Amazing coincidence that after watching this video, I tuned in to MLF at Lake Travis. I think it was Scott Suggs who had a real giant on right up close to the boat. It came off and lo and behold, his comment was that he might as well load the boat, he was done for the day. The way I get my concentration back is to think back to times when I have caught the tournament winner at the very last minute. Once, I had 3 minutes till lines out and caught a 2 and 6 !/2 on the next to last and last cast. Those positive experiences seem to remind me to NEVER GIVE UP!
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Never Give Up Buddy!
@benbjamun21293 жыл бұрын
Breathe work and mindset. I’m so glad I subbed; these topics are never talked, even in other sports. This video is a gem.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
I appreciate that!
@outdoorswithjt66522 жыл бұрын
I've never thought of that way. Much appreciated
@jimhalleran62393 жыл бұрын
Excellent video. Positive mental attitude is critical in all competitions.
@jasonmoyer7432 жыл бұрын
yep, confidence is key. I definitely believe that and focus on the cast and control the variables that you can control and not the ones you can't.
@aarongreenlee78673 жыл бұрын
Great video! I have a fishing buddy who gets super frustrated at what to me are little things. Kenny Rogers said it the best, "there'll be time to count your money when the dealin is done." I approach it as not being in it from the get go, everything is upward and onward from there, gotta stay focused and get after it to cash a check, the same holds true in all of life.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Well said!
@kevinmoore77103 жыл бұрын
Great advice, not just for tournament anglers
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Very true!
@juleswinnfield8263 жыл бұрын
So..... One could say that Ike charges his demons head on.....lol Thanks for sharing your personal off water efforts on this subject. So many clichés and phrases that encourage positive thinking. As the story goes that I read from a bass Marshall on KVD's boat one tournament day. Marshall witnessed Kevin hook and loose 2-3 kicker fish in a row. Marshall asked Kevin a question..... Kevin turned to him with a big grin and said..... 'I'm not worried.....They're bitting' I read this story......so take it for whatever it's worth. Being your a northern born fisherman, maybe talk about the most difficult skills/tasks/mindset that you had to work on to become competitive on southern fisheries. Thank for the vid keep up the great work
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great comment! I love it! "I'm not worried...They're biting!" I also like the idea of the obstacles needed to fish down south. Thanks for the idea!
@zevoutdoors71943 жыл бұрын
Agree 100%! My first stop last season was on a body of water I had past success on and I fished hard right up to the last cast and only weighed in 1 fish. Our 4th stop was on a body of water I have never had any success on and do not enjoy fishing. I didn't have a bite after the first 3 hours and I was mentally done 3 hours into the tournament. Some of my favorite tournaments are on bodies of water I have never been on because it takes away a lot of the mental battle. "You don't know what you don't know" can be very advantageous.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
I agree completely! Having expectations can be a negative when they are not immediately met on the water.
@dhjhawk3 жыл бұрын
I'm not a tournament angler, but I love fishing and fish as often as possible. Caught a six pounder over the weekend and my heart was racing for 20-30 mins. I noticed that I was fishing too fast after that, not even casting as well, etc. Once I calmed down and refocused I was much better off. I totally understand what you're talking about with the adrenaline rush and agree. If I wanted to be a good tournament angler I would have to control that somehow to be consistent.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
congrats on the six pounder! I agree completely that its all about maintaining composure and recognizing when your doing something different like fishing to fast.
@natekubilis63343 жыл бұрын
This actually happened to me yesterday for my ABA tournament I caught one first thing in the morning and wasn’t a keeper then one got off my crankbait right at the boat, then the rest of the day was a grind and nothing then but I told myself I can’t go out like this I put my head down sat down had a sandwich refocused then the last 45 minutes I got my limit all in one spot cranking the bridge pylons and finished 7th out of 26...so it definitely pays to even take that few minutes have something to eat or drink and mentally refocus
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Great example!
@natekubilis63343 жыл бұрын
Thank you bud and a huge fan of your KZfaq page great content keep it up 👍🏼
@marlinhines59093 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you, it only takes 15 minutes to get 5 so don't worry about if you lost one! Usually if I lose one i jump right up and fire right back in there, where there is one there is 2 or 3 ! Take my word for it. They travel by pairs or groups!
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Totally agree!
@jamesschnell49193 жыл бұрын
Great stuff Matt! Thanks for sharing
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@jamesschnell49193 жыл бұрын
@@MattStefanFishing you have really good content to share and it is different from many other channels I watch. I like it because you inspire me to try other tactics for catching bass and helping me to get away from the norm of what I always default to.
@JamesBondDZero7Mi63 жыл бұрын
Happens to all of us. I go back to basics and fish small jigs or drop shots. Once you catch a few easy fish, your confidence goes back up rather quickly. It may sound like you're targeting smaller fish but it's surprising how many decent fish are caught with those basic methods. I see friends of mine switching baits real quick and tell them to find a bait you feel confident with. Makes all the difference in the world when both align.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
I agee!
@fishinwithryley45472 жыл бұрын
Love the video!!! I am 18 and just starred fishing tournaments about a year and a half ago, I love fishing and have a dream to become a professional angler one day. I have been getting better at tournaments I fish locally and in arazona, and I started off in last place for my first tourney, and the next few tourneys I have been working up getting. 11th, 9th, 8th and my last tournament I got 5th, so this year I am going to work my hardest to make top 3
@MattStefanFishing2 жыл бұрын
good luck you can do it!
@Mike_James3 жыл бұрын
This is true for all of life. Life is hard. Letting setbacks control you for any amount of time makes it harder. Accepting the fact that obstacles and struggles is a part of everything makes it easier to overcome them. I usually just have multiple plans in place from the onset. Even then I just accept that the best laid plans often implode upon implementation. Id recommend everyone simply practice adaptation regularly. When that eventual bad thing happens simply go into adaptation mode instantly. I know it's harder for some to do, but with practice like anything else it will get you to the other side far more rapidly. A deep breath does help though.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Great insight and information you shared! I couldn't have said it any better myself!
@k-mparker3 жыл бұрын
Very well framed and articulated!!! takes 20 years to get 20 years experience. As you are acutely aware that is the solid foundation of your success along with the positive mental attitude. 👍😃🎣🎣🎣
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@dennisederer35943 жыл бұрын
I seldom catch fish. I’m not a good angler, yet. After losing a monster right at the kayak, last Saturday, I gave up instead of regaining control, responding, and reacting. Thank you for the guidance to stop feeling sorry and get back at it.
@k-mparker3 жыл бұрын
Completely understand, however, you were successful bcuz you hooked a donkey. That in itself is success even though you did not get it in the boat. Take that scenario as a positive and try 2 reproduce it.👍😃🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
I agree! All you can do is keep fishing! Its the only way to catch another
@JohnnyJenkins3 жыл бұрын
Enjoyed the video, some really good info. Can you do some content on alewives and other northern baitfish? Us southerners could learn something.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Sure thing! ill put it on the list
@brib_brib_brib_bri3 жыл бұрын
Am I the only one that has to strut a little when the Matt Stefan Fishing theme song is on? That song comes on and I be struttin'.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Haha! I love it! Strut all you want buddy!
@joeyhewitt77243 жыл бұрын
This is true in really anything you want to be elite in. Again, no matter what I’m competing in, I often think of Tiger Woods. He was the most fierce competitor that could grind his way around the course and eventually make a shot that saved a stroke or gave him the momentum. As a career musician, I did the breathing exercises also. Again, Tiger could make a key shot, let the energy out, feeding off the crowd and be calm again for the next shot. I believe this takes intentional focus and practice. In basketball, it is often said that great shooters have no conscience. They’ve never missed a shot in their mind and they’re definitely going to make the next one!
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
100% agree!
@donaldalbert47733 жыл бұрын
Great video. Thank you.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
You are welcome!
@richardmajewski41043 жыл бұрын
I can see why you're successful at this sport.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Much appreciated!
@scooterfishing93233 жыл бұрын
Nice video
@shawn_r_schultzfishing48833 жыл бұрын
I tend to let my demons take over quicker now with my back issues, and once it gets rolling it's a hard train to stop. I might try some of the breathing techniques, gotta be better than what I'm doing.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
You jut cant let it get you down...its fishing after all
@peteremerson47773 жыл бұрын
Great topic! Question: how do you break out of a "slump"? When I lose my mojo I find myself cycling through more rods/techniques than I should and generally fishing too fast. But, if I try to slow down I have doubts about the area I'm fishing or the lure choice, and my mind speeds up even though I'm supposed to be slowing down! It's easy when things are going good, but how do you get that confident feeling back? Fall back on "go to" bait even if it's not working?
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Great question and one ill put on my list to make a video of. In a nutshell I would go back to fishing your strengths and what you are most confident in.
@chickenmessiah3 жыл бұрын
I coach wrestling, tennis, and chess-all disciplines where a mental slip can mean the difference between victory and defeat. I’ve found after 30 years one fail-proof strategy to keep those demons at bay. Mentally singing Beach Boys songs! Give it a try-I’m 100% serious!!
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Haha! Ill try anything!
@robgrubb4202 жыл бұрын
I usually blow the fishing whistle as loud as I can and then I feel better.
@MattStefanFishing2 жыл бұрын
haha
@bigmikefishingchonicles99503 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with but this is what I do but I am not saying it the best way but it works for me so to me bass fish is just like being an NFL QB or cornerback so I played football ever since I was little so when you have to have a very short term memory and just no that just because you lost that fish you can learn from what just happened fist thing I say was my knot right did I get a good hook set if I did all of the small things right and that fish broke me off then I have nothing to feel bad about like I always say do the small things big and the rest will handle its self but I always take the time to retire after every catch and check my line after every ten cast when fishing a crankbait or any search bait
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Great comment! That's one of the things I love about having the gopro running while I'm fishing. I evaluate the ones I lost as much as the ones I caught to see what I did wrong and learn from my mistakes. Great point!
@bassnerd49183 жыл бұрын
If I lose a big fish. I always tell myself that wasn’t a fluke and I’m in the right area and I’m on the right pattern and the next cast could be another good fish.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Well said!
@rorygillespie7193 жыл бұрын
Chutes and Ladders Philosophy: Much easier to slide down then climb up and out.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Very true unfortunately!
@morsebaittackleco.52502 жыл бұрын
It sounds cliche but I always do better when I'm just out to purely have fun and go fish, but at the same time it's tough when you show up to an event with a 12 footer against guys $60,000 fishing boats but you could have just as much of a platform to fish from as those expensive boats
@MattStefanFishing2 жыл бұрын
confidence is king regardless of the boat
@jimk42673 жыл бұрын
I love guys who freak out when they find a banana in their boat...got to be stronger than that. Focus and visualize. Always find the positive to hold on to
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
I've eaten a lot of bananas in the boat haha!
@JoeTayMetal3 жыл бұрын
Laying around sulking or thinking about a lost fish or whatever. Definitely isn't going to help.. or make it better. Just know there are a million bass out there and just like any other day.. the next cast could be it and if it's your day then it's your day. Press forward.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Agree completely!
@wesvyverberg95173 жыл бұрын
Picture yourself as a stallion owned by a middle eastern shiek (The Goods).
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Haha! Im not sure what that means but it sounds good!
@deckmonkey14593 жыл бұрын
Sometimes, I take my demons out for a drink.
@MattStefanFishing3 жыл бұрын
Haha! Im guessing that leads to a path of trouble!