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It’s the
tournament briefing and your name was just called – now what?
You are so
nervous that you forgot what your boat number is and your
partner’s name.
That scenario
has probably happened to most of us. Planning ahead, paying
attention and relaxing as much as possible will help the partner
pairing go smoother and ease your stress level. Just because
you are the co-angler does not mean that the person you draw is
not also nervous. If you are fishing your first Pro Angler – Co
Angler type tournament here an overview of what to expect.
At the briefing
the tournament director will go over some of the rules, hitting
highlights and possibly common rule infractions so pay
attention. Have a copy of the rules with you. A handout will
be distributed at the time you register so have that handy for
reference along with a pen to jot down important information.
Make sure you write down the emergency contact numbers.
The tournament
director or a designee will begin ‘pairing the partners’ by
calling off the boat numbers starting with the first flight.
Use the handout that was given at registration, the flights are
already there for you to fill in the blank for the weigh-in time
and number of boats in each flight. Usually the flights are
staggered at ten minute intervals. The speaker will call the
boat number and then the states the anglers are from. Example:
Texas, Illinois. If you are a pro from Texas and a Co angler
from Illinois you have a heads up that this might be your boat
number being called. Next the speaker will call the name of the
Pro angler followed by the co-anglers name. When you hear your
name called stand up and make a loud noise of acknowledgement.
This lets the speaker know you heard and gives your partner a
place to locate you. Stay standing until you have made eye
contact with your partner then move quickly to join her.
Have your pen
and that handout ready as soon as you meet your partner. Greet
your partner and ask for clarification of her name. You need to
write down her name, contact number, where she is staying, your
boat number, weigh-in time, and as soon as you know it the time
and location you are going to meet her the following morning.
You might want to include the type and color or her tow vehicle
and boat.
Most pro
anglers prefer you meet at a location away from the launch
ramp. It is easier to locate each other and much less
congested. Plan ahead by scoping out the area, looking for a
location with a large parking lot where you can easier transfer
your gear. Even if you can not leave your car there and must
drive it to the launch area, at least you will have placed all
of you tackle in her boat, making it easier to meet up at the
ramp. Optimally the best place to meet is at one of your hotels
but that may not always be feasible. I once had a partner not
show up at the designated place, keep this in mind and don’t get
left on foot somewhere. Call the Pros contact number – you
wrote it down the night before on that paper that has the
important information you need to know. If you are unable to
make contact, get to the check-out dock and a tournament
official. They will call for your partner. Don’t worry
sometimes there is just a misconnection, don’t let it spoil your
day.
When you meet
up with your pro at the partner pairing, you need to learn as
much information about what to expect for the next day. What
type of lures, vague pattern, depth – anything to help you
better prepare your tackle. Always take a rainsuit, but if you
can learn how long the morning rum will be it will help you
decide on whether to wear it and to dress appropriately.
Nothing is worse than showing up in light clothing on a cool
morning and learning you will be traveling thirty minutes to the
first stop.
If you were
able to pre-fish and have information to share be sure to
mention it. Be accurate and confident in sharing your pre-fish
experience. Do not be disappointed if the Pro is not interested
in your fishing information, some may welcome the help and
others already have their own game plan.
The worst is
over – you met your partner and she was not an ogre – now go
back to your hotel and get a good nights rest. One last bit of
advice, meet at least one other angler staying in your hotel and
ask them to knock on your door in the morning unless they see
you up. On occasion hotel alarms do not work and we need each
other to insure we make it to the lake on time.
Meeting up with
the second day partner is a different. After you weigh-in your
fish (think positive) immediately find the partner postings – it
will be close to the weigh-in tent. Again, write down the
information on the posting: partners name, phone, lodging,
flight weigh-in time, boat number. Your partner should be there
shortly since they try to pair partners within the same flight
as the first day.
Good Luck and I
hope to draw you this year.
About the author: Conny Jenkins competes in the Women’s
Bassmaster Tour and is a lifetime member of BASS. She is the
President and founder of the WBT Chapter of the Fellowship of
Christian Anglers Society (FOCAS). Conny is sponsored by
LubriMatic, if it pushes pulls, hums or purrs LubriMatic
has something to use in it. Seaguar, the Inventor
and World Leader in Fluorocarbon Fishing Line - not seeing is
believing, Chompers Baits and Triton Boats,
and she proudly promotes the new Evolution Jig by
Megastrike. Conny is a US Postal Service employee.
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