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California Delta Lesson Learned Again-
Last year I fished the FLW Delta tourney and finished 15th after being in the top-10 on the second day. I drew one of the best on day 3 "Bobby Barrack". I had been fishing a similiar bait to the pro for the 1st 2 days and not catching a limit but catching quality fish... and long story short I caught one fish behind the man... learning experince to say the least. I should have realized he would catch all the quality fish and I should change my strategy to catch some smaller pattern fish.
Taking what I learned last year I fished for smaller fish the entire tournament this year with a plan of catching 5 keepers a day. I figured I would have to weed through the rats but the keepers would come and a consistent limit would give me valuable points towards the FLW CUP and a top 20 finish atleast.
After day one I was in 43rd or so and had boated like 12 or so fish with 3 being keepers, then I climbed to 30th the second day with only boating 10 fish with only 3 keepers, but one was a 4lber... with me weighing 4.8lbs total the 1st day the kicker was much appreciated!!!
I was feeling pretty good and thought I had it figured out. When I found out who I had drawn for the 3rd day and I was comfortable even though he was another Myth, Man, Legend of the Delta named "Robert Lee". I was thinking that my plan was going well and I could possibly continue my finesse fishing pattern behind the professional flipper and get into the top 20 or even top 10 if I could have a 12-15lb day...I did catch a 7.8 in pre-fish so anything is possible.
Well, long story short not only did he catch all the big ones but the little ones too. He worked the cover inside out at a slow very precise pace... unbelievable to watch but completely heart breaking to experience. Once again I catch fish, just not keeper size and I weigh one fish on the final day...but seeming I was behind in the ball game I needed a limit to make a top 15 again and I was unable to execute.
I did lose a 4-5 lb cranking fish the 2nd day due to boat positioning and my pro not hearing me and broke off a 3-4 lber the 3rd day right under the boat on 6lb line... what are you gonna do? Fishing is fishing and light-line finesse on the Delta is just as much a gamble as trying to catch a few quality fish behind a vacuum!
LESSON LEARNED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year pre-fishing I will make more of an effort to focus on switching between the techniques of power and finesse for more quality bites. My issues this year were my own fault but man I learned more than you could imagine about the Delta over the last 2 years! I mean I've fished with Bobby Barrack, Charlie Weyer, Robert Lee, Ron Hobbs JR., Tony Leber, Joe Uribe, Tony Lane, Rick Correa, and Andy Schulz... that's only from 2 pre-fishes and 2 tourney's on one body of water... you would think I learned something right?
I want to thank all the Northwest Angler's who have befriended me, I had a awesome time camping and it made the trip whether I placed well or not! Thanks "RON HOBBS JUNIOR" for sharing your tent!
Taking what I learned last year I fished for smaller fish the entire tournament this year with a plan of catching 5 keepers a day. I figured I would have to weed through the rats but the keepers would come and a consistent limit would give me valuable points towards the FLW CUP and a top 20 finish atleast.
After day one I was in 43rd or so and had boated like 12 or so fish with 3 being keepers, then I climbed to 30th the second day with only boating 10 fish with only 3 keepers, but one was a 4lber... with me weighing 4.8lbs total the 1st day the kicker was much appreciated!!!
I was feeling pretty good and thought I had it figured out. When I found out who I had drawn for the 3rd day and I was comfortable even though he was another Myth, Man, Legend of the Delta named "Robert Lee". I was thinking that my plan was going well and I could possibly continue my finesse fishing pattern behind the professional flipper and get into the top 20 or even top 10 if I could have a 12-15lb day...I did catch a 7.8 in pre-fish so anything is possible.
Well, long story short not only did he catch all the big ones but the little ones too. He worked the cover inside out at a slow very precise pace... unbelievable to watch but completely heart breaking to experience. Once again I catch fish, just not keeper size and I weigh one fish on the final day...but seeming I was behind in the ball game I needed a limit to make a top 15 again and I was unable to execute.
I did lose a 4-5 lb cranking fish the 2nd day due to boat positioning and my pro not hearing me and broke off a 3-4 lber the 3rd day right under the boat on 6lb line... what are you gonna do? Fishing is fishing and light-line finesse on the Delta is just as much a gamble as trying to catch a few quality fish behind a vacuum!
LESSON LEARNED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year pre-fishing I will make more of an effort to focus on switching between the techniques of power and finesse for more quality bites. My issues this year were my own fault but man I learned more than you could imagine about the Delta over the last 2 years! I mean I've fished with Bobby Barrack, Charlie Weyer, Robert Lee, Ron Hobbs JR., Tony Leber, Joe Uribe, Tony Lane, Rick Correa, and Andy Schulz... that's only from 2 pre-fishes and 2 tourney's on one body of water... you would think I learned something right?
I want to thank all the Northwest Angler's who have befriended me, I had a awesome time camping and it made the trip whether I placed well or not! Thanks "RON HOBBS JUNIOR" for sharing your tent!
Views: 73
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Comment by Johnny Walker on October 1, 2009 at 9:53am
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No fish off this year... only the Top-20 get advanced to the 2010 FLW CUP! I basically need a Top-10 to make it. I'll just fish hard as usual and try to execute. I get to pre-fish again so we'll see... I believe versitility will be key because clear lake has tons of options for pros from what I hear. We'll see! I haven't picked my baits to take yet but have an idea...
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Comment by Steve Hastings on September 30, 2009 at 3:52pm
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To get in the fish off you only have to be in the top 30 if I remember right. Thats 6 places. So you can swing for the fences or fish as smart as possible. Which one produces the most consistency?
Hope to see you in there,
Steve
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Joel and Jon (above), thanks also!
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Thank you Marc and Steve for the comments. I always appreciate hearing criticism, advice and compliments! I've been tournament fishing for 2 years now and I'm serious about this sport, always improving and excited about it's future. The National Guard has been a great sponsor and didn't beat me up to bad about the bad finish...I'm looking forward to seeing Clear Lake next month for the final tourney but going to need a good finish to make top 20! HOOAH!
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Johnny,
I tried to post this last night on the train and the wireless cut out so Marc stole a little of my thunder, but here goes.
First off to move in the Co-AOY standings from 122nd in 08 to 35th in 09, that’s a heck of nice move up and it lets you know you’re on the right track. Nice Work!
Secondly, have you ever thought about sharing your analysis with your boaters following each day of the tournament to ensure your perspectives may not have provided incorrect conclusions?
What I mean is talk to those you fished with and get their analysis of your performance. We tend to be too hard on ourselves which can effect our confidence and sometimes to soft on ourselves delivering an incorrect analysis of our own performance.
I really like the fact that you have such a desire to be better that you do, break your performance down and make sure you understand what impacts your success. I believe this will help you continue to move up. I am a firm believer and have yet to be proved wrong, that consistency is the key. Regardless what level we're fishing at, being consistently good is an absolute must.
One opinion, I am not a believer in the “vacuum”, I guess I have yet to see such a thing,(except for bed fishing) but I do think its important to follow another angler with something a little different. Whether lure, depth, speed, angles, I think it all matters. I also think the vacuum plays on one mentally. Forget about what they did and did not catch and focus on your next perfect presentation, and that next bite. One final bit of support for my argument, is this years Federation State team has 4 or 5 non-boaters on it and several out fished their various boaters. I’d bet if you did the research you would find co-anglers the fished behind some of the anglers you mentioned that had big bags. Prove it to yourself, and wash this from your thinking. I have not met a Pro or Boater that doesn’t take a great deal of pride in his co-anglers success. What’s better than one 20lb bag…. Two. It is for me. Or……. I may just be full of it.
You deserve loads of credit for hanging it out there and sharing your experience. I really enjoy guys sharing their experiences. Thank you.
Good Luck next year and hope you make the fish-off and your shot at the FW cup and hope to have the opportunity to be there with ya.
Steve
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Comment by Marc Marcantonio on September 30, 2009 at 8:43am
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Way to go, Johnny. The best suggestion I could make is to gain confidence in a couple of different techniques for each type of fishing situation so that you can always do something slightly different than the guy in the front. For instance, if he is on a crankbait, throw a rattletrap or blade. If he is flipping jigs, flip a Senko or Brushhog. If he is punching with Beavers, punch with a crawfish. Even if you switch colors to something opposite you are likely to pick up fish that are more interested in your color than his.
Think ahead to the likely fishing patterns for the body of water, and then plan at least two different techniques, lures, or colors for each type of pattern. That way no matter what the guy in the front throws, you have a different choice to offer.
Of course there are times you simply need to throw the same thing, but the bite has to be really on for this to pay off.
ciao,
Marc
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Comment by Joel Alinen on September 29, 2009 at 4:16pm
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Thanks for the reports, its cool getting the inside scoop!
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