Lets say you're pre fishing for a tournament. For three days, a spot that you want to fish is being fished by other boats. It's a timing thing, early morning bite only. You see fish being caught, but not by you. Now, you have fished this spot for 15 years, knowing that this time of year there are fish there. Come tournament time, whoa Nellie, that spot is available. Do you fish it?

No because for the last three days it's been getting worked over.

nobody's on it? fish it!!

yes, to hell with what other people think is "bent pole patterning". I dont even care if I have never fished the hole before.

Yes, on day one. If it's day two of the tournament and the guy leading the event or near the top is on it, I would not.

Yes. I have a bunch of spots on Fork I fish during tournaments. During different times of the year. On occasion there other boats fishing them. But if Im in a tournament, and a boat is not on them, I fish them. I prefish for a good starting spot, or something mid day. Other than that I fill in the puzzle of the day.

Bent pole is what most boats do to us out there. They see us catching them, and they all but come jump in the boat with us.

Just throw out one of those orange things to mark your spot. You will have it all to yourself.
Wait, you better put it 200 yard away just to be safe.

No,
Donate the entry fee, haul azz back to the house and start drinking Beer immediately.

Depends. There are many spots I fish that reload everyday. So I would if I was there early.

I believe with being a tournament angler you have to learn to adjust with the conditions. And that would also include having to adjust because somebody is on your spot I believe it�s first come first serve basis But I would not pull up next to someone and start fishing the same location but if nobody is there it�s fair game

What you are describing is "pot licking" and not bent pole pattern. Bent pole is watching others lures, depths, and presentation and having a "duh" moment and retying stuff you wouldn't have thought to use and changing depths.

They both are a sign of inadequate preparations or abilities.

I wish I knew where the leader's spots are on any tournament. Unless I drive up on him, I wouldn't know the difference. Even if I drive up on him, I prolly wouldn't recognize him as the leader.

...and/or laziness.

Next we can settle draw tournament coangler ettiquite.

Is it proper to fish a draw tournament to get spots for your upcoming tournament?

Or how about the guy that always seems to win or be in the top 3 places on the local pot tournaments. As much as I�d like to, I wouldn�t even think about trying to follow him on tournament day.