Faircloth Day 4

Catch up with Elite Series Pro Todd Faircloth on the water Day 4.

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Todd Faircloth started the day in second place just ounces behind Greg Hackney.
Todd Faircloth started the day in second place just ounces behind Greg Hackney.
He started in the same place every day and quickly got a bite.
He started in the same place every day and quickly got a bite.
Every morning he would find bites in the grass beds in a small bay off the main lake.
Every morning he would find bites in the grass beds in a small bay off the main lake.
For three days, he caught 20-pound plus stringers.
For three days, he caught 20-pound plus stringers.
On Sunday it looked like he would make it four in a row.
On Sunday it looked like he would make it four in a row.
His first fish took him to the deck.
His first fish took him to the deck.
And the hefty fish started the day.
And the hefty fish started the day.
The fish quickly went into the well.
The fish quickly went into the well.
And a few minutes later he would boat his second keeper.
And a few minutes later he would boat his second keeper.
This one would be an omen for the day.
This one would be an omen for the day.
The almost 2-pound fish,
The almost 2-pound fish,
would be a constant theme all day.
would be a constant theme all day.
Most of his fish were caught on a Texas rig plastic worm.
Most of his fish were caught on a Texas rig plastic worm.
His gallery included a young fan watching every move.
His gallery included a young fan watching every move.
Faircloth would work over the area for the first two hours.
Faircloth would work over the area for the first two hours.
Catching fish on a regular basis.
Catching fish on a regular basis.
Almost all of them were keepers.
Almost all of them were keepers.
Some of them big enough to take him to the side of the boat.
Some of them big enough to take him to the side of the boat.
He reaches for this one.
He reaches for this one.
And gets it in the boat.
And gets it in the boat.
And quickly hook up again.
And quickly hook up again.
Bringing keepers into the boat.
Bringing keepers into the boat.
Occasionally another Elite angler would fly by.
Occasionally another Elite angler would fly by.
And Faircloth would catch one.
And Faircloth would catch one.
Pulling in fish,
Pulling in fish,
After fish.
After fish.
He even caught them on spinning gear.
He even caught them on spinning gear.
While some of them would allow him to cull.
While some of them would allow him to cull.
They wouldn’t provide much weight.
They wouldn’t provide much weight.
Faircloth shared the area with Chris Zaldain.
Faircloth shared the area with Chris Zaldain.
Faircloth fished shallow, while Zaldain fished deeper.
Faircloth fished shallow, while Zaldain fished deeper.
Although he caught more fish.
Although he caught more fish.
The repeated bites wouldn’t grow.
The repeated bites wouldn’t grow.
He would change areas.
He would change areas.
Throwing a crankbait.
Throwing a crankbait.
But ultimately going back to the plastic worm and smaller fish.
But ultimately going back to the plastic worm and smaller fish.
Behind him sail boats drifted down the lake.
Behind him sail boats drifted down the lake.
A couple of them sandwiching Brandon Palaniuk.
A couple of them sandwiching Brandon Palaniuk.
And Faircloth would continue catching.
And Faircloth would continue catching.
This one culled a few ounces
This one culled a few ounces
And brought a thumbs up for the cheering spectators.
And brought a thumbs up for the cheering spectators.
Every once in a while, a bite would turn into
Every once in a while, a bite would turn into
A longer pickerel.
A longer pickerel.
It was still a good show for the spectators.
It was still a good show for the spectators.
It got even better when a fish would be larger than the norm.
It got even better when a fish would be larger than the norm.
This one took him to the passengers seat
This one took him to the passengers seat
And would be one of his best fish of the day.
And would be one of his best fish of the day.
The fish provided some hope.
The fish provided some hope.
That the bigger fish would bite.
That the bigger fish would bite.
And if Faircloth could wade through the pickerel,
And if Faircloth could wade through the pickerel,
And the smaller bass.
And the smaller bass.
He would eventually catch a big one.
He would eventually catch a big one.
Occasionally a recreational boat would cruise by.
Occasionally a recreational boat would cruise by.
While Faircloth kept catching them.
While Faircloth kept catching them.
He would move several times during the day.
He would move several times during the day.
Sometimes encountering pleasure craft,
Sometimes encountering pleasure craft,
And water skiers.
And water skiers.
But he kept his head down,
But he kept his head down,
Focusing on catching a big fish.
Focusing on catching a big fish.
But the little guys just kept showing up.
But the little guys just kept showing up.
As did the pickerel.
As did the pickerel.
In the last two hours he would catch a dozen like this.
In the last two hours he would catch a dozen like this.
Some getting a glance before he released them. He would finish the day with 15 pounds and change and in second in the event.
Some getting a glance before he released them. He would finish the day with 15 pounds and change and in second in the event.