A lot of rookies, but even a few old pros, depend too much on practicing for a tournament on the phone instead of going out there and putting in time on the water. I’ll see guys talking to tackle stores and locals about what’s working and where the fish are instead of finding out for themselves. Secondhand fishing information is like a joke that you tell at one corner of a room and then it goes all the way around. By the time it gets back to you, it’s not the same joke anymore. Depending on how many people pass it around before it gets to you, fishing information is like that. It’s OK to ask somebody you know about the water conditions and that sort of thing, but when it comes to finding fish and what’s working now, nothing is as dependable as your own experience.

As a fisherman, there are things that you’re really good at, like maybe dock-fishing, and then there are other things that you’re pretty good at. Stick with those, starting with practice; if there isn’t a dock pattern, go to your backups. But don’t depend on something you’re not good at because others say that’s what’s been working. Trust your own ability, follow your own instincts, and fish to your strengths.

— EverStart pro Randall Tharp of Gardendale, Ala.