The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Lake St. Clair was exactly what I expected — an absolute shootout. I sacked 20-11 the first day, 20 pounds the second day, 19 pounds the third day and only finished in 33rd place.
It’s crazy how much better the smallmouth fishing has gotten at St. Clair. I remember competing in tournaments there when 17 1/2 pounds a day would get you a check. This time around 17 1/2-pound bags would have landed you in 85th place. The new technology has a lot to do with that.
I moved up to 23rd in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after St. Clair. That puts me in a great position to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic during the final Elite tournament of the year on the Mississippi River.
I’m only one step away from a dream come true. My goal since I was 5 years old has been to fish the Classic. I want to win the Classic, of course, but just participating in it would be fantastic.
The tournament on the Mississippi River is like a Bassmaster Classic carrot dangling in front of me. It dominates my thinking. As with all the pressure-cooker Elite tournaments this season, every fish, every cull and every ounce will be critical. I’m ready to finally qualify for the Classic and get it over with.
A quick trip home
As much as I long to fish the Classic, being a father to my son, Dustin, and daughter, Brooke, is more important to me. Earlier this year, I stayed away from home for a month to compete in two Elite events. That’s a long time to be away from your family.
We had only a week off between the tournaments at St. Clair and the Mississippi River. It would have made sense for me to check into a motel, rest up and prep tackle for the final event. But I elected to head home and spend three days with my family.
More importantly, I didn’t want to miss Dustin’s eighth birthday. Every birthday is meaningful. As much as I’m away fishing tournaments, I want to enjoy these special moments with my family. Despite the cost and being travel weary before fishing a tournament, it was well worth it.
Gearing up for the Mississippi
I didn’t have time to prep my boat and tackle before leaving for home after St. Clair, so I had a lot of work to do when I got back. I was going from a clear, large, bowl of a lake full of smallmouth to a full-blown river tournament where largemouth are the predominant species.
I put away the spinning tackle I used for drop-shot fishing at St. Clair. I did my best there with Yamamoto’s Shad Shape Worm and Fuzzy Nut dice bait.
For the Mississippi River, I rigged casting rods and flipping sticks with a minimum of 20-pound test line. My bait selection included Z-Man’s 3/8- and 1/2-ounce Evergreen ChatterBait JackHammers and the Evergreen Loudbuzz. I also tied on a frog and some flipping baits.
At last year’s Bassmaster Open on the Mississippi River, a bunch of guys locked downriver to Pool 9 on Day 2 and failed to make it to the weigh-in on time. A barge in the lock caused their disastrous delay.
I plan to stay in Pool 8 and not gamble by locking up or down. I have enough points that I don’t have to swing for the win. If I fish smart and avoid missteps, I should make my Classic dream a reality.
