How one Canuck angler got to the world championship of bass fishing—the Bassmaster Classic

#6: Gain Experience

According to Sim, being able to handle the mental side of tournament fishing is as important as anything else. “Good decision-making, relying on your gut and not trying to overthink things too much are so important,” he says, as is controlling the ups and downs of a day on the water. “Losing a fish or making a bad decision can take you out of the game if you allow it, so the best thing to do is learn from mistakes and move on.”

Sim has also learned over the years that there’s no substitute for time spent on the water. “Our lakes, conditions and fish are forever changing, and that’s part of the challenge that keeps the game fun,” he says. “You’ll never figure it all out, but the more experience you have, the more tools you have to help you break it down and put more fish in the boat.”

Award-winning outdoor writer and fishing seminar host Wil Wegman has been an avid bass tournament angler since the mid 1980s.