Entry 288-5
Making Critical Decisions with Chad Brauer
Editor’s Note: Chad Brauer of Osage Beach, Missouri, longtime member of the Strike King professional bass fishermen’s team, has competed in numerous bass-fishing tournaments and been in the outdoors for most of his life. Most anglers want to catch the most bass and the biggest bass in the least amount of time, whether in a tournament, filming a TV show or just hanging out with their buddies. This week, Brauer will tell us how he makes critical decisions while bass fishing and hosting the “Academy Outdoors Show” on TV.
Part 5: How to Close the Deal
Question: Chad, the decision-making process the leader of the tournament goes through on the final day determines whether he’s a winner or a loser. How do you make those decisions on the last day when you’re in the lead?
Brauer: I look at my goal for the end of the year and determine if I need to accumulate points to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic or another circuit final, or if I need points for an end-of-the-year championship. I’ll also be looking at if I lose the tournament and the chance to qualify, have I done my best in the tournament. I consider if I want to take the chance of being a hero or a zero and go for the win. Too, when I’m leading the last day, I look at the fishing in the area. I decide if I’ve caught all the bass I can with the pattern I’m using, if this area will replenish itself overnight, if I have a spot where I can fish if my initial plan fails, and if I need to change my tactics and lures to catch more and bigger bass.
I was taught from an early age to fish to win every tournament. If I’m in 10th place, I’ll fish hard to catch the leader. I try to fish to win. If I don’t think I can win with the pattern and the tactics that have led me to first place on the last day, I’ll abandon those techniques and start with a new strategy to win. If I know I must catch bigger bass to win, I’ll give up those biting bass to fish for bigger bass. Your last-day tactic depends on your goal for the day. There is no simple answer to this dilemma. Take all the knowledge you have, and make the best decisions you can, not just each day, but each hour and minute of each day you’re fishing.
