Prefishing begins before you ever get out on the water. Come up with a preliminary game plan after you've done some homework. Your homework is to figure out whether smallies, largies, or a mixed bag is what typically wins on that lake. Check out your maps, read tournament results from prior years (watching weigh ins/listening to winner's comments is really helpful), message boards, etc. to gather as much information as you can will help you formulate your plan.

Once you've decided on a plan, write out a prefishing game plan and try to stick to it until you clearly establish a pattern. Once you've have started to dial in a pattern, expand on it in different areas of the lake. Watch the weather patterns for tournament dates as you may not be able to fish some exposed spots but if you have different areas of the lake patterned, you should be able to still find spots to fish. When you are dialing in your pattern, check out the area for options the fish would have if the weather changes. It's better to do this during prefishing than trying to figure it out under tournament pressure.

If the lake is a manageable size, driving the lake can give you lots of clues about currrent conditions, especially when weeds are the predominant structure fish are keyed onto. Driving the lake will clue you into the present condition of the weeds. Weed growth varies at different times of the season. Clear water/muddy areas, temperature changes should also be noted while driving. Keep your eye on your electronics while driving around as you may discover unmapped structures which can be prime spots. If you've got side imaging check out the areas and make good use of it, marking waypoints, then later going back to fish them.

If the lake is too large, pick out some areas on the map that you will devote your time to checking out based on seasonal expectations, example, early season close to spawning areas. Try to find areas that offer many options to the bass within a relatively small area, that way you can try many patterns quickly to help you figure out where the majority are located.

Don't sting all your fish during the prefish as that will burn up your fish. I generally like to catch a fish or two off of spots, especially new spots, to see what size of fish are using the area. If I am fishing known big fish producing spots, I will bend over hooks and just feel for bites. Once you get a bite or two, or catch one or two, abandon the area. If you have other tournament boats in the area, don't let them see you catch anything so bend your hooks over! Many times I will avoid my prime areas during busy times. On certain bodies of water, I will not even prefish some areas as I know I am going to fish it during the tournament anyways.

Most importantly, work hard, go early and stay late maximizing your time on the water. Your top anglers are there for a reason - they put the time on the water. Remember tournaments are won in practice and the prefish will formulate the game plans that you will use during the tournament.

The next report on tournament strategies will feature the million dollar question,"Should I stay or should I go?" Follow along as you don't want to miss that one!