Cell service was sketchy today for Chris Johnston, currently showing up in 6th place in the BASSTrakk standings with 19 pounds, 15 ounces. Cameraman Russ provided this picture of one of his afternoon keepers.
Chris told me this morning he planned to continue yesterday’s game plan. That involves an early morning random search for individual smallmouth positioned on flats.
Yet again, Garmin Panoptix LiveScope is a big reason for his success. Johnston is able to see single or multiple roaming smallmouth using the feature. He is randomly dragging a drop shot rig as he trolls across the flat, seeking a fish. When encountered, he makes a targeted cast and it’s fish on.
“It’s tougher in the morning because the fish are deeper and I can’t see them on the screen,” he said. “I’m also having to go through a lot of fish to get to the better weight.”
As the sun improves visibility the view gets crystal clear with the LiveScope. Likewise, fishing success improves. Johnston’s first keeper came on board at 10:30 a.m. The best run of success came 1:27 p.m. and 2:19 p.m., when he completed his limit with three keepers.
They went thorough lots of fish to get where I am … close to bottom and can’t see theim draggoing with a drop shot.