TULSA, Okla. — Randy Howell is on cruise control while many of his peers sweat out the later than normal bite on Grand Lake. He’s in fourth place and wouldn’t have it any other way after Day 1 of the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Howell is happy with the scenario because the conditions and his strategy line up with how he won the 2014 Classic on Lake Guntersville.
“Five years ago I would have been a train wreck by around noon today,” admitted Howell. “What’s different is just knowing this was going to be a late bite and that I know how to mentally adjust to those conditions.”
“This could definitely be a dramatic and exciting finish, just like I had at Guntersville,” he continued. “Every day the water is going to get warmer and the best fishing will be late.”
He should know. Minutes into the final round of competition the big bass turned on at his fishing spot. He lost track of how many culls he made and at one point is was 4- and 5 pounders.
The same scenario could unfold here on Sunday and Howell hopes to be in striking distance.
“I really don’t want to be in the lead because that is truly pressure,” he said. “You are better off coming from behind.”
Marty the party
South Carolina pro Marty Robinson broke into a dance just before taking the weigh-in stage inside the BOK Center.
“I got a Facebook message from a dad about his kids wanting to see me dance,” said Robinson.
Robinson is not ready just yet to join Dancing with the Stars, although last year he delighted the crowd with a break dance on the deck of his boat.
“The kids seem to like me doing it and I’m all about getting them excited about fishing,” he continued. “So if that’s what it takes I’ll keep dancing.
Robinson had another reason to break into a dance this year. He caught the biggest bass of Day 1, a largemouth weighing 7 pounds.
He was tight lipped on what the bass bite, although he did have this to say.
“It was the right bait at the right time and place.”
Good answer, although we’ve heard that before. The kicker bass boosted Robinson’s Day 1 total to 14 pounds, 12 ounces to land him in 10th place.
Aaron’s adjustment
Ever the detail freak Aaron Martens made a simple yet key adjustment he feels will improve his game for Day 2 on Grand Lake. Martens is 16h place with 13 pounds, 8 ounces, but he’s not at all concerned.
“I had about 15 bites today and I know that because I felt every one of them,” he said. “I’m not at all worried because it should make a big difference.”
His minor refinement involved increasing the hook size of his soft plastic rig. Initially he fished with a smaller hook to avoid getting the lure snagged in bottom cover.
“I went too small and the tradeoff will be upsizing and maybe getting hung up more,” he added. “But I’d rather do that and risk getting the fish on the hook than miss them.”
Christie thinks small
Leader Jason Christie said he misjudged the weight of his catch, although he gets no sympathy from anyone. The hands-down favorite to win the Classic attributed the healthy bass population on Grand Lake as the reason why.
“These fish are just so healthy and I thought I was in about the 15-pound range,” he admitted. “The fishing isn’t what it should be, although when you get a bite it’s usually a good, quality keeper.”
Small would be good
Four anglers who would like to agree with Christie are on the opposite end of the leader board.
Bassmaster Carhartt college champion Trevor Lo, B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier Levi McNeill and Bassmaster Elite Series pros Chad Morgenthaler and Chris Zaldain all failed to return with a keeper.
Zaldain spoke for the group.
“Tomorrow will only get better.”
All four will gladly trade their places on Day 2 with anyone.