Last Saturday was my first ever tourney. Also from fishing out of the back of a bass boat. The #1 thing that I learned was to go with my instincts. I had a feeling that the bass were deeper. Started off early throwing up to the bank and reeling back but the water was so clear that it was easy to see there wasn't any real action up there. Maybe the lone stragler 12 incher but nothing of any real size. I did start throwing a red eye shad out a little deeper but with no real bites I soon started beating the bank again. 

 

I pulled in two on a drop shot and sure enough they were out deeper about 12-15' of water. My instincts were telling me to either throw a t rigged worm/creature or a jig. I did end up throwing a baby brush hog with no bites but I know what I did wrong and the weight was not enough. I threw everything...spinner, crank up shallow. It's a little tougher from the back. I shoulda trolled a t rigged pit boss or something deeper coming off an angle. 

 

So at the end of the day, we all gather round and talk about what worked and where and what they caught the bigger ones. Sure enough, t rigged baits or jigs about 15-20' of water were where the big ones were biting. Some on spinners and cranks but those were really barely keepers. The DS did well to get bit but it was the t rig or jig that produced the ones that won it. 

 

Had a lot of Fun no doubt and didn't really expect too much from myself being the first tourney. Sure did learn a lot though. 

Good job on being observant, I take things like that and put them in my mental rolodex for the next time. If you fish the lake under the same conditions again. You are one step ahead of most other guys. I talk to myself after every one. I ask myself what I could have done different. Did I get the bites to win it then just didn't do my part or was I out in left field looking at the cheerleaders? You have entered into a game where there is very few first places finishes. You go out do the best you can and let the cards fall where they may. Good luck!

Experience is the best teacher!

Awesome post.  The more you pay attention to your surroundings the better off you are going to be as a co-angler.  Also nice to hear that you were sharing amongst one another to discuss what was working that day.  A great way for all of you to get better in no time!

 

Good luck in your future tournaments.

Thanks guys for your input. I can relate to when the pros say never give up. It can get mentally tough for sure. Next tourney is in June and looking forward to it.

I don't know how you guys fish tourneys from the back- to me that would be way too frustrating. 

props to ya.

I dont know how yall fish in the front.

 

The first tournament is the one where I feel i actually learned the least. Whether that is on me or not i don't know. But im sure you will see yourself grow more than you will think in the next  few tournaments. Sounds like you had a good time regardless and thats what its all about.