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General Bass Fishing Discussion => Bass Fishing Techniques, Presentations and Lures => Topic started by: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 01:34:58 PM

Title: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 01:34:58 PM
A one day, 4 hour, 3-fish limit on a relatively tough GA lake. Water temp mid-high 60's, no grass, no natural cover other than brush piles and ledges. Decent areas of riprap and clay banks.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: merc1997 on November 07, 2017, 01:39:28 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 01:34:58 PM
A one day, 4 hour, 3-fish limit on a relatively tough GA lake. Water temp mid-high 60's, no grass, no natural cover other than brush piles and ledges. Decent areas of riprap and clay banks.
have a game plan and stick with it.  4 hours does not allow to many game changes.

bo
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: D.W. Verts on November 07, 2017, 01:45:26 PM
Fish your strengths. Do not get shook up (deep breaths). And time management is the most crucial aspect of tournament fishin', no matter how long the day is.

Hope you do well- but be prepared to learn, and take something positive away from the day.

Dale
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 07, 2017, 01:55:32 PM
(https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9492%2Foz2WUW.gif&hash=d94e41a4e56ddc015eec8c1dc3da9823f67701d6) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoz2WUWg) (https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9492%2Foz2WUW.gif&hash=d94e41a4e56ddc015eec8c1dc3da9823f67701d6) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoz2WUWg) breath in (https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9492%2Foz2WUW.gif&hash=d94e41a4e56ddc015eec8c1dc3da9823f67701d6) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoz2WUWg) breath out (https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9492%2Foz2WUW.gif&hash=d94e41a4e56ddc015eec8c1dc3da9823f67701d6) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoz2WUWg) Breath in (https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg922%2F9492%2Foz2WUW.gif&hash=d94e41a4e56ddc015eec8c1dc3da9823f67701d6) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmoz2WUWg) breath out. Relax and fish what you have confidence in. I haven't fished tournaments but if it was me with only 4 hours to fish I wouldn't spend more than 1/2 hour in one spot unless it was producing fish. Given the lake structure you described with brush piles and ledges I would try some jigs and even some jigging spoons. Good luck and will be looking for your report after it's over.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: D.W. Verts on November 07, 2017, 01:58:47 PM
Or run the crap out of it all with a top water(s)!
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 02:09:28 PM
I have very little confidence when it comes to jigs, unfortunately. Crank baits, spoons and my MegaBass Pop Max are my three most solid performing baits to-date.

The tourny hours are 1-5pm so not overly confident about the top water, but the weather is going to be overcast and 50 degrees outside so I may get lucky.  ~shade
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 07, 2017, 02:15:23 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 02:09:28 PM
I have very little confidence when it comes to jigs, unfortunately. Crank baits, spoons and my MegaBass Pop Max are my three most solid performing baits to-date.

The tourny hours are 1-5pm so not overly confident about the top water, but the weather is going to be overcast and 50 degrees outside so I may get lucky.  ~shade
You should do well with them three. Spoons and crank baits work well on ledges and brush piles. Have you seen the post on here about fishing spoons?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 02:18:55 PM
Quote from: Lipripper on November 07, 2017, 02:15:23 PM
Have you seen the post on here about fishing spoons?

I have not seen it! Any idea where I'd find it?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: D.W. Verts on November 07, 2017, 02:19:27 PM
It's Fall. Like late spring, fish will bite on top all day long regardless of the sky conditions. If anything, a top water is a great fishing-FINDING bait.

Tear 'em up.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: coldfront on November 07, 2017, 02:39:37 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 02:09:28 PM
I have very little confidence when it comes to jigs, unfortunately. Crank baits, spoons and my MegaBass Pop Max are my three most solid performing baits to-date.

The tourny hours are 1-5pm so not overly confident about the top water, but the weather is going to be overcast and 50 degrees outside so I may get lucky.  ~shade


just guessing.  georgia lake.  fall.  afternoon, overcast.  big cold front coming through.  might slow down the largemouth possibly.   I'm guessing spotted bass will be most active.
what is main forage type?  threadfin or blueback herring? 

have a walking bait tied on for long casts to breaking fish as a back up?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 07, 2017, 02:49:01 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 02:18:55 PM
I have not seen it! Any idea where I'd find it?
Here ya go   Jigging Spoon Tips (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=138482.0)

Quote from: D.W. Verts on November 07, 2017, 02:19:27 PM
It's Fall. Like late spring, fish will bite on top all day long regardless of the sky conditions. If anything, a top water is a great fishing-FINDING bait.

Tear 'em up.
Yelp like D.W said don't be afraid to throw top water anytime this time of the year. Even a frog will work even if you don't have visible things like pads or weeds give it a try.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Smallie_Stalker on November 07, 2017, 05:18:44 PM
Are you going to be fishing alone or with someone else?

If with someone else are you going to be running the boat or are you going to be the co-angler? Either way communication will go a long way. If you are going to be the co-angler ask the boater what his/her plans are and be prepared to adapt. If you are running the boat reverse the situation and communicate to your co your game plan. Also talk about the way you prefer someone to net your fish and ask how they like it done etc.

There are a world of tourney fishing problems that can avoided with just a few minutes of communication.  :-*

Good luck Stephanie and please let us know how it goes.  :)
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: LgMouthGambler on November 07, 2017, 05:45:10 PM
Dont let one fish ruin your whole day. It used to get me every time.

<")))>{

Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 07, 2017, 07:28:31 PM
I'll be fishing with my husband, who introduced me to the awesome world of fishing and shares my passion for it. I'm more like Gilligan than Skipper, and I fish from the back of the boat. Since I don't plan on doing any plastic worms Sunday, his propensity to stand on that trolling motor constantly won't matter as much.  ;)

I've made my plan and selected the baits I'll have on my rods:

MegaBass Pop Max
Double Plopper
War Eagle Super Spoon
Yumbrella Ultralight Tripod
Shallow Suspending Shad Crank Bait

No grass, lots of riprap and downed foliage. The lake is known as a tough one for finding large mouth, but with a good amount of spotted and small mouth. That said, I did catch my first large mouth on that lake last Saturday, so I'm feeling super optimistic!  ~cf
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Oldfart9999 on November 08, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
Back of the boat eh, texas rigged plastics, worms, creatures, tubes. You could also try shaky head or dropshot.
Rodney
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 08, 2017, 07:46:29 AM
Quote from: Lipripper on November 07, 2017, 02:49:01 PM
Here ya go   Jigging Spoon Tips (http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=138482.0)

Thanks, Lip! I am totally throwing my spoons at some docks this Sunday!
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: njpaulc on November 08, 2017, 07:59:37 AM
If schooling fish are a possibility, I'd have a 3/4 Hopkins spoon tied on.  Casts a mile and ripping it through schooling fish usually gets some action.  Throw it out, let it sink for a 2 count, rip it up, take in slack letting it sink while you're reeling, rip it up again, like bouncing it off the bottom in the top 2 or 3 feet of water.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 08, 2017, 12:52:04 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 08, 2017, 07:46:29 AM
Thanks, Lip! I am totally throwing my spoons at some docks this Sunday!
Your welcome (https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg924%2F6978%2FdOCrVc.gif&hash=961a1664b9f3df6a30365d5efec9341780d8dec3) (https://imageshack.com/i/podOCrVcg) and good luck to you and your huby  ;D
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Champriderz on November 08, 2017, 08:04:55 PM
Relax and have fun.  It's just fishin.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 12, 2017, 06:36:53 PM
Well today was the big day how did it go?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 07:43:29 AM
My husband woke up extremely sick and I was unable to go  :'( ~xyz :'(  I was tempted to see if they'd let me enter it via bank fishing!
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: cport on November 13, 2017, 08:07:02 AM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 07:43:29 AM
My husband woke up extremely sick and I was unable to go  :'( ~xyz :'(  I was tempted to see if they'd let me enter it via bank fishing!

Aw man, that's a bummer. Hope your old man is OK.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 08:28:58 AM
Quote from: cport on November 13, 2017, 08:07:02 AM
Aw man, that's a bummer. Hope your old man is OK.

Thanks cport. He got the stomach bug which is NOT what you want when you're stuck on a boat for four hours. Just gives me more time to perfect my strategy until my next tourney opportunity!
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 13, 2017, 11:46:07 AM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 07:43:29 AM
My husband woke up extremely sick and I was unable to go  :'( ~xyz :'(  I was tempted to see if they'd let me enter it via bank fishing!
Sorry to hear this and hope he's doing better today. You will get them next time. Have him teach you how to run the boat so next time you can take it out by yourself and fish for both of y'all. ;D
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: coldfront on November 13, 2017, 01:35:45 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 07:43:29 AM
I was unable to go 

well that sux.  know I was looking forward to hearing how it went, what you thought of the entire process.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 01:58:50 PM
Quote from: Lipripper on November 13, 2017, 11:46:07 AM
Have him teach you how to run the boat so next time you can take it out by yourself and fish for both of y'all. ;D

I was ready to march myself down there and see if they'd let me bank fish it!
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 02:00:08 PM
Quote from: coldfront on November 13, 2017, 01:35:45 PM
well that sux.  know I was looking forward to hearing how it went, what you thought of the entire process.

That makes two of us!  :(
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 13, 2017, 02:00:43 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 01:58:50 PM
I was ready to march myself down there and see if they'd let me bank fish it!
If it wasn't in the rules that you had to have a boat you could of took off running down the bank and called that blast off.  lo lo
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: coldfront on November 13, 2017, 03:27:00 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 13, 2017, 02:00:08 PM
That makes two of us!  :(

well, then, guess it's time to get ready for the next one...  ;D
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
Entered into another tournament this coming Sunday so hoping to have some good results! The lake water is around 55 degrees now, with no grass, just riprap, docks and downed trees/brush. Any thoughts on what kind of baits I should use?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 28, 2017, 08:09:53 AM
Good luck in your tournament on Sunday. I would make sure to throw some Jigs and also some soft plastic baits with the structure you just listed.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 01:18:55 PM
Quote from: Lipripper on November 28, 2017, 08:09:53 AM
Good luck in your tournament on Sunday. I would make sure to throw some Jigs and also some soft plastic baits with the structure you just listed.

Shaky head and T-rig are on the list! I'll be trying out my NuTech jig as well. May throw in a lipless crank just to mix it up a little.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: coldfront on November 28, 2017, 01:49:42 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
Entered into another tournament this coming Sunday so hoping to have some good results! The lake water is around 55 degrees now, with no grass, just riprap, docks and downed trees/brush. Any thoughts on what kind of baits I should use?

assuming you've done as much internet scouting on the target lake?  looked at tournament results from same time frames, past years.  up to speed on current fishing reports, such as there are?

good luck and keep your partner away from bad food until AFTER the tournament.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 28, 2017, 01:58:51 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 01:18:55 PM
Shaky head and T-rig are on the list! I'll be trying out my NuTech jig as well. May throw in a lipless crank just to mix it up a little.
Yelp that Nu tech jig is what I had in mind but wasn't sure you had any of them or not. Don't be afraid to throw a top water around them down trees and up around and under them docks either.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 02:00:02 PM
Quote from: coldfront on November 28, 2017, 01:49:42 PM
assuming you've done as much internet scouting on the target lake?  looked at tournament results from same time frames, past years.  up to speed on current fishing reports, such as there are?

good luck and keep your partner away from bad food until AFTER the tournament.

Thanks, coldfront! Those are awesome tips! I'll do that in depth.
And I'm not letting him eat again until Sunday night.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 02:00:48 PM
Quote from: Lipripper on November 28, 2017, 01:58:51 PM
Yelp that Nu tech jig is what I had in mind but wasn't sure you had any of them or not. Don't be afraid to throw a top water around them down trees and up around and under them docks either.

What do you think about a War Eagle spoon around the docks?
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Lipripper on November 28, 2017, 02:04:10 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 02:00:48 PM
What do you think about a War Eagle spoon around the docks?
You never know it wouldn't hurt to try a few cast with one. If there is any depth around them docks I'm sure there are brush piles and placed structure around them somewhere also.
Title: Re: Doing my first tournament! Any advice?
Post by: Smallie_Stalker on November 28, 2017, 04:28:46 PM
Quote from: thebassingirl on November 28, 2017, 02:00:48 PM
What do you think about a War Eagle spoon around the docks?

Good choice. Try it around the riprap too. In fact everything you mentioned might score on the riprap. How you present each one is the key.