Trucks and Silver Bullets In The Plan
Capt. Tony Gagliano
Did you get the license plate on that truck or see that silver bullet? That is the question we asked ourselves after landing some great fish during our last few pre-fishing adventures.
These large trout and redfish have been ranging from 5 to 13 pounds. We have had some fun trips the past few weeks, which can be attributed to good documentation in our logs and great planning. Pre-fishing is everything in tournament fishing. Thorough and precise logs help, but pre-fishing gives you the confidence you need on tournament day. Pre-fishing, good planning, detailed logs, confidence as well as execution are all elements that are tied together in a successful outcome to a tournament.
Most pre-fishing is done the week before the tournament, although if you keep detailed logs and conditions have been pretty normal during the season, fish will follow the same pattern as previous years. This can allow pre-fishing to be done weeks in advance. When fishing in this manner, you must take into account the tide and moon phases. We always like to pre-fish on the same tide as we will see on tournament day. You would not believe how many times we have sat at the dock and listened while tournament fishermen talked about how they killed them pre-fishing and could not find them on tournament day. Yes, we have fallen victim to this also. During pre-fishing you must be very aware of how the tides are moving when catching or even not catching if you are certain there are fish in the area. The lack of tide movement could be the reason for no bite.
The pre-fishing we do in Louisiana and Texas is done within a minimum of four days. The first, and sometimes the second day, will be running areas looking for bait and fish movement when water clarity allows. If the water is not clear, look for the bait and, if possible, good water color. Try to mark or remember the locations you see as potential fishing spots. On the remaining pre-fishing days, begin fishing those marked spots. Sounds easy, and with good planning it can be. Once you have located the fish, it is a big confidence builder. If on tournament day you are not confident in what you have found during pre-fishing and decide to go to a spot on a whim, your probability for success will be low.
It is hard to plan for everything; weather and boat traffic will be your worst enemies. When things go wrong, note what is wrong and you can learn from your experience.
During recent trips, we have been throwing a Top Dog Jr. with great success right before the sun rises. Once the sun is high enough, we have been sight casting with 3-inch Gulp Shrimp in a multitude of colors. We throw these with a ¼-ounce screw lock jig head for distance and accuracy.
On another note, I have just had a chance to demo Minkota’s new self-deploying trolling motor. This trolling motor keeps you where you need to be without ever touching the trolling motor. I can’t wait until mine is installed by my friends at Premier Yamaha.
Speaking of new, I recently went by to see my friends at Majek Boats. The newly finished 25’ Illusion they have blew me away. Shallow-water rigs have come a long way from Grandpa’s flat bottom!
Capt. Tony Gagliano is a veteran inshore tournament angler sponsored by Yamaha, Majek Boats, Premier Yamaha, Coastline Trailers and Power Pole.