How to prepare for competitions

[Daniel Podobed]

Being an athlete nearly my entire life has me worried for my first competition. With other sports, I've been preparing for years, decades. I'm scheduled for my first competition in June and I haven't as much as been to one yet. Sooo, how do you guys prepare for competitions? How do you set up a practice plan?

And lastly, what should I be doing NOW so I'm as ready as I can be without going through one?

I've been reading through the threads about confidence and the mental game and how to set goals and manage expectations. It is all quite daunting really. I don't have any expectations for my first competition. I don't expect anything but last place, and I'm okay with that. For now. What I don't want to do is not prepare and take it lightly. I want to do everything I can to do well.

Thanks for any help/ advice.

[Dejon Hamann]

Great question D.  Sounds like you're really getting your game on!

2 big ones I can suggest:

1) Practice knot speed & retying whole rigs. 
Get some cheap mono and sit on the coach while watching tv and practice those knots over and over and over and over again.  Get it down so you can tie a knot in seconds, and a rig in a minute (I'd have to clock my actual speed for a bench mark).  This is something I believe so many competitors overlook. Multiply how long it takes you to change a bug or retie a whole setup over a comp and there's your precious minutes/fish lost.  Also, you need to have speed down so you feel comfortable changing at any time.  My go-to knots: blood, double surgeon, davy, stop.

2) Practice mock beat time/length
Pick a piece of pressured water. Preferably something near a bridge/parking lot.  Hash out an 80yrd section, set your watch (time and length should mimick upcoming comp), and go!  See how many fish you can net.  Then take a short break, and do it again -same water, same time.  Then again. Beat that water to a pulp and cherish how hard it gets. The harder the better. Or/and fish right behind your buddy in the same format. 

[Daniel Podobed]

Thanks Dejon,

I'll be putting those to use for the next couple of weeks. I'll be fishing tuesday and wednesday.

[Alain Barthelemy]

Worth reading:

http://fishing.about.com/od/bassfishing/a/key_elements.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivation

[Steven Good]

Hi Dan, I have only been fishing comps. less then a year so I don't have a lot of experience however I will tell you after fishing with Dejon at the A cup last year his advice on the knots and rigs is important.  It is amazing how fast the time goes even with 3 hour sessions.  My advice is to keep it simple, make a plan and stick to it.  On my first comp my goal was to have fun learn and not spend time cleaning up messes IE: tangles, casting into trees, things that happen all the time when you are in a hurry; just slow down and try and stay calm.  I also would recommend a good comp net.  I like the Frabil.  In my first comp I had two small fish slip through my Brodin Ghost net it would have made a big difference on how I finished had I scored both.  I also recommend netting every fish you catch from this point on even if it is a dink.  Netting everything is great practice for when it really counts and remember it doesn't count until it's measured.  Finally, remember it is just fishing so take it all in; I saw an eagle fly over during one of my last sessions on Penn's during the deep freeze.  Have Fun!!

[Loren Williams]

When you are practicing knots on the sofa in front of the game....put a fan in front of you to mimic the wind.

[Daniel Podobed]

Yea I'll need to buy a comp net. I currently have a Brodin Ghost Net. I have netted some tiny brookies in it though, but i'm aware of people losing fish with those nets.

Good stuff everyone. I'll be practicing tomorrow. It will be all new. Went from a 9' to a 10' rod, new rig, new leader formula, and new rules to practice.

hopefully I get some willing trout.