| Author | Message | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 3554 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
I recalled how stressed I was that entire afternoon and many days afterwards following weighing in a big fat "0" last month in Media. I told myself that I had to get over it, blah, blah, blah.... Well, the last JC Outdoors tournament my daughter and I fished together I woke up 1:20 minutes late and we were really behind. On the way to the lake I told my daughter, "We are already late and there is nothing we can do to change it so let's just go fishing and have a good time." I never got stressed about it afterwards and we ended up having a great day on the lake together and caught a lot of fish. We did not end up with a check but finished 12th I believe. FFWD to last weekned and I fished by myself in the Media because Ozzie was very sick. We lost power at the house in the middle of the night so it took me at least a half hour longer to get the boat out of the garage and all the other things so now I was running a little behind my preferred schedule. On the way to the lake that morning I told myself again that I can't change what has already transpired so I was just going fishing and to have a good time. Sure enough, I had one of the best days on the lake that I have had in a long time. I caught fish from start to finish and although I knew I needed to cull one more fish to get a check I never stressed about it and just accepted what was dealt. The conclusion I am drawing here is that I have been getting too hyped up in the competition and letting it effect my day on the water. Going into these last 2 events without the stress and pressure seems to have enabled me to focus better on the task at hand -- catching fish. Every time I moved from one spot to another I caught fish and I never questioned my decisions. Sure, I am dissapointed that I missed the cut by .1 pounds on Saturday. But I really feel like my focus is returning and it is just a matter of time before I am back in the money. I was talking to one of my friends who is also a strong competitor in tournaments and he was telling me how worried he was about the next event and all. I started telling him not to stress, blah, blah, blah. Then I realized that every time he tells me before a tournament that he is worried he always comes in with a great sack of fish and gets a check. I think he performs better on tournament day with the opposite mental state than the one that seems to be working for me. What have you found to be your best mental state coming into tournament day?  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Nyyankee
Crappie Username: Nyyankee Post Number: 305 Registered: 8-2008 Rating: N/A |
My mental state is sober retardation. Last week got up late, lost a rod in the water, caught a fricken catfish, catfish stuck me, threw a fish in a storage box (not the live well) while I was scramblin to try to get the rod back, caught 10+ fish in the last 15 minutes and culled four times, then we smacked a stump hard as soon as we got on plane to get to weigh in - whew. Definitely decided that the fricken blood really screws up my alcohol system on tournament day - who came up that no booze rule anyhow whatta fag. | ||||||||||||
| Tomc
Crappie Username: Tomc Post Number: 454 Registered: 12-2006  Rating: N/A |
Never try to over think things, just go fish. If the first several spots don’t work out, I expect the next one will. I accept the fact that there are days that I just suck, period. I don’t try to analyze why, I just move on and prepare for the next competition. The only tourney I was late for this year we never got in a rush after I showed up late. Just laughed it off and leisurely got on the water. We cashed after pulling the last cull at 2:55. Thanking the Lord, all day long --- tomc | ||||||||||||
| Ozziefish
Lunker Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 1243 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Well put Tom...100% with ya on that!! I always have a plan or an idea but the fish always change that for me  Outside of this year I run and gun until it starts to work then I'll slow down but not until I have something to slow down for or unless I just get plain old wore out and just except the fact that it’s one of those days... Normally after the last cast is reeled in is when I say I got by butt whooped let’s go home... I've fished too many tournaments where money was won in the last hour if not last 15 mins… I know its not what a lot of folks like to do but it works for me. You should see me at Cedar Creek its controlled madness at it's best... LOVE IT OzzieFish "Glory to GOD in the Highest" www.visionlure.com www.doublezzcustomlures.com | ||||||||||||
| Redskeeter
Moderator Username: Redskeeter Post Number: 574 Registered: 8-2007  Rating: N/A |
LMAO... PQ. I take my left shoe on and off 4-times before leaving the house. Zip and unzip my britches seventeen times while biting on my lower lip. Then as a final act of positive reinforcement for complete and total focus on the day ahead, I pour hot coffee on both hands as I put a death grip on a donut. That's what I do guyz, works sometimes, sometimes not. ***Disclaimer: KBD is not responsible for scorched fingers and appendages caught in zippers.*** KBD Fishing | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Crappie Username: Zeeter Post Number: 440 Registered: 3-2007  Rating: N/A |
I just talk to Sinkey before every tourney.....that usually makes me feel good about myself and also know I aint gonna be the one in in last place hahahahahahaha Don't think it works just try it next time...... Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes http://www.vicious-fishing.com http://www.sundogeyewear.com http://www.grandebass.com Skeeter Boats / Yamaha Outboards | ||||||||||||
| Ozziefish
Lunker Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 1244 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Zeeter, Whats his number ;) It must be true I've seen what you can do out there!! OzzieFish "Glory to GOD in the Highest" www.visionlure.com www.doublezzcustomlures.com | ||||||||||||
| Sinkey
Bluegill Username: Sinkey Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2008  Rating: N/A |
My mental state is pretty easy. It consist of me sitting in the boat going, "How many beers did I drink last night? Why did I eat those nachos? Who is this sitting next to me?" Hahahahahaha! Mr. AKA "Make it rain on them hos" Chris Sinkey.com Lake Fork Fishing Reports | ||||||||||||
| Zeeter
Crappie Username: Zeeter Post Number: 441 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
yeah or wait is it Mr. AKA can't take a shot and act like a PU$$ the rest of the whole night.....hahahahaha ahahhaah ahahahah Like a little school girl......somebody slipped something in my drink.......hahahahhhhahahah ahahahahhaha hhahahahahah Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes http://www.vicious-fishing.com http://www.sundogeyewear.com http://www.grandebass.com Skeeter Boats / Yamaha Outboards | ||||||||||||
| Sinkey
Bluegill Username: Sinkey Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2008 Rating: N/A |
Hey, nobody asked for your input on this! If I wanted to hear you speak, I'd pull your leash, make you sit, and hold a treat in front of your face! Hahahahahaha! Chris Sinkey.com Lake Fork Fishing Reports | ||||||||||||
| J_c_outdoors
Minnow Username: J_c_outdoors Post Number: 26 Registered: 3-2009 Rating: N/A |
I think one of the most important thing is to focus on your abilities and not get distracted by someone else catching fish in the hole you were going to fish or get twisted off when someone cuts you off. Control the controlable things in your day and don't get stressed over the things you can't control. If you have done your best that day and come up short go congratulate the winners for their success on that given day. Don't over analyze the day and beat yourself up, focus on the next event. | ||||||||||||
| Ozziefish
Lunker Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 1245 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Mike, you are a very good fisherman and you have a record to show for it...I think a little bit of stress or nerves is good but too much is not. You're in control of what you do the bass are in control of what they do. Just go fish and don't get to caught up on one thing (we all do)...good thing will come...Too much infromation from others also is a killer...Others people fish rarely works for me! What the heck do I know it been awhile since I've seen a check ;) OzzieFish "Glory to GOD in the Highest" www.visionlure.com www.doublezzcustomlures.com | ||||||||||||
| Tomc
Crappie Username: Tomc Post Number: 455 Registered: 12-2006 Rating: N/A |
I could care less what anybody else is doing or where they are fishing. Doc talk does nothing but play with your mind and take away from your game. I like finding my own fish and water and making a game plan. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it don’t and I can live with that. (Message edited by tomc on May 14, 2009) Thanking the Lord, all day long --- tomc | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 3557 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
I guess the point I was making about myself is that I have been putting too much pressure on myself and since I started going into the tournament with the attitude of "just going fishing" I have been enjoying my day one the water more and seem to be making better decisions. I learned many years ago to ignore "doc talk". Too many competitors will lie to you straight up, including those who are friends. Competition brings out the best and the worst in people. Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Tomc
Crappie Username: Tomc Post Number: 456 Registered: 12-2006 Rating: N/A |
We realize what your point was Michael. What you are receiving is some constructive feedback. Take it easy on yourself and just go get on them. Thanking the Lord, all day long --- tomc | ||||||||||||
| Ozziefish
Lunker Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 1248 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey, I put two pieces of Bologna in each shoe and I feel funny all day... OzzieFish "Glory to GOD in the Highest" www.visionlure.com www.doublezzcustomlures.com |
