How many different patterns (lures) do you master and actually use in competitions?

Do you stick with the pattern your the best at?

I know the locals are asked what is the hot lure for this body of water your going to compete on but have you ever started a tornie with no previous knowledge of the body of water that's new to you?

If you haven't figured out the pattern on practice day what's your next move?

You can't figure out a "Pattern" untl you've caught fish

 

I know the locals are asked what is the hot lure for this body of water your going to compete on

 

I'm not a pro (far from it) and have never fished a tournament, but I have very little confidence that I'd do any better on a new lake after hearing someone's opinion of what the "hot lure" was on that lake.

I am nowhere near a pro but I fish tournaments in college. I went into a tournament blind this summer because I had work obligations. Honestly it was the worst tournament of my life. My boater had no idea even though he pre fished for two weekends in a row. I had more knowledge and experience than him so I had to take lead.  I dont feel as bad because 2 fish weighing  4.3lbs ( 1.3 and 3lb ) won the tournament and only 6 keepers were caught out of  18 people fishing. It was a rough tournament but if I had caught a keeper prefishing I could have had an idea what to throw. That being said I adjusted on the fly and must have retied and changed presentations a 100 times that day.  I havent mastered a presentation yet because I constantly learn new things.  In my experience the locals seem to throw the most obvious things. I would take advice from a guide before a local because they are paid to find and catch the fish. Your average angler may sit on the lake for 8 hours throwing a hula popper or dragging a manns jelly worm and catch tons of decent fish but not key in on what the big ones want. That being said working in a bait shop I learned to  take everything with a grain of salt.  Attend a fishing class you will learn tons and be able to ask the pros questions.