Decisions, decisions, decisions … something both coaches and tournament
anglers have in common. A baseball coach must decide when to make a pitching
change. If he waits too long, the opponent will take advantage and push runs
across the plate. For a football coach, calling the right play at the right
time can be the difference between winning or losing.

Tournament bass anglers must make the right decision all the time or
they’ll get to watch someone else walk across the stage collecting the check
that was could’ve been theirs. For anglers, it’s about being in the right
place at the right time. Timing in bass fishing is everything and it’s
important that the angler plan out his day and try to be in the right
location approximately at the same time he might have caught them the day
before, give or take an hour.

Some anglers keep a log of every practice day and make notes on when,
where, and how they caught fish. Some anglers use what is called an iSolunar
Chart which is a predictor of daily wild game activity. This chart is based
off the position of the moon and its location in the sky. For example, when
the moon is underfoot or overhead, game activity is supposed to be at its
peak. I’m a firm believer in this chart and it has proven itself to be
fairly accurate over my many years of fishing and hunting.

Now don’t misunderstand, it’s not an exact science — but it is based off
science. The way I attempt to use this chart is to make sure I’m in one of
the better areas I found in practice during the predicted peak time the
chart says. The problem with using this type of logic, or science, is that
if you don’t catch them during this so-called peak period predicted, it can
cause you to spin out or lose confidence, which is something all anglers try
to avoid.

For tournament bass fishermen, confidence is very important. You must
believe in and try to execute whatever game plan you’ve put together.
Whether he or she believes in moon charts or horoscopes, an angler’s mental
state of mind is crucial for success. But the one constant that great
anglers tend to have is the ability to adjust their game plan depending on
changing conditions that Mother Nature presents.

In bass fishing, every day is a new day and how you caught them in practice
may not be how you catch them on tournament day. Bass fishing is a
constantly evolving game depending on the conditions. No two days are hardly
ever the same, except during the summer months when the weather tends to be
stable with less fronts coming through.

Once again, tournament fishing is all about making the right decision at
the right time. Like a poker game, you must know when to hold them or when
to fold them.

‘Til next time good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to apply your
sunscreen. Melanoma is the number one killer of all types of cancers. Don’t
take any chances, wear good UV protective clothing, and use sunscreen.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com