The Mental Game – Step Two: Making a List

This is Part 2 in the series, to read Part 1: The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is

Ok, so…once you have decided where and how you are going to be fishing, you need to decide what you to bring along to make that trip successful.  It does not matter if you are going for fun or for money, forgetting something can ruin or even end your day (or week) on the water.  If you are anything like me, you get very excited while planning your fishing, and excitement often leads to me forgetting things.  So here is what I do to prevent that: Make a list of everything I am going to need to bring.

Here are a few things to think about while making your list:

If you are like me, you have way to much tackle and gear and there is no way you can get everything onto your kayak.  So, you should have already done your research and know what type of techniques, lures, and presentations, that you will be using during the tournament.  What I do next is create my tournament prep sheet.  (If anyone knows how to upload an Excel Document or attach it to something in blogger let me know and I will upload mine.)  Pick the top four or five of these presentations and rank them, on a piece of paper, from 1-5 based on what you think will be most effective.  For example: 

1) 8-10 foot crankbaits in Sunfish Patterns

2) Jigs in Sunfish patterns around weed lines

3) Spinnerbaits over the top of the grass

4) Heavy Texas rigged worms in the grass

5) 15-20 foot crankbaits.  

Now, on another sheet of paper, starting with your #1 presentation, write down everything you will need for that presentation.  Do this for each presentation.  For example:

8-10 foot Crankbaits in Sunfish Patterns

1) Medium Heavy Moderate Fast Action Rod with a slow speed reel

2) Sunfish Pattern Carnkbaits!!!

3) Shad and Crawfish pattern cranks in case sunfish is not the pattern

4) Needle nose pliers to remove the treble hooks

5) Sunfish sent stick

Later on you will “pre-rig” your kayak from these lists (top to bottom) to maximize the effectiveness of your on-board storage.

Once you determined what tackle you are bringing, you also need to decided what else you need to take along.

Are you camping?  Make a list of all the camping gear you will  need.  Don’t forget your tent, stakes, hammer, knife, etc… Do you need a GPS or anything?

Make a list of the clothes you will need for the weather conditions you might be facing.

Do you need to bring any money along with you, don’t forget your wallet!!! 

How are you going to eat and drink?  What food and water are you taking?

Don’t forget to write down your camera, measuring board, or PFD!!!

After making your lists of EVERYTHING you might need.  Go back over the list a few times to make sure you didn’t leave anything off.  You don’t want to forget anything.

Continue reading: Step Three: Prepping Your Gear

 This is Part 2 in the series, to read Part 1: The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is