Dustin Connell is only 26 years old, but as a skilled river angler the young Alabama pro has decades of experience beyond his age. Connell learned his bass fishing skills on the Alabama and Coosa river systems. He also began competing in tournaments as a pre-teen. By his teenage years Connell teamed up with his brother to begin winning boats. You get the picture as to how skilled he is on a river system.
He’s there now, far up the Pearl River, doing what he does best. That is long rod fishing and punching heavy vegetation.
“Going into this tournament I thought finding something different, getting away from the crowds, would allow me to maybe win this tournament.”
For Connell, the excuse that Ross Barnett is fishing “small” does not exist. He has the river to himself.
“No pressure, I can move about wherever and do whatever I want” he continued.
The fish are suspended and Connell is punching heavy vegetation. Heavy indeed. Tied on his flipping rig are 1 1/2- and 2-ounce weights.