Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 12/01/08: Bass Tournament Strategies Lesson 2.

In the 1st lesson I mainly talked about getting prepared for a bass tournament. This lesson will give you information on strategies for the actual tournament day.

1- If you found a honey hole by doing your prefishing homework and you find someone else near or on your spot check your tournament rules. Most tournaments require a 50 yard distance from a trolling motor up and anchor down boat. 50 yards is approx. 9 boat lengths so don't violate this rule. If the boat is trolling as many do, stay a reasonable distance away but fish the general area as you are entitled to it. Just be courteous and respect their position and don't get too close. If they aren't on the proper lure/pattern they may just leave and you have the spot to yourself.

2- When working vegetation a strike may not feel like one. It is often a "mush" feel which feels similar to a weed hang. Be safe and set the hook!

3- Get the retractable net ready before you make your 1st cast. Have it handy without a tackle box or a bunch of rods on top of it!

4- When you have a fish on be patient especially on a larger fish. Work the fish and allow it to fight rather trying to horse it in. Adjust your drag during the fight if necessary to either prevent breakage or to tighten it if it's heading for cover. I often free spool when a large fish starts to surge and use my thumb on the spool as a drag, then re-engage the reel when the fish starts to slack off.

5- During cold fronts, slow down and fish meticulously. Only a slight movement made by slowly pulling your worm along the bottom is usually all that is needed and wanted by "lock jaw" bass.

6- Keep your fish healthy and keep your aerators on or at least use them on a "timed" cycle. Check on them at least once every 2 hours especially when one is injured during the fight. In the summer additional cooling aids maybe required such as ice. In the winter, no need to worry about the ice but plenty of oxygen is still needed via the aeration system.

7- Be patient on your spot. I've seen too many people run and gun which often results in worse results than working your spot thoroughly. If you do have another spot identified during prefishing and you haven't got a strike in 2 hours from your magic honey then give your other spot a shot. If no success there, come back for another try in your honey hole. Working strange waters during a tournament has often resulted in poor results for me in my early tournament years and that is a lesson that I will never forget.

Look for Lesson 3 in the coming week for some more bass tournament strategies and do more catching with less fishing.

Largemouth Herald