Like all athletes, tournament bass anglers believe that mental preparation is part of their game plan for success. Recreational anglers can learn from them.

Preparation includes such things as confidence in your ability as an angler, ability to scout a water and know where fish are going to be, confidence in your tackle choice, and the reliability of your boat and electronics. Pro anglers also must confident in their physical ability to withstand hours of fishing and the rigors of travel.

He/she needs confidence in their ability to focus and keep a positive attitude.

Much of bass fishing is all about “bite.” One bite can tell a lot. If not in tune with what is going, you can miss some obvious signs. Missing what the fish are saying points you in the wrong direction.

Another factor in mental attitude—namely keeping a positive one. Stress in life from other areas, mental fatigue, or frustration about something all affect performance. Frustration carries over, leading to frustration and becoming impatient. That leads to fishing faster than need be and a loss of concentration.

Anglers need a clear mind and focus on that one bite. Many times, it is all that is available. It is just all about that one bite.

When the bite happens, analyze it. Did it happen when on a certain piece of cover? Where did it happen? Or what was the presentation? Immediately say to yourself, okay, I know what the fish are doing. I understand what they are on and immediately establish a successful pattern. Once you establish a pattern, read the fish as they begin to change.

Successful bassers change with the fish and get on to the next pattern.

If it seems that you are just fighting the weather, you are fighting fish that are not biting good, the wind might be blowing hard, and it might be raining or cold or hot. Some other situations might mean that you lose fish, another fisherman gets on your best spot, or your motor or trolling motor breaks. A bunch of things that can go wrong. Few times do you go out there and catch fish all day long.

Try to remember that anything that’s going wrong has happened to every other fisherman. Today might be your turn. During a season, everybody will have bad things happen to them.

What is important is not things going wrong, but what to do about them. Do not let things bother you. Maintain an attitude of not getting too excited on a great day, and not to get too down if things are not going well.

Maintain an even keel and remain confident. Try to reason what is going on and adjust to current conditions. It is not that difficult. A minor adjustment in the depth your fishing, or the lure you are using, or whatever, and you start catching fish. The important thing is to maintain your composure.

In fishing, emotion is more of a distraction. Fishing is like golf, where you must have an even temperament. Figure out where the fish should be and deal positively with bad things coming your way. Do not let the fish get you down. Keep plugging away.

The most experienced and successful anglers still have times on the water when they do not have a clue as to what is happening. Try to remember, however, that it only takes 10 minutes to catch a limit of fish if you get in the right spot at the right time.

Finally, remember that as far as attitude goes, the last hour of the day is worth just as much as the first hour. Do not give up.