I always say a solid way to start is joining Facebook groups to stay in the know and entering smaller/local tournaments in your area. This is a fantastic way to get a feel for the structure of tournaments and their rules. Joining a local Bass Club can greatly help with this as well!

A huge obstacle for most people is purchasing a boat. Yes, there are more cost-effective options out there, but that’s not always realistic for everyone. Even fishing kayaks can be expensive and out of many people’s budgets. I’ve even chatted with anglers who own a boat but don’t feel ready or experienced enough to hop into their first tournament. 

For people in these scenarios, I cannot recommend starting as a co-angler enough. You get to compete in the tournament, experience the structure and rules, all without the added pressure of operating the boat. Along with this, you get in the boat with different anglers. Everybody fishes differently and you have the opportunity to learn SO much. Yes, there’s a chance you get paired with someone who isn’t the greatest fisherman, but you will always learn something… even if it’s what NOT to do. Those learning opportunities are absolutely priceless. 

I’m sure we’ve all heard the horror stories out there of bad boaters and bad co-anglers. Boaters getting their lines cast over by co-anglers, co-anglers getting back-boated by boaters, etc. I have truly always had great experiences as a co-angler, and I think that has a to do with simply being respectful. I truly believe there’s great potential for the boater/co-angler relationship to be a beautiful sense of a “team”, and I want anyone trying to get their feet wet to have an awesome and memorable experience. Therefore, I want to share some tips on how to be a “good co-angler”. 

Make a Game Plan

The majority of “random pairing” tournaments I’ve fished as a co-anger, you receive a text the night prior to the tournament with your boater’s name and phone number. I recommend taking the initiative to shoot them a text or give them a call right away. Introduce yourself, and make a game plan for where you will meet in the morning and at what time. They’ll sometimes be willing to let you know how you’ll be fishing tomorrow, which I always think is worth asking so you know what to pack in your limited tackle! 

Be on Time

From my experience, boaters are often already annoyed enough to have a co-angler/stranger in their boat. I’m sure this also comes from bad experiences in the past. Don’t add to this by making them wait on you. That’s a bad start to the morning! 

Check Your Shoes

Sadly… I’ve learned this one my experience. Fortunately for me, it was my fiancé. Unfortunately for him, he’s often the one that helps me learn from my mistakes.

Another way to start the morning off on a bad note is stepping onto your boater’s boat and immediately getting it dirty. I view being a guest on someone’s boat similar to being a guest in their house. Quite frankly, a lot of anglers probably take better care of the carpet on their boat than the carpet in their house. Docks and shores are often full of sand, dirt, and worse… goose poop. Before you hop aboard, make sure you give your shoes a good check and wipe or rinse if needed. 

Be Helpful

Making yourself useful goes a long way when it comes to gaining the respect of your boater. This comes into play all throughout the day, but a big one is launching and loading the boat. HOWEVER, honesty is the best policy. If you are not comfortable doing so, just be honest. They will appreciate that much more than having a dented truck or trailer, and yes, I have seen that happen! You can always offer to stay in the boat if you are more comfortable doing that. If you’re not comfortable running the engine, you can always use the trolling motor, or even just hang onto the dock if you’re not congesting the boat ramp. 

Pack Efficiently

As a co-angler, you’re working with limited equipment. Put thought into what you’re packing. Bring enough, but not too much. Many tournaments have a rod limit written into the rules for co-anglers. Bring versatile rods so you can switch up your baits/techniques if needed. Also be sure to bring versatile baits, and baits you’re comfortable with. This is where it’s helpful if your boater tells you what their game plan for the day is. If you were able to get out and pre-fish, that’s helpful with knowing what to pack as well. I recommend bringing a tackle bag/backpack that will fit in a boat compartment. Many boaters will have one open for you, but not always. If not, be prepared to keep your tackle bag at your feet. If possible, leave room in it if you’re going to be shedding layers throughout the day. You don’t want to have a ton of gear laying all over the place and getting in the way of both anglers landing fish. 

Stay Organized

When switching baits/re-tying, I always make sure I put everything back into my tackle bag and zip everything up. Along with this, I keep the rods I’m not using in the spot designated by the boater. This is helpful when your boater decides to move to a different spot. You never want them to have to wait on you. If your gear is organized and secure at all times, when they say you’re moving, all you have to do is put your rod away, strap them down, and throw your life jacket on. This may sound small, but tournament time is precious and I’ve had numerous boaters tell me how much they appreciate this. 

Respect the Boat

Accidents happen, but do your very best to respect your boater’s boat and gear. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t hit their boat, engine, graphs, or worse… them, with your bait while casting or missing hooksets. If I bring a dropshot rod, I even keep a small rubber band on my rod to secure the weight so it isn’t banging up against their fiberglass while we’re running. Don’t spill drinks, scent, or dyes on their carpet or seats. If you do, be sure to clean it up to the best of your ability. Pick up any weeds or grass you bring into their boat. Again, you are a guest on their boat and wouldn’t be out there without them. Treat it with respect! 

Mindful Casting

Perhaps the best way to upset your boater is with your casting. They will not be happy if you are casting forward to the area they are fishing, or worse, cross their line. As a co-angler, your area to fish is the back of the boat. Do not view this as a disadvantage. I promise your boater is not catching every single fish in that area, and there are still fish for you to catch. I like to draw an imaginary line at the dashboard of the console. Anything behind that is fair game for you to cast. 

Gas Money

Being a co-angler doesn’t mean you get a free guide trip out on the water. Your boater had to haul their boat to the lake, burn gas out on the water for at least 8 hours, and haul it all the way home. Once again, you would not be out there if they didn’t do that. ALWAYS give them gas money at the end of the day. 

Following these guidelines will be a great start for ensuring an awesome and memorable experience as a co-angler. When you’re getting along and working together as a sort of “team”, the day is sure to be better for you both. 

If you’ve been considering getting into tournament fishing as a co-angler, please do it! You will learn more than you could ever imagine and will not regret it! 

After firing up the outboard and moving to another spot, Fischer heard a strange noise coming from the back deck. It was the bass flopping around an empty livewell she knew she had filled up. 

“I was like, what the heck?” the Nebraska native said. “I put water back in it, ran again and it was empty again.”

Upon further investigation, Fischer had forgotten to put the drain plug in her livewells, causing them to drain while she was running. Luckily, she noticed it before it was too late, just one of many lessons learned on the job.   

After finishing 92nd in the Division 1 standings last season, the renowned kayak competitor will be fishing Division 2 of the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open presented by Battery Tender with the goal of finishing above 50th place in points and qualifying for the Nitro Boats Elite Qualifier Series presented by Bass Pro Shops in just her second season. 

“I want to make the EQs. I would have a lot to improve,” she said. “I’m going to work my butt off to try to do it.”

Prior to the start of the 2025 season, the now 38-year-old had never fished a bass boat tournament as the captain, and while she knew it would take a little while to get used to her aluminum Ranger, she figured jumping in headfirst was the best way to challenge herself. 

“I don’t do anything small. I jumped right in, and I knew that was going to be a challenge,” Fischer said. “The Opens is some of the best competition in the sport right now. For me, I love that. There is a larger percentage of people who are fishing for winning bass.”

There were plenty of nerves in preparation for her debut, but all of that melted away once she got on the water.

“When I got out there (at Clarks Hill), the nerves kind of melted away and I realized it was everything I wanted,” Fischer said. “Jumping into that kind of competition, it reignited that anxious wonder and excitement for a big tournament. I remember looking out and seeing all the rigs with Elite level competitors; I was overwhelmed and humbled to have the opportunity to fish.” 

Unlike last year, the majority of the fisheries she’ll be tackling are ones she has found success on in her kayak career, and she’ll be riding in a brand new Ranger Z521. Sam Rayburn, Kentucky Lake and the Upper Mississippi River are all popular destinations for national kayak events. In fact, Kentucky Lake was where Fischer notched her first career victory.

“I’d love to cut a check this year,” Fischer said. “There were a couple of those tournaments last year where I was on the right fish and had the right bites to do a lot better. I knew I could have been up there, and I needed that confidence.”

As far as angling goes, Fischer is plenty confident in her abilities. She won her first Lady Bass Anglers Association event at Lake Seminole, for instance. But the challenges were all about getting used to the boat, how to drive it and how to fix it if and when the time came. It wasn’t until the third Open of the year in late July at the Upper Chesapeake Bay where she felt like she was in a good rhythm. 

Many of the things experienced bass boat anglers take for granted are things Fischer stressed over constantly. Last year was the first year the Opens anglers were not accompanied by a co-angler, which meant Fischer would be launching, docking and parking all by herself. 

“The biggest thing that intimidates most women, and new boaters, is backing the boat down and learning how to dock it,” Fischer said. “When it comes to docking the boat, that took awhile. I still can’t parallel it like a lot of people can. The most important thing I’ve learned is not doing it on the big motor and getting on the trolling motor. If you’re uncomfortable, use the trolling motor.”

What else did Fischer learn? Let’s break it down.

The fishing mechanics

Bass fishing is all about angles and positioning. Fischer’s Hobie was more or less an extension of herself. She knew exactly how she wanted it to move, what it would do in current and how she needed to be angled in order to make the perfect cast. 

Fischer is still building that confidence in the bass boat. 

“I’m still trying to get better. In order to get comfortable and fluid with boat positioning, which is the most important thing when fishing competitively. It takes years,” she explained. “From the first tournament to the last, it is a night-and-day difference. But, I really think it is going to take me a couple years to feel like that boat is an extension of me.”

Casting angles are much different when standing on the front deck of a boat as opposed to sitting or standing on a kayak. Using the trolling motor to swing around docks and cover, or back up out of a precarious position took a lot of getting used to. She quickly learned she isn’t nearly as stealthy in her Ranger as with her 360 Drive in the Hobie. 

“When I’m fishing shallow, and I get close to something and need to flip around and go in reverse, I’m blowing that area out immediately,” she said. “I learned how much commotion the trolling motor is, and if you have it at a really high speed, it takes a lot more to slow it down and change direction than in a kayak.”

One of the biggest curves has come when utilizing forward-facing sonar. Her kayak has a separate, hand-controlled mechanism for controlling the transducer, so panning with the trolling motor was a much different feel. 

“It was a very difficult adjustment for me,” she said. “I was so used to essentially being able to Spot-Lock and then pan the transducer independently. When you factor in wind and current, and the boat is moving while you are trying to fish a brushpile, that is difficult. The wind was my worst nightmare. My boat drafted a lot higher than the fiberglass boats.” 

There’s no real way to figure all of this out other than spending a lot of time on the water, Fischer acknowledged. 

“You can’t teach it. I can’t read a book about it,” she said. “You have to be the person to do it so you can feel what’s going on and know how the boat is reacting.”

Timing and organization

The Clarks Hill event encapsulates the struggles of moving from one vessel to another. Fischer used a kayak approach to practice, focusing her time in the furthest reaches of the lake both her warm-up days. In kayak tournaments, anglers can launch from any public launch approved by the tournament director, but in the boat world, all competitors launch from the same location. 

Not only did it take much longer for Fischer to reach her starting area than she realized, it also became an issue on the way back. She was four minutes late to check-in and incurred a steep late penalty.

“I launched up there in practice, and I never made the run from takeoff. It didn’t even register that it would be a good idea,” she said. “In kayak tournaments I try to run up rivers and find little sloughs and stuff. I tried to apply that in the Opens, but I think I leaned too heavily into it.”

By this time in her career, Fischer has her kayak organization and system down to a science. All she needed to score a bass successfully in the Kayak Series was a Ketch measuring board and her phone. In the boat, a functioning livewell, cull tags and fish care were all new worries, and it took some time to find a system that worked for her.

“I struggled finding my cull tags, and I didn’t really practice that ahead of time,” Fischer said. “Learning the system that worked for me was a huge challenge. You don’t really think about that until you are in it.”

Preparing for anything

From the big motor, to trolling motors and everything in between, bass boats are a far different beast than a kayak. In its simplest form, kayak fishing involves dragging a kayak to the edge of a fishery and pushing off. 

Of course, today’s advanced kayak rigs have small motor capabilities, but everything about a bass boat is more daunting than a piece of plastic.    

“There is so much more that can go wrong on the boat,” she said. “There are definitely things that can go wrong in a kayak, but you are dealing with a whole different animal in the boat.”

The number one thing Fischer recommends to anyone is to have the right tools on hand before you need them, including fuse kits and extra props to name a few. At the second event at the Tombigbee Waterway, Fischer was having issues with her trolling motor prop and didn’t have the tools she needed to fix it. 

“I spent some time in the service yard this past year,” she said. “They were my guardian angels. I was trying to learn all of this on the fly. I really want to know what is going on in the boat, and I don’t want to be the person who can’t fix my own stuff. I spent a lot of time there picking everyone’s brain.”

Fischer was also reminded that it is important to be prepared for any off-the-water incidents too. 

“I had four or five transom savers break on me on the highway,” she said. “That’s the big thing people don’t always talk about. I can change a flat tire, but there’s so many things that can happen. Outside of Arkansas, the lug nuts were completely sheared off my back tire.” 

Running and gunning

Running the boat no doubt had its trials, starting with how Fischer stored her gear. 

“That was one of the little things. Properly moving gear around so the boat is level and operates the best. That was hard for me because I use my boat as a storage unit and am able to pull stuff here and there.” 

Fischer asked around for advice about how to know if the boat is trimmed correctly, and on the water experience is crucial to knowing the boat is running correctly. 

“The answer I got a lot was, ‘You’ll feel when the boat is in its happy place.’ So, I got out there, broke it in, and started playing with the trim tabs and the jackplate.” she said. “I would run up and down the lake and play with it and see how the boat reacted. After doing that for a couple of hours, you can pick up when the boat wasn’t running smoothly and when it was most efficient.”

Running rougher water was a daunting idea, and fortunately some of her competitors were able to walk her through.

“Safety was my number one thing going out there. It might not have been 15 years ago, but I asked so many questions and listened to what the guys had to say and went out and did it,” she said. “If you are trimmed too far down you risk spearing a wave, but you don’t want to be trimmed up too high either. You want to be coasting on top of the waves, and you kind of want to take them at a diagonal.” 

Even though the Upper Chesapeake Bay got nasty a couple times, so much so that her depth finder fell in her lap, the Tombigbee Waterway was the most intimidating place to run for Fischer. 

“In the area I was fishing in, there were just random stumps, which is terrifying. I had one really close call,” Fischer said. “That was also the first time I had gone through a lock, and there were 60 of us in there. Going out of that lock into a very narrow river with floating debris and boat wakes from every direction, that was 100% the most intimidating situation I’ve ever been in.”

With a dogged determination, a relentless work ethic and unpredictably authentic humor, Bassmaster Elite veteran Gerald Swindle brings an undeniably luminous presence. But take a look behind the curtain and you’ll see that LeAnn Swindle’s light shines equally bright.

Not one for the center stage, LeAnn spearheads Gerald’s social media efforts, handles a range of business and scheduling duties and backs him in for morning launches.

All helpful and lovingly supportive acts, but there’s much more to the G-Man’s wife.

See, while there’s nothing wrong with Tammy Wynette’s signature tune or the domestic dedication it promotes, this is not simply a Stand By Your Man kinda story.

Rather, this is about a person whose passion for positive influence has made her one of the most beloved members of the Bassmaster Elite family.

Meals & Motivation

Born in Arab, Ala., LeAnn grew up in Cullman where her father took her crappie and bream fishing. Married to Gerald since 2004, LeAnn enjoys bass fishing — especially northern smallies — but Gerald’s tournament schedule and promotional work leaves them little time for couple’s fishing.

That’s reality for professional fishing families, but LeAnn maintains a strong presence in her husband’s competitive life. She does so by nourishing his body, soul and mind.

Every tournament morning, LeAnn stuffs a Ziploc bag with a PBJ sandwich for Gerald’s breakfast and another with a lunch meat setup for the midday meal. The bag containing what Gerald calls his morning “sammich” comes with a hand-written note of inspiration.

Meant to motivate, these messages remind a seasoned angler that, even when the day’s not going as planned, he has someone in his corner. Thick or thin, sunshine or rain; LeAnn’s his biggest fan and his constant encourager.

The debut message bespoke a simplified plan for managing the tournament day: “Get me five by 3” (referencing a five-bass limit by 3 o’clock).

Other notables:

“I never lose because I never quit.”

“I will either find a way or make a way.”

“1. Pray 2. Work 3. Trust God”

One of Gerald’s favorites: “Success is not owned, it’s rented and the rent’s due every day.”

LeAnn likes this one: “Fight like you’re the third monkey trying to make it onto Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.”

Diverse Sourcing

Initially, LeAnn came up with all the sammich bag notes, but even inspiring creativity has its limits.

“I’ve done this many, many years, so I eventually ran out,” LeAnn said. “I’ve found some of my messages on Pinterest, as well as quotes from (former University of Alabama Head Coach) Nick Saban, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali.

“Sometimes, I’ll be reading a book and find something that speaks to me; sometimes, I’ll use Bible verses. I’ve even asked Gerald’s family members and one of his junior high football coaches that was very motivational to him.”

Even with outside help, it’s not easy coming up with meaningful thoughts for every day of tournament competition, but the effort’s never wasted.

“I can’t tell you how many times, he’s come in from a day of fishing and said, ‘I really needed that today,’” LeAnn said.

Positivity with Perspective

Gerald definitely needed LeAnn’s encouragement during the grueling weeks of therapy and rehab following double knee replacements in late 2025.

“During the last couple months, my role has not only been just caregiver, but it’s also been motivator,” LeAnn said. “I was constantly reminding him that, ‘This is normal, this is part of it. This pain is gonna get better. Every day is gonna get better.”

Outside of those recent surgeries and a few injuries throughout the years, LeAnn said the day-to-day life of professional fishing will challenge a person’s constitution. Experience has taught her the right balance of compassion and consideration.

“If Gerald has a bad day, I’m gonna be there to lift him up, but I’m not gonna tell him he did great if he didn’t — I learned that a long time ago,” LeAnn said. “When we were first married, he’d come in next to last and I’d be like, ‘Hey, you had a good time, you’re safe, you get to do this for a living and he finally told me, ‘That is not helpful.’

“I’m not gonna sugar coat, but I’m gonna remind him of the good. I’m gonna remind him of the blessings. I’m gonna remind him that today’s gone, but tomorrow’s a brand new day. We’ll do better tomorrow.” 

Merchandise with Message

The sammich bag notes have also resonated with fans and every time Gerald posts an image of the day’s message, comments reflect the vicarious impact.

In 2023, the Swindles released a line of hats, t-shirts and hoodies to extend their appreciation for encouragement and motivation to the masses. Anchored by Gerald’s trademark PMA (positive mental attitude) design, the clothing bears catchy phrases including:

TWO THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL… ATTITUDE AND EFFORT

HARD DAYS WON’T BREAK ME, THEY WILL MAKE ME

FUELED BY HUNGER, DRIVEN BY FAILURE

CHAOS COORDINATOR

BE SAVAGE NOT AVERAGE

ADVERSITY IS OPPORTUNITY

MONEY CAN’T BUY DESIRE

“We had talked about starting a merchandise line, but we wanted it to predominately be about spreading positivity,” LeAnn said. “I love these messages because they can pertain to anything; anything that you’re going through.”

Just like the sammich bags, response to the Swindle’s merchandise has assured LeAnn that they’re hitting the mark.

“There is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t receive an email or a private message from people going through dark times in their lives,” LeAnn said. “We’re obviously not retiring on merchandise sales, but if we can sell some t-shirts and wristbands and people can have that as a constant reminder, then I feel like we’re doing what God has intended for this phase of our life.” 

A Guiding Light

Referencing her current Facebook algorithm, which is filled with motivational content, LeAnn points to a personally convicting charge: “If God is making you wait, do what waiters do and serve.”

Lately, she’s found herself more driven than ever to share experience-born wisdom with as many folks as she can. And while she prefers the positive, uplifting stuff, helping often means equipping someone to repel negativity.

LeAnn said she’s grateful for the vast amount of love and support she and Gerald receive from fishing fans, but she frequently finds herself struggling with the vitriol. It bothers her much less these days, but there’s no escaping the discomfort of seeing her husband roasted by anonymous critics more concerned with likes and follows than intellectual discussion.

“If I didn’t have that positive attitude, it would be really easy for me to spend a lot of time fighting those keyboard warriors on Facebook,” LeAnn said. “I’ve tried to rise above it because everyone has a right to their opinion, but their opinion does not change who Gerald Swindle is.”

“You can’t let it bother you; you have to focus on the good. You can’t let negativity take root in your mind.”

A deep, spiritual foundation helps the Swindles frame the world through faith, but it also offers a humbling perspective.

As LeAnn puts it, “We always say, ‘Not everybody loves Jesus and not everybody is gonna love Gerald.’”

Despite this upbeat perspective, disparagement still hurts. But rather than wallow in the misery, LeAnn channels the resilience she’s developed by sharing her light with anyone that needs it. 

Here’s her mission statement: “If I can help someone else that is struggling, if I can reach out to someone that I feel like is being alienated, or if I can reach out to a parent whose kid might be experiencing (social media bashing); if I can make them feel a little bit better, or if I can give them just a little piece of advice on how to handle that, I feel like I can make a difference.”

“BassmastHER gave me a community I didn’t even realize I was missing, and it means the world to me that I get to be a part of it,” said BassmastHER Ambassador Kylee Short. “This program has brought together so many women and girls that share the same love for this sport and just want to share knowledge. It’s so important to have a safe space where growth feels possible for every experience level and every angler belongs.”

Now in its continued expansion, the 2026 BassmastHER workshop series creates spaces on the water and off where anglers of all ages and skill levels can grow their confidence, improve their techniques and forge friendships within a supportive environment. Whether participants are new to bass fishing or seasoned anglers seeking to sharpen their skills, each workshop offers opportunities to connect, learn and celebrate time on the water together. 

BassmastHER 2026 Workshop Dates and Locations:

• Feb. 14: Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Martin — Alexander City, Ala.
• March 14: Bassmaster Classic at Tennessee River — Knoxville, Tenn.
• May 16: Bassmaster Elite Series at Santee Cooper Lakes — Clarendon County, S.C.
• June 13: Bassmaster Elite Series at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound — Elizabeth City, N.C.
• July 29: Bassmaster High School & Junior Championship at Kentucky Lake — Paris, Tenn.
• Aug. 29: Bassmaster Elite Series at St. Lawrence River — Clayton, N.Y.

Each workshop is curated to provide engaging, relevant content with instruction from experienced anglers and authentic opportunities to explore new techniques, tackle and approaches to bass fishing. Attendees can expect a blend of classroom-style learning and on-water demonstrations, designed to bolster both knowledge and confidence. 

Created to serve as a support system for education, travel, inspiration and community for female anglers everywhere, BassmastHER is more than a series of workshops — it is a movement that fosters belonging, growth and empowerment within the bass fishing community. The initiative encourages women and girls of all experience levels to embrace the sport and connect with those who share their passion. 

For more information on the 2026 BassmastHER workshop schedule, to register to attend an event, or to learn how you can get involved, visit Bassmaster.com/BassmastHER.

Huk Women’s Cruiser Pant

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The Huk Women’s Cruiser Pant is built for life that moves between the water, the road and everywhere in between. Made from lightweight stretch cotton ripstop fabric, these pants offer a durable yet soft feel that improves with every wear. Designed with a straight fit that can be worn down or cuffed, a comfortable drawstring waistband and deep, functional pockets, the Cruiser Pant delivers all-day versatility. Available in Volcanic Ash and KC Volcanic Ash Camo, it balances performance with an effortless, laid-back look.

HOW DO I USE IT?

Perfect for travel days, dock work or cool evenings at camp, the Cruiser Pant transitions easily from outdoor utility to casual comfort. The stretch ripstop material gives freedom of movement whether you’re bending, packing or casting, while the breathable cotton keeps you cool during warm afternoons. Pair it with a performance top for fishing or a fleece pullover for fall outings — this pant adapts to every setting without sacrificing style.

HOW MUCH?

$95

MORE INFORMATION:

HukGear.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

It’s rare to find fishing pants that feel this comfortable yet look this good. The Cruiser Pant is super trendy for sure because it has this super high in-demand OG camo look to it giving it a vintage aesthetic. I have this pair in a size Large because I have always lived somewhere between a Medium and a Large in clothing and I really enjoy that these pants are loose, non restraining and comfortable to wear. These could easily be used for both a cute night out outfit and an on the water trip. Also I will say that these pants would be so perfect for Anastasia Patterson. (Ha ha!)

But if you think about your vision for fishing, what does it look like? Becoming a guide, buying a boat, fishing a local derby, heck, winning the Bassmaster Classic, or leaving your spincaster to collect dust and picking up a baitcaster. Whatever your vision may be, there’s nothing too big or too small, but time on the water, research, and, of course, “getting dialed in” can’t always be as easy as the internet might make it seem.

You can never be prepared enough, in my opinion. Your vision might be what you think is going to happen, but so much changes. If you write it down and write it out, it can come to life.

It was also my first time ever fishing Seminole, and a big cold front rolled through and made things even harder. Practice was tough. I struggled all week moving around the lake and trying different areas, but I just couldn’t get anything going. The few bites I did get were small bass and nothing consistent enough to build a plan around. Every day felt different, and by the end of practice, I felt like I had tried everything with nothing to show for it.

A few days before the tournament, things started to warm back up, and that forced me to make a decision. Instead of trying to force what I learned in practice, I decided at the last minute to throw it all out and just fish how I like to fish. I figured with the warming trend, bass might start pulling back up shallow, so I committed to targeting 2-4 feet of water with good grass and picked up my confidence bait.

I was throwing a Z-Man Baby JackHammer with a Z-Man ChatterShad trailer. I love this bait because it still has the action of a traditional bladed jig, but the smaller blade gives me way more flexibility. It activates with less movement, so I can slow it down when conditions call for it or speed it up and fish it more erratically when I need to cover water.

Tournament day was windy, but the plan held. I caught a limit in the first hour and a half and kept upgrading until about noon. After that, I couldn’t find another cull. In my head, I was convinced other anglers were upgrading late and that I was sliding down the leaderboard.

I was bummed I couldn’t find one more upgrade, but I was still genuinely happy. It was the best tournament bag I’ve ever had, and considering how rough practice was, it felt like a win in itself.

When it came time for awards, I was expecting to land somewhere around sixth place and figured it might be enough to still cash a check. Finding out I finished in second place honestly shocked me, and I could not be more grateful for the experience.

Fishing has a way of making you feel defeated really fast, especially when things don’t go the way you expect. Seminole taught me that learning how to mentally reset is just as important as any technique or bait choice. Looking back, it’s easy to second-guess everything I did in practice and feel defeated. But if I’ve learned anything from fishing, it’s that all time spent on the water is a learning experience. You learn from every fish, and you learn from every miss. This was a reminder that trusting your instincts and fishing your strengths matters, even when it feels risky.