Mendo tuesday eve

What can I say? Windy and no busts. Broke another fish off, dropshotting off Long Point. Caught several 2 lber's.
It's got to get better.

bsteves and I hit it Sunday evening and we saw no boils.  I landed one largemouth, but that was it.

InSeine

I can see why the bite might have been off today with the storm moving through and Sunday with the almost full moon Saturday. I am hoping things calm down for the weekend.

If the fish don't boil, they still need to eat.

Without boils, the savy angler will have to utilize different tricks...

I've got a plan, do you?  

MolBasser

Yep.  Trolling bait.  It produces way more fish than boils.

It's the fishing, not the catching! Sure, the boils are exciting, but even then I sometimes don't hook anything. That's okay.
I wish my fishfinder would come back from the shop so I wouldn't have to fish "blind."
I wonder what's going on in the mornings?
See you all soon.

It's the fishing, not the catching!

I'm sure a majority agrees with you...including myself  

It's the fishing, not the catching!

Not in a tournament!  In a tournament it is all about catching, and if you don't think so, great, one less angler to worry about...  

There are other days to whistfully gaze at the scenery and enjoy paddling.

On tourney day, if you are not focused completely on catching fish, you have already lost.


With word on the lack or dirth of boils, sonar is going to be CRITICAL.

If you read Sean's article (and use common sense) the fish are going to be keying on the bait.

If you can't see the bait getting smashed on the surface, you gotta go look for the bait with your "eyes" underwater.

I'm glad I have my eyes tuned up and ready to go.  Last time at Mendo I was fishing blind and very upset about it, though I still caught a fish.

MolBasser

IMO:

I've gotten skunked on so many derbys.....it doesn't bother me at all....as long as I know my entry fee is going to a good cause = just being out there with my comrads is reward enough. Catching the winning fish on a derby is just icing on the cake

Mooch,

I will come clean and say I have never won a tournament.  

But I have been pissed about it each time, and every tournament I have gotten better. Every single one, I have improved. (except SCC but that was because I got sick)

The one thing that I have learned about tournament fishing is focus.  Lose focus and you have lost the tournament.

It is very mentally draining to be constantly evaluating the conditions and altering your tactics to the situation, but it ALWAYS helps.

I can still have a good time and socialize but I am never happy without winning.

Winning is the object, it is a tournament after all.

I find it is very important to have a positive attitude going into a tournament.

I am going to win this tournament.  I'm saying it right now.  That is my attitude going into it.  I'm going to win.  I have a plan, I have a backup plan and I am flexible to come up with another plan.

It may be unrealistic, given that there will be anglers that have fished this lake many many more times than I have, but I need to have that positive energy.

You should too.  To successfully fish in tourneys you need to have a bold attitude and complete focus.

Take it as you will.....

MolBasser

I have a plan too...make sure the kegs not lonely! Its not the catching, its not the fishing...its the drinking!  I missed the last party, time to catch up.

I have a plan too...make sure the kegs not lonely! Its not the catching, its not the fishing...its the drinking!  I missed the last party, time to catch up.

 I'm with you brother.  Bring on the beer!  I am bringin some firewood too,  lets burn some stuff!

My plan is to catch fish(the big ones) and enjoy myself.  No ulcers here just looking forward to meeting the gang.
 
 Mike

lets burn some stuff!

[Beavis voice]Fire! Fire! Fire![/Beavis voice]

MolBasser

I'm not stressin' on the tournie either. Just looking forward to getting some advice on how to fish the lake for future trips!

In fact, I'm not keeping anything unless I'm sure it's a contender.

I'll try and get a bunch of pictures, too. I don't take my camera out in the Big Blue, but I'll tempt it on the lakes.