That's My Story

TOURNAMENT TIME – published Oct. 2005 – Western Outdoor News

This is tournament time in Baja and a certain discernable frenzy descends on places like Cabo, and the East Cape as some of the largest and richest tournaments on the planet bring the big boys, big boats, but money and big guns down for a spin at the roulette wheel of the fishing circuit.

If you ever get a chance to participate in any of these events, whether it’s the Bisbees or Western Outdoor News’ own great soiree or any of the others, you should treat yourself. Even if you can’t participate, to be in town to just watch and observe the circus is almost as much fun. Nothing quite lights up a town than when the big parades roll in.

I’ve worked and participated in several. Now, I”ll be frank. When there’s a couple of hundred boats out there all hell- bent on raising the biggest fish over a given number of days, there’s a certain element of luck involved. Being on the right boat; at the right time; with the right lure; at the right speed; and running over the right fish that just happens to want to chew what’s on the end of your line has a lot to do with luck.

It doesn’t matter how your stars are aligned; what your astrologer said; or how much money you spent or didn’t spend on that fiberglass fishing machine you’re riding. Winning is as capricious an act as getting hit by lightning or as “scientific” as those guys who have a “system” for wining the lottery or have the ability to “count cards” at the Vegas blackjack tables.

No doubt there are “pros” out there who have the ability and wherewithal to ply the tournament circuit. Those are the guys who combine skill with luck and more often than not, are usually somewhere in the money. I drool whenever one of their boats goes by and I see the deadly seriousness with which they approach and work their boat and equipment. I’ve decked on tournament boats where half the clients were asleep in the salon or passed out on the fighting chair 10 minutes after the hoopla of the “shotgun” start has faded and I’m the only sober guy on deck. Watching the pros is a thing of beauty. It’s like comparing crack Navy Seals to a college ROTC program. You and I may not ever be able to have that dream job of just following all the big tournaments around the world, but you can sure increase your chances with just a few common sense moves.

At one tournament, I passed one team of anglers who were “deep into the cups” as evidenced by the pyramid of beer cans stacked on their table. One of the guys recognized me and somewhat stumbled over. “Hey, Jonathan, I just made side bet of $1000 with some of the other boats. Give me a tip on how I can win!”
“Well, the first thing you can do is put down the beer can.” I answered. He stared at me and it took a few brain clicks for that to register. Then he started laughing and said, “You joker! You’re always so full of it!” He stumbled back to his table no doubt to regale his amigos with my pearls of wisdom.

Seriously, and by all means, have fun, but it’s hard to spot fish or do your job on a tournament boat if your eyes or closed, squinting or blood shot from the night before; bright sunshine hurts your eyes or you’re barking at the seals hunched over the rail yakking out your guts into the chum line.

And yes…everyone should have a job and an assignment on the boat. I have seen so many fish lost or tournaments screwed-up by the smallest things. And the smallest things are what can put you in or out of the money.

Everyone should have a part of the boat that is their responsibility. Everyone should have a portion of the horizon to scan for fins or surface activity. Someone should be in the cockpit at all times. Rotate duties so everyone stays alert. And, for criminy’s sake, someone should know what to do when the rods go off. So often, if the deck doesn’t look like it just got raked by a cannonball broadside leaving bodies and debris scattered about, it’s just the opposite. Namely, it’s a bad version of musical chairs with all participants having their hair on fire when the rods go off or a fish gets baited. It’s literally a bunch of screaming people bumping into each other! Have you ever seen all the clowns pile out of the tiny circus car?

“Fish on! Fish on! Someone grab that rod and set the hook!”

“Who is clearing lines? That’s not MY job!”

“Smitty is in the head! Who’s driving the boat?”

Where’s the bait? I thought YOU had it? There’s the fin! Let’s cast on it!”

Oh hell, I spilled my beer on the new carpet!”

“The deckhand is passed out in the salon. I told you guys not to do those shooters last night!”

“Who’s turn is it on the rod?” “Will someone grab the rod!”

“Where’s my rod belt? Where’s my rod belt? I can’t fish without my rod belt!”

You get the idea…

A little pre-tournament rehearsal wouldn’t help. Timing and details are everything. You could get one and only one shot. It’s the difference between a pyramid of beer cans or you and your team holding the big check in the winner’s circle with the bikini girl. Or not.

That’s my story…
Jonathan