Pros vs Joes

[Grandslam11]

I fished in a club tournament Sat on the Chick. We had been watching the FLW weigh ins and felt good going into to it. I think out of 15 boats(30ish anglers), one person caught a limit. All we read about was how many fish were being caught and big ones at that. It always blows my mind how these guys can travel across the southeast and consistently catch bags of fish. I would LOVE to have the knowledge of these guys. I am pretty old school and beat the banks mostly. I know electronics play an important part of finding offshore structure but what else allows these guys to do it? I'm sure being on the water a lot helps but I think some of the FLW guys probably have other jobs other than fishing to help pay bills.

 

[WTM]

because they know their quarry, the different seasonal patterns they go through and the food chain on a particular lake. a pro can eliminate 80% of water before they hit the water just by studying a topo map. they study local fishing reports and i knew one pro that fished in some local tournaments 6 months before an FLW event just to learn a certain section of a lake. electronics are great but back in the early 80's Rick Klunn, Hank Parker and a couple of others were catching 70-80 pound bags using nothing more than a depth sounder and paper maps. some of the young guys have an upper hand because of the high school and college fishing opportunities. then the top pros have just plain talent and feel that most others havent developed.

there are some great amateur club anglers but a lot fish the same community holes, the same ledges, etc. and never try anything different much less how bass move and react to water temps, water levels and seasonal transitions from deep to shallow and vice versa.

 

[Rackseeker]

Electronics is a major key, they also have people helping them find fish and eliminating water.

 

[jard]

I also know for a fact that a lot of the pros have "inside" guys like guides that they have run them around the lake and show them the areas to focus on. However, their knowledge is unreal and they prefish a ton. Not only the week before, but sometimes several times a year just to familiarize with the waters.

 

[WTM]

I also know for a fact that a lot of the pros have "inside" guys like guides that they have run them around the lake and show them the areas to focus on. However, their knowledge is unreal and they prefish a ton. Not only the week before, but sometimes several times a year just to familiarize with the waters.

several are guides themselves on their home waters.

 

[fairchaser]

Nothing really beats local first hand knowledge of an area. I've often wondered how well some of these celebrity hunters would do on Ames plantation without inside help. Hunt a week during the rut with nothing but a map. I've noticed that most will use the help of a guide in unfamiliar areas. Even if you eliminate 80% of the unproductive water, you still have to figure out the remaining 20% in a short time. Prior knowledge or local assistance is critical to success. Their fishing knowledge will then help them catch fish.

 

[Spurhunter]

I know all about the local help they get. And I don't care. These guys are incredible. You give the average bass fisherman 2 months on a lake and they won't catch 4 bags like the top pros weigh in on 4 consecutive days. I've seen guys that dominate the local tournaments step up to FLW just to be sent back home checkless. I will say no name guys won't get the local help the celebrities get. I remember when FLW came to Memphis. There were guys lining up to show them hidden secret honey holes on the MS River.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[WTM]

i like Thrift's approach: what type of primary forage, what baits do locals use, whats the history of the lake, and what areas historically produce, THEN DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

 

[Grandslam11]

How do they get the local knowledge so fast though? Every fisherman I know LIES about every fish caught lol. I guess its like pros of any sport, they are just better. I admit that outside of beating banks, I am not a good bass fisherman. The two times I have been on guided trips, we have not even fished a spot where I could cast to a bank. I have ALOT to learn.

 

[Spurhunter]

How do they get the local knowledge so fast though?

Most people these days are star struck. If they can spend 10 minutes with a "celebrity" like KVD they'll tell everything they know. It happened in Memphis. Secret holes a half dozen people knew about were shown to pros. That had spectator boats following them. Now all those secret holes are public knowledge because one guy wanted to rub elbows with a pro.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Rackseeker]

I have ran into several pros on Guntersville over the years. Most of them were butt holes. But one day I was fishing a ditch back in a creek and Randy Howell pulled up and ask if I minded him fishing the ditch. We talked for several minutes while fishing. Seemed like a real stand up fella. This was before his classic win.

 

[Spurhunter]

I have ran into several pros on Guntersville over the years. Most of them were butt holes. But one day I was fishing a ditch back in a creek and Randy Howell pulled up and ask if I minded him fishing the ditch. We talked for several minutes while fishing. Seemed like a real stand up fella. This was before his classic win.

I've met Randy a couple times. Always thought he was genuine. Good Christian fellow too.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[TDW05]

Time on the water and confidence. Plus having a 55" flat screen tv at the console and bow of your boat helps too I guess! :rotf: