Nerves & Sibling Fishing Derby

[Pepe]

I honestly don't know how guides and all you tournament fisherman do it. The pressure to catch fish makes me feel like Iaconelli (on the inside only). I am a ball of nerves. An explanation is in order.

I am strictly a C&R recreational fisherman. Work provides plenty of stress and just being on the lake is my greatest stress reliever. I can count on one hand the number of tournaments I have fished in my lifetime and I only enjoyed one of them. I won't fish for money because it would add pressure that, for me, would be unbearable.

Every year there is a family "tournament" that involves the cousins, uncles, brothers, BIL's, nephews, etc. There is usually about 20 teams/boats. There is no money involved (thank God) but for all of us it is more important than winning the Classic. We have a large and competitive family!

I have missed most of the last 20 years, due to work, but plan to make this years event which is next week and runs Thu-Sat. I am bringing my son, James. James has been looking forward to this and been talking about it for several years. It has been something to look forward to during his last tour in Afghanistan.

This pressure to not only catch fish, but catch keepers, is hard on a guy. My hat is off to you guys that do this all the time. You must have something figured out that I certainly don't. I would welcome any tips in that regard.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Good luck to you Danger, I like the thought of bragging rights over money. I always have. It should be for fun, and you all have that figured out. Very cool.

[Champ188]

My best tournament tip is to stay focused but have fun. Don't fish any differently than you normally would, maybe just a bit more efficiently. Don't fish faster, fish smarter. Make sense?

[Sprint21fter]

_{Fish where you have caught them before. They don't just leave the area work the area throughly and you will get bit. Tell your son thanks for serving our country so I can go fish in a meaningless tournment compared to what he has done for us. Catch the heck out em.}

[Pepe]

My best tournament tip is to stay focused but have fun. Don't fish any differently than you normally would, maybe just a bit more efficiently. Don't fish faster, fish smarter. Make sense?

Makes perfect sense. Now I just have to actually do it.

[Pepe]

Thanks, Sprint. I really hope he gets bit and I need to not let him see me stressed about it. in his terms "it's all good".

[fishinwrench]

If you can put in 3 straight FULL days of fishing just prior to the event then you'll know exactly what to do and where to go when it counts. By "full days" I mean 24 hrs either eliminating areas or ideas....or thinking about eliminating areas or ideas.

The real "thought tuning" happens in the evenings (or as you're lying in bed) after each day on the water. That's when you do your clearest thinking. Don't try to think or rationalize too much when you're on the water, sort all those thoughts out later when you can look back on what you learned that day. Organize your intel THEN and it will benefit you the most.

If you want to compete against the sticks that are out there weighing fat sacks and taking the checks then you have to Eat, Live, and Breathe BASS FISHING as much or more than they do.

If you eat, live and breathe enough of it then you'll start getting paid for it.

Then you'll look back, satisfied and confident, and you'll think to yourself....

"Jesus Christ !, was all THAT worth it?"

[Sore Thumbs]

Good luck. Spending time with your son makes you a winner already. Everything else is gravy.

[Old plug]

Danger Close------ I am like you. I go fishing because it please me. I did a few tournaments but I hate the pressure and do not believe in what tournament bass fishing has spawned.

Pay attention to what Wrench is saying. Really let it sink in what it means. I have known him for many years. There was few times he was not in the paycheck line.

I think the family thing is a really nice thing. It is more like a family reunion. I think that aspect of it might be as important to your son as the fishing. I would not worry a out it he will love you no matter.