bottom, and felt a tick. I reeled down, waited to feel the fish swim away, and set the hook. He immediately took off running. My drag wasn't super lose, he was a beast pulling my rod and fighting, but the drag was too lose as he was able to strip line and wrap around a stumb. John tried to manuever the boat to work him loose, but it was too late. The hook came loose and he was gone. John swears that it was a hog, and he felt like a hog.

On a side note... unbeknowest to me, I met Rick Morris today. He pulled up, started talking to me, asking how the fishing was, how I did, what the winning weight was, etc. I didn't know at the time who Rick Morris was, but I knew he was a pro cause of his truck and boat. Pretty down to earth, laid back guy.

All-in-all, it was a great learning experience.

[Stephen D.]

Sorry to hear about the one that got away - there are so many times that I wish I could have at least seen how big a fish was...

Congrats on your first tourney - I'm still waiting to get in one

[endless]

Did you fish with the Avid rod and did you put PQ on it? How you find out it was Rick Morris, I bet that was something! Good news at least you didn't go skunk! I hate the getaways big or small.

[helms83]

Stephen - I wish I could have seen him. I've never had a freshwater fish fight like that. It might not have even been a bass, but we were catching them there.

Endless - I did finally get to fish the avid and the PQ together. After some frustration and fine tuning, I finally got it setup for my ability, and man does it send lures flying! Sensitivity is awesome; I could feel the difference between the rocks, timber, etc. I love the action this rod gives to a crankbait. After I finally got the PQ set correctly, I fell in love. I threw some cranks in a clear shallow pond to watch the action, and what a difference from a 6.x reel. It swims correctly, and it stays in the strike zone much longer. Can't wait to hook something on it.

I knew it was Rick Morris cause his name was on the truck, boat, and others were calling him Rick. When I got home, I looked him up, and sure enough on the Bass master site, there he was. Then I'm watching the PAA I had DVRed, and there he is fishing, lol.

[Sam]

Helms, congratulations on not only having a great time but learning some new information.

Each tournament is a learning experience so just keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open; make notes when you get home; memorialize the places you fished on the map of the lake or river; and continue to have a good time.

Some tournaments will be fun; others will be a disaster. But at least you are on the water fishing.

As for the drag, us old guys do that, too. That is why it is so important to BALANCE your rod and reel prior to going out and after you change each bait.

Good luck for future tournaments and will keep our eye peeled to see your picture in a future Classic!!!  ;D   ;D   ;D

[maveric1]

congrads on just bein albe to get ur "feet wet" I was so pumped bout my first tournament i didnt sleep the night before lol still dont get much before any tournament just excited bout them..  Yeah Rick is a really cool guy I havent got to meet him, but have talked to him numerous times, he is what a pro should act like just laid back and an overall nice guy.

[evrgladesbasser]

cool story and congrats on your first tourny. seems like only yesterday you were asking how to throw a senko.....

now your mingling with the pros!

[K_Mac]

Consistantly catching bigger bass while fishing light line on a spinning rig  takes some experience, and often a little luck. Having your drag too tight and getting broken off is also "rookie" mistake. Sometimes a fish will get into cover and ain't a thing you can do about it. If you continue to fish with guys who have some experience, and pay attention it won't be long and you will be offering advise to the next rookie. 8-)