Finishing fifth at last month’s Bassmaster Classic was a good feeling, especially after coming off a disappointing experience at the previous Elite event on my home waters of Lake Fork. Most importantly, notching my best Classic finish in four appearances shifted the momentum for me as we head into back-to-back Elites in Florida.
Now, as far as that Lake Fork event, I didn’t spend a lot of time worrying over that. In fact, the next day, I was thinking about how I’d fish the Classic.
I took some chances at Fork because that’s how I fish. If I think I have a chance to win, I’ll take a risk. It’s not like I fell off a rock.
But on the other hand, there are times — like this week at the Harris Chain — when I don’t have any idea how to win, so I’ll just junk fish my way into the check cut. If I land on something better, I’ll give it all I’ve got, but it’s important to know when you have a legitimate chance to win and when you’re fishing for points.
That’s one of the biggest differences between the Classic and the Elites. The Classic’s kind of nice, because you’re not fishing for points, so you can go all in.
It’s a great week for your sponsors, your brand, your family and friends. The Classic is like a celebration mode, but then it’s back to work.
Just like with any job, you’ll have good times and not so good times, but you still go to work and do the best you can. I think that’s how the Elite at the Harris Chain is shaping up.
The Chain just isn’t fishing well right now; you can just feel it. We’re fishing these lakes at a different time than we have in the past, but overall, I think guys are going to have to work pretty hard this week.
I actually had a pretty good practice, and I think I have a really good plan, based on what I found. I’m not necessarily on anything to win, but I think I can catch a limit pretty easily.
Of all the lakes in the Harris Chain, I believe Harris is one of the toughest ones right now. They had a fish kill back in the winter, and the lake’s just not producing like it should.
On the other hand, Lake Apopka is probably the best lake in the Chain right now. I practiced down there, and I found a 40-yard stretch where I believe I can catch 18 to 23 pounds.
The only problem is that I’m in the third flight on Day 1, so when you consider that long run, plus the time it takes to get through the lock, I don’t think I can make it down there and back in the time I’ll have.
That’s going to be a big factor this week. If 30 boats go to Apopka and that lock can only hold three boats at a time, that could put some people in a real bind. I think we’ll see people that don’t make it back on time because that couldn’t get through the lock.
As for me, I’ll spend the first day fishing Lake Harris, because we take off there, and I want to maximize my fishing time. If I do really well and get off to a good start, or if I bomb the first day, I’ll definitely go to Apopka the second day.
Until I make that decision, I’ll just grind it out and try to keep my mind off of Lake Apopka. I’ll fish what’s in front of me and let the cards fall as they will.
