How to excel with using what you got
I fish several tournaments a year as a co-angler, have for 20 years. Im 52. I've always wanted to become a pro but I don't have the big nice boat. I have a 1995 17.5 Skeeter with a 135. It has everything to be a legal tournament boat. I've even upgraded the electronics and trolling motor.
So how do I excel from where I am? I feel like I have some knowledge. I feel like I have the baits. But I just can't get the confidence taking my little boat out there with 150 new 20' Rangers. I also know I lack the time on the water I should have.
Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I've wanted to be a pro, or at least be competitive for 25 years. I'm just not following the right path to get there.
Great question Bassintn.
I know exactly how you feel. When I started out on tour, I had a used pickup with 100k on it and a used Nitro with a pile of hours. I was intimidated too. I learned that it doesn't matter. Most of fishing is mental.
A great example of this right now is John Cox. He fishes out of an aluminum boat that can only do 40 or 50mph. He doesn't focus much on his electronics. He is one of the most dominant anglers in the world of professional fishing today.
In my opinion, all you need are a dependable outboard and trolling motor, and modern electronics. You don't need a giant screen on your sonar, the smaller screens all offer the same technology at a much lower cost.
Here is an exercise that has helped me a lot. Go over all your top fishes and wins over the years. Try to identify the techniques and patterns that are your strengths. The techniques that you have used consistently to get you at the top or near the top of the tournament. These are your strengths. Focus in on these strengths in your future tournaments and it can help you get into the winner's circle more often.
2 years ago I learned an important lesson at a local 4th of July jackpot derby.
2 guys showed up with a 15 or 16' Tin boat with a 15hp motor. They had a pump they would throw overboard and fill a cooler with an aerator pump in it.
I was a Co on a newer Ranger.
The guys in the tin boat were Joking "Tinner to Winner"
And win they did. And it wasn't just a win, it was a beat down. They came in with 26lbs on a lake that 22lbs is killing it.
It was an important lesson that will always stick with me. It's not the boat, it's the angler.
You got this!
You got this! I love it. Good luck this year!
