Well I was in the running for AOY and I did the unthinkable.  I blanked a tournament that I won last year.  I fished from memory and didn't fish the moment.  I stayed with a lure when it wasn't working.  I am beating myself up pretty bad.  I am going to use this thread to tell myself it's ok.  All morning I have talked to myself and now I will talk to you guys lol.  If anything use it to learn what not to do.  I said fished from memory.  That can work but don't stay with it if they are not biting.  The old putting all your eggs in one basket thing.  I thought all morning long that with the rain and clouds, I should be throwing a buzzbait.  I threw it like 10 times and put it down.  Staring at it while I went to my deep water pattern.  End of the day the winners had 28lbs and caught them early on topwater.  Go with your instincts and don't force something that isn't working.  Oh well I guess its called fishing not catching.

Classic example of, "how long do you throw a lure before changing?"

Ya stuck with one to long...not long enough with the other!

Probably the single most difficult decision in bass fishing & one we all get wrong from time to time.

What's status for AOY?

We base our points from 70 points for the most weight down.  You get 0 if you don't weigh a fish.  With a blank I will be out unless the top three other guys blank.  We have four more tournaments and there is still an outside chance, but VERY slim.  We had some really bad weather and conditions early this year and only a few guys survived.  Out of 50 members there are only 3 left that hasn't blanked or could not make it to a tournament.  We fished the Ohio river when it was chocolate milk color and running like a sick kids nose.  I managed to catch some fish in that one, but not a perfect day on the biggest lake in Indiana yesterday.  I guess I have to go with what I tell me little boy, you can't win them all.

Kick up a gear & kick bass

I missed a tourney years back because of health problems.  I had a 30pt. lead going into that one and was 70 behind from missing it (our pts. are figured a little different in that we figure big fish into the equation). Anyhow, there were still four dates left and I made them all.  Still missed out on AOY, but was able to close the gap.  I would have won if the winner hadn't also weighed in the big fish the week before the final.

Hang in there and learn from your experience.  What they say is oh so true; the lessons you learn the hard way are the ones you remember best.

I blanked the first tournament of the year and climbed back to 5th. I still have 8 tournaments to go. Don't count yourself out!

Stay positive I just blanked my first club tourney tonight but so did all but one guys, so I am still in the top three for AOY

Remember this feeling and use that and what you learned to come out and win the next event