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The 4 Stages Of A Kayak Tournament With Jason Ray

 By Jason Ray


Stage 1: Prep

Prepping for a tournament is a time that I really enjoy. This usually happens the week before the tournament for me. I spend at least an hour each night before the tournament going through my gear checking line and fine tuning lures.  I also take this time to study the lake especially if I cant pre-fish or if I haven't fished it in the past. I go to Google maps and check the satellite images to find the part of the lake that best suits my style of fishing. Now is also a time to check the weather for the week end and prep for rain, wind or long hot days. The day before is when I get all my snacks and water ready to go. The night before the tournament is always the hardest for me because I'm so excited to go and compete I usually get about two hours of sleep. Even after 4 years of competing I still get butterflies and an excited feeling before tournament day.   





Stage 2: The Drive

The drive to the tournament is a time to clear your mind of the past tournaments and focus on the day at hand. I usually listen to a podcast on my long drives and think over and over the many situations I might face that day. I'm usually calling with many of the anglers on the way to the lake and making sure everyone is as excited as I am to get out on the water. After a long drive I finally find my way to the ramp where I usually see some fellow angler friends and get to have a quick catch-up while gearing up the kayak and getting ready to back up on the ramp. Now comes the really fun part of waiting for the lines while you are sitting in the dark listening to all the fish splash around thinking if they are bass or carp.  

Stage 3: The Tourney   

Everything That I have prepped for is now here and I'm ready to go! The first cast, its a cast that I have played out many times in my head over the last week and now I reach back and backlash. No problem I didn't want to throw topwater anyway. I've had days where I catch a large limit in the first hour but not that usual for me, most tournaments consist of a few small bites until around 10am then I get dialed in and really start catching some nice keepers. I always tell myself any fish before 10am is a bonus fish and no matter the size I'm happy with it. After fishing all day I put together whatever limit I can get pedaling back to the ramp. 

Stage 4: Post Tourney 

Im tired, thirsty, happy, mad, and curious how all the other anglers have done, Its time to head to the weigh -in and find out how I ended up for the day. I always enjoy the weigh in and talking to all the friends I have made over the last few years and seeing how they did for the day. Finally the time is here when Avery gets up and announces the winners this is always either a really happy and fast ride home or a long tired ride home depending on how I finish. No matter if I win the tournament or place last I always go over every cast, every move, and every bait change of the day and think what if I did what if I had done this different. I feel like if you never go back and judge yourself then how will you become better angler for the the future tournaments. Finally when I get home I unload everything and go inside to see my family who has been waiting to see me all day. Its always fun to go to a tournament but its always nice to come home to the family after a long day on the water.   


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