Pre-Tournament Electronics Game Plan - Premium AI Prompt
Overview
Transform limited practice time into strategic advantage with a systematic electronics scouting plan. This comprehensive prompt generates a structured approach to pre-fishing that maximizes every hour, organizes waypoints effectively, and builds confidence for tournament day.
When to Use This Prompt
- Limited practice time: 1-2 days to figure out the lake
- Unfamiliar waters: First-time tournament on this lake
- Electronics optimization: You have quality sonar/GPS but need a system
- Pressure situations: High-stakes tournaments where practice matters
- Pattern development: Building a tournament game plan from scratch
- Team tournaments: Coordinating practice between partners
The Premium Prompt
⚡ STEP 1: FILL IN YOUR DETAILS
Copy this entire prompt and fill in your specific information in the section below:
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📋 YOUR TOURNAMENT DETAILS - FILL THIS OUT FIRST
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LAKE INFORMATION:
Lake Name: [Example: Lake Guntersville]
Location (City, State): [Example: Scottsboro, Alabama]
Lake Type: [Reservoir / Natural Lake / River System]
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:
Tournament Date: [Example: March 15, 2025]
Tournament Organization: [Example: BASS, Local Club, etc.]
Format: [Single Day / Multi-Day]
Tournament Hours: [Example: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM]
Expected Number of Boats: [Example: 50-75 boats]
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Practice Date(s): [Example: March 13-14, 2025]
Total Hours Available: [Example: 16 hours (8 per day)]
Practice Start Time: [Example: 7:00 AM]
YOUR EQUIPMENT:
Electronics Brand/Model: [Example: Lowrance HDS Live 12 with Active Target]
Typical Idle Speed: [Example: 3-4 mph]
Boat Type: [Bass Boat / Kayak / Other]
CURRENT CONDITIONS (if known):
Recent Water Temperature: [Example: 54-58°F or "Unknown"]
Water Clarity: [Clear / Stained / Muddy / Unknown]
Water Level: [High / Normal / Low / Unknown]
Current Season Phase: [Pre-spawn / Spawn / Post-spawn / Summer / Fall / Winter]
YOUR EXPERIENCE:
Familiarity with Lake: [First Time / Fished Once / Fished Multiple Times]
Tournament Experience Level: [Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced]
Primary Concerns: [Example: Time management, pattern development, etc.]
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⚡ STEP 2: PASTE COMPLETE PROMPT TO AI
After filling in your details above, PASTE THEM INTO AI then COPY this ENTIRE section below and PASTE into ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or other AI chat system of your choice:
Using the variable above, I'm preparing for a bass fishing tournament with the following details:
**SEARCH FOR CURRENT INTEL:**
Before creating my scouting plan, search for:
- Recent fishing reports for [Lake Name] from past 7-14 days
- Tournament results on this lake in [Current Season Phase]
- Seasonal patterns typical for this lake in [month from Tournament Date]
- Any local fishing forum discussions about current conditions
**CREATE SYSTEMATIC ELECTRONICS SCOUTING PLAN:**
**CRITICAL INSTRUCTION:**
For every area, depth, or feature you recommend scouting, you MUST explain:
1. WHY this area is high-probability for this season/conditions (bass behavior, biology, environmental factors)
2. WHAT you're looking for on electronics (specific sonar marks, structure characteristics)
3. HOW this connects to bass behavior and seasonal patterns
4. WHEN during practice to prioritize this area (time of day considerations)
Do not just provide a checklist—teach me to think like a professional scout and understand the strategic reasoning behind every recommendation.
---
## SECTION 1: STRATEGIC SCOUTING SEQUENCE
Based on [Total Practice Time] hours available across [Practice Date(s)], create a prioritized, time-efficient scanning route:
**PHASE 1: HIGH-PROBABILITY RECONNAISSANCE (First 25% of practice time)**
List 3-5 priority area types to scout first for [Lake Name] in [Current Season Phase]. For each area type, provide:
- **Area Type:** [Example: Main lake points, creek channel ledges, etc.]
- **Priority Ranking:** [1st, 2nd, 3rd priority]
- **WHY HIGH-PROBABILITY:** Explain biological and environmental reasons bass use these areas during [Current Season Phase] at [Water Temperature]
- **SPECIFIC FEATURES TO LOOK FOR:** What makes a good version vs. poor version of this structure
- **TYPICAL DEPTH RANGE:** Expected depths for this season
- **TIME ALLOCATION:** How many minutes to spend per individual area
- **QUANTITY GOAL:** How many of these areas to scout in this phase
**PHASE 2: PATTERN CONFIRMATION (Middle 50% of practice time)**
Based on Phase 1 findings, explain:
- **How to expand search:** If pattern looks promising, where to look for more
- **Pattern vs. isolated fish:** Indicators that you've found a repeatable pattern
- **Commit vs. move criteria:** When to investigate deeper vs. keep scouting
- **Decision framework:** "This deserves more time" indicators
**PHASE 3: BACKUP DEVELOPMENT (Final 25% of practice time)**
Build tournament day insurance:
- **Alternative patterns:** If primary doesn't produce on tournament day
- **Different water zones:** Backup depth ranges or areas
- **Emergency spots:** High-risk, high-reward locations
- **Time of day alternatives:** Different approaches for different tournament hours
**HOUR-BY-HOUR PRACTICE SCHEDULE:**
Create specific time allocation for my [Total Practice Time] hours:
**PRACTICE DAY 1:** [First Practice Date]
- Hour 1 ([Start Time]-[+1hr]): [Specific activity and areas]
- Hour 2: [Activity and areas]
- [Continue for each hour]
**PRACTICE DAY 2 (if applicable):** [Second Practice Date]
- [Same hourly breakdown]
**WHY THIS SEQUENCE:** Explain the strategic logic behind this order—why it maximizes learning, confidence-building, and tournament day preparation.
---
## SECTION 2: WAYPOINT ORGANIZATION SYSTEM
Design a professional waypoint management system for my [Electronics Brand/Model]:
**NAMING CONVENTION:**
Create a clear, tournament-day-readable system that I can understand at a glance:
- **Primary Spots:** [Naming format]
- Example: "P1-Pt-12ft" = Primary spot 1, Point, 12 feet
- How many primary spots to identify: [Realistic number]
- **Secondary Spots:** [Naming format]
- When these get used
- Expected number needed
- **Reference Points:** [Naming format]
- Navigation landmarks
- Starting points for patterns
- **Emergency Spots:** [Naming format]
- Last-resort locations
**CATEGORIZATION CRITERIA:**
**Category A - Primary Spots (Tournament starters):**
- What criteria qualify as "primary"?
- Expected characteristics for [Lake Name] in [Current Season Phase]
- WHY these get priority on tournament day (biological/strategic reasoning)
- Realistic number to find in [Total Practice Time] hours
**Category B - Secondary Spots (Backup plan):**
- How they differ from primary spots
- When to use these on tournament day
- Expected productivity compared to primary
**Category C - Reference Points (Navigation):**
- Important landmarks for [Lake Name]
- Starting points for patterns
- Transition areas
**Category D - Emergency Spots (Last resort):**
- High-risk, high-reward characteristics
- When to resort to these (desperation hour)
**INFORMATION TO RECORD FOR EACH WAYPOINT:**
Beyond just marking GPS coordinates, what details to note:
- Depth range found
- Structure type description
- Cover present (brush, grass, rock, etc.)
- Sonar screenshot mental notes
- Optimal approach angle
- Wind considerations
- Best time of day observed (if practiced at multiple times)
- Confidence level (High/Medium/Low)
**DIGITAL ORGANIZATION:**
For my [Electronics Brand/Model], explain:
- How to use waypoint icons/colors effectively
- Folder/group organization if available
- Quick-recall setup for tournament morning
**WHY ORGANIZATION MATTERS:** Explain how this system reduces tournament-day stress, enables quick decisions under pressure, and prevents information overwhelm.
---
## SECTION 3: MARK VS. SKIP DECISION CRITERIA
Teach efficient waypoint selection—don't mark everything you see. Make every waypoint count within [Total Practice Time] hours.
**✅ MARK THIS (High-value waypoints):**
For each category, explain WHAT to mark and WHY it matters:
**1. SIGNIFICANT DEPTH CHANGES**
- **What qualifies:** [Specific depth change amounts for this season]
- **Examples:** Ledges, channel swings, humps, drop-offs
- **WHY bass use these:** Biological reasons related to [Current Season Phase]
- **Quality evaluation:** What separates great from average depth changes
- **Sonar signature:** How to recognize on [Electronics Brand/Model]
**2. ISOLATED COVER/STRUCTURE**
- **What qualifies:** Single distinguishing features
- **Examples:** Lone tree, rock pile, brush pile, isolated point
- **WHY isolation matters:** Bass concentration principles
- **vs. continuous:** Why isolated beats repetitive structure
- **Sonar identification:** Recognition on screen
**3. TRANSITION ZONES**
- **Types relevant to [Lake Name]:** [Grass to rock, shallow to deep, creek to main lake, etc.]
- **WHY transitions concentrate bass:** Edge effect, ambush opportunities
- **Seasonal importance:** Why this matters in [Current Season Phase]
- **How to identify:** Visual and electronic cues
**4. ANOMALIES & UNIQUE FEATURES**
- **What to watch for:** Unusual or rare features
- **Risk vs. reward:** When unique features are worth tournament time
- **Examples for [Lake Name]:** [Lake-specific unique features if known]
**❌ SKIP THIS (Time-wasters):**
Learn what NOT to mark to stay efficient:
**1. Featureless Uniform Flats**
- **Why skip:** Bass need something to relate to
- **Exception:** When flats matter (rare scenarios)
**2. Obvious Community Holes**
- **Why skip:** Tournament pressure will ruin these
- **How to identify:** Parking lots of trucks, easy access
**3. Repetitive Features**
- **Why skip:** If you've marked 10 identical docks, you don't need 20 more
- **Pattern recognition:** Once pattern is clear, move on
**4. Deep Featureless Water**
- **Why skip:** No ambush structure means no bass
- **Depth threshold:** When "too deep" applies for [Current Season Phase]
**DECISION FRAMEWORK (QUICK REFERENCE):**
Create a mental yes/no checklist:
- ✓ Does this have unique/isolated characteristics? → If yes, consider marking
- ✓ Is this different from 10 other similar spots? → If yes, mark it
- ✓ Could I find this again without waypoint? → If no, mark it
- ✓ Does this fit [Current Season Phase] pattern? → If yes, strong candidate
- ✓ Would I actually fish this on tournament day? → If no, skip it
**TIME EFFICIENCY PRINCIPLE:**
Explain how selective waypointing creates better tournament days. Goal: [Specific number] high-quality waypoints, not [Higher number] mediocre ones. Quality over quantity wins tournaments.
---
## SECTION 4: DEPTH-SPECIFIC SONAR READING GUIDE
Learn what to look for at different depths on my [Electronics Brand/Model]:
**SHALLOW WATER (0-6 feet):**
**Electronics Settings:**
- Best sonar mode for shallow: [Specific to your unit]
- Frequency: [High frequency recommendations]
- Range settings: [Optimal range]
**What Bass Look Like:**
- Sonar signature in shallow water
- How to differentiate bass from cover
- Size estimation techniques
**Cover Identification:**
- Submerged vegetation (grass, hydrilla, etc.)
- Laydowns and stumps
- Docks and pilings
- How each appears on [Electronics Brand/Model]
**WHY BASS POSITION SHALLOW in [Current Season Phase]:**
- Temperature comfort zones
- Spawning behavior (if applicable)
- Feeding opportunities
- Cover/ambush advantages
**Quick Evaluation:**
- How long to scan shallow area before moving
- What indicates productive vs. empty shallow water
---
**MID-DEPTH (6-15 feet):**
**Key Features to Identify:**
- Transition zone structure
- Ledges and drop-offs
- Points and humps
- How these appear on sonar
**Critical Zone Context:**
- WHY this depth matters in [Current Season Phase]
- Temperature/oxygen significance
- Typical bass positioning (on structure vs. suspended)
**Sonar Reading:**
- Bait presence indicators
- Individual fish marks vs. schools
- Bottom composition reading
- Cover on structure
**Scanning Efficiency:**
- Optimal idle speed: [Based on your Typical Idle Speed]
- Number of passes needed
- When to slow down vs. keep moving
---
**DEEP WATER (15+ feet):**
**Electronics Advantages:**
- How [Electronics Brand/Model] excels in deep water
- Settings optimization for depth
- Side imaging vs. down imaging applications (if available)
**Structure Identification:**
- Deep brush piles (sonar signature)
- Channel ledges and drops
- Humps and offshore structure
- Hard bottom vs. soft bottom reading
**Fish Marks Interpretation:**
- Arches vs. blobs (what they mean)
- Suspended bass vs. bottom-hugging bass
- Activity level indicators
- Size estimation from mark thickness
**Bait Presence:**
- Ball of bait vs. scattered bait
- Depth of bait relative to structure
- Species identification (if possible)
**WHY DEEP (OR WHY NOT) in [Current Season Phase]:**
- Seasonal relevance for [Lake Name]
- When deep matters vs. when to skip
- Connection to weather and conditions
---
**SONAR MARK INTERPRETATION MASTERCLASS:**
**Reading Fish Behavior from Screen:**
- **Tight to bottom:** [What this indicates about feeding/mood]
- **Suspended mid-water:** [Activity level, temperature seeking]
- **Moving vs. stationary marks:** [Feeding vs. resting]
- **Multiple marks together:** [School behavior, competitive feeding]
**Bass vs. Other Species:**
- Size differentiation
- Behavioral clues
- Position preferences
- Common mistake species to avoid (carp, catfish, etc.)
**BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT:**
Connect sonar findings to bass behavior:
- What does fish positioning tell you about feeding mood?
- How does depth relate to temperature comfort at [Water Temperature]?
- What do suspended fish indicate about tournament day strategy?
- When should you make confirmation casts vs. just mark and move?
---
## SECTION 5: PRACTICE DAY EXECUTION STRATEGY
How to physically run your practice on [Practice Date(s)]:
**TIME OF DAY OPTIMIZATION:**
**Morning Practice ([Start Time] to Noon):**
- Priority activities for morning
- Shallow vs. deep focus
- Why morning matters for practice (even if tournament starts later)
- What to learn about morning bite
**Afternoon Practice (Noon to End):**
- Adjusted priorities
- Pattern confirmation
- Different conditions to observe
- Preparing for various tournament scenarios
**WHY TIMING MATTERS:**
- How practice timing differs from tournament day
- Learning patterns across time windows
- Building flexibility into game plan
---
**WEATHER ADAPTATION:**
**If Practice Weather Differs from Tournament Forecast:**
Current practice weather: [Based on Practice Date(s)]
Tournament forecast: [Based on Tournament Date - user should update this]
- What will change between practice and tournament?
- How to adjust findings for different conditions
- Building weather-proof game plan
- When to weight practice findings more/less
**Wind Considerations:**
- How wind affects areas during practice
- Protected vs. exposed spot evaluation
- Wind-dependent vs. wind-independent patterns
---
**DECISION POINTS & TIME MANAGEMENT:**
**When to STOP investigating an area:**
- Time limit per area: [Based on Total Practice Time]
- Indicators that area is dead
- Opportunity cost of staying too long
**When to COMMIT more time:**
- Signs of promising pattern
- How much additional time to allocate
- Balancing deep investigation vs. coverage
**When to SWITCH patterns entirely:**
- Indicators that primary approach isn't working
- How quickly to pivot
- Backup pattern triggers
**Final Hour Strategy:**
- Waypoint organization time
- Confidence-building fishing (actually catching some)
- Mental rehearsal of tournament day
---
**FISHING VS. SCOUTING BALANCE:**
**The Practice Dilemma:**
Given [Total Practice Time] hours, how to split:
- **Pure Scouting (no fishing):** [Percentage/hours]
- When to mark and move without casting
- Efficiency focus
- **Confirmation Casts:** [Percentage/hours]
- When to make 2-3 casts to verify
- Building pattern confidence
- **Confidence Building:** [Percentage/hours]
- Last portion to actually catch fish
- Mental preparation
**Why This Balance:**
- Avoid "all scouting, no confidence" trap
- Avoid "all fishing, no waypoints" trap
- Strategic approach for [Your Experience Level]
---
**PRACTICE EXECUTION CHECKLIST:**
Create hour-by-hour checklist for [Practice Date(s)]:
**Before Launch:**
- [ ] Electronics powered up and functioning
- [ ] Waypoint system ready
- [ ] Mental game plan reviewed
- [ ] Backup battery/memory card
**During Practice:**
- [ ] Following priority sequence from Phase 1
- [ ] Making mark vs. skip decisions efficiently
- [ ] Taking mental notes beyond waypoints
- [ ] Staying on time schedule
**End of Each Day:**
- [ ] Waypoints organized and named properly
- [ ] Notes documented while fresh
- [ ] Next day plan adjusted based on findings
- [ ] Photos of conditions for reference
---
## SECTION 6: TOURNAMENT DAY CONVERSION
Transform practice intel into tournament execution:
**GAME PLAN CREATION:**
Using your organized waypoints from practice, build tournament strategy:
**Starting Spot Selection:**
- Which waypoint gets first cast: [Criteria]
- WHY this spot first: [Strategic reasoning]
- Expected time at starting spot: [Minutes]
- "Move" triggers: [What indicates it's time to leave]
**Route Optimization:**
- Sequence of waypoints: [Order and reasoning]
- Run time minimization between spots
- Fuel efficiency considerations
- Backup spots along route
**Time Allocation Strategy:**
For [Tournament Hours] total:
- Starting spot: [Time allocation]
- Primary pattern rotation: [Time allocation]
- Backup pattern test: [Time allocation]
- Final push: [Time allocation]
**Adjustment Triggers:**
**When to STAY:**
- Indicators you're on the right pattern
- Signs of imminent improvement
- How long to commit before moving
**When to MOVE:**
- Clear dead water signals
- Time limits reached
- Better opportunities calling
**When to SWITCH patterns entirely:**
- Primary pattern failure indicators
- Backup pattern activation triggers
- Desperation hour tactics
---
**BACKUP PLAN (CRITICAL):**
**If Primary Pattern Fails:**
**Plan B - Secondary Pattern:**
- What: [Different depth/structure/technique]
- Where: [Specific waypoints]
- When to activate: [Triggers]
- Time allocation: [Hours]
**Plan C - Different Time of Day:**
- Approach: [Morning vs. afternoon adjustment]
- Areas: [Time-dependent waypoints]
- Why: [Biological reasoning]
**Plan D - Emergency Spots:**
- High-risk options: [List waypoints]
- When to resort to these: [Desperation hour]
- Execution: [All-in approach]
---
**CONFIDENCE BUILDING:**
**What From Practice Gives Me Confidence:**
Evaluate and document:
- ✓ Quality of waypoints found: [High/Medium/Low]
- ✓ Pattern clarity: [Crystal clear / Decent / Vague]
- ✓ Fish contact during practice: [Caught fish? Saw fish?]
- ✓ Backup options available: [Number of backup spots]
- ✓ Understanding of lake: [Improved confidence level]
**Mental Preparation:**
Based on [Your Experience Level] and [Lake Familiarity]:
- Realistic expectations for tournament day
- Pressure management strategies
- Staying patient with game plan
- When to trust the plan vs. audible
---
**TOURNAMENT MORNING PROTOCOL:**
**Pre-Launch:**
- [ ] Review waypoints one final time
- [ ] Check updated weather
- [ ] Confirm starting spot decision
- [ ] Mental rehearsal of first hour
- [ ] Backup plan clarity
**Blast-Off Strategy:**
- Starting waypoint: [Name]
- Approach angle: [Specific direction]
- First lure: [Based on conditions]
- First 30 minutes: [Exact plan]
---
## SECTION 7: KEY PRINCIPLES LEARNED
After completing this practice process, you will understand:
**STRATEGIC SCOUTING:**
- How to practice efficiently under time pressure
- Priority decision-making frameworks
- Quality over quantity mindset
- Professional-level preparation approach
**PATTERN RECOGNITION:**
- What makes areas high-probability vs. low-probability
- How to identify patterns from limited data
- Seasonal bass behavior applications
- Connecting environment to bass positioning
**ELECTRONICS MASTERY:**
- Reading [Electronics Brand/Model] strategically
- Mark interpretation beyond just "seeing fish"
- Structure identification speed
- Efficient scanning techniques
**TOURNAMENT PSYCHOLOGY:**
- Building confidence through systematic preparation
- Managing pressure through planning
- Adaptability frameworks
- Decision-making under competition stress
**TRANSFERABLE KNOWLEDGE:**
These principles apply beyond [Lake Name]:
- Process works on any lake
- Pattern recognition transfers
- Decision frameworks are universal
- Confidence comes from system, not just luck
---
## FORMAT NOTES:
- This output is designed for mobile reference during practice
- Save to phone notes or print for boat
- Prioritize sections based on practice stage
- Use as checklist throughout practice days
- Review evening before tournament for game plan finalization
---
## DATA ACCURACY DISCLAIMER:
**If recent reports/data unavailable for [Lake Name]:**
I will clearly state this and provide recommendations based on:
- Historical seasonal patterns for [Lake Name]
- General bass behavior in [Location] region during [Current Season Phase]
- Typical [Lake Type] characteristics at [Water Temperature]
- Best practices for [Your Experience Level] anglers
All advice will be grounded in bass biology, seasonal patterns, and proven tournament strategies. When uncertain about specific current data, I will explain reasoning behind recommendations and admit confidence levels.
How to Use This Prompt
Step 1: Fill in Variables (5 minutes)
Work through the "YOUR TOURNAMENT DETAILS" section. Be as specific as possible. If you don't know something (like exact water temperature), write "Unknown."
Step 2: Copy ENTIRE Prompt (30 seconds)
After filling in your details, copy those and from "I'm preparing for a bass fishing tournament..." all the way to the end. Don't leave any sections out.
Step 3: Paste into AI Tool (30 seconds)
Paste into your favorite AI chat tool, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, ChatGPT, etc.
Step 4: Review Output (10 minutes)
AI will generate your complete scouting plan. Read through and:
- Screenshot sections for mobile reference
- Print if you prefer paper on boat
- Highlight your specific priorities
Step 5: Execute During Practice (All practice time)
Follow the plan, adjust in real-time, build confidence for tournament day.
Pro Tips
Save as Template
After your first tournament, save your filled-in variables. Next tournament on the same lake? Just update.
Combine with Other Prompts
Use alongside:
- Weather Pattern Analyzer (for tournament day forecast)
- Tournament Game Plan (convert practice to strategy)
- Slow Day Salvage Plan (backup if pattern fails)
Share with Partner
Both partners run prompt independently, then compare findings during practice planning.
Related Prompts
- Weather Pattern Analyzer - Tournament day conditions deep dive
- Tournament Game Plan - Hour-by-hour competition strategy
- Slow Day Salvage Plan - Adjust when pattern fails
- Lure Selection System - Match conditions found in practice
Last Updated: November 2025 For competitive bass anglers with limited practice time