BlogCast #4: Prefish Puzzle - Scott Barton

This week's angler is no stranger to kayak fishing. He has been around the block a few times. We asked him: is pre-fishing necessary to do well in tournaments? Scott is on the fence! Read up to see why.

Scott Barton - Kinburn, Ontario

11 years of kayak fishing

Sponsors: Jackson Kayak

Is Pre-fishing necessary to do well in tournaments? How is this for a wishy-washy answer?! I am still on the fence when it comes to pre-fishing. I’ve been fishing bass tournaments for more than five years now, and I still don’t know if it helps or hinders. Pre-fishing has helped me score in a handful of tournaments while increasing the grey hairs on my head in most others.

What I can tell you is there’s a ton of preparation that can be done at home. Pairing the right baits with the right rod/reel combo’s, being organized, studying lake maps, finding potential spots based on seasonal patterns, weather/wind conditions, learning from YouTube videos, and most importantly, ripping lips over and over, and over again (on your home waters obv.) By doing this you will gain confidence in your abilities. Ability in multiple techniques is essential. There’s a big difference between battling a feisty Smallie caught on Ned rig vs. punching a Donkey out of the slop.

Do’s…

1- Arrive at your pre-fish destination guilt-free. If your family isn’t thrilled that you missed the reunion, or you’re fishing on a ‘Sick day’, your head won’t be where it needs to be.

2- Start your pre-fishing day at the same time as the tourney start time.

3- Stick with what you know. What are your confidence/high percentage baits? Where on the lake are these baits likely to have the most success?

4- Do your homework! Preparation begins the moment you sign up for the event. What baits are likely to yield the highest potential?

5- Be prepared. Be organized. Be efficient. Hydrate.

6- Cover water and focus on finding potential with both your eyes and fish finder.

7- Enjoy the whole tournament experience! From a rigging party in your garage to traveling/staying at the event, to the pre-fish to tournament day. For me, having a busy family life on the home-front, getting away to fish is a mini-holiday of sorts. Whether the pre-fish is going great or total fart noise, don’t forget, you’re still FISHING!

Don’ts…

1- Don’t arrive at pre-fish unprepared.

2- Don’t start pre-fishing too late in the day.

3- Don’t try new techniques or baits you’re not familiar with.

4- Don’t burn yourself out. Save energy for game day.

5- Don’t worry about others. Stick with your game plan.

6- Don’t party or stay up late before the pre-fish or tournament (easier said than done;)

Most tournament anglers have fond memories of those pre-fish and/or game days where everything just seemed to ‘click’. For me, that was the annual KAAO Catfish event held on the Ottawa River at Duchenne’s rapids. I researched for this event by watching an ‘Uncut Angling’ video on catfish rigs. The host of uncut angling, Aaron Wiebe, was using a gigantic wad of worms on a size 3 circle hook and was slaying the cats on the Winnipeg River. He showed the type of rig he was using from the size/type of weight needed in heavy current, line diameter, rod action, and length. To top it all off he was using what seemed like a ridiculous 9” inch slip bobber. I had never seen or used this rig before, but I followed it to a ‘T’. I even set up on the edge of a current seem as they suggested. The pre-fish was epic! Chat after chat hand over fist. I was super confident heading into the event, and the results were a first-place finish and a kayak tournament addiction. If I remember correctly, I won that event two years in a row. Seems crazy now that 30 anglers would be paddling (mostly) and anchoring in medium to heavy current...in May, but geez those were fun times.

For me, my confidence bait is a double clacker buzz bait. I often power fish with this bait after I set up in an area with potential. It has been killer during the first 30-45 minutes on calm mornings. Alternatively, if the wind is blowing, a Kicker custom lures spinnerbait gets the nod. Both baits give you a good chance at an early morning feaster, anchoring your stringer and giving you the confidence to push the rest of the day. Now you only need four more, and the sun is still rising. My least favorite bait for bass would have to be crankbaits, so I often don’t bother to tie them on. If not a confidence bait, why use it?

Like most things in life, hard work pays off. Kayak Tournament fishing is no different. Have fun and enjoy! If you end up cutting a cheque. BONUS!