Faircloth on the water

Follow along with Todd Faircloth as he competes on the final day of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.

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Sandhill cranes fly over Todd Faircloth’s first stop on the final day of the AOY Championship.
Sandhill cranes fly over Todd Faircloth’s first stop on the final day of the AOY Championship.
Faircloth was fishing across Bay de Noc as far East as you could near Fairport, Mich.
Faircloth was fishing across Bay de Noc as far East as you could near Fairport, Mich.
The morning started really slow, forcing Faircloth to dig into his rod box early.
The morning started really slow, forcing Faircloth to dig into his rod box early.
The water temperature had dropped by 9 degrees since Day 1.
The water temperature had dropped by 9 degrees since Day 1.
Paul Elias buzzes past.
Paul Elias buzzes past.
A cloud bank moves in from the west.
A cloud bank moves in from the west.
And so does Edwin Evers, who speeds past and heads a little further East.
And so does Edwin Evers, who speeds past and heads a little further East.
Faircloth stuck to his primary spot for most of the morning.
Faircloth stuck to his primary spot for most of the morning.
He caught 21 pounds there on Day 1.
He caught 21 pounds there on Day 1.
And most of that weight came in the first hour and half of the day.
And most of that weight came in the first hour and half of the day.
But the fish weren’t cooperating on Monday.
But the fish weren’t cooperating on Monday.
It would be 10:15 a.m. before Faircloth would catch his first keeper.
It would be 10:15 a.m. before Faircloth would catch his first keeper.
The size would not match those caught on Day 1.
The size would not match those caught on Day 1.
But after the lid was opened, Faircloth would begin catching fish.
But after the lid was opened, Faircloth would begin catching fish.
Andy Montgomery and he shared water, but once Faircloth caught a couple, he gave the spot to AOY contender.
Andy Montgomery and he shared water, but once Faircloth caught a couple, he gave the spot to AOY contender.
Opting instead to fight his way into the big waves for other water.
Opting instead to fight his way into the big waves for other water.
Faircloth would catch a limit there.
Faircloth would catch a limit there.
But none of them would be the big smallmouth he needed.
But none of them would be the big smallmouth he needed.
Nearby, the wind is picking up, forcing pelicans to take shelter behind a tuft of grass.
Nearby, the wind is picking up, forcing pelicans to take shelter behind a tuft of grass.
Faircloth continued to catch fish.
Faircloth continued to catch fish.
And they continued to be just average.
And they continued to be just average.
None of them in the 4-pound range.
None of them in the 4-pound range.
But they would give him a solid limit.
But they would give him a solid limit.
And occasionally fish like this one would jump off.
And occasionally fish like this one would jump off.
While other average smallmouth would stay hooked.
While other average smallmouth would stay hooked.
He built a limit on decent fish,
He built a limit on decent fish,
And kept working the area.
And kept working the area.
Catching several smallmouth.
Catching several smallmouth.
He tried running from the wind.
He tried running from the wind.
But calmer water would not provide any bites.
But calmer water would not provide any bites.
By mid-day he moved to the middle of the bay.
By mid-day he moved to the middle of the bay.
Where he would start culling.
Where he would start culling.
But even those lacked the shoulders he needed.
But even those lacked the shoulders he needed.
The rocking waves forced him to work for every bite.
The rocking waves forced him to work for every bite.
The waves rolled him down.
The waves rolled him down.
And forced him to take a seat to land fish.
And forced him to take a seat to land fish.
While digging into the waves,
While digging into the waves,
And culling.
And culling.
At times his whole boat would be obscured.
At times his whole boat would be obscured.
And other times he would be riding high.
And other times he would be riding high.
Just to come crashing back down.
Just to come crashing back down.
But he was catching fish.
But he was catching fish.
And they were big enough to cull.
And they were big enough to cull.
Although it was tough to stay in position.
Although it was tough to stay in position.
He never checked up.
He never checked up.
At times he had to use the big motor to get back to his spot.
At times he had to use the big motor to get back to his spot.
Rolling up and crashing down on the short trips.
Rolling up and crashing down on the short trips.
And then settling in to fish.
And then settling in to fish.
Before having to repeat the trip,
Before having to repeat the trip,
And the crashing of waves.
And the crashing of waves.
The waves were relentless.
The waves were relentless.
Some rolling over the bow.
Some rolling over the bow.
Some just rolling.
Some just rolling.
Making for an uncomfortable ride home.
Making for an uncomfortable ride home.