"I put Super Glue on all my cuts, try to keep them closed up. I'm going to need stitches on a couple of these cuts."
We asked the final 12 to share what patterns and lures they used to make the cut and what was the single greatest factor in their success.
Jared Lintner asked Kennedy, "Why are you shaking? Is it because you're about to win?"
"I can't say anything more than this is absolutely awesome," said the 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year. "I never thought I could catch this much weight in a BASS tournament. It is amazing."
It's common bass fishing knowledge that a lake's entire population of largemouth does not assault the shallows to spawn in one great wave.
The two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, brought in consecutive 30-pound plus limits during the first two days of competition.
Just before daybreak on what could be the biggest day of his career, Greg Gutierrez was rummaging in a compartment in the bow of his boat, looking into a tackle box, rustling plastic sacks.
What are the thoughts of the 12 anglers remaining in the Golden State Shootout?
His bag bulged like a college student's laundry sack. He might as well have been submerging a suitcase.
The three questions posed to anglers were: What will be the 12-man cut weight? Who other than leader Greg Gutierrez has the best chance of winning? And to what extent are you using swimbaits?