Determination

Determination

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth.

     The USA Bassin Classic was again held this year on Kentucky Lake. My partner Josh “Chopper” and I left early the Sunday before to get several days of practice in before the event. When we arrived at the lake we immediately noticed the water had dropped and pulled the last remaining spawning fish with it. Therefor we would concentrate off shore on Kentucky’s famed ledges to try and locate schools of post spawn bass. Every day we searched for schools with my electronics and kept noticing that these fish were deeper than normal. We managed to catch a few in twenty to twenty two feet of water but had not found the mother load of bass yet. Most days we practiced from daylight until dark. Most days we spent only half of our day fishing while the rest was spent idling around trying to locate catchable schools. We finally figured out that the fish we needed to catch were in front of major spawning areas that held deep water out front.

     Day One- We blasted off to our first spot where Chopper quickly connected with our first keeper that bit a Denny Brauer Structure Jig in twenty feet of water. On stop number two I caught one throwing a Strike King 6XD on the top of a sixteen foot hump. As we made our way back up the lake I decided to stop on a channel swing we had found earlier. On the second cast I immediately hooked up. The cast after that I lost one. Boats were now starting to crowd us but we stood our ground. Chopper put our fifth in the boat which was a little over four pounds which gave us five. Those fish came off of a 5.5 Shadilicious and a Series 5XD. Time was up and we raced back to the weigh in where we ended up in 18^th place for the day.

     Day Two-  Pumped wasn’t the word for us. We both knew that we had found a special spot. We raced down the lake and set up on the ledge. We could see the fish out deep and some shallow. The magic was beginning to happen. There were fish everywhere. I put the first three pound fish in the boat and it didn’t stop for five hours. We would catch a fish on a Shadilicious and then a 5XD. The action would slow down for only brief periods and then fire right back up. We had our limit within the hour and spent the next four hours upgrading. After I culled with a five pound fish I knew we might have a chance. But it wasn’t until I hooked our big fish of the day did I think we could actually win. He hit on the end of my cast and after a two minute battle he was in the boat. I couldn’t hold my emotions any more.  We left early for fish care reasons. I didn’t want to have any dead fish at the weigh in. When we got there we both knew we had done something special. The director put the fish on the scales and I was shocked! 23.62 pounds!!! We held the lead for a brief period but ended 3^rd overall with 3^rd place big bass at 6.36 pounds.  We caught our fish on a Strike King 6XD, a 5XD, a 5.5 Shadilicious, a Denny Brauer Stucture Jig, and even a Sexy Dawg.

     That day was a day that every bass fisherman dreams of having. Where nothing goes wrong, no lost fish, and each decision worked to perfection. To Chopper and I it isn’t about the money, it is about working hard and figuring out how to catch the right fish. After all, it’s just fishing.

   
  I would like to first thank my wife Heidi who has been so supportive in this passion of mine. To Chopper, the best attitude I have ever been in the boat with and a drive to learn what it takes to win. My Strike King family, without them I wouldn’t be where I am at today. Rigid Industries, Vicious Fishing, PLP Battery, Natural Gear, Sure-Life, Mustad, Power Pole, Stormr, and Leisure Time Outdoors. Thanks for all of your support.