Said Kruger, "We all have some form of confidence and even more intensity when catching a fish. You know how you get when you're really 'on fish' and expect a bite on every cast. Your focus is riveted; your concentration is total. You might even lean forward a bit every time you make a retrieve--tensed up and ready to set the hook at any moment.
"I've seen top tournament pros assume this 'posture' of intensity but with total confidence, and they then hold it for eight hours straight, whether they catch a fish or not."
As a press observer, however, Kruger was bored...to the point where he often fell asleep.
"We weren't allowed to fish, just watch and take an occasional picture," he explained. "None of the pros wanted to talk much, either, because they didn't want me distracting them with noises or quick movements. Once the contest was over, though, some of them would then talk my ear off," he continued.
Most of the top pros, if they think quality bass are holding on a particular spot, "will camp there, with hair-trigger expectations, all day," according to Kruger. "For the most part, they fish much slower and more methodically than the wannabes, who change locations too often and fish far too fast."
Though it has been several years since he closely observed any participants on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail, Kruger is willing to bet his best rod that the same attitude of total confidence and intensity, punctuated with patient persistence, still is what wins the big tournaments.
As he noted, "The average bass angler today is much more knowledgeable than they were years ago. In fact, I believe the average weekend warrior knows more about fishing now than many pros did years ago, and the equipment is better, too. Unfortunately, the quality bass are much harder to catch. Fishing pressure has grown by incalculable leaps and bounds, which means that young bass have been caught and taught hard lessons quite a few times before they even get big enough to tote to the scales.
"The confidence it takes to catch a winning limit of bass only can come from catching a bunch of good bass with consistency over a considerable period of time. And at least half of everyone who enters a tournament has plenty of confidence to start with.
"Many, however, lack that unwavering intensity, punctuated with patient persistence. Confidence comes from catching fish, and unwavering intensity comes from self-control and a highly competitive nature that you either have, or you don't."
Kruger explained that many tournament anglers have the right bait and are at the right place, but when the competition begins, they can get into a slight hurry. Without realizing it, they change their presentation to some degree, and that's the subtle deviation that makes all the difference. Most think color is the key, but presentation is paramount. When what worked yesterday doesn't work today, they lose a little confidence and a lot of their controlled intensity, which is enough to fall out of contention. They run and gun, and they try every color of the rainbow...and, eventually, they lose.
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