Page 24 - 2021 Okatibbee Tournament Issue

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Ok, I ask Don, what does that have to do with
our fishing style? He says, “Sure I catch the
majority of the fish, but I wouldn’t catch a fish
if you didn’t put on the right jig size, right color
bait and direct the boat in the right direction.
If you put the jigs in the right location and at
the right speed, all I have to do is reel in fish.
When we get to the weigh-in, the fish are ours,
not mine or yours. We’re a team and there’s no
‘I’ in team.” I couldn’t argue with that “Crystal
Springs Logic”. It made sense and it’s something
I’ll never forget.
I’m by no means calling Don a dumb mule but
the analogy of the story tells a lot. When you
have a partner whether you’re fishing or doing
business together; you’ve got to use each oth-
er’s talents to the fullest. It’s the only way to
progress. You have to complement each other;
24 - Adventures Magazine - Okatibbee Lake 2021 Issue
it makes a balanced team. I never mention
changing our positions anymore. I let him do
what he does best and I do what I do best. We
make a fantastic team in my opinion.
I personally don’t mind being either, the dumb
or smart mule; leader or the follower. I’m that
way in the club leadership. What I’m saying is
I’ve developed an attitude of teammates. Be-
ing part of the team is much more important to
me than being the leader of the team. I realize
that I’m responsible for our team and our club
success. When I give my best efforts, put ev-
erything I got into it; then I’m satisfied
with the outcome of my efforts.
Another important secret to our
success as a team and club leadership
is discipline. We both know that no-
body can discipline each of us except
each of us. We used to listen to other
fishermen; we wanted someone to tell
us where the fish were and what we
needed to do to catch them. We’ve
learned the hard way that we had to
put spend time on the water and find
our own fish.
Learning that fact helped us become
more determined, dedicated and com-
mitted to tournament fishing. It made
us be more creative and imaginative;
we now think outside the box and look
for new ways to present our bait to the
fish. We know what worked yesterday,
last week, last month or last year; may
or may not work today. Keeping this
in mind allows us to quickly adjust our
course of action and our game plan.
Don and I believe in ourselves; we
have a “We can attitude” whether we
in the club leadership role or just plain fishing.
We look beyond the negatives and see oppor-
tunities in both our fishing and MCC. We don’t
gripe and complain, we’re just grateful to be
able to fish, enjoy our friends and the great out-
doors. Don’s favorite saying is “Any day above
ground is a good day”. Bernard