Confidence. No matter how much or how little I practice I have the mind set that I will win. Has it happened.... No... Will it yes!! I plan to ad a win this next year. And frankly I plan to win everytime I fish. That's what seperates KVD and others from most of us. fish hard and fight tell the end.. If ur doing that there is no time to be nervous cause u are always thinking and breaking down the fishing conditions.

Listen to KVS, he is the 3-4 time AOY for the Cleburne Bass Club. He DOES know about bass fishing and tournaments.

Great question and very helpful responses. Thanks

fish more tourneys... exsperience is the best teacher, start small so it is cheaper learning lol

I try to do the whole organizing and planning as possible. As others have said it too slow down and fish your style. It took me a few really bad tournaments to get back to my style of fishing. On the flip side though if a lure or area isn't working try some different don't get stuck on one thing.
Missing fish happen but try not to get flustered.
Finally, I take my 6 yr old out to nearly all tourny's and he keeps me in check with a humor break, conversation and helping him catch fish.

You ever see the movie There's Something About Mary? The same advice Chris Elliot gave Ben Stiller before his date applies here.

One piece of advice I would give is to fish for one fish at a time. I used to go into tournaments thinking about trying to limit out as quickly as possible. Then after a while if I wasn't doing good I would panic and start rushing too much. Then I started just fishing to catch one fish. And once I caught one I would try to catch just one more fish. By concentrating on just catching a fish your mind doesn't get filled up with too many options or thinking that time is slipping by too fast.

Back when I was heavy into tournaments, the night before my buddies and I would have a large assortment of Bud longnecks,some JD,maybe a little roll your own, now and then, then just before bed drop 2 excedrin PM's..............no wait, forget that, that might be WHY I gave up Tournaments, could'nt stand the "Pre-Tournament Ritual"

Sorry I got nothing

Great advice here on TFF. I like what SKeet4life said about "fighting till the end".

Here's a few things that have worked for me. Watching a movie the night before, either comedy or action while I'm rigging the rods and equipment. Something like The Water Boy or Die Hard, something I've seen before and know it's gonna be good. Then listening to music in the truck to get psyched up in the morning. Focusing on 'beating the lake', not other fisherman. You beat the lake and what it throws at you, trophies and prize money will follow.

The whole midset/mental side of fishing tournaments doesn't get talked about too much. I choked earlier this year on the California Delta FLW Everstart and it got me so mad afterwards. Why did I choke? Why do so many anglers (including myself many times) do so well in prefish and can't put it together on tournament day? I have been devouring sports psychology stuff since then.

I'm doing a seminar November 17 and 18 at Angler's Marine in Anahiem California on the 'Inner the Game of Fishing'. It will be all about how to do better and catch more bass when money is on the line.

Going to try to get live online so anyone can watch. The handouts I will be giving to people in attendance will be available either on my facebook page or website.

Try to find the fish ahead of time. Once you locate them, have the confidence that they will be there on T day. Fish don't roam very far from one day to the next. You might not catch them on the same baits, so be willing to experiment with different baits...and in different water columns to locate them again. Once you establish a pattern, milk it for all that it's worth...and always be ready to change up with the fish.

Trying to "out think" the fish on tournament day should keep you busy enough to block out the "jitters" while you compete.

No angler is ALWAYS successful...and we all have bad competition days. Accept them, and turn them into a learning experience.

Good Luck.

this man says best thanks Alton Jones. This is one of the longest nights in professional fishing. Right now the entire field has aspirations of being the Classic Champion, including me. Tomorrow that dream will die for at least half the field.

It is at times like these that I must affirm that my foundation set on something other than just bass fishing. A bass fisherman is what I am, but it�s not who I am. If I let my fishing define who I am I will ultimately be disappointed and my world will collapse.

My true identity is in Jesus Christ. It is only through YOU that I can find lasting peace and true satisfaction. Please grant me wisdom as I fish and give me good decisions on the water. I pray that you will give me a victory in the Classic! But, Lord, may your will be done, not mine.

Lord, I ask that you calm my nerves and give me the courage to trust completely in you. You are in control. You have my best interests at heart. Whatever the outcome, may You use it for Your glory!

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for creating me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the many gifts you�ve placed in my life. I pray that you will keep all of us safe on the water tomorrow. I pray that you will use me this week for purposes that go way beyond just fishing.

These things I pray in Jesus� name, Amen!�

Last year I never slept maybe more than a hour or so before any tournament. Just the way I am. I try to get to bed early sometimes. Never works. I usually stay up staring at a lake map and plotting out a plan in my head based on the next days conditions. Always keep an open mind as every day is different and try and let the fish tell you what they want. Confidence is huge. I have never caught em if I have any doubt I will or second guess myself. Tell yourself your going to whack em and win everytime. Fishing tournaments is part preperation and mostly mental. Stay focused on the task at hand. Try not to let the little things get into your head. Stay confident and execute. On the lakes I fish being able to fish clean is huge. Landing everything that bites and no missed opportunities. That can be the difference in winning or just cashing a check. But I would say believing in your abilities and fishing to your strengths can go a long way. At the end of the day it's all about having fun and enjoying yourself.

When its to the point that we don't get the jidders and the thrill is gone then you know that it is time to retire so I will fish and hunt and hope I am nervous as a cat on a hot tin so lets go boy's
Good jidders to all............
Tommy R, Nail

I hope I never loose the jidders, If I lose that it is time to retire. cause the thrill is gone...
good jidders to all
Tommy R. Nail

Take half a Xanax bout 10 minutes before tourney start time and it will get rid of the jitters. I have to do this for fishing as well as my big RC car races. Trust me it works great!