Kriet with a crucial 6 1/2-pounder

Obviously, a big bass or two makes the difference for any angler competing in a tournament anywhere. But I’m not sure where else we’ve seen them be as significant as they are at Lake Travis, where it’s either feast or famine.

Jeff Kriet’s latest catch of a 6 1/2-pounder is the perfect illustration. Prior to that bass, Kriet had caught nine bass, but none over 2 pounds. In fact, his biggest barely topped 1 1/2 pounds. But that 6 1/2-pounder bumped him up to 16th place in the BASSTrakk standings.

His other four fish: 1-9, 1-8, 1-6 and 1-6.