On March 9 & 10, I participated in my first fishing tournament ever.
Early morning was a beautiful sight as idling boats hovered in the cove with their navigational lights shining through the mist on the water. The sky was spitting rain and there was a harsh chill in the air. While sitting in the boat waiting to take off – drinking my coffee – I thought it would be a great day. After all, in pre-fishing the day before, I caught a 5 pound bass and a 2 pound bass. I thought I had dialed in on the right lures and found where the fish were suspended. However, as the morning slipped away – I looked upon the cove lined with boat docks where I had pitched and flipped all three lures I had in my arsenal – I remained empty-handed. I couldn’t understand my lack of success, given my excellent pre-fishing results and my lures of choice, including: (1) Spinnerbait (white and chartreuse); (2) Jig – (orange and brown); and (3) Crankbait (orange belly crawl – by Stike-King – with which I caught a 5 pound bass in pre-fishing. Thanks to Denny Brauer who suggested, via YouTube, that this was the right lure for the Ozarks this time of year. The only thing you did not show me, Denny, is what to do with a weather change
WHERE DID THE FISH GO?
The afternoon passed and I, begrudgingly, headed back to weigh in without a single fish in my live well. I was frustrated, defeated. But I was glad to return to several fellow anglers who also had nothing in their live wells. It was a rough day for a lot of us, though others brought in their limit.
After the day, I reflected on my experience. I thought I had better put things in perspective.
I started making a list:
– I have a boat
– I participated in my first fishing tournament
– I met new friends
– I caught a 5 pounder (my 1st ever) and a 2 pounder pre-fishing
– I caught a fish using a jig for the first time
– I talked to my brother, who is a more seasoned fisherman than I
– I learned that rain acts as an incredible spot removal – who knew rain could get coffee stains out of boat carpet?
– I learned that the rain doesn’t just get stains to vanish – a change in weather causes the bass to vanish too
– I learned I need water-resistant boots in rain and cold – tennis shoes are a bad idea
– I need 20 rods instead of a mere 6
– I spent time outdoors enjoying nature and taking in the fresh lake air
– I spent a day doing what I love – and shouldn’t we all. Life is much too short to not do what you love.
James Boswell
