Justin Lucas sits in the back of the angler meeting on the eve of the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented Econo Lodge, sizing up the field. He most surely had to be thinking to himself, ‘I got this.’
Photo: James Overstreet
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Lucas might actually have started feeling that way after he had a very productive first day. He planned to hit his first spot then head back south to fish docks. But several 3-pounders convinced him to stay on the community hole of a water intake.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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All anglers look for that one spot that will produce enough fish for a victory, and Lucas stumbled upon one such potential piece of structure - an elevated parking deck just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. He actually fished the intake then on a whim said he'd give the hard structure a shot. Bingo, bango, bongo. Three quick fish, and he was staying.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Lucas had only three bites in that area during practice, but he figured he’d have company. Instead, he had it all to himself. He also learned that the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant was a sensitive enough area that a photographer climbing up to take photos of him would be removed by security.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Lucas produced the big bag on Day 1, and his 20 pounds, 4 ounces led second-place Brent Ehrler by more than 2 pounds.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Reporters ask Lucas about his hot start. He won his first Elite tournament last season on another tidal water, the California Delta, where he grew up.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
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Early on Day 2, Lucas was at the dock hoping the previous day wasn’t just a dream.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Oh yeah, the magic was still happening there. There were lulls, but Lucas would see flurries …
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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... catching nice fish ...
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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... after nice fish.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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He certainly looks like he knows something special could happen for him on the Potomac.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Temps reached into the mid- to upper-90s and the heat index climbed to around 110 each day, requiring fluid hydration efforts.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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The Blue Plains security guards chatted with Lucas on a number of occasions. Lucas was super polite, explaining he was just there fishing a big tournament.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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There was plenty of confidence in Lucas’ demeanor after his Day 2 weight of 19-14 gave him a lead of almost 6 pounds.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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Lucas backs his rig into the water at Smallwood Park, anxious to see if his spot would hold up another day.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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All kinds of folks want to meet with the leader of the pack.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Although he's fiddling with a jig, Lucas relied on a hand-poured, blue and brown, 6-inch worm, rigged with a 3/16-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Weight and 1/0 hook.
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Compared to the first two days, Lucas struggled on Day 3, only bringing in 12-15. Although it was his smallest bag, Lucas still held a lead of almost 6 pounds over Bill Lowen.
Photo: James Overstreet
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Lucas and fourth-place Jason Christie chat before they head out onto the Potomac on Championship Sunday. Christie would go out and catch the biggest bag of the event.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer interviews Lucas before launch, no doubt asking if he could withstand the heat from the field and the sun.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Lucas idles out before his 35-minute run north from Smallwood State Park to the dock. The big question was if Saturday’s small bag was a sign that the big fish had left the dock or if they would be back. Another 12-pound certainly would have left the door open.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Lucas’s fish bit again on Sunday and he quickly put together a limit that eased any nerves.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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“I think it was my West Coast roots and having a dropshot rod in my hand when I hit that pier that was key,” Lucas said. “If I had a jig tied on, maybe I don’t get those bites and I end up leaving. It could’ve been a rough tournament for me.”
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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After one big fish, Lucas was jubilant. He kissed the fish and announced it was worth $100,000.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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Lucas did some cyphering in his head, and with his bag of nearly 20 pounds, he knew Lowen would need a ridiculously large bag of more than 25 pounds to pose a threat.
Photo: Garrick Dixon
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So Lucas took it easy, leaving his dock just a bit after noon and headed back to Smallwood State Park to avoid any potential trouble. During his first win, he needed a ride in on the last day after he ran out of gas. At the dock Sunday, Lucas receives the full media treatment from Mercer and Davy Hite for Bassmaster LIVE.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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Christie scored the big bag of the event with 23-1, but that only made up half of his 8-pound deficit to Lucas, who won by 4 pounds.
Photo: James Overstreet
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Lucas was rather jazzed to capture his second Elite Series title. He’s only fished the Elites since 2014. Lucas totaled 72-14 to collect another $100,000 prize.
Photo: James Overstreet
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The victory gives Lucas two in 40 B.A.S.S. events. Amazingly, he’s earned a check in 32 of them, including 13 top 10 finishes.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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A kiss of the trophy to match the kiss of his fish. He said this victory really boiled down to stumbling onto the winning area, which Davy Hite and Mark Davis both said they fished years ago. “It was one of those scenarios you dream about.”
Photo: James Overstreet
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