Hi, I have a big tournament this summer, that too me could jump start my fishing career. Can an expierenced tournamnet angler give me a few tips on pre-fishing? I do alot of research before hand and have spots to try before I'm out on the water. But sometimes I don't catch fish on the spots where I think they should be. Thanks!

On a percentage basis, spend 10% of your time studying past results, 80% of your time locating fish, and 10% catching them.

Pre-tournament study should include what it has taken to win this event, and reviewing what you have been able to accomplish at the same location. You should be able to find past tournament results, and you should also have your own fishing logs. These should give you an idea of what kind of weights it takes to win, the types of presentations used, and locations of prior catches.

On the water, you should use all of the above to setup a primary and a secondary plan. Almost every fisherman will tell you that it is harder to locate bass than it is to catch them. Therefore, I would use most of your pre-fishing time setting up a milk run that covers a few locations where the bass may stage based on weather conditions. Log in waypoints on your GPS with some type of code that gives you an idea of each spot's potential. It shouldn't matter if you actually catch the fish so long as you find biters on these spots. There are a couple of ways to modify hooks so that you can use assorted baits with no chance of actually sticking the fish. Whatever you do, don't burn fish just prior to the tournament.

If you have studied prior results you should know what it takes to win this event. If you find a number of spots and lures that produce bites then you'll know where the fish are as well as what they are hitting. The only thing left is to go out and do it. Try to make wise choices during the day and don't get stuck on any specific location or presentation if it fails to work out right away. Have your rods ready to make the changes necessary to be able to adapt to changing conditions.

Finally, remember that you are only fishing against the top 5% of the field. If you have the confidence that you can beat this bunch going into the tournament, it will enhance your chances to do so.

Thank you! That really helped, I really appreciate it!

We all don't catch fish where we think they should be.

In addition to what was said. Last year I spent alot of time running and gunning during prefish. Catch a keeper, go to a new spot, and so on. It helped me eliminate unproductive water. Then on tourney day I knew where fish should be and spent time adapting/finding a pattern. The results were better time management on tourney day. I cashed more checks last year than in years prior. Good luck.

I usually set up a milk run as well- with the number system to how good of a spot i believe that it will be. just have to hope you can hit those spots on tourney day without someone else being there...and if it is good structure for the weather/year- then you usually have to really find out your number system because someone else will do the same. On prefish days- i usually throw a jig without hook or a crank without hooks looking for additional spot on spot locations. stump on a point turning to gravel...etc. Really good read is BBZ- for the tourney or non tourney angler... it goes into great detail on these ideas.

My pre-fishing strategy is to be on the lake as much up until the off limits are enforced. I want to know what the bait fish are doing, where they are doing it, & then I’ll know where the bass will be.

Remember you aint fishing against the other anglers, you’re fishing against the bass, so make ever bite count!

I usually set up a milk run as well- with the number system to how good of a spot i believe that it will be. just have to hope you can hit those spots on tourney day without someone else being there...and if it is good structure for the weather/year- then you usually have to really find out your number system because someone else will do the same. On prefish days- i usually throw a jig without hook or a crank without hooks looking for additional spot on spot locations. stump on a point turning to gravel...etc. Really good read is BBZ- for the tourney or non tourney angler... it goes into great detail on these ideas.

Do you have a link to that "BBZ- for the tourney or non tourney angler"?

Do you have a link to that "BBZ- for the tourney or non tourney angler"?

Maybe i should have been more specific. Read BBZ. The information in that can be for the tourney or non tourney angler. It is not a specific book by that name. Are you familer with BBZ at all?

Maybe i should have been more specific. Read BBZ. The information in that can be for the tourney or non tourney angler. It is not a specific book by that name. Are you familer with BBZ at all?

Yes, but I haven't been to there site. I'll have to take a look. Thanks!

Yes, but I haven't been to there site. I'll have to take a look. Thanks!

It is some fun stuff. The actual book is a fun read as well. It really does make a lot of sense, and helped changed my views on some things.

BBZ made me aware of what I was doing, and made my buddies jealous when they weren't catching fish haha