St. Johns: Day 4 with Lucas

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The final day at the St. Johns River didn't go quite as Justin Lucas had planned. But, as you'll see, it wasn't for lack of effort. He got his day started just a short 5-minute ride from the boat ramp.
The final day at the St. Johns River didn’t go quite as Justin Lucas had planned. But, as you’ll see, it wasn’t for lack of effort. He got his day started just a short 5-minute ride from the boat ramp.
He fished few docks before jerking up the trolling motor and heading in the direction of Lake George. He told me that he would eventually end up there, but might hit a few spots on his way.
He fished few docks before jerking up the trolling motor and heading in the direction of Lake George. He told me that he would eventually end up there, but might hit a few spots on his way.
After his first stop, he drove for maybe 5 minutes before dropping the trolling motor and working an attractive-looking shoreline.
After his first stop, he drove for maybe 5 minutes before dropping the trolling motor and working an attractive-looking shoreline.
He went a hundred yards without a bite, and decided it was time to re-rig a rod for his final destination. At this point, he told me to prepare for a long run to Lake George...
He went a hundred yards without a bite, and decided it was time to re-rig a rod for his final destination. At this point, he told me to prepare for a long run to Lake George…
Lucas hit a spot or two on the way with no results, but he eventually strapped the rods to the front deck and finished the half-hour ride to the shallow spawning grounds of Lake George. the same place, in fact, where the bulk of the field fished during Days 1 and 2.
Lucas hit a spot or two on the way with no results, but he eventually strapped the rods to the front deck and finished the half-hour ride to the shallow spawning grounds of Lake George. the same place, in fact, where the bulk of the field fished during Days 1 and 2.
Lucas worked the exact same waters that he had earlier in the week. With the early morning low light, he chose to take the horizontal approach.
Lucas worked the exact same waters that he had earlier in the week. With the early morning low light, he chose to take the horizontal approach.
Cast after cast after cast. The waters that produced so much action a couple of days prior seemed dead....
Cast after cast after cast. The waters that produced so much action a couple of days prior seemed dead….
Lucas is clearly perplexed... Where did the fish go?
Lucas is clearly perplexed… Where did the fish go?
He moves into ultra-shallow water where some of the larger fish earlier in the tournament came from.
He moves into ultra-shallow water where some of the larger fish earlier in the tournament came from.
Lucas concentrates on using the right bait. He's simply fan-casting an area that held large numbers of big spawning bass, but after nearly an hour no bites occurred.
Lucas concentrates on using the right bait. He’s simply fan-casting an area that held large numbers of big spawning bass, but after nearly an hour no bites occurred.
Mullet continued to leap as they were pursued by larger predator fish, bass maybe?
Mullet continued to leap as they were pursued by larger predator fish, bass maybe?
They would jump two, three and four times...
They would jump two, three and four times…
Lucas decides to change a spool of line...
Lucas decides to change a spool of line…
..and a bait change.
..and a bait change.
After some contemplation, Lucas decides to run to the other side of Lake George looking for some clue as to what has happened to his pattern.
After some contemplation, Lucas decides to run to the other side of Lake George looking for some clue as to what has happened to his pattern.
After starting the day in third place, Justin Lucas knew the right fish were in the areas he was spending his time. But, something happened overnight, and he was back to figuring out what adjustments he needed to make in order to put together a good limit.
After starting the day in third place, Justin Lucas knew the right fish were in the areas he was spending his time. But, something happened overnight, and he was back to figuring out what adjustments he needed to make in order to put together a good limit.
He looked for spawning fish, threw several presentations and decided to keep looking elsewhere.
He looked for spawning fish, threw several presentations and decided to keep looking elsewhere.
Moving, and moving quickly.
Moving, and moving quickly.
He stopped at one of the many canals that offer backwater-type scenarios on the St. Johns River. Big bass often spawn in these locations, and he knows it.
He stopped at one of the many canals that offer backwater-type scenarios on the St. Johns River. Big bass often spawn in these locations, and he knows it.
Lucas makes half a dozen casts before turning his boat around and heading back out. The water in this location seemed extra dirty for some reason.
Lucas makes half a dozen casts before turning his boat around and heading back out. The water in this location seemed extra dirty for some reason.
No time to waste, must stay on the hunt and keep looking for something new since his predicted pattern fell apart.
No time to waste, must stay on the hunt and keep looking for something new since his predicted pattern fell apart.
After a modest run, Lucas finds some attractive shoreline and begins working the shallows.
After a modest run, Lucas finds some attractive shoreline and begins working the shallows.
Lucas grins at me after telling me that we need to keep moving looking for active fish. He's beginning to show signs of frustration, but he's still clearly determined.
Lucas grins at me after telling me that we need to keep moving looking for active fish. He’s beginning to show signs of frustration, but he’s still clearly determined.
While a young angler, Justin Lucas is already showing signs of experience that only some veterans display. He knows he needs to find something soon to remain in contention.
While a young angler, Justin Lucas is already showing signs of experience that only some veterans display. He knows he needs to find something soon to remain in contention.
He relocates several miles to a spawning flat that held numbers of fish for him during practice. You'll notice that he is using a push pole to maneuver silently in the shallow water.
He relocates several miles to a spawning flat that held numbers of fish for him during practice. You’ll notice that he is using a push pole to maneuver silently in the shallow water.
Each time he would locate a bedded fish, he'd give it plenty of opportunity to turn down his presentation.
Each time he would locate a bedded fish, he’d give it plenty of opportunity to turn down his presentation.
Lucas would make six, seven, eight and ten casts to a spot the size of a garbage can lid. Repetitive casts often gets a bedded bass fired up, and that's when it could pay off.
Lucas would make six, seven, eight and ten casts to a spot the size of a garbage can lid. Repetitive casts often gets a bedded bass fired up, and that’s when it could pay off.
The only way to catch fish is to keep you line in the water, yes? Well, as he was looking for bedded bass, Lucas would work a topwater along the edge of the eelgrass hoping to pick up an active feeder while he was looking.
The only way to catch fish is to keep you line in the water, yes? Well, as he was looking for bedded bass, Lucas would work a topwater along the edge of the eelgrass hoping to pick up an active feeder while he was looking.
He suddenly stops, Power-Pole's down, and focuses on a specific spot.
He suddenly stops, Power-Pole’s down, and focuses on a specific spot.
Flip, flip, flip.....
Flip, flip, flip…..
That presentation isn't producing the results he thinks it should be. Time to change it up.
That presentation isn’t producing the results he thinks it should be. Time to change it up.
Maybe a different look at the same spot is a better decision.
Maybe a different look at the same spot is a better decision.
And BINGO!
And BINGO!
It's not a giant, but it'll help in a big way!
It’s not a giant, but it’ll help in a big way!
Lucas flips the keeper into the boat, all the while he's remaining mindful to not stumble on his way back to the deck of the boat.
Lucas flips the keeper into the boat, all the while he’s remaining mindful to not stumble on his way back to the deck of the boat.
His bass is coming into the boat, and he's looking to make a safe step back.
His bass is coming into the boat, and he’s looking to make a safe step back.
In and safe...
In and safe…
The small bass is barely a keeper, but based on how his morning was going, it's a good sign. He's clearly happy about it.
The small bass is barely a keeper, but based on how his morning was going, it’s a good sign. He’s clearly happy about it.
After working another hundred yards with no results, Lucas pulls the trolling motor and heads for the next spot.
After working another hundred yards with no results, Lucas pulls the trolling motor and heads for the next spot.
Rolling...
Rolling…
With the intense sunlight and warming temperatures, Lucas focuses on a few docks and boat houses.
With the intense sunlight and warming temperatures, Lucas focuses on a few docks and boat houses.
Precision flipping places the bait close to each structural element hoping to penetrate each fish's strike zone.
Precision flipping places the bait close to each structural element hoping to penetrate each fish’s strike zone.
Not the results he was hoping for. The rods get stowed and up comes the trolling motor.
Not the results he was hoping for. The rods get stowed and up comes the trolling motor.
Rolling, yet again.
Rolling, yet again.
Lucas finds a nice looking canal that seems to have all the right elements.
Lucas finds a nice looking canal that seems to have all the right elements.
With spectating anglers on the docks, Lucas carefully works every angle, hoping for any clue.
With spectating anglers on the docks, Lucas carefully works every angle, hoping for any clue.
Docks provide adequate structure and ample cover. Hitting each angle correctly is essential to give every bass every opportunity to see his presentation.
Docks provide adequate structure and ample cover. Hitting each angle correctly is essential to give every bass every opportunity to see his presentation.
Flowing water during this time of year attracts baitfish, which attracts feeding bass. Lucas knows this and makes a few casts into the micro tail water.
Flowing water during this time of year attracts baitfish, which attracts feeding bass. Lucas knows this and makes a few casts into the micro tail water.
He's frustrated, and beginning to show it.
He’s frustrated, and beginning to show it.
I asked what he was learning, and this look is all I got. He is clearly disappointed in how his recently productive pattern has simply fallen apart. But, that's fishing... And, he knows that things can dramatically change in an instant, so he keeps his chin down and makes another cast.
I asked what he was learning, and this look is all I got. He is clearly disappointed in how his recently productive pattern has simply fallen apart. But, that’s fishing… And, he knows that things can dramatically change in an instant, so he keeps his chin down and makes another cast.
Never give up. A day can go from zero to hero in a matter of minutes, so Lucas makes every cast count.
Never give up. A day can go from zero to hero in a matter of minutes, so Lucas makes every cast count.
Unfortunately, his efforts don't pay off in time, and he is forced to head to weigh-in. Things didn't go as planned, but he kept his sense of humor. Lucas managed to weigh two fish for a four-day total of 59-7 and a 12th place finish. Not what he wanted, but not bad.
Unfortunately, his efforts don’t pay off in time, and he is forced to head to weigh-in. Things didn’t go as planned, but he kept his sense of humor. Lucas managed to weigh two fish for a four-day total of 59-7 and a 12th place finish. Not what he wanted, but not bad.