By Adam DeMeusy
I’ve fished many big money tournaments, and over the first few years found myself trying too hard and having unrealistic expectations. That is always a formula for disappointment. As I became more realistic and took a more neutral look at the game I realized these tournaments should be an adventure and a whole bunch of high intensity fun. Always keep in mind that you’re there to do what you love to do—fish and fish hard. Now that sounds easier than it is to accomplish, but with the right attitude and preparation along with the right crew, you have as good a shot at winning tournaments as anyone.
The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is one of my favorite tournaments as it combines a high degree of knowledge and preparation in order to compete with some of the best teams on the East Coast. It’s a very well run tournament by a great bunch of guys who love marlin and tuna fishing as much as the competitors. You will find some of the best anglers on the East Coast there and they bring their “A” game with them. That’s easy to see first hand if you walk up and down the docks the night before a fishing day. Skilled crews are busy preparing their equipment and cutting and sewing fresh ballyhoo and Spanish mackerel like surgeons while captains are busy researching the offshore waters using satellite imagery and putting together their game plan. There is a lot of prep work and research in determining the best shot at the bite. These are perhaps the best marlin fishermen you will ever see in a tournament and they are very focused on the task at hand. The main target, the white marlin division with its huge payout, is the most competitive division in the tournament. White marlin leader boards change daily, especially on day five of the five day event. Boats pick three days to fish, usually weather determined, and seven hours to fish each day which means you had better be prepared and tuned in on what you are doing and where you are going.
THE CREW
The first and most important preparation for the MA500 is a fine tuned, well oiled crew. Make sure you know your cockpit crew and their capabilities. Never forget you are the captain and must be comfortable with each crew member and their role in the team. I have always found by making it very clear what everyone’s job is and what is expected of them in the performance of that job will avoid that mad dash of cockpit confusion and chaos when a rod goes off. Each crew member should be aware of their role and be comfortable in it.
The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is one of my favorite tournaments as it combines a high degree of knowledge and preparation in order to compete with some of the best teams on the East Coast. It’s a very well run tournament by a great bunch of guys who love marlin and tuna fishing as much as the competitors. You will find some of the best anglers on the East Coast there and they bring their “A” game with them. That’s easy to see first hand if you walk up and down the docks the night before a fishing day. Skilled crews are busy preparing their equipment and cutting and sewing fresh ballyhoo and Spanish mackerel like surgeons while captains are busy researching the offshore waters using satellite imagery and putting together their game plan. There is a lot of prep work and research in determining the best shot at the bite. These are perhaps the best marlin fishermen you will ever see in a tournament and they are very focused on the task at hand. The main target, the white marlin division with its huge payout, is the most competitive division in the tournament. White marlin leader boards change daily, especially on day five of the five day event. Boats pick three days to fish, usually weather determined, and seven hours to fish each day which means you had better be prepared and tuned in on what you are doing and where you are going.
THE CREW
The first and most important preparation for the MA500 is a fine tuned, well oiled crew. Make sure you know your cockpit crew and their capabilities. Never forget you are the captain and must be comfortable with each crew member and their role in the team. I have always found by making it very clear what everyone’s job is and what is expected of them in the performance of that job will avoid that mad dash of cockpit confusion and chaos when a rod goes off. Each crew member should be aware of their role and be comfortable in it.
