Getting ready for the BFL Tournament

Saturday is the 3rd BFL Tournament in the Everglades Division. We will be fishing the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes going out of Camp Mack. I am currently in 20th place in points on the Co-Angler Side after two decent finishes (22nd and 36th). I am hoping to move up to the Top 5 after the season completes in September, so I need to continue to catch fish at every stop. The goal for every angler fishing the BFL's is to make the regionals and eventually qualify for the All-American, which is the best you can do fishing as a "weekend angler". I made it all the way in 2002, and I'm desperate to get back there.

Tournament prep is one of my favorite things to do; it's fun, relaxing and really makes you think about your bait selections. Since I am fishing as a co-angler, I really need to narrow my baits down and only take the necessities. I take no more than 6 rods and have a small tackle bag which will hold everything I need. I am not like some co-anglers who take everything they own. I believe the less I take, the more focused I will be. Since I decided "less is best", I have seen my fishing improve and have made alot more Monday trips to the bank to cash tournament checks.

I narrowed my baits to the essentials:

1. 7 ft Medium Action Spinning rod with 10lb fluorocarbon - Black worm on an Owner weedless wacky hook, rigged wacky style about 1/3 down the bait.
2. 6ft 6 in Medium Action Casting Rod with 15lb fluorocarbon- Lethal Weapon II Swim Jig in Black/Blue with a double tail trailer.
3. 6ft 6 in Medium Heavy Action Casting Rod with 15lb monofilament - 4" Tru-Tungsten Tru-life Swimbait in the bluegill color.
4. 6ft 8 in Medium Heavy Action Casting Rod with 15lb fluorocarbon - Mizmo 5" Diamond Darter Fluke in Watermelon/Red Flake with a 3/16 oz tungsten weight.
5. 7ft 2 in Heavy Action Casting Rod with 15lb fluorocarbon - Weightless Green Pumpkin Mizmo 5" Quiver Stick
6. 7ft 1 in Heavy Action Casting Rod with 50lb braid - Snag Proof Bobby's Perfect Frog in black.

After looking at the baits, I began questioning myself. How could I go to Kissimmee without a rattletrap tied on? Am I crazy? Maybe I need to put fresh line on this rod....

I decided to let them stay the way they are. I can always change baits in a few seconds if I have to.