Luke Estel

Let’s all admit, at one point in our tournament fishing career, we have gotten mad after weigh in and left. It happens to the best of us but I would like to change that.

First of all, you can’t win every tournament you fish. If you did or think you can, then sign up with the big boys and see what happens. Which brings me to this.

First of all, congratulate the winners. They worked hard and figured it out the best. Whether you like them or not, give props when it’s due. We as tournament anglers are mostly fierce competitors and we all strive to do well. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. There is no reason to be mad or stomp off like a baby after you get your butt handed to you. It makes you look bad. Take a step back, reflect on the day, and move on. It’s part of the game. Your actions in this life, not only in tournament fishing but in your personal life will get you further than going around with a sour look on your face. People respect humbleness and just maybe they will do the same for you when you win.

Last week, my partner and I fished the USA Bassin Classic held on Kentucky Lake. We found them and in fact we found multiple areas with good fish in them. Our buddies that we stayed with had a terrible practice. So, we gave them a clue on how to catch some keepers.

Tournament time rolled around and we come to the scales with one fish. Yes, I said one! I was dumbfounded. I still don’t know what happened. Our friends weighed in 18.5 pounds, and they caught three of them where we told them to go. The next day they weighed in another limit catching three more shallow where we again told them. They ended up in 7^thplace. The next day I received a phone call from one of them. He wanted to thank me for helping him and his partner out and he said they wouldn’t have done that well if it weren’t for us. That meant a lot to me.

Maybe next time they will clue us in on something and us do well.

Life is too short to be pissed off all of the time.

The sun will rise tomorrow no matter what. Enjoy the time you get to spend on the water.

Good things happen to good people.

Don’t be a sore loser.

It will never work out to your advantage.

Congrats again to Marc Sheffer and Kevin Reynolds for doing so well.

You guys deserved it.