I am fishing my first tournament tonight on Lake Anna in Mineral, Virginia. The pattern we've been on in practice the past two weeks is 5" wacky rigged senkos off of grass lines, frogs in some weeds, and flipping docks with jigs. We've done really well in the past two weeks with water temps in the high 80s, but a small storm and a cold front came through last night and the fishing was really slow this morning. Water temps are in the low 80s now, and there is a constant light rain. We had 12 fish yesterday morning, with a couple 2 pounders and some 3s, but this morning we only had three on the same pattern, but nothing over 2 lbs. We are not sure what adjustments we have to make to be successful tonight. We would appreciate any help, and as soon as possible. We take the water at 6:30 tonight. We would also just like the knowledge for future fishing as well. So any information on fishing after storms or cold fronts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

There's no perfect answer (that I've found, anyway). Fish tend to be more lethargic (for any number of reasons - change in water temp, full from eating heavy before the front, the shear will of Neptune...) and will often hold tighter to cover or go a little deeper.

Strategies that sometimes work:

- note where you marked fish and fish the closest drop off/break or go further into the cover.

- finesse options fished slower like shrinking lure size, throwing smaller plastics, digging out the drop shot

- I have a friend who would swear by dead sticking

- another option might be trying to find deeper fish that were less effected.

All of that having been said, it's your first tournament, try to learn and have fun. It can get tough trying to rethink everything you've done, while littering the deck with every lure you own. Try what feels best and see if you can find any sort of pattern. Either way, ask questions at the dock after the tournament/if it's a club, at your next meeting and see what you can learn.

Good luck, and have fun!

Turkey Sandwich gave the same answers I would.

I have found the drop shot to be very effective under these conditions. Fish tend to move deeper and want the bait in their face. These fish are catchable in my experience. I don't have the same success with fish holding tight to cover up shallow or around docks. They get lockjaw and it's very tedious to get a bite.