SUMMARY OF LESSONS LEARNED
Here are the major lessons I learned from these tournament experiences.
1. In a major professional catfish tournamentthe deck IS stacked aganist the average person.
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2. These tournamentsare 70 percent marketing functions for various companies. 30 percent about fishing.
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3. Check out how many and value of the door prizes. That is really the best chance for the for the average person to take something home of value.
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4. Be sure you get to know your PARTNER before you go.
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5. Get together with you partner to at least look over a map of spots you intend to fish.
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6. At least one of you should do a least 1 day of per fishing.
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7. Be flexable for way too many things can go wrong the day of the tournament that are out of your control. Weather, high water, stronger current than expected, car trouble, boat trouble, etc.
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8. Take good rain gear, life vest, check your tackle box or bag. sun screen drinks and food. 8 to 12 hours on the water you need food and fluids in your body. If going to fish a lake take a COMPASS !! Even if you see land all to often those bays and shore lines start looking the same. Have a Good flashlight if fishing at night or early morning. Now days take your CELL PHONE, have phone numbers of the tournament officals at the launch site on you. That way if you need help with directions or problems returning to the dock they can give you help getting safely back.
9. Count and recount the number of the legal fish long before you get back to dock for the weigh-in.
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10. Fish a tournament on your HOME waters for your 1st big tournament.
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My partner and I on the right of photo at the end of our fishing day
Tight lines and lots of action.
UPDATED 01-18-04