Lest anyone think I'm some kind of snob; I need to say that I don't think I'm some kind of hot stick. I've just been trying to evaluate my tournament results since I've started kayak fishing and try to do better. Because, learning to catch more big fish is what fishing tournaments should be about right?.....

So, I fished 2 Tourneys recently (KFC III and Southwind). Because, I did so poorly at both I didn't think reports would be worth reading. But, I do think that what I learned from these two events might provide an opportunity for someone else learn from my mistakes.

So...I found myself wondering how it is I did so poorly at these two events, and in kayak tournaments in general? Before yakfishing, I was a floattuber for 3+yrs and fished small (around 20 entrants) tournaments for 2 of those 3yrs. I did well in those, with many 2nd and 3rd places and a few 1st places. Why the struggle now? I know the fields are much bigger in yak tourneys, but I was still expecting to at least be in the top 40% most of the time and be in the top 10 a few times. With no obvious answers, I began to compare my past with my current performances. Game plan was the place my mind kept going to. I tried to take an honest look at my strategies for the last 2 tourneys. In fact as I tried to find any issue that was hindering me, I kept going back to my game plans. What I discovered this week was stupidly simple. I was using the same strategy I used at floattube tourneys; I'd develop a plan and (almost always) stuck to it until the end. The big difference between now and then was that back then I had the time and schedule to pre-fish at least twice the week of a tourney. Now, I get the Sat. before to pre-fish, if I'm really lucky I might get the Sat. before that too. Well I forgot to consider this factor, and acted like whatever info I had was current. A week or 2 is far from it. SO? I need to be way more flexible in my planning? I guess I'll see over the next year if this insight pays off.

BTW, I want to thank Plastic Navy and Southwind Kayak Center for putting on great events. I had a blast at both, even if I did blow it.

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!