HEALDBURG Ca, - Gary Dobyns, Skeet Reese, and Ish Monroe are without a doubt three of the best anglers in the country. And, it is for certain that some of the pride we feel in regards to what they have accomplished is due to the fact that we watched or were a part of their climb to the elite ranks of angling.
But it is important that we keep in mind that all three of these "home grown" anglers have more in common than their obvious differences.
The common denominator shared between the three, is that they have learned through experience, how to adapt to change and keep their heads in the game when facing difficult challenges.
It is what makes them PROFESSIONAL anglers and champions.
Learning to embrace tough or unfamiliar waters, needs to be as much a part of a growing angler’s arsenal as acquiring a good rod, reel, or electronic device for their boat. For failure to embrace change or challenge, can lead to discouragement and a long day on the water.
Lake Sonoma will be somewhat of a Lake 'X' for the majority of anglers fishing this weekend’s Future Pro Tour event, and very similar in venue, to the first Bassmaster Classic event held in 1971 on Lake Mead in which Ray Scott put 24 of the best anglers in the world on a jet plane, only disclosing the venue when they became airborne.
And while the planning for Bassmaster's Lake 'X" was done by design, and this event purely out of scheduling necessity, the principle of facing diversity and challenge remains the same.
Some of the west's top bass professionals weighed in on the topic of embracing change, and preparing for tough, unfamiliar waters, and had this advice for Future Pro Tour anglers fishing Saturday’s Lake Sonoma event.
Dave Rush
Multiple Pro-Am/Team champion and 4-time angler of the year
"Before every venue, challenging or not, there is always someone talking about how tough the bite is". But that's just what we call "dock talk", and as such you can find just as many people that will claim they are catching em’ real good." Don't get involved with "dock talk" - either way - because it means nothing. You can't catch someone else's fish. If you let "dock talk", get in your head, and run your program, you deserve what you get come weigh-in time."
ISH Monroe
2-time B.A.S.S Champion, 6-time Classic Qualifier
"Slow down, and pay attention to details." If you had little to no pre-fishing time, it's not wise to go scouting areas "runnin and gunnin" as your time is limited. Pick an area you think is holding fish, and fish it thoroughly before you move. Often times the fish will move up in shifts, and you will miss the window you need to catch them if you leave too early." Have your drag set right, keep your hooks sharp, and be ready for the opportunities that present themselves."
Bill Townsend
Multi Pro-Am/team champion - deep water expert
"New challenges can call for old techniques. If you’re not on a pattern, go “Ol’ School” on them and try dropping back to something that used to catch ALOT of fish when fishing was both good and tough. I'm talking about the tried and true SPLIT SHOT method."
Three colors, original green weenie, oxblood, or a soft purple color, tied behind a quarter or eighth ounce slip sinker and 18" of leader. Go slow, and work it down to the deeper breaks off shore and you will begin to wonder why anglers have all but forgotten about this effective slow action technique."
So there you have it. Lake Sonoma is nothing more than just another body of water…with bass in it. The FPT was designed to provide a place where the beginning to intermediate level angler could develop their skills in a fun yet competitive environment. Winning an event is great, but it is not everything. The challenges you face and how you deal with them, is what will help carry you to the next level.
Remember… both heat and pressure are REQUIRED to produce a diamond.
See you all at Sonoma!
FPT
(916) 768-0938
www.futureprotour.net
You can sign up for this event on Friday at the optional seminar featuring Jared Stone at Marine Unlimited in Santa Rosa from 4-7pm, or the morning of the event at the Sonoma launch ramp from 4-6am. Limited memberships of $5 per angler will be available.
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