With the next Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series event set for the Pasquotank River, I’m definitely eager to get back there. We got a little taste of this North Carolina fishery last year, but there are still a lot of huge unknowns.
Obviously, Kyle Welcher exposed just how incredible that place can be with his four-day total of 118 pounds, 12 ounces. But last year’s event took place mid-April and this year we’ll be there at a totally different time.
Going later in the season will have some pretty significant impacts on the fish, but they still live there, so I just have to find them.
I placed 22nd at last year’s Pasquotank River event, and while I was happy with a solid finish, I realize I didn’t see a lot of this fishery. I was just trying to stay within my comfort zone because I knew that making a big run in the weather we had would mess with my head.
My strategy was simple: stay close; keep my head down; and maximize my time. Given the windy conditions and the fact I’d never been to that fishery, I think that was the right decision.
I might not have been in the best area, but making the decision to give myself the whole day to fish kept me calm. It just let me focus on fishing without worrying about a long run back.
Even though I didn’t go any farther than 5 miles from takeoff, I saw enough to realize that the wind tide is a really big thing. Those fish position themselves based on how hard the wind blows and from what direction. This affects how much water you have in the area you’re fishing.
I found this very similar to the California Delta. I spent a lot of years competing on that tidal fishery, so I understand how low water sucks the fish out to the edges of cover, while rising water allows them to move closer.
Another important detail is the saltwater in Albemarle Sound. Knowing how far into the Pasquotank that saltwater extends defines where the fish can live.
I feel like I gained key understanding of both these points last year, and I’m hoping to apply that knowledge in this year’s tournament.
At this point, it’s hard to say whether I’ll stay close again or make a big run. That all depends on how practice goes. I’ve narrowed it down to where I want to practice, so I’ll make my final decisions based on what the wind does during the week.
I have no problem running through waves and wind, but I have to know my destinations hold big fish. Otherwise, there’s no sense in burning a lot of time running. Either way, it is good to have the confidence in knowing I can catch fish close to takeoff if I need to.
Whatever I end up doing, it’s exciting to know the quality this fishery holds. You could have a bad Day 1 and in three swings of the bat, you could have 18 pounds.
There are giants swimming around out there, so you’re never really out of it.
