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Location: Darboy USA | Here's a question I'd like to throw out there to spark some discussion. How much do you think confidence, or even slight arrogance plays into being a successful tournament fisherman?
Just looking at the World Rankings it kind of interesting that the higher ranked people either do well on a certain lake when tournaments are there, or they string together a couple top 10 finishes, etc. I think confidence has to be a large factor in their finish? Am I wrong?
I think all fishermen have confidence in certain baits or techniques so I would think if a fisherman has a slight arrogance they are probably better than most the competition? This isn't always the case, and I'm certainly not saying that you have to be a jerk to be a good fisherman, I know plenty of good guys that do EXTREMELY well in tournaments, but what do you think?
Is confidence as important as that favorite lake and favorite crankbait? |
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Location: LaCrosse, WI | Confidence is probably one of the biggest aspects of being a touring angler. Being able to do something and truly feel that you are doing the right thing at the right time is huge. If you're second guessing yourself, you're not concentrating on fishing. If you're second guessing yourself and wondering what to do next, you're not giving what you're doing now a fair shot.
Many anglers are more confident on certain types of water or at certain times of year. I think the true greats are confident in their ability to adapt regardless of where they are and when they are there. Look at some of the all time greats and all time money winners; most have something that sets them apart, something their confident in.
Doc Sampson for instance is extremely confident in his understanding and knowledge of electronics and mapping. I would say that's worked out nicely for him. Pete Harsh is confident in his boat control and adaptability (he's certainly done well for himself too). Now you're starting to see young guns come in with confidence in other areas.
For some, success brings confidence and for others confidence is all they have. In my opinion, the anglers out there who absolutely must have the most confidence in their minds and abilities are the Iron Men. To compete as many times at the level that these guys do is almost hard to believe. Factor in how well a lot of these anglers do in these circuits and you will see where confidence comes to in to play.
Remember, there is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. The gentlemen I mentioned above are far from arrogant, and that's what makes their success even more enjoyable. Stay down to Earth but believe in yourself, and you may go far. |
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Location: Stevens Point, WI | Great post Rookie, but I would also add in that most of these guys couldn't do it without a network. And what I mean by that is having other guys or friends that these pros work with to find that right program that will win a tournament. Don't get me wrong, not all guys have people or teams they work with but I know it's not an easy thing to win a tournament on the PWT or FLW without a solid team or group of guys that you can work together with to break down a system to find the right fish.
The other two things I think that also comes into play is having experience and being versatile. The more time on the water the better your decision making will be when situations arise that you can compare notes from the past.
What I mean by being versatile is the willingness to try new things, I can remember pre-fishing a tournament with Mike Gofron a couple years ago and one of the things he told me was he has always wanted to win a Great Lakes Tournament. For those of you that don't know Mike, he's considered a live bait/rigger type guy. Well most great lake tournaments are almost always a trolling bite, but being versatile and trying to learn new things and improve those skills has definitely helped him in other tournaments where it's a trolling bite. Because if you look at those Iron Men for example, all those guys are extremely versatile, being able to have an open mind to try new things.
Edited by Merckid 12/9/2006 1:56 AM
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | wow, lots of guys who fish tourneys come here and no posts.
Confidence, well, you need that even for a weekender. If you think you are going to get skunked, well, you probably will. I THINK I am going to catch a limit every time I am on the water.
Slight arrogance? Don't get arrogance confused with focus, confidence, focus.... do you know what I mean? Most guys get in a zone, and when asked questions, they will not allow them selfs to step out of the zone to be nice. They are at work. Then you hear the comments that he walked right by, said nothing and he is a arrogant p....!
So, to sum it up, Positive thoughts go a long way!! |
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| Confidence is important, but you also have to relax a bit. The first tournament I fished in, I noticed a lot of fired-up fishermen getting ready to go out in the morning and this can take away from your fishing(unless this is how you fish all the time). Also, I noticed by the end of the day, most where just going through the motions of fishing, relaxed too much. Tournament fish like you pre-fish. If you have done your homework, confidence is usually not a problem. |
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| its also as i noticed and most of you have that tourney fished
it is that there are clicks, other anglers sharing info, driving by out on the water asking how many, and if they are hitting them fishing right next to them, its not just team fishing but its who hangs and who is friends with who, that gets the advantage. Its suppose to be a individual sport not team nor how popular your name is |
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Location: Chicago IL. | #1 Confidence plays a major roll in my tournament fishing. If I lose confidence on a spot we move right away, because it means we wont pay attention to details.
#2 Clicks or no clicks, you still have to put fish in the boat.
#3 I fish tournaments for FUN not a living. When it stops being fun,I will stop.
#4 Luck still plays a major roll in any fishing.
#5 When things start to get to the meltdown stage when everything is going wrong.( we all have it) I stop fishing for 5 minutes and grab a sandwich, clear your mind and think about what your doing and adjust. You will be surprised on how well it works.
Edited by john mannerino 12/10/2006 7:06 AM
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | I think confidence, or a little arrogance is extremely important at being a successful tournament fisherman. I need the confidence that I can go into an area where there are other tournament fishermen and catch more and bigger fish than them. Isn't this why I started tournament fishing in the first place? At least for me, I started doing tournaments because I knew that I was better than most. Doesn't this sound cocky or a little arrogant? But why would you do tournaments if you didn't have this type of faith in your ability?
The opposite can be true also. Here's a little story for ya' that I'm not all that proud of and I have never shared before. It was my first PWT tournament and it was the first day. I was focused, ready and anxious to show the world how great I was. I was jigging a river section with many other fishermen. I looked ahead of the boat and saw Tommy Skarlis and John Kolinski. I looked behind the boat and saw Pete Harsh. For some reason, the first thought that entered my mind was “what the hell are you doing fishing with these great fishermen?” I broke into a cold sweat, I lost all focus, I fell off the critical breakline. Hell, I wrapped my line around the trolling motor. This all took place in a matter of 2-3 minutes. I ended up pulling out of there and moving to a different spot just so I could regain my composure and get refocused. They call this the rookie mistake or the rookie curse. Lucky for me this has only happened that one time. Now I want those same people around me so that I can show them that I’m as good as them, no actually I want to show them that I am better than they are at fishing. Again, doesn’t this sound just a little arrogant? IMHO you have to be in this mindset or you are lost.
As mentioned earlier, you also need to be in a zone. An example would be jig fishing the rocks on Bago. I imagine and can see a fish in my mind following my jig on EVERY cast. You'd be surprised at how many fish I have caught during a tournament because I set the hook when it just felt "different".
I stay focused as to the exact placement of my cast so that I can repeat it if I catch or miss something. I use my rod and PowerPro line to feel for anything different that could possible hold a fish or two. I'm confident that if there is a fish in the area I will find it and catch it. If I'm fan casting an area, I believe that I could draw you a pretty accurate map of the area when I am done. How's that for confidence?
An edited comment:
It appears that John Mannerino and I were writing a response at the exact same time. I agree with everything that John said. We are actually saying the samething but John was able to say it with fewer words.. 
Edited by Sunshine 12/10/2006 7:21 AM
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Location: Orland Park, IL | Well said mannerino. Homework is key, as is having another solid stick in the boat. Helps to raise the bar. |
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Location: upper michigan | As far as I am concerned confidence is a must in tournament fishing if you dont have it you might as well just sit in the middle of no where and take a nap. First off you need to have confidence in your ability to catch fish. Secondly you need confidence in the spots that you choose to fish. Third you need confidence in the baits you choose to use. Fourth you need confidence that you boat and other equipment will get you safley to the fish and back again. Fifth in you are fishing a team tournament you need confidence in your partner. If everything falls in place and you have confidence in what you are doing good things will happen. Also being a little cocky can help intimidate the guys you are fishing against. |
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| relax a bit ... works too. in the past i have been known to fish 13 or 14 tournaments a year . last year i fished 3 small local events. i have fished very hard in the past . i believe you must turn your fishing volume to 11 when the fish till you its time to go. but last year i had a great time in all three. due to the age of my children and the limmited time work scedual and the such . i need to slow down a bit . but i have learned that it can be done. all 3 were on my local water. winnabago. the first was a benifit tourny for a lost fellow angler. a small tavern typ tourny with a 10 fish limit. 6 am till noon 15 inch limit . there was a good bite but 15 inch fish were hard to come by./ i took my wife along as my partner. she supports my fishing and wanted to know what its all about. the bite was shallow and rocky. and i was not going to run boards as it would have been way to much work. we anchored and watched the parade of tournament boats go by all morning . the nets were flying. second guessing my decision to sit on my little rock pile and weed threw fish pithcing jiggs we caught a fish every 15 min or so but maybe one an hour was leagal. and with about 15 min left we packed it up. with 7 fish. she could sence that i wasnt very confident in our catch but we had supper ,it was a good cause and we did have a nice day and good food waiting for us. . no stress not a big payout anyway. got to the scale ended up 2nd place one fish or a quarter lb. out of first place. guess i should have made one of those 14and 7/8 inch fish work and no one remembers second place. could have made 10 more casts before we went in also but i dint want to give her a bumpy hell ride back to the scale. all is good she was a great partner and kept every sheephead off my jig all day. the smile on her face at the scale when they boys were oooing over her basket of walleyes, was as big as an mwc win to me.. eccept for the cash part of it. turned out to be a tuff day for the other 40 boats and we had about 15 teams just drilling her for information at the awards lunch after . it was great. were you crankin? spinnerin? throwin meat? oh ya all that stuff she said. a check was given to her t-shirt and an inflatable raft for the pool. now i just have to teach her to set the hook . ill bet 3 walleyes would pick up her jig and spit it before finaly a sheep head would impale itself on her hook . terrible thing to sit in the boat and keep your mouth shut but i wasnt going snap . by the end of the day i did have her baiting her jig and removing her fish also taught her to tie a jig on with about 2 hours of fishin left that freed me up to get some fish in the boat. . on another note the other two turnys were about 60 boats and 130 boats . no pre fishing on any and another to top ten finishes but non stressfull days. one with my son. and one withan old freind. wished i could have fished more but maybe this year . sometimes the sleepless night before and the 3 days on the water. before can take you way off your game .. i have a couple of friends bago rats that have more top 5s and wins on bago than anyone and never ever pre fish the day before. granted home water ., but they are always relaxed well rested boat is prepared and come tourny morning ar ready to fish hard all day. works for them . best of luck in o7 pwt flw mwc merc otter mws what ever bobs bar and grill . enjoy the water and be safe. see you a little more often again in a few years. until then ill throw my cash in the hat a few times this year again and remember an arms length at the pub for a 20 dollar bill gets you a shot to win and goes a long way for the local club and benifit. oh put a few jig eye busters on your chrismass list and mybe a marker boy . an off shore planer bord for a spare in the boat and a colapsable net for a spare that you can tuck away so when your partner lets your beckman for frabil slide off the rear splash pan into the water you have a back up. ad hook sharpener and some slippery bobbers you got everything you need . |
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Location: Darboy USA | Good responses guys. Thanks for the insight and opinions. I agree, definitely not worth getting into the tournament scene if you don't have the inner confidence that you are the best guy on the water and can beat everybody else out there with your techniques and spots.
Do you think that is what sets the very successful anglers apart from the rest, or are they just more versatile, have better fisherman networks, lucky?
We all know guys that just do better in the crunch than others and is it all luck or is there some other attributes that make these guys better? Just like a great athlete who rises to the occasion when the biggest game of the year comes along, do these guys just turn it up a notch?
Seems like some guys just know how to fail as well and are almost scared to win or finish high, almost like they jinx themselves. |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Two observations that I think answers your questions.
I believe that I see some competing who play to not loose instead of playing to win. Sometimes the championship format causes this to happen. If I believe that it is in my best interest to make the championship (sponsor contract driven) I may play it safe in individual tournaments.
Second scenario can be summed up in one word. Versatility. The people I see who are constantly in the top 20 are great at being versatile on the water. If option A and option B doesn't work for me, now what do I do? Those who do not panic and are able to read the signs or roll with the punches do best.
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Location: Jackson, Wisconsin 53037 | Dennis,
Don't feel bad on your rookie mistake, as you know that wsa my first pwt also, I was the same way. My first spot, one of the biggest names in walleye fishing was not too far away, instead of fishing the area, I moved on to another area. I did that most of the tournament, all three days. Huge rookie mistake.
Next tournament, I was still alittle nervous, but when that previous big name came to the area I was fishing. I stood my ground and he left. But I still made a ton of rookie mistakes.
Mobridge, I talked with Dennis alot on the phone during that tournament. You want to talk about confidence. I had it, I was on fish, the only one in the area, and if I would have brought one of the 5 large fishe that we lost into the boat, I would have cashed my first pro check. Funny thing, some of the big names that finished below me at mobridge, towards the end of day two and three, I had company. I'm not saying they were following me, but I stuck my ground and followed my trolling pass, and they got out of my way.
Confidence plays a big part in it. It's not being cocky or arrogant, it's called being confident. Now don't get me wrong, there are those that are cocky.
Dennis, gave me some great advice. After the first two tourneys, I was wondering if I belonged out there. His advice was great. I used to play alittle baseball (minor leagues) then alot of softball around the country. when I walked on the diamond, I new I was one of the best. I wasn't cocky, I was confident.
That was the approach I took at Mobridge, it was my best finish, I didn't cash a check, but that was my fault for mistakes I should have known better on what not to do.
If you could ask Dennis, I was never so confident in my first two tourneys, this one i was.
It does make a difference when your first time out there you are by Skarlis, Parsons, Kavajcez, harsh. You do think to yourself, what the heck am I doing out here.
I don't think that now. Ican't wait for the upcoming year. I won't be intimidated, I will know I belong there, and can compete with them .
So to make a long story short, confidence plays a big part in it.
Dennis, you never told me that story, I can see why.
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Also, there seems to be a statement "Fishermans networks" That keeps coming up. Mr. Darboy, I would like to ask you a question. You asked "what sets the very most successful anglers apart from the rest, if they are more versatile fisherman or just better networks? or lucky?"
Please explain network the way you see it. |
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Location: Darboy USA | When I refer to "fisherman networks" in my eyes these are the groups, or cliques as a couple others called them that fish together and share info.
We all know there are groups of 2-5 anglers that prefish with each other, share info during prefishing, after weigh ins, etc. I'm sure nobody is naive enough to think that it doesn't happen, so I'm wondering is it the guys with the "best cliques" that win sometimes?
Not to say that these people aren't great sticks, but sometimes I'm sure if one guy in the group is in contention for the win I bet his buddies who are in 43rd place going into day 3 are going to let him in on what they are experiencing, hearing, seeing, etc.
How much of that determines a top 10 finish do you think?
Thanks for all the postings on this subject, great to see different ideas and thoughts out there, and also the "horror stories" of fishing against the best in the biz. |
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| There is no question that in some, maybe even most, large tournaments a "team" can make a difference. Then again, sometimes "luck" plays a big part... But, for the long haul, over several events, years, a good team of very confident, successful anglers, will make a big difference. |
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | While there is no doubt there are groups of anglers working together, sharing info and such, the network can have many diversities to it in which determines final standings. That is in its self is another whole seminar topic.
Most of the tournaments, at any level, are on waters that have been visited many times by yearly touring pro's. This is the part that any newby to the circuits must understand. A individual angler who has fished any given body of water, at the same time frame, every year, has a good understanding of the fishes movements at that time of the year. Since every body of water has its own set of rules this becomes very important.
The posse may be the winningest group of anglers in the last few years. There are others very close as well. What each group has going for it, is they all have veterans in there ranks that have been on that body of water, in the same time frame, that know where the winning weights came from as well as the program that was used. They also know locals from lower circuits who fish the same waters regularly all year long. This helps to paint the complete picture.
You said, "so, I am wondering is it the guys with the best cliques that win sometimes?" With out a doubt it is. However, As far as how much it helps each individual angler? I think that would be for each individual to answer themselves. I myself like pre- pre- fishing info. Getting as much as possible about each body of water before i get there. But once on the water, I enjoy using what I have learned over the years and the new things the fish teach me to put together a plan. Remember though, even the big dogs may ask you to throw them a "Bone" Every now and again. That is when networking can get interesting.
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Location: Jackson, Wisconsin 53037 | It makes a huge difference if you are part of a team or doing it by yourself. I'll give you an example. At the PWT in Mobridge, we could fish 70 miles of water. you have a team of , we'll say 4 guys, that is about 17 miles of water each individual has to cover. Now I was by myself, I had to cover 70 miles of water, you don't think that makes a difference?
Now i did do my homework over the winter, and was able to eliminate a ton of water. I also posted on a walleye site over there, and was able to find a knowledgeable angler to go pre-fishing with me one day. Now with all my homework alittle help, I lost 4 fish over 4 lbs, I bring in three of those, and I had a top 5 finish.
it can be done, doing it by yourself, but it is very difficult. The teams do have an advantage. |
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| As long as you believe teams have an advantage, you will have that mental block which will affect your confidence.
That IS how confidence works. |
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Thanks for the story Eric, you solidified exactly what I was saying. Just to have put yourself in the position to have had the good fish on your baits is a kudo's to you. Bringing them in the boat is what really seperates the winners from the rest.
I agree with jayman. |
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Location: Stevens Point, WI | Guys,
Confidence is huge I agree. But look at the PWT championship, a lot of those guys were running 50+ miles to get to there spot and 50+ miles back. When you have a network to work with and to hopefully put together somewhat of a decent trail for a couple days of fishing that's where a network can really help. Like Eric said, Mobridge you could fish about 70 miles of river, break that up four ways thats a little over 17miles each person has to fish and to break down a trail to run that far. Like I said, a confidence is key but having that network goes further beyond than just sharing fishing info, it comes down to being able to help navigate a system like the mighty Missouri River with those ever changing sand bars. |
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| 70 miles...17 miles...7 miles....70 yards.....7 feet.....Does it really matter? Seriously, think hard about it for a second. If you do not believe you can outfish the competition\teamwork\network\cheaters\etc...etc...etc...You have a mental block. It's that simple.
I've spent a fair amount of time thinking about this very subject and discussing with a few of my closest friends. I'd rather not divulge any more info....I want you and the competition doubting yourselfs. It makes it that much easier to outfish ya.  ooops that sounded arrogant.
Positive energy! |
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| Jayman is right, You can't let the teamwork/networks/cheaters/locals get in your head. If you do, it can be a losing battle. Never worry about what others teams are doing, just worry about yourself. Remember, sometimes being a local or working in a network can put you at a slight disadvantage. You might know too much and have too many spots where you caught fish. If the bite turns tough, you start to run and gun, which can sometimes take you out of it.
I admit, having a good network does work to your advantage most of the time. While I don't really agree with the network idea, I accept that it is something that does have to be done if you want to be a professional fisherman and make it in the business. I grew up watching my Dad win many tournaments, big and small, without the help of a network. He and his fishing partner did it on their own. I admired that.
Yes, confidence is very important in tournament fishing. Being cocky can be a good thing, but be carefull you don't cross that line. You never know when you might be in trouble or need someones help. Some people do tend to follow that rule of "What goes around, comes around".
Mark |
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Location: Stevens Point, WI | I totally agree with both you, all I'm saying is usually having that network more than often plays in more than not. And again, I also think condience is the biggest factor in placing in a tournament. But a lot of times or a majority of times placing in tournaments without that network just wouldn't happen! |
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