Over the past 13 years, Vexus Boats pro Brandon Card, has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic seven times. However, this year has been one of his most frustrating. Still, he was kind enough at the end of three long days of practice for the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller event to talk about why he’s struggled, and if the high water levels might help turn his season around.
Q: The lake has risen roughly 3 feet since you guys started practice Sunday. It’s now 5-plus feet above normal, to the point shoreline bushes, benches, grills and campsites are flooded. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Card: It’s a good thing for shallow-water anglers, and I’m in that category this week.
Q: You started this season with a great event on the St. Johns River in Florida, but you’ve had an atypically tough year since then. Why do you think that is?
Card: I don’t know. It’s a head scratcher. The only explanation is I’m still trying to refine my forward-facing sonar skills. I do well with the technology on smallmouth, but largemouth are a different animal. At Hartwell and Fork I found myself with one foot on the shallow bite, and one foot on FFS, and you have to fully commit one way or the other.
Q: There’s an old saying in relation to the economy that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ Will Tenkiller’s high water lift your Vexus to a Top 10 this weekend?
Card: Heck yeah! My confidence is still good. I know where they’re living. I just have to adjust as the water level falls throughout this event.
Q: How many pounds will you have to average each day to score a Top 10?
Card: I’ll say 13 to 14 pounds a day will do really well here.
Q: What keeps a smile on Brandon Card’s face amid a tough season?
Card: I’m just blessed. The Lord has been so good to me. I have a great wife, a cool little boy named Davis and a baby girl due in October. I see life’s bigger picture way better than I did early in my career when a bad tournament would devastate me.
