I'm about to do my first BFL and feel confident that I've gotten the top of line baits.  Except today, a friend of mine and I fished a small local lake today and I got slayed vs new lures and old ones.  I threw the Live Target Spinner Rig in the Smoke Silver color and thought it looked Awesome!!!!  Caught two!  Threw it a lot.  My friend threw a Cotton Cordell Red Fin 7" Smoke Silver and caught 9 to my two!   Go figure

This is what happens when you put your confidence in baits (and/or tackle). They're all just tools, and it's not always the fancy or expensive one that's best for the job.

The Red Fin has been around for a long time for a reason. On the other hand, I wouldn't bet a dollar on being able to outfish my 4 year old with anything from Livetarget. 

They are  not  the same type of lure .

The redfin has always been popular as a wake bait on Table Rock. The problem is you may buy 6 to get one that wakes well.

 The drill is.. the hooks need to be replaced, the back one with a feathered treble. Then add about 3 suspend dots in front of the joint for starters.  If it wakes great, if not its onto the next one .

Some guys try to heat the bill and bend it down some but I've ruined a few using that method.

 Chrome/blue or Black and Smokey Joe seem to work the best for me.

Did you ask your friend why he was throwing the redfin as opposed to something else? That and observation are really the only thing to glean from this, plus you need to have confidence in your equipment if you are going to fish tournaments. Additionally, what they bite in a small lake may or may not have anything to do with what they bite in tournament water, AND every day is different. Develop a plan, and fish your strengths (or go looking for advice online). Don't get shook, go get 'em!.