There are some very important elements to consider when looking for tournament winning stringers. Developing a plan while pre-fishing and covering the water until you develop a pattern can mean the difference in getting a check or not.

First and foremost the weather is pattern setter, weather can be the difference in activity; you should know and understand how weather affects the bass. High pressure is generally the toughest time on the water and understanding how this affects a bass is sometimes key to putting a big stringer in the boat. The seasonal pattern is always a starting point for any tournament fisherman, I always tell my customers the first place I start is where the fish should be; based on the season. Water clarity can be a difference maker, bass move shallow in dirty muddy water and deeper in clear water.

Use fish finding baits while pre-fishing, you need to be able to cover a lot of water while your pre-fishing and fish finding baits like rattle baits, spinner baits help you do that.

Lastly don’t fish with blinders on! I always ask my customers when they catch a fish what they were doing when they get a bite. The purpose is to condition them to pay attention to the bite so they learn to repeat it. Bait presentation is key and knowing what you did while presenting your bait then repeating it is a difference maker. The depth, the structure and the bait action all fall into the presentation that you should be aware of. Knowing what happened and what caused a bite is extremely important toward catching that next fish.

Come fish with me, I’ll help you learn these keys to tournament winning techniques!

Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service

Email: bassguide@comcast.net

256 759 2270

Captain Mike Gerry