That Zero Feeling

Join the Discussion "You ever get that 'zero' feeling?" Ronnie  Past Articles One Year Ago - 01/24/00 - Fishing With Family Two Years Ago   01/25/99 - Sand Pocket Bass Three Years Ago - 01/26/98 - Ultralight Fishing  Additional Resources • Bass Angler Sportsman Society

I posted info about the first day of the Florida Top 150 last week.  In that tournament the leader had 5 bass weighing 45 pounds and there were something like 12 bass weighing over 10 pounds brought to the scales.  Two limits over 40 pounds were weighed in, 4 between 30 and 40, and 14 between 20 and 30 pounds.  That is an amazing catch by the 150 pros.

At the same time there were six pros that zeroed that day - did not bring a keeper bass to the scales.  I asked on a newsgroup if anyone could imagine how they felt and someone responded "yes - it happens in every tournament."

I asked the question because I know exactly how it feels!  Although I have not fished a lot of big money tournaments, I have extensive experience in club tournaments watching others weigh in while I have my hands in my pockets.  At the Top Six I have placed in the money a few times but more often than not I have wondered how in the world everybody caught all those bass!

Also, I fished the Bulldog Redman Trail for two years back in the 1980's and never got a check.  I would watch everyone weigh in and wonder what I was doing wrong.  So I do have first hand experience!

My usual first thoughts are about my lack of ability.  I wonder why I am even trying to compete because I obviously do not know enough to be there.  If I can not catch fish even when others are catching them, my skills must be lacking.

Then I wonder if the people catching fish have special circumstances that I don't have, like living on the lake, fishing there every day and following the bass.  Some of the guys in Red Man prefished the tournaments for at least a week each time.  Since I worked I could not do that, and it was a good excuse.

There was always a little nagging thought that maybe they cheated, but I have always been able to put that out of my  mind quickly.  The few times I have gotten on fish and beat everybody I knew I had not cheated, so if I could do it, it is only reasonable others could, too!

It is hard to admit the other guys might just be better fishermen, but I always wonder about that, too.  Are they smarter than me?  Do they work harder at it?  Are they more experienced, or do they have some sixth sense that helps them find fish. 

I am not the only one thinking like this.  Listen at any weigh-in and you will hear all the above expressed, as well as other comments.  

What makes the difference between the winner and the goose egg?  Lots of things.  Thank goodness they change every tournament, and maybe we will reverse next time!

Check out Coming Next Week - Next week's column topic, contest prize and new additions to the resources lists.

Previous Features