Practice shots with Justin Lucas

Hit the waters of Bays de Noc, Michigan, with Elite Series rookie Justin Lucas as he practices for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.

Sunrise greeted Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Justin Lucas on Day 2 of practice for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Sunrise greeted Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Justin Lucas on Day 2 of practice for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
It was a chilly start to the morning.
It was a chilly start to the morning.
Welcome to his office and the tools he uses.
Welcome to his office and the tools he uses.
After a quick stop, Lucas decides to move just a couple hundred yards away.
After a quick stop, Lucas decides to move just a couple hundred yards away.
These northern fisheries have very clear water. We could see the bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water.
These northern fisheries have very clear water. We could see the bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water.
And in an instant a smallmouth startles Lucas.
And in an instant a smallmouth startles Lucas.
It does a little dance, too.
It does a little dance, too.
Then he swings it aboard.
Then he swings it aboard.
It wasn’t camera shy at all.
It wasn’t camera shy at all.
Other techniques play a big part up north, but most anglers will be using a spinning rod predominantly to catch these smallmouth.
Other techniques play a big part up north, but most anglers will be using a spinning rod predominantly to catch these smallmouth.
Elite Series anglers make thousands of casts a day and they never settle for mediocre.
Elite Series anglers make thousands of casts a day and they never settle for mediocre.
Lucas made sure he brought a beverage early in the morning. Fitting that a bass mug is his choice.
Lucas made sure he brought a beverage early in the morning. Fitting that a bass mug is his choice.
He takes a moment to retie.
He takes a moment to retie.
He told me stories of his desire to finish in the Bassmaster Classic…something he accomplished in his first season.
He told me stories of his desire to finish in the Bassmaster Classic…something he accomplished in his first season.
Bernie Schultz passes us as the wind and waves begin to pick up. Now you see him…
Bernie Schultz passes us as the wind and waves begin to pick up. Now you see him…
…now you don’t.
…now you don’t.
After heading across the Bay, we too met some waves. Enough to get Lucas wet.
After heading across the Bay, we too met some waves. Enough to get Lucas wet.
Just a small taste of how big and persistent the waves can be depending on the wind direction.
Just a small taste of how big and persistent the waves can be depending on the wind direction.
Hitting a wave just before taking flight.
Hitting a wave just before taking flight.
Getting airborne…
Getting airborne…
…and crashing back down.
…and crashing back down.
It was necessary to pull out his seat to stay sturdy among the waves.
It was necessary to pull out his seat to stay sturdy among the waves.
He put his GoPro on his trolling motor to catch some of the wave action as well.
He put his GoPro on his trolling motor to catch some of the wave action as well.