BassBlaster

Spot Thoughts, Part 2: All Small?

We have the facts that pre-tournament local info is now super-local (GPSd spots), and during-tournament info is now super-local. What this means is that “the spot” has gained and will continue to gain in importance at all levels of competitive fishing.

And by extension, a good information network and the knowledge of local big sticks will gain in value.

So more and more tournaments will be won on spots. Small spots. Until it changes again.

Jon Storm and John Johnson of BassFan pointed out that an increasing number of pros are saying they’re winning on spots “no bigger than the front deck” of their boats.

That not only points out the value of these small spots, it also highlights the fact that derby guys either have to stumble over these spots in practice (happens) – every year, since once a spot is outed, that’s it. Or they’ll have to be put on these spots.

If info that precise is key and those are the only two ways to get it, what are guys who have to fish for a living going to do?

I’m not implying anything, or about anyone or any specific tourney or winner. I’m just wondering aloud, continuing this thought thread – where’s this all going? Is wherever it’s going okay? If not, what to do about it?

Having said all that, the importance of patterning bass won’t ever go away – and in fact might take on an increasing importance as small spots get outed, and rules maybe change.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Bass Pundit

    February 23, 2011 at 2:48 am

    The guys with GPS coordinated side-imaging get to know virtually everything and quickly. See it on the side imaging and click a waypoint right on the key spots. As long as everyone has it and knows how to use it, it’s a fair fight. I don’t think it’s an accident that Martens and Van Dam who are two experts with side imaging ended up right on top of each other.

    A step down from that which is used in conjunction with the side imaging is gps guided mapping software, which is progressively getting better and better.

    Still even with the technology, nothing is guaranteed. A guy just isn’t going to get a free run at everything that looks good and might be good. You can only be at one spot at a time. Decision making is going to be more crucial than ever.

  2. Chad Keogh

    February 23, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    You can’t and shouldn’t stop progress, unless if conflicts with the rules of the event. The only recent gadget that I think SHOULD be banned is Biosonix and anything like it. It is nothing more that audio chumming in my opinion…

  3. bill moore

    February 23, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Nothing is more gratifying than being the one to find The Spot, all on your own. Of course, I’m not fishing for a living so I’m in no hurry out on the water.

    Yea, that’s me dragging the ball and chain around till I hit something.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Gitcha Bassin' Fix

To Top