I have been bass fishing for over 25 years and have fished tournaments since 2000. I have have competed in KS, OK, MO, and KY with mixed results. Coming off a good season fishing in the Kentucky Bass Federation Nation, my confidence was high when I moved to TX in March. In May I fished my first tournament and brought in four small keepers for a total weight of just over eight lbs. The winner in that tournament had five fish that weighed over 34 lbs. My confidence was shot and stayed that way all season as I consistently lost every tournament by a wide margin. Friday evening my fishing partner called and asked if I was interested in fishing a small open tournament Saturday morning. I though of my previous failures, but at the same time I remembered my past success. I was on fish all week and was sure that I could win. We ended up finishing second (missed 1st by 0.22 lbs). Thinking back, confidence has always played a major role in my fishing success. In tournaments that I approached with a good attitude, I usually did well. But if you go out thinking that you will lose, you will do just that.

Tournament fishing can be a lesson in humiliation  

I went from being a smoking hot angler in LA to being a fishless one for quite some time in TX.  It took me over a year to adjust and figure out how to work the deep structure and clear water that TX reservoirs offer.  I'm glad I made that move though, because now I feel ready for the bigger circuits.  I'll be fishing in several next year and I am close to finalizing some sponsorship deals.  I'm expecting to take home some big checks.

You're right.  100%.  Leaving your confidence at home is the same as leaving your tackle there.  Its good that you found yours again.  Stick it to 'em and get those paychecks!  Nothing better than getting paid to catch more big fish than the other guys!

Confidence is at least 95% of tournament fishing the other 5% is luck. Me and my partner fished a tournament last weekend. finished 5th but after we pre-fishing the week before and only catching 3 bass with one small keeper 5th was like a win to us. but in practice we found one dock in about 25 feet of water with a hump that came up to about 15 feet on one side. It was so foggy at take off we got lost ( long story lol ) but we finally found that dock and fished it and had one small bite. we only had one keeper in the boat at the time. fished 3 hours and caught 3 more keepers here and there. then pulled back on the dock around noon and it was awsome. ended up catching 9 bass 8 keepers off the one side of the dock. also used another dock that was in about 50 feet of water to catch a bunch more. but we were the only ones not running and gunning beating the points. 5th might not sound great but it was less then a pound to 2nd place and first place got lucky and caught a 6 pounder to beat everyone by 4 pounds. but the point was i went from no confidence to having faith in one dock it paid off and now i can't wait till we fish that lake again in january. the fish will still be on it.

What is your guys defination of condidence ?

That reminds me of the saying, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, your right". I beleive that in order to be successful in fishing, tournament or not, you must beleive in yourself and that you can do it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to "do it" in any big tournaments yet, but I always go out in the beginning thinking I can do it. Good luck all!

Not really adding to this thread but I want to add this.

For some reason, this has happened several times.  When I go to fish a tournament and really want to do well, ie.. throwing confidence baits all day, trying to quadrupple cast my partner, and basically doing everything in my power to do well, I do poorly.

But when I approach a tournament with no expectations, and just wanting to fish for fun that tournament, I do well.