OTW with Evers

On the water with Edwin Evers for Day 4 of BASSfest

Posted on
Edwin Evers started Day 4 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps midway up the lake surrounded by two fog banks.
Edwin Evers started Day 4 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps midway up the lake surrounded by two fog banks.
He began the day in the lead of the event with 51 pounds, 2 ounces.
He began the day in the lead of the event with 51 pounds, 2 ounces.
And he quickly began putting keepers in the boat.
And he quickly began putting keepers in the boat.
This fish would be his first keeper.
This fish would be his first keeper.
But it wouldn't have the size that Evers was hoping for.
But it wouldn’t have the size that Evers was hoping for.
He caught the single keeper on his first spot.
He caught the single keeper on his first spot.
Then moved into the thick fog, where it was difficult to see more than 60 yards.
Then moved into the thick fog, where it was difficult to see more than 60 yards.
The thick fog didn't slow the fish, though.
The thick fog didn’t slow the fish, though.
This fish put up a big fight.
This fish put up a big fight.
Taking Evers from the front of the boat to the side.
Taking Evers from the front of the boat to the side.
Eventually taking him to the back of the boat.
Eventually taking him to the back of the boat.
Making one jump, forcing Evers to yell out
Making one jump, forcing Evers to yell out “It’s a big one.”
The fish then ran down the other side of the boat, while Evers told the crowd
The fish then ran down the other side of the boat, while Evers told the crowd “My heart is pumping so fast right now.”
The fish eventually took Evers back to the front.
The fish eventually took Evers back to the front.
And then to the other side of the boat.
And then to the other side of the boat.
Before Evers could get his hands on the giant.
Before Evers could get his hands on the giant.
The fish would weigh 6 pounds, 12 ounces.
The fish would weigh 6 pounds, 12 ounces.
And keep Evers at the top of the standings on Day 4.
And keep Evers at the top of the standings on Day 4.
But he wasn't finished.
But he wasn’t finished.
He would add a third keeper.
He would add a third keeper.
And be on his way to building a heavy stringer.
And be on his way to building a heavy stringer.
As the fog began to lift,
As the fog began to lift,
Evers would add a fourth keeper.
Evers would add a fourth keeper.
And hook up with his fifth.
And hook up with his fifth.
His limit fish came relatively early.
His limit fish came relatively early.
But he knew he had room to cull.
But he knew he had room to cull.
He would continue to catch keepers.
He would continue to catch keepers.
And at times they would be big enough.
And at times they would be big enough.
For him to add to his weight.
For him to add to his weight.
He would cull quickly,
He would cull quickly,
Then get back to work.
Then get back to work.
Pushing big baits out in front of him,
Pushing big baits out in front of him,
And ending the cast with a spray of water.
And ending the cast with a spray of water.
Some of those came with a hookset.
Some of those came with a hookset.
And a fish alongside the boat,
And a fish alongside the boat,
Dancing in the water,
Dancing in the water,
Before Evers could get his hands on him.
Before Evers could get his hands on him.
Then he would repeat the process.
Then he would repeat the process.
Even though he would make long casts, this keeper would hit right at the boat.
Even though he would make long casts, this keeper would hit right at the boat.
Evers would keep working.
Evers would keep working.
Hitting area after area.
Hitting area after area.
Spending a lot of time focused on his electronics,
Spending a lot of time focused on his electronics,
As he looked for a school of bigger bass that could help him.
As he looked for a school of bigger bass that could help him.
When he would find fish on his electronics, he would jump up.
When he would find fish on his electronics, he would jump up.
Make a long cast.
Make a long cast.
Working the areas over thoroughly.
Working the areas over thoroughly.
Often switching baits.
Often switching baits.
And catching fish sporadically.
And catching fish sporadically.
Some of them forced him to grit his teeth together.
Some of them forced him to grit his teeth together.
And some of them actually helped his cause.
And some of them actually helped his cause.
Allowing him to cull, even if was for added ounces.
Allowing him to cull, even if was for added ounces.
He went through a flurry at mid day, gritting his teeth.
He went through a flurry at mid day, gritting his teeth.
And catching keepers.
And catching keepers.
He worked the area thoroughly.
He worked the area thoroughly.
Swapping rods every once in a while.
Swapping rods every once in a while.
And hooking up with a fighting bass.
And hooking up with a fighting bass.
That would come aboard in a spray of water.
That would come aboard in a spray of water.
And force Evers to evaluate whether it was big enough to help.
And force Evers to evaluate whether it was big enough to help.
Some of them made the cut.
Some of them made the cut.
Some of them didn't. But his stringer continued to climb an ounce at a time.
Some of them didn’t. But his stringer continued to climb an ounce at a time.
And Evers continued to make long casts.
And Evers continued to make long casts.
Hooking up and fighting fish.
Hooking up and fighting fish.
Before swinging another keeper in the boat.
Before swinging another keeper in the boat.
At times, he had boaters run really close to where he was fishing.
At times, he had boaters run really close to where he was fishing.
Almost covering him up with a spray of water.
Almost covering him up with a spray of water.
But once things settled down, he was back to hooking up.
But once things settled down, he was back to hooking up.
And bringing fish aboard.
And bringing fish aboard.
Then spending a few moments culling ounces,
Then spending a few moments culling ounces,
Before he would be at the front of the boat making another long cast.
Before he would be at the front of the boat making another long cast.