Classic Bracket: Final round with Preuett

Head out on the water with Brett Preuett as he battles Zach Parker in the final round of the College Classic Bracket.

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A beautiful sunrise to start the final round of the Classic Bracket. I head out in pursuit of Preuett.
A beautiful sunrise to start the final round of the Classic Bracket. I head out in pursuit of Preuett.
As a crow flies, Brett Preuett is fishing about 2 miles in that direction.
As a crow flies, Brett Preuett is fishing about 2 miles in that direction.
As I ease out to find Preuett I pause to snap a pic of Ole Glory.
As I ease out to find Preuett I pause to snap a pic of Ole Glory.
Still a little foggy where Preuett is fishing.
Still a little foggy where Preuett is fishing.
Fish have been schooling in this area all week. Literally as far as the eye can see.
Fish have been schooling in this area all week. Literally as far as the eye can see.
Preuett fires a topwater in the direction of a school of fish.
Preuett fires a topwater in the direction of a school of fish.
A fish busts behind Preuett and draws his attention.
A fish busts behind Preuett and draws his attention.
Wes Miller is onboard to capture all the action for ESPNU.
Wes Miller is onboard to capture all the action for ESPNU.
Preuett walks his topwater back to the boat.
Preuett walks his topwater back to the boat.
The to and fro motion of Preuett's topwater has tempted several fish into the boat this week.
The to and fro motion of Preuett’s topwater has tempted several fish into the boat this week.
Preuett swaps to a fish head spin after and hooks up.
Preuett swaps to a fish head spin after and hooks up.
Prior to my arrival, Preuett had already boated 2 solid fish in the 2-1/2 lb range.
Prior to my arrival, Preuett had already boated 2 solid fish in the 2-1/2 lb range.
This fish will make number 3 if he can get it in.
This fish will make number 3 if he can get it in.
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
Bring her aboard.
Bring her aboard.
After having several fish slap at the bait...
After having several fish slap at the bait…
... Preuett dug around in his tackle box and pulled out a small hook...
… Preuett dug around in his tackle box and pulled out a small hook…
... he put that hook on the inside cup of the blade on his bait...
… he put that hook on the inside cup of the blade on his bait…
... As you can see here, that little hook made a big difference.
… As you can see here, that little hook made a big difference.
Preuett's addition of the extra hook has put number 3 in the boat.
Preuett’s addition of the extra hook has put number 3 in the boat.
Another solid fish for Preuett.
Another solid fish for Preuett.
In the box you go.
In the box you go.
Preuett keeps an eye out for busting fish.
Preuett keeps an eye out for busting fish.
A closer look at Preuett's fish head spin and trailer hook setup.
A closer look at Preuett’s fish head spin and trailer hook setup.
A fish surfaces near Preuett's topwater.
A fish surfaces near Preuett’s topwater.
Upon closer inspection, it's a solid spotted bass.
Upon closer inspection, it’s a solid spotted bass.
The fish start busting again.
The fish start busting again.
Preuett fires in the direction of the busting bass.
Preuett fires in the direction of the busting bass.
As he starts to work the bait back, he enters the danger zone.
As he starts to work the bait back, he enters the danger zone.
A magnum spot grabs the back hook.
A magnum spot grabs the back hook.
And the battle is on.
And the battle is on.
Preuett plays the fish as it makes a run.
Preuett plays the fish as it makes a run.
Wes Miller moves in with the GoPro.
Wes Miller moves in with the GoPro.
This is one he needs.
This is one he needs.
Just out of reach.
Just out of reach.
Come here, come here, come here.
Come here, come here, come here.
One tiny hook holds the fish on.
One tiny hook holds the fish on.
Almost got her.
Almost got her.
Just bring her aboard.
Just bring her aboard.
Got you.
Got you.
In you go.
In you go.
That's a huge step in the right direction.
That’s a huge step in the right direction.
It feels good to put this fish in the boat after so many like this have thrown Preuett's bait all week.
It feels good to put this fish in the boat after so many like this have thrown Preuett’s bait all week.
Preuett unlatches a solid fish as the action is thoroughly covered by GoPros.
Preuett unlatches a solid fish as the action is thoroughly covered by GoPros.
Check this one out mom and dad.
Check this one out mom and dad.
Preuett heads to the live-well with number 4 as the fish start busting again all around him.
Preuett heads to the live-well with number 4 as the fish start busting again all around him.
Get back out there quick.
Get back out there quick.
The fish come up in front of Preuett again.
The fish come up in front of Preuett again.
This is a massive school of stripe with several big spots mixed in. Shad flee in every direction.
This is a massive school of stripe with several big spots mixed in. Shad flee in every direction.
This one gets away for the time being.
This one gets away for the time being.
A bass surfaces in the distance.
A bass surfaces in the distance.
The school rages on.
The school rages on.
Two big fish surface simultaneously.
Two big fish surface simultaneously.
Preuett works his topwater through the madness.
Preuett works his topwater through the madness.
One pulls down on it.
One pulls down on it.
Preuett pulls back.
Preuett pulls back.
Once again, a fish narrowly misses the hooks.
Once again, a fish narrowly misses the hooks.
A bass surfaces in the distance and Preuett fires his fish head spin in it's direction.
A bass surfaces in the distance and Preuett fires his fish head spin in it’s direction.
Preuett hooks up.
Preuett hooks up.
This will be number 5 if it makes it into the boat.
This will be number 5 if it makes it into the boat.
Almost got her,
Almost got her,
Get in the boat.
Get in the boat.
Got her.
Got her.
In you go.
In you go.
That's a limit.
That’s a limit.
This is Preuett's smallest fish.
This is Preuett’s smallest fish.
All smiles for Preuett as he ices the limit.
All smiles for Preuett as he ices the limit.
In you go.
In you go.
Preuett sticks a monster.
Preuett sticks a monster.
This one is a game changer.
This one is a game changer.
The fish fights to regain its freedom.
The fish fights to regain its freedom.
Preuett's heart is pounding so loud, I'm almost certain I can hear it.
Preuett’s heart is pounding so loud, I’m almost certain I can hear it.
The fish prepares to make one last attempt.
The fish prepares to make one last attempt.
This could be the fish that does it for Preuett.
This could be the fish that does it for Preuett.
Preuett pulls her closer.
Preuett pulls her closer.
Almost there.
Almost there.
He can almost reach her.
He can almost reach her.
He goes for the grab.
He goes for the grab.
Got her!
Got her!
Preuett knows this could be the one.
Preuett knows this could be the one.
The emotion pours out of Preuett. A lifelong dream is within reach.
The emotion pours out of Preuett. A lifelong dream is within reach.
Preuett relishes the moment.
Preuett relishes the moment.
Fist pumps for Preuett.
Fist pumps for Preuett.
Time to cull.
Time to cull.
A passing hornet has to checkout this bait for himself.
A passing hornet has to checkout this bait for himself.
Preuett works his topwater through a school.
Preuett works his topwater through a school.
A solid spot explodes on the bait while another circles to the other side of the bait.
A solid spot explodes on the bait while another circles to the other side of the bait.
The two fish regroup.
The two fish regroup.
There are fish all under Preuett's bait.
There are fish all under Preuett’s bait.
The battle continues.
The battle continues.
The fish circle back around.
The fish circle back around.
Dinner time.
Dinner time.
The smaller fish finally gets the bait.
The smaller fish finally gets the bait.
Preuett waits patiently for the fish to come up again.
Preuett waits patiently for the fish to come up again.
Preuett continues to work his topwater.
Preuett continues to work his topwater.
A fish annihilates his bait in the distance.
A fish annihilates his bait in the distance.
Preuett brings the fish in.
Preuett brings the fish in.
This one won't cull.
This one won’t cull.