Schultz: The last 90 feet

Likewise, in competitive fishing, it's the last 90 feet to the scales that holds the drama … at least for the anglers.

In Major League Baseball, the distance between bases is 90 feet. And nowhere is that distance more critical than between third base and home plate. It’s where the real drama unfolds.

Likewise, in competitive fishing, it’s the last 90 feet to the scales that holds the drama … at least for the anglers. This is where the weigh-in line forms, and every Elite Series competitor must pass through this line in order for his catch to be counted.

Upon entering the line, we come to a series of holding tanks. At the fourth tank, we reach what’s known as the “Bump Board” — where B.A.S.S. officials count and measure the fish to be sure they meet the minimum length requirement. It’s also where dead fish penalties are imposed. Once the catch is assessed, the information is recorded on a computer and the angler moves to the next tank.

All of the tanks hold approximately 100 gallons of temperature-controlled water that’s treated with chemicals designed to kill parasites and relax the fish. They also feature aerators to force high levels of oxygen into the water. It’s a methodical procedure, designed to insure a high rate of survival among the fish to be weighed.

Sizing Up the Competition

Once in line, the first thing any of us want to know is how our competition fared.

“How’d you do?”

“Did you catch ’em?”

“Whatcha got?”

Every angler within earshot is anxious to hear what’s said. It’s all about sizing up the competition, and the routine is amplified on cut days since that’s when every ounce counts and the mood becomes much more anxious.

If you’re holding a solid limit of fish and sure to make the cut — or perhaps even vie for the lead — it’s a time of great satisfaction. If, however, you’re among those who failed to produce, it can be the longest and loneliest part of your day.

While waiting for our turn at the scales, many anglers will monitor the Bassmaster.com leaderboard on their smartphones. There’s even a fairly accurate formula used by some to project the cut: By pinpointing the weight recorded for the angler halfway down in the standings, you can get a pretty good idea of where the final cut weight will fall — so long as a reasonable percentage of the field has already weighed in.

Ones That Got Away

Storytelling will always be a part of fishing, but nowhere does it have more meaning or emphasis than in the weigh-in line. Everyone has a story to tell. It’s a compulsion. We all want to share the pain of losing a key fish, or the thrill of putting a big one in the boat.

Occasionally you’ll hear somebody whining about a conflict that occurred on the water. But that, like a weak catch, will get little sympathy in the weigh-in line. On rare occasions, an argument breaks out. Not the kind that would empty a dugout in baseball, but heated nonetheless.

The weigh-in line can double as a classroom. As anglers share their stories, scraps of information are sometimes revealed. And for those who listen closely, a scrap can go a long way.

Mention of a certain lure, type of cover or even depth can offer critical clues to what a competitor is doing. And if the guy leaking that information is doing well, you can bet everyone within range is taking notes.

Slide To The Scales

As we near the front of the line, the emcee’s voice becomes louder. Crowd noise, too, is amplified.

Directly behind the stage is a set of stairs. When the time is right and our name is called, we climb the stairs to the sound of loud music projecting from massive speakers. The music isn’t random — each competitor has his own theme song.

Upon stepping onto the stage, our image appears live on a Jumbo-Tron. Tournament Director, Trip Weldon, then takes our bag of fish and places it on the scale. As the crowd waits for the scale to settle, emcee Dave Mercer adds to the suspense by mentioning the weight needed to advance.

When the total is revealed, the music gets louder and the crowd reacts accordingly. The angler moves to the front holding a fish or two for all to see. When the photo op is complete, the fish are handed off to a volunteer who carries them to the Shimano Live Release Boat, and Mercer conducts a brief interview.

In all, the time an angler spends on stage usually depends on the size of his catch. More weight equals more time. And more time means more exposure, which is what our sponsors are hoping for.

If you’re one of the fortunate few to bring in a big weight, a corps of writers will swarm you as you exit the stage — probing for as much information as you’re willing to give. Then it’s off to the autograph area, where hardcore fans anxiously await their favorite pros.

The entire weigh-in procedure — from check-in to the scales — can take as much as an hour or more. And depending on how the day went, it could be a time of great celebration. Unfortunately for some, however, it can also be a time of deep despair — when the only thing worse would be failing to get there at all.

And that is the last 90 feet of competitive fishing.