I typically go through three stages during the offseason. The first thing I do is relax and avoid obsessing about the next season’s tournaments. I hang with friends, go fishing and do some guide trips.
Around the middle point of the offseason, the tournament bug starts to creep back in. I miss the competition and begin research for the upcoming events on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series schedule.
About this time, I’m ordering new baits and tackle and picking up a new Ranger powered by a Yamaha outboard. I also do a lot of tackle tinkering with this year’s Elite tournaments in mind. I’ve been building a bunch of jigs, because I think flipping and casting jigs will play in several Elite events this season.
I don’t mold these baits, but I modify the jigheads and tie very specific color skirts for them and for spinnerbaits. For instance, I’ve been tying jigs skirts with green pumpkin, black and blue strands for the Arkansas and Tombigbee river tournaments.
Four of the Elite tournaments this year are in my wheelhouse, which means I’ll be able to unlock the shallow water, power-fishing mentality I’ve had throughout my entire fishing life.
The final stage of my offseason is getting organized. That includes spooling fresh line on my reels, breaking in the new boat and going through last year’s baits to see what I need to add, replenish or eliminate.
I accumulate so much stuff over a year of competitive fishing that this takes a while. Sorting through the baits reminds me of past situations that might apply this year. Every season presents a whole new world of venues that require specific lures and techniques to do well.
Some of my favorite baits may not have been players last year. But when I come across them while taking inventory, they might be something that will put fish in my livewell this season.
One of those baits is a finesse football jig I make. I never needed to throw it last year, but it’s sure to get some bites from spotted bass when we go to Lake Martin next month.
Of course, I’ll make sure I’m well stocked with staples like spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, jigs, soft plastic baits and a host of other lures. At the first tournament on Guntersville, I’ll have rods rigged with ChatterBaits, lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits and even diving cranks.
Guntersville will be a true wintertime tournament with the bass relating to grass and riprap. We’ve had February tournaments in Florida, but they’re essentially springtime prespawn and spawning events.
When I go to Guntersville, I’ll be able to apply the same tactics I’ve been using all winter in Arkansas. That should help me tune in quickly. This is also the time when I start losing sleep thinking about the upcoming tournaments.
Right now, there are only three weeks before the Elite tournament on Guntersville. I’m excited and eager to get there.
