Here’s a different report other than the typical report of, what I used, where I was, and under what conditions. This has to do with boat team partnerships! Being a former Marine, I am extremely competitive but I am all about team work. A team can accomplish so much more than the individual! Each team I am sure experiences the fun and comical times on their boat. Chris and I always joke that we can’t be in the top ten during a tournament, because they put a camera on your boat. To capture it for prosperity would be awesome but not appropriate lol.
What I have found out with my partner, Chris Perez, it’s not just our knowledge that we share with each other, or that we jell well together personality wise, but when one is down and/or frustrated, a few simple words of encouragement really helps. As a team member, you always want to contribute to your team, especially when catching fish. When this doesn’t happen for whatever reason, you feel like you are letting the team down, and with a time limit hanging on every cast, it gets compounded throughout the day. Everyone goes through this, and It’s tough on you mentally and frustrating as trying to fit a square peg through around hole.
This happened to me during the BBT TOC this last weekend. Side by side, flipping, using the same gear, same color, same hook, same technique, flipping every 6 seconds, over and over again grinding it out. I went 6 straight hours, that’s 2160 flips, before I got bit and landed a culling fish. Yep Chris had all 5 in the boat. Then another 3 hours, 1080 more flips of the same. Frustrated was an understatement, especially getting them the day before. I voiced my displeasure to the fish God (no camera), and my partner took it in stride. What kept me in check was his words….. We’re a Team Mike, not to worry, keep grinding.
I know it doesn’t help how you feel, but it does show the concept of what a team is. So as a team player, and you all are, remember that frustration can and does work on both sides of the team. A winning team acknowledges this, a winning team gives words of encouragement, a winning team is not the one that brings home the trophy. The winning team is the one that works well together through encouragement!
So when one can’t climb that wall you are on, reach down and help him up! Go Team!
