Not to pick on Greg Hackney, or Britt Myers in this case, but I had saved this link in my files for some reason and just came across it this evening. It is a good reminder that nobody catches them all the time, even some of the best anglers in the world.
Here in Indiana, it happens a lot more frequently than most guys like to admit. That's just the nature of our waters, and the nature of fishing. I think I'm a little different than most in this case, but one of my favorite things to do when I look at tourney results, whether local or national, is to start at the bottom of the standings and work my way up.
In local and state tourneys, that means you'll see a bunch of really good sticks with zeros next to their name. In regional and national events, that means you'll find some of your idols weighing in less than half of what the winner had weight wise, and frequently only 15-20% or less - way off the pace. For example, if you look at the 2010 KY Lake Elite tourney that was won by KVD with over 92 pounds, but start at the bottom, you'll find final weight results like this:
- Zell Rowland: 7-10
- Alton Jones: 20-13
- Rick Clunn: 23-11
- Gary Klein: 23-15
- Ish Monroe: 24-06
- Denny Brauer: 25-06
- Mike Iaconelli: 26-13
That's just a small sampling, but some of the biggest names in the game couldn't even reach 30% of the winners weight. The point I'm trying to make is that everybody tends to focus on the winners and top finishers. The media highlights this even more. That's just the way it is - but it gives a false sense of the game, in my opinion. We're forgetting about the losers. We only see the fame and fortune, not the struggles. It gives young guys false expectations, or at least diverts their attention from some of the reality.
Bass fishing is a fickle game. Some days you shine, many days you suck. We've all been there before, and we'll all be back there again - probably sooner rather than later. So keep fishing success in perspective, and especially keep the right mental attitude after a tough day on the water...and remember to always look at tourney results from the bottom up.
Good post, My buddy of over 50 years and I are going to Newton this weekend and yesterday when I called him (giving him a chance to back out)! He said Joe 50% of our fishing is us getting together 25% is trying to catch something and 25% is actually doing it. We don't fish tourneys but always have a running contest on who's the biggest or most. When I read posts about the fishing sucks here or there I always wonder. If they are that dissapointed in the results maybe their expectations were too high or were they judging every trip off the best one they ever had.
Posted by: Joe Grave | January 13, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Oh crap have I been there a number of times! Thanks for the painful memories Brian!
I think I learn more when I struggle compared to when I catch them, struggling leads you to try different things and sometimes those end up being a goto once you try them. Its hard in Indana to stay on top forever, the fish just wont let you!
Posted by: Josh McDermott | January 13, 2011 at 02:31 PM
It's a complicated world out there. Fun trying to stay on top of it. Sure wouldn't want to try and make my living on it though. Gambling isn't my thing.
Posted by: Paul Roberts | January 14, 2011 at 12:36 PM
He is still alive! Where in the hell have you been, Paul? :)
Hope all is well and good to hear from you again.
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | January 14, 2011 at 12:54 PM
All's well. Lesseee...a giant forest fire took out my neighborhood. Mine and two others survived. Eerily quiet up here now.
Other than that, been spending some time FF for trout (might just be the greatest angling game there is -if one cared to split hairs), and putting some venison in the freezer.
Site looks good! Just excellent content as usual. Will be in touch.
Posted by: Paul Roberts | January 14, 2011 at 04:13 PM