Grumpus

I seldom get skunked. Most of the time I have caught at the rate of about 1 lmb per 15-20 min. With other types, about every 5-6 casts. Where I fish and the type lures and baits I use, I never know what I might catch.

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

HenryG, I'm not claiming to be any better fisherman than anyone else but Yes tournament fishing does make you a better fisherman for the species your fish for. The exposure to other very good fishermen you get while tournament fishing makes you a better fisherman if you pay attention at all. There's lots to learn by just listening, then if you don't mind asking questions there's a lot more to learn. The morning at the ramp just looking to see what other people are fishing with where they go after take off can teach you things. There's lots to learn on the tournament trail, if you use what you learn by all means it will make you a better fisherman.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Hey Andy seems those Ketchums have been doing pretty good all over the U. S. I'll have to give them a shot

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Its nice to catch at least something I guess or what's the use of fishing? out for a walk or a cruise in the boat could be just as much enjoyable

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Sorry I thought everyone on the tournament trail was hush hush about what and where they were catching them on my mistake and apologies 😂

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Not at all, if you get tight with your fellow fishermen it's kinda like this site, knowledge is shared. Especially after the tournament and that information can be as good as before on down the road. Of course there's some who won't say much but I didn't really want their input anyway. I'm not gonna tell anyone where my best spots are before a tournament but as far as what I'm fishing with and things like that yes knowledge is shared.

john1470 Loc: Sandy Hook, CT

Me, zip; dem fishes smiling and swimming away!

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Then how come all the secrecy about what lures and how caught to the public until well after thr tournaments or are you talking about local tournaments??and as far as your best spots that's what shows your a good fisherman doesn't it ? Its how you read the lake and the type of fishing you normally use isn't it

Whitereb Loc: Lake Guntersville Alabama

I mainly fish bream and cat occasionally focus just on bass earlier in the season I was 1in3 when just bass fishing. Caught several bass when bream fishing only had 1 skunk day since first of April this one I caught Saturday while bream fishing it hit a cricket worm combo catch alit of cats on crickets also. Found a place water temp had dropped to 78 from 84. I do chart my trips on a calendar. The more you fish for a particular species the more frequent you will catch. Keep it up good lu k

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Well said.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

I have been doing very well with them. Did well in the late after noon yesterday. We caught 10 Smallmouth two went 1 1/2 lbs.
Finally caught Smallmouth this year. !!
WHEN you set up with one use alittle supper glue on the hook shafts these Baits are very soft .
Andy Bassman

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

HenryG, the secrecy to the public comes from when you get to your favorite hole you don't want to find a weekend fisherman there or casting the bait you've found works in a particular situation. There is some "don't tell anyone" about this spot or bait but that usually goes out the window after the tournament. Most Tournament fisherman I know want there to be some good completion or else you'd see the same guys winning all the time. If the same guys win always, the other fishermen aren't gonna keep ponying up and entry fee just to watch the same guys walk off with all the winnings. That's something you see in a lot of local tournaments, a few guys know the lake better than most so they win the most. Sharing knowledge helps put others in the winning seat. Plus I've been a couple pounds out of first the first day of a tournament and there may be someone who found fish but didn't get to the last day, several times those guys told me just enough to put those extra pounds in the boat the finishing day.

Then there's electronics, some of the guys really know how to read the electronics and don't mind sitting down and showing you all they know and I can't think of a better way to learn them than from someone who's better versed than me.

I haven't fished big money tournaments in quit a few years now but I think there's more sharing of knowledge than when I fished. Don't get me wrong just because someone tells you what bait and where does, not mean you will catch them, you still gotta trick them into biting and get em in the boat..

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

In other words Andy they don't last to long I've seen a few videos on them and the action looks incredible since they're that soft but they do get great reviews and it is all about catching fish haven't caught any smallies yet this year. Planning on maybe going out this weekend with some live bait and a bunch of new lures that I just finished making to try to hook some up weather permitting of course🙏

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Ya Ivey and it doesnt meen they're telling the true I agree a tournament fisherman that reads electronics well will almost always out fish a bank fisherman that doesn't. But you always read about the same guys winning tournaments and I quess when you put money on the line and bet on yourself it's a whole new kind of fishing experience. Let me ask you something that I'm wondering why do you tournament fisherman horse your fish in instead of enjoying the fight I've always wondered.To me that's the fun of fishing is the fight

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

I've
I'd love to pick your brain, love been Bass fishing for years never a Tournament.
Just bought the new Garmin with all the bells and whistles. Installed it last Saturday. Been watching U Tube learn how to use it. Going out Friday to try it out.
Any tips I would appreciate it I have a old Lowrance? Probably 10 or more old.
Safe fishing and safe times on the water.
Andy
I've been using the under spin jigs with the the Ketchum 4" round tail , knocking the heck out of the Bass with then
Have a good day