LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The second day here on the Arkansas River is done, and I had three fish today that went 6 pounds. I had another opportunity to have more, but the first fish I caught this morning pulled off at the boat. I also missed another one just before I left to come in, but I can catch that fish tomorrow. It’s in the 2-pound range.
Yesterday I should’ve had 11 pounds, and today I should’ve pushed 11 pounds. In this tournament, if you’ve got 22 or 23 pounds, that puts you up there. It’s not a Denny Brauer bag, but it would put you in contention.
One of the things that I thrive on is the challenge that fishing at this level presents. I’m pretty much fishing in one area, dropping my trolling motor and staying in there the entire time. I have a few more boats in there than I expected, and there are three of us who kind of have it figured out. We’re going back and forth in there. But, that’s fishing a small body of water. A lot of guys are fishing on top of each other.
I’m really focused and having a good time and trying to land the bites that I get. I’m throwing a square-billed crankbait and a spinnerbait, but I also caught a few short fish flipping. All of my fish have been suspended up off of the bottom. That’s been key to what I’m trying to do.
As far as the season goes, this is one of the worst seasons I’ve had in a few years and it’s getting obvious that I’m not going to make the Classic unless I were to win Wheeler. That’s just fishing. It doesn’t take a lot for me to get motivated as far as competing. I love to compete against the best anglers in the world, and I’m looking forward to picking it up and continuing on.
I’m also looking forward to going to Wheeler and knocking their socks off there, but right now I’m just focused on tomorrow. I’ve made the top 50 cut, and I’d like to catch five tomorrow so I can say that I did it. The challenge is between me and the fish. I’m just ready to go and get five. I’m not in the water to win or catch a big bag unless I change, so we have to see how it’s all going to work out.