FORT WORTH, Texas — Bassmaster.com caught up with the final six anglers Sunday and asked them the basics. Which hole on Benbrook Lake did they see the most success, where did they spend their time during the free-for-all happy hour and what lessons were revealed this week?
These are their responses:
Peter Thliveros
Four fish caught evenly on Hole Numbers Five and Two
Spent happy hour on dam and Hole Number Two
Lesson learned: "The technique I used this week is what I've been doing for a long time now. It's finally all coming together, and I'm even more confident in my fishing now."
Michael Iaconelli
Three fish caught on Hole Numbers One, Two, and Five
Spent happy hour on Hole Number One
Lesson learned: "Probably the biggest thing I learned in Texas this week is that you don't have to have heavy lines and big bates to be successful here. I caught most of my fish on an 8-pound test line with a Berkley Shaky Worm. When it comes to post-spawn summertime fishing,anywhere in the country, finesse will be a key."
Edwin Evers
Four fish caught evenly on Hole Numbers One and Two
Spent happy hour on Hole Number One
Lesson learned: "You learn something every time you go fish. I was very persistent this week. I fished the first four holes and never got a keeper, but I stayed patient. You've got to believe in what you're doing and stick with your game plan."
Mark Menendez
One fish caught on Hole Number Four
Spent happy hour on Hole Number Three
Lesson learned: "I think the biggest thing that I've learned this week is that my decision-making has changed. I didn't have anything going on Eagle Mountain, but I managed to scrape myself into the finals. My decision-making has become much better, and I think I'm a dangerous angler because of it."
Skeet Reese
One fish caught on Hole Number Three
Spent happy hour on Hole Number Six
Lesson learned: "Fishing a six-hole tournament is tough. Having an hour and 10 minutes at each hole puts a lot of pressure on you. You panic. Fortunately, I've been able to fish a hole-tournament a couple of times, but I felt sorry for the guys that had to do it for the first time yesterday."
Greg Hackney
One fish caught on Hole Number Three
Spent happy hour on Hole Number Three
Lesson learned: "You always learn something when you're fishing. This week I learned while I was fishing the banks with spawning shad that the morning bite isn't the only one. The shad will continue to spawn all day long, and another wave comes up in the afternoon. This allowed me to fish during that time."