Bass Fishing Tips

You have mastered the art of angling for bass, conquered the local bass rich ponds, rivers and lakes, you can boast of owning the best boats and a truckful of high quality tackle to suit every different condition and feel that you are looking forward to more challenging experiences than what this leisure activity can offer. You feel you are ready to take on the world. It can mean only one thing. The time has arrived for you to take the plunge in to tournament bass fishing and match your skills with the best in the business.

However there is a word of caution. Bass fishing as a fun recreational activity is an entirely different ball game from competitive fishing. Tournament fishing involves following specific rules and regulations, fishing under time constraints, enduring the mental pressure, being followed around by media boats and every move being constantly watched and assessed by spectators etc. Many participants crack under the pressure and stress of all these factors combined.

Local club tournaments have a laid back fun atmosphere where you can sharpen your acquired skills. But club anglers are as fiercely competitive as those participating in renowned tournaments offering hundreds of thousands of dollar as prize money. At least you can brag about your exploits if you manage to win, even if the prize money is a negligible amount.

If you are looking for higher levels of competition, DRAW TOURNAMENTS and OPEN TOURNAMENTS may be the thing for you where you will get the opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn vital information from other fishing fanatics. But entry fees are pretty steep and the number of participants greater.

If you don’t have your own boat, these tournaments will allow you to participate as a co-angler. In some circuits, co-anglers are only allowed to fish from back decks and are pitted against co-anglers. In other circuits, the format used is ‘competition open to all’ regardless of the participants’ registration type.

Keep an open mind, observe the techniques of fellow fishing enthusiasts and learn as much as you can, continually and try to increase your levels of skill. All excellent pros will tell you that this constant and unquenchable thirst for improvement is the key to success and never think that you already know everything there is to know. But don’t blindly cram what you won’t be comfortable with.

Remember the golden rule – practice makes one perfect. Even if you have a time crunch, try to practise a bit and learn time management, which is one of the most vital factors in emerging as the winner in big tournaments. Stock yourself with pedantic knowledge if you must, but application of information gleaned from books, magazines and internet will prove hundred times more profitable.

Follow your dream, have confidence and go for it. But don’t expect to become a fishing phenomenon overnight.