The key word this week, mentioned by anglers, judges and the Bassmaster staff, is hydration.
The temperature in Jones Brothers Park is 98 degrees, with high 90s projected all week. Everyone is worrying about getting dehydrated. Some of us believe pickles and pickle juice are great helpers in replenishing potassium and electrolytes. And there’s actual science behind this theory. James Overstreet, Thomas Allen, Bryan Brasher and myself are strong believers in the power of pickles. Not Steve Bowman. When I pulled out the pickles today he cringed. Not only does he not eat them, but his dislike is so strong it almost seems political. Never-the-less, I ate the pickles and drank the juice in his presence. And I feel better because of it.