TonyBeason

RobbyZ5001, yeah I was. Lol. The past 8 or 9 months or more I've been in a real slump. I haven't been able to buy a fish and I let it get in my head. Huge lesson learned this weekend. The mental game can't be underestimated.

Well my first ever tournament is over. I decided to fish as a boater. I finished 9th! I would have been happy just to weigh A fish. But I managed to catch a limit and finished 9th with 12.48 pounds and cashed a check. I call that a huge success, especially for my very first tournament. Now to get ready for the next one on 3/9.

No worries. I've devised a practice strategy for this weekend. I know where they should be, and probably are. It's an area with warmer water than the rest of the lake due to a nuclear power plant discharge. I just have to figure out what they want. I plan to grind on that area on Sunday until I figure it out. Then take that pattern to other areas. Also got a shipment from tackle warehouse with some baits that I'm pretty darn confident they've never seen so I'm gonna give those a shot. I'll post a report in the appropriate forum Sunday night or early next week.

I'm not really blaming the electronics per se. I just feel a bit under-equiped. You would be correct in your assumption of not being able to get on fish on this particular lake so far. I had never been on it until just a few weeks ago. As of 1/31 I have fished it exactly 3 times and all under pretty crappy conditions. Not making excuses that's just how it's been. Kinda got my confidence down a bit. I really appreciate everybodies response. I've decided, for better or worse, I'm gonna fish as a boater. That way my success or failure will only depend on ME. If I can get on fish and catch a decent bag then great. If I get skunked then it will still be a learning experience.

I will be fishing my first tournament in a couple weeks with BASS Nation. I have a boat but I've never fished a tournament and my electronics are very basic which makes it hard to find structure/fish. Should I jump in head first and fish as a boater, even with my boat's shortcomings, or leave the boat at home and fish as a co?