Recently, I was asked to serve as guest commentator to Bassmaster LIVE’s coverage of the final EQ event on Lake Okeechobee. Perhaps you saw the broadcast on Bassmaster.com or Roku TV. At first, I thought it would mean appearing on-site at the tournament. But a few minutes into the dialog with show co-host Ronnie Moore, I realized they wanted me to appear on set at JM Associates’ studio in Little Rock, Ark.
Although I have participated in studio broadcasts before, it had been a while and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Nonetheless, I accepted the offer and started making plans for the trip … which, with the government shutdown and resulting flight cancellations, created some concerns.
To prepare, I put together a selection of lures I felt would apply to Lake Okeechobee at this time of year. I also did some research on the lake’s history and the dyke surrounding it. I even printed cheat sheets with notes and maps to remind me of key areas of the lake — places some of the competitors were sure to exploit.
Even with decades of experience on the Big O, I wanted to be sure that I was well prepared.
As it turned out, my flight plan worked out and I eventually got there in time. Waiting for me was a rental car and a hotel room on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock. Ronnie had provided a schedule, so I was good to go.
On the set
The next morning I arrived at the studio at 5 a.m., somewhat anxious about the day ahead.
One by one, JM’s crew began to show up. Among them were Ronnie, Mike “Sooch” Suchan and Tommy Sanders — the show’s longtime anchor. After some introductions and a rundown of the production objectives with producer Mike Breedlove, we were wired for sound.
As that was happening, the set manager dialed in the studio lights and cameras. In the broadcast room were numerous techs, linking up with the camera operators on-site at Lake Okeechobee. And as quickly as we were seated, those cameras were rolling.
Breedlove cued Tommy to open the show and with his patented, silky smooth delivery, he greeted the audience and informed them of the event’s location and its implications for the competitors. As Tommy served up the intro, JM’s ground crew provided aerial footage of the anglers blasting off from tournament headquarters in Clewiston, Fla. Following up, Ronnie detailed the point standings and what they meant for each competitor in the hunt.
This was the final stretch of a yearlong pursuit, each angler surviving a gauntlet of previous competitions. For some, it meant a legitimate shot at Elite Series qualification. For others whose point totals fell short, it was one last chance at qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic, which only the winner of the event would realize.
As the morning progressed, fish catches were minimal. In fact, there were periods of an hour or more with almost no action. That put the pressure back on us in the studio. To take up the slack, we talked about the lake’s physical characteristics and how a newly arriving cold front was affecting the bite, and what the competitors would have to do to adjust.
Situated across the studio at his own desk was Sooch, providing periodic updates of any noteworthy catches — particularly those that affected the leader board. When a big fish was caught, he would sound an alarm and report its estimated weight, sometimes with an accompanying photo.
Sidebars and tackle talk
Halfway through the day, Ronnie and I moved to a mock “Tackle Shop” backdrop, where we discussed some of the lures the anglers were using. Among them were hollow-body frogs, jerkbaits, ChatterBaits, speed worms and a variety of minnow and crawdad imitations — all excellent choices for Lake Okeechobee.
Later in the broadcast, Ronnie went to what he calls the “Screen of Knowledge” — a large flat screen monitor used to spotlight certain anglers and various aspects of the event.
Among his talking points were the lake’s fluctuating water levels, key areas to watch and what the frontrunners needed to advance. It’s also where he updates viewers on Bassmaster’s Fantasy Fishing challenge.
Watching the presentation, I was amazed at his familiarity with each angler and how he could recite their stats — often without cue cards. It reminded me of B.A.S.S. Emcee Dave Mercer, and how he talks up each angler as they cross the Elite Series stage, as if he’s reading their bios from a teleprompter … when, in fact, he’s not.
It’s all from memory for both of them.
When we broke for lunch, I toured the building that houses the studio. In the main corridor are framed jerseys of former B.A.S.S. Classic and Angler of the Year champions, along with photos, caricatures and mementos from previous projects. Mixed in are some of company founder, Jerry McKinnis’ lure collection — all serving as a tribute to the man who had the longest running fishing show on television.
The wrap up
Days 2 and 3 went pretty much the same. By then I was much more comfortable in my role.
At times, I shared some fun facts on the lake and its surroundings — including the history of the “Rim Ditch,” which was dug to create an earthen dam around the lake for flood control. I also talked about the tributaries that feed Lake Okeechobee and how important they are to the health of the fishery. I spoke on the various types of vegetation that make the lake so productive, and how it’s trying to rebound from recent hurricanes and high water levels, and years of indiscriminate spraying of aquatic herbicides.
I mentioned the various non-native species of fish that inhabit the lake — including mullet, needlefish, clown knifefish, cichlids, snook, juvenile tarpon and … believe it or not, sharks! Apparently, there are occasional sightings of bull sharks in the summer months, most likely there to forage on the schools of mullet that populate the lake.
As the topics of discussion shifted, so did the leaderboard. And as we predicted, the afternoon bite proved to be the best. Warming water temperatures can trigger Florida-strain largemouth, and the afternoon catch rate reflected it. And as the bite improved, it gave us more to talk about.
It was exciting to watch and be a part of, but somewhat painful at the same time.
In the end, 10 anglers realized their dreams of qualifying for the Elite Series, and the victor secured his spot in next year’s Bassmaster Classic. But for those who fell short, their dreams were crushed. Some suffered mechanical failures; others succumbed to the pressure of the competition. Still others simply never figured out the puzzle. And we felt their pain.
Through it all, however, I gained a new level of respect for the guys in front of and behind the cameras … the professionals who make this sport what it is. Without them, the industry Ray Scott envisioned would have never prospered as it has.
Thank you B.A.S.S. and JM Associates. I had a blast!
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