Page 62 - Lady Bass Anglers Digital Magazine July 2023

Tournament Preparation & Patterns

By Cheryl Bowden

In order to set yourself up for the best possible
outcome in a tournament, an angler needs to prepare
in advance. This preparation can take on several
forms. Some options are fishing reports, YouTube
videos, map studies, and local or regional contacts.

When looking at fishing reports, look at historical
reports for the time of year you will be fishing
the lake. Include in this a few weeks ahead and
after your tournament dates. Things to look at are
water temperatures, water levels along with the
descriptions of how fish were being caught. It is
important to remember that fishing reports can be
specifically vague and apply to multiple lakes in
the region. These reports are just one piece of the
puzzle.

YouTube videos are out there. There are so many
people who love to put videos out and share their
experiences on the water. Some will give teases and
in order to access more specific details ask you
to join their private groups. I personally avoid
those folks, but that is an individual choice. When
watching the videos, there is usually a lot of what I
consider dead time where there is little or no value.
Listen to what is not being said as well as what is.
Look at the surroundings in the video, how the angler is presenting the lures, the weather conditions,
and the water color. Each of these pieces can provide you with information that can help you unlock
pieces of the puzzle. Also watch videos from multiple sources and if possible those where the fishing is
at a similar time of year if possible. After watching several sources you will find some sources that
provide you better information than others.

Another video source to consider are websites where tournament trails post videos of their events. The
format may be different from yours, but the manner and location of where and how they are catching fish
gives you another puzzle piece.

Map studies include looking on your electronics, Google Earth and old school paper maps. Using any or
all of these and keeping in mind the time of year, can help an angler break down the body of water and
identify key locations and starting points for your practice day or days. In the spring and fall, fish
will be moving shallows. In the spring, moving along the underwater highways for the spawn. In the fall,
fish are preparing for the winter and feeding up on shad. As the shad move to the shallows, bass will
follow. In the summer and winter, fish will transition to deeper waters. This does not mean that fish will
all head out to the main lake. Deep water is relative. If you have a really big pocket, fish will move to
deeper water within and near that pocket. In all cases, where there is food, you will find the fish. All
of this information will give you starting points for your practice days.

If you are fortunate enough to know someone who fishes the tournament waters, talk to them during the
times and in manner that is legal for the circuit you are fishing. Local knowledge can frequently be tied
to “community holes”, but even those frequently fished and known waters give you are starting point and a
place or places to catch some fish and get a little confidence.

Based upon all of this research, an angler can now focus on the selected sections of the lake beginning
your quest for finding fish. Once you find some fish, can you find other areas of the lake similar where
you can also catch fish? If so, you now have the start of a pattern. I say a start because every day
is different and you have to adjust as conditions change. Now that you have found some fish, what are
62 Lady Bass Anglers Association Tournament Preparation and Patterns