Dudley debates: Are fishermen mathematicians in disguise?

Castrol pro David Dudley weighs in with his first blog entry for FLWOutdoors.com

(Approximately once a month, FLWOutdoors.com will be featuring the latest blog installment from Castrol team pro and three-time FLW Tour AOY winner David Dudley. Going forward, fans of FLWOutdoors.com will be treated to a wide array of blogs from a host of different FLW Tour pros heading into the 2014 season and beyond.)

I know that math, and school in general, was not my favorite thing. For me, my mind was always on fishing and hunting. I am about as ADD as a person can get so my mind is usually going a million miles an hour; and the funniest part is that it’s normally on about a million different subjects! Can anyone else relate?

But when it comes to fishing, whether you realize it or not, you are working out math problems and different angles all day long with everything you do. And to be sure, those calculations could mean the difference between winning a tournament, an Angler-of-the-Year title or finishing in the back of the pack.

Without understanding the importance of math, you will not excel to the level of your full potential. If you miss a math problem by one number, you have failed. And the same thing goes with fishing: If you miscalculate your cast by an inch, it will result in failure to catch a fish, perhaps the winning fish! So, during this blog, I want to discuss the importance of angles and the mathematical calculations that many anglers take for granted.

“What do you mean?” you ask. For example, let’s see how math factors in on the calculation behind making a general cast in the open water.

You calculate the distance of the cast.

You calculate the depth you want your lure to go.

You calculate the fall rate.

You calculate how fast to move.

You calculate how much distance to move.

You calculate the angle of the rod.

Of course, the number of mathematical calculations increases when flipping docks, brush, etc., and I could go on, but you get the point.

Now we all know that we as fisherman come back from a day of fishing very tired. I also know that if I were to do math problems for 12 to 15 hours a day my mind would be toast. So when someone gives you a hard time for being tired after a day of fishing just ask them, “If you did 12 hours of math wouldn’t you be tired?”

My point is to encourage you to really take your math problems on the water seriously. If you take a lot of pride in your calculations and decision making process on the water, you undoubtedly will become a better angler.

For more crazy thoughts, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You also might want to consider a coaching trip to be able to help you see through new eyes how to make better decisions on the water.