(Blog post)

'32nd of 37 and Proud of It!

Most of you know I work here for SUF, but I am also here to learn with you all.

Yesterday I fished a tournament here in Ohio and placed 32nd of 37. Believe it or not, I walked away so HAPPY. Some of you might think that sounds crazy, but this tournament was different. I actually set out to compete. Not with anyone else but myself.

Admittedly, summer fishing has never been my favorite. Fishing in Ohio is already hard, but summertime? Big oof. That's a whole different level of hard. This is what I've told myself for the last 10 years I've been bass fishing, but this time I wanted it to be different.

 So, I took the following steps:

1) Watch all the videos I could about summer fishing and tournaments here on SUF. I literally watched them any free time I got.

2) Downloaded the apps recommended during the roundtable and studied the lake. I went with Navionics and Deep Dive.

3) I decided not to let the pressure of the tournament get to me like it usually does and went out to have fun like you all said I should.

The day of the tournament, I woke up, had a cup of coffee, and Chris and I headed to the lake. The only expectation I set for myself was to use what I learned, and I held on to Brian latimer 's words that every time you compete, it adds to your knowledge and experience.

The day started off great despite the fact that I was nervous, but I decided to trust myself and everything I've learned here.

1 hour in, I caught my first fish. She was strong, and fought hard. I was so excited! I thought to myself, "This was a good one!" reeled her in, and of course—a big ol' catfish.

All good! Skunk off the boat. 

2 hours in, I caught my first bass. 13.5, and I've never been so proud to hit 'submit catch.' A few minutes later, fish number 2 was reeled to the boat and came off. Fish 3 same thing. 🫠

Around 6 hours in I brought fish number 4 in, and of course, she flopped off the board before I could snap the photo.

The next several hours flew, and not a single bite until 20 minutes before lines in, an 11-incher picked up my shakey head, and I got it on the board and submitted it.

For the next hour I watched everyone's place number change as they updated their submissions. Most fish averaged 12-13 inches and the winnner brought in 75.75 inches. The tournament ended, and there I was. Number 32 and smiling the whole time.

Why? Because I figured out what I needed to do, and I could've had a limit. Which was more than I thought I would! I learned so much about myself, and like B said, the experience will add up. I realized I could do it. One day I might really place in the top 20% and maybe even win something. I mean, why not me? Also, why not YOU?!

Such a gift to be out there, and I always say, we only get so many casts in this lifetime and we have to make them count. I had so much fun out there, and I can't wait until the next one!

📣Good luck to all our members competing in tournaments this weekend! Sending you all the good vibes. Remember to have fun, stay hydrated and never forget it's not over until it's over! 😎🤙🏽