The 2014 Campaign
In 2014 I am entering my 5th year of tournament fishing with MRA and my 57th year on the planet. I still consider myself a newcomer to competitive fishing, with an enormous amount to learn. Happily, my son Max and I will again be fishing as an MRA team. I think the most I have to offer to this web site, is to share the experience of working to achieve success while fishing in competition with the most experienced and talented reservoir anglers. I would also like to offer this 1st blog regarding our 2014 campaign as an invitation to others to join the fun. MRA provides a rich and friendly environment in which to experience and learn the art of competitive angling. I am happy to have made many new friends in this group.
In planning for 2014, countless thoughts regarding preparation have been careening through my mind. What changes do we need to make in order to achieve success? Better boat? New motor? Tackle? Techniques? … The list seems endless. After much daydreaming, the plan to improve performance in 2014, is basic. 1) More time on the water. Our boat is going to stay wet this year. This is something we have not done adequately in the past. 2) Better electronics. There is no need to have a faster boat when we don’t know where to go. The old depth finder is going to the dump, replaced by a new HDSI box. 3) Greater flexibility. In the past 4 years, my greatest tournament regrets relate to not changing the plan to adapt to the changing attitudes of the fish. I am setting myself up for some embarrassment, but I plan to report on our successes and failures this year. Stay tuned for the good the bad and the ugly.
I hope to hear from some of you who are considering getting into tournament fishing on our reservoirs. It's easy to get started and you won't regret it!
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Walt. Great idea on your "
Walt. Great idea on your " campaign". I'm happy you and Max are fishing again as a team, I have a lot of great memories of tournament fishing with my dad! As far as your changes for 2014, more time on the water is the best one. I think it helps for the tournaments as well as easing stress from the work week. Good luck on the upcoming season I hope it's more good than bad or ugly. See you on the water.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Thanks for your thoughts, Walt. I have to tell you that you/Max are a great addition to MRA. Whenever I am on the water it is a pleasure to pull up to you and chat. Many times we have picked each others brains for why the fish are not cooperating with us. I too have given 2014 a lot of thought and I have some pretty big changes coming in the way I want to fish this year tournament-wise. I must admit last year was somewhat of a struggle for me mentally. I picked up a new partner who was very new to our reservoirs. He will admit that we fish the toughest waters around with little or no current, relatively clear water, virtually no structure and non-tidal to really move the fish. My partner, Ian, adjusted very well as the year went on and he can really put some BIG fish in the boat. Winning lunker 3 times in just 2 years of our tourneys-WW included. We added SI/DI units on the boat which really really helped. I got pretty good with these units but after doing some research recently and some conversations with knowledgeable electronics guys I have to force myself to slow down in an attempt to get my moneys worth with these units. I am so looking forward to MRA 2014. With the new job I won't be getting as much water time but 2013 was my breakthrough year in understanding how these reservoirs fish. Will I win every tourney, of course not. My goal is to just be able to compete consistently. Consistently being the key word. Ian and I have been chatting quite a bit lately about the upcoming year and we are excited. We have some new lures to try out while practicing and it is exciting, I can't wait. C'mon March 1st- .........!!!!
Good to hear from both of you
Good to hear from both of you.
I have enjoyed our on-water chats, as well. I value the growing friendships with you and other club members. It is a great group.
It is truly gift to be able to fish these tournaments with Max. I never laugh so hard, or enjoy fishing as much, as when I am on the water with him. Which is not to say that there haven't been times when each of us wants to throw the other out of the boat.
Much respect Walt on your
Much respect Walt on your campaign.....the best tip I can give you is definitely get on the water more. I cant think of one day out of the 180 plus I usually fish that I didn't have a "light bulb" moment of some kind.....bait, speed, color.....new discovery with electronics. Not to mention you will increase your odds of running into one of your competitor's honey holes.
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