Fished in a bass boat tournament last Sunday at Fork and am just aggravated with myself. The morning started out with all kinds of potential, fish jumping everywhere and the shad were making waves everywhere. It was a beautiful sight! However, my partner and I never caught an under and only landed one fish in the slot. At the weigh in we learned that the shad and top water action was pretty much the scene in other areas of the lake. We were in Penson and others reported the same in Birch and down by the damn. Two overs were caught and I think the bigger one was caught on a Zara Spook Jr. Spoke to another team that caught several on similar tactics using a small top water walk the dog type lure (i.e. spook jr.'s). In other words they were "matching the hatch". Although I didn't have a Spook Jr. in my arsenal, I did have some top water, silver colored dog walker types, but I never tied anything like that on. I just stuck to my plastics because I had some success with those the day before. So as I look back on that day, I just wish I wouldn't have been so stubborn. I mean they were jumping all around us. Duh!! So lesson learned for that morning bite. Nevertheless, still came away with a successful weekend. For one, my partner won the big door prize - 7" state of the art Lowrance FF and we each won a nice custom rod. Plus I got to chat with one of our fellow yakkers in Penson who was in his Hobie. Hope he had better luck that we did. Found out where he put in and also discovered other good spots to put in and found some good spawning areas. Also, if you haven't been to the Lake Fork Tackle Store there in Emory, you're missing out. Ask to take a tour some time. Really neat to see how soft plastic lures are made. I am ready to head back over there now with a whole new plan of attack (after a visit to BP or Academy of course)! May try next Tues or Wed after this front passes on and weather is back to normal. Give me a shout if anyone might want to join along.

Thats a good reminder. We hear "match the hatch" all the time, and usually I think of matching in regards to color and size. Never thought about matching their actions. Good lesson.

Unfortunately we learn lessons the hard way! I've has numerous outings where I did the same thing you did. Stuck to my confidence lures( and had a nice bag the day before) only to not land a decent fish on this day. Thanks for reminder, and I'm sure you'll whack em next time!

I love that lake just not for tourny's.I've been there numerous times just didn't come out with a sweet fish finder and custom rods

Good observations, Ben. Always good to learn from other's mistakes. Thanks for sharing the newly gained wisdom.

No time is wasted if learn from out mistakes.
Or if I'm just on the water.

thanks for sharing the lesson and congrats on the custom rod and your partners ff and rod! sounds like a successful tourney if ya ask me.