Bassmaster Classic No. 3 — what a thrill!
Right now I'd like to talk about some of the things that happened during the tournament and then Tuesday, when things have settled down and I've had a chance to collect my thoughts and emotions, I'll talk about what this means to me.
First, I want to tell you a story about a fellow competitor, Takahiro Omori. What a class act. On the first day of the Classic, he came into the area I was fishing but didn't catch what he wanted. He'd found the area during practice just like I had. (To be perfectly correct I found it during practice in 2007 but that doesn't make one bit of difference.)
On the morning of the second day, with me leading, he came over to me and said I could have the area all to myself… that he wouldn't fish it. Now, here's a guy who has every right to fish in that spot. I didn't own it. He was there just like I was and well within his rights if he wanted to join me.
Nevertheless, he backed away and let me have the whole area to myself. He didn't have to do that. It was a matter of professional courtesy to me as a fellow Elite Series angler fishing the Classic. That's why I love fishing with these guys. They're fierce competitors but at the same time they'll give you the space you need when you really need it.
Thanks, Tak.
I also want to talk a little about the fans. They're great. I was fishing in the back of Beeswax Creek in a fairly tight area. The fan boats were courteous. They know their fishing and gave me the room I needed to catch my fish. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them.
Thanks, fans.
Now, about the fishing: Basically, I chose the spawning flat because I figured if the weather improved I'd be able to catch them all three days back there. At this time of the year, they want to move shallow. Fortunately, the weather improved and the fish moved, although Saturday got a little tough because of the falling water.
Sunday was great. The bass were moving into my area; and with the cloud cover and wind conditions, the bite was hot. I had a number of targets (stumps) marked that produced good bass off and on all day — really, all three days. I threw a Red Eye Shad that I customized with some of my new Mustad hooks. What a bait.
There was a lot to this Classic, and I want to cover it all, so here's the deal: My blog is usually posted on Mondays. Over the next two weeks, I'll post several extras. I'm not sure exactly when, so please watch for them.
After we talk about what this win means to me, we'll discuss in detail why and how I choose my spot; why and how I fished with a Red Eye Shad, as well as why I swapped the hooks out on it; how I managed my fish and my time; and a few other things I think are important. I want to cover everything that I know of that'll help you catch more fish on your home waters this spring.
Remember, it's all about the attitude.