I just finished up at the Potomac River. It was a fantastic tournament.
I know I mentioned in this blog how the practices were tough. Well, in the end it was one of those events you really appreciate. There was just not a lot to work with, but I was able to hold my place. I moved up every day and finished seventh. I’m pleased no end, having found so few fish in practice.
The reason I’m happy about that is that I maximized what I learned. I fished open-minded. I think I fished as well in the Potomac as I did in the Classic, and I won the Classic. But as far as doing my best, I think this was just as good.
I won the Classic because I was on more fish, but also because I remained calm, went through the event and opened myself up …The reason I say that is that I made adjustments every hour every day. I remained open-minded. Received intuition. We all have a natural intuition. And I honestly believe that when you fish, if you’ll just listen to that intuition you’ll do well. I call it listening to the fish. They’ll give you indicators. Listen and you get into a zone. Do the best with what you’ve got to work with. And that’s the way the Potomac went.
I guess that’s one of the things I wanted to talk about and take away from the Potomac event. I need to learn from this event. In a lot of my Elite Series events I’ve pressed. I’ve pushed harder because of this league. I’ve bowed to that pressure. I go out and I want a tournament plan. I want to follow it.
But it just doesn’t always work that way.
Some of the top fishermen, they listen and bend. I watched Skeet Reece fish, and he won the tournament. But he’s fished well all season. Ninety percent of the events he goes into, he has tremendous confidence and knows he’s going to catch them. He’s the best bass fisherman in the business right now.
Kevin VanDam is the same way. Year in and year out, he does the same thing. And even at this level, I believe that’s what makes the difference in those top eight or ten guys. Event after event, some guys are in it. It’s not skill level, it’s mind level. These guys stay calm and open-minded, they don’t bow to pressure.
A couple of times I finished well this year, but I didn’t maximize my potential. It’s not a matter of where you finish. It’s a matter of taking what you have to work with and being calm. You maximize what you work with. I get myself in that position.
That’s what I’m going to strive to do more of. I’ve got two more events this year. One of them is the major at Darnenelle. My performance in the Majors has not been good. I haven’t focused. It’s been completely the opposite of what I had happen. Maybe I can to go Dardenelle next week, open my mind up and get the job done.
5 comments ↓
Please pass a message on to Shane. The Elite Series results ARE on ESPN’s Bottom Line……moreabout that on http://bassinsider.blogspot.com/2007/08/bass-bottom-line.html.
And good job at the Potomac. I shouldn’t have taken you off my fantasy team!
Great finish Boyd. I talked to Rick Clunn in the late 80’s during a tournement on G’ville. He’s main word of advice was listen! Listen to everything, the birds, the fish, the water, it all tells you what you need to know and we all have the brain to understand but we have to train the brain(he he) I’ve trid to do that everytime I’m on the water.
Good luck in the next 2.
I still have something I really want to show you. It might be of some help:) I’m going to show Bob over at L&L and see if he can get it to you.
fish on
Danny
Boyd, missed you on the Potomac. Left out on the Virginia side while you were in practice in the hopes of finding you out on the water in the creeks but was unsuccessful. In terms of listening was it more your bait selection or simply presenting the baits differently during the tidal flow. Was wondering if you found yourself thinking of going to channel or deeper water during your practice or did you determine to stay in the mats and shallow grass. Locals have had success with that pattern but most tournamnet fisherman seem to prefer shallow bite in the mats and grass of Mattawoman, Nanjemoy, and the Chickamuxen. Did you make it over to the Virginia side at all in practice?
Boyd
Congrulations on your finish on the Potomac.
Just wanted to say I really enjoyed fishing with you on Thursday 8-9-2007. You are a true ambassador to the sport of Bass fishing.
Wayne M.
Excellent article. I will definately place more focus on the surroundings and learn from the environment which in turn, should build up my confidence even more.
Good going on the Potomac and good luck in the next two events.
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