Scott Martin has great respect for his father, as do we all. Nineteen Bassmaster wins, 9 Angler of the Year titles, 25 Bassmaster Classic appearances. When Roland Martin talks, people listen.
Maybe that’s why Scott tried to politely slow his dad’s roll when the younger Martin weighed his second-place Day-1 bag of 25 pounds, 11 ounces. (Prior to leader Bernie Schultz securing the top spot with 28-11.)
Beaming with parental pride, the elder Martin said: “It’s so cool because, with the water levels like they are, there are things happening that happened 30 years ago. And that’s kinda what he’s capitalizing on. He’s looking back at…”
Scott’s response: “Shhh, shhh, don’t you give any secrets away.”
Roland: “But he’s doing something that nobody else is doing. This particular deal hasn’t happened lately.”
Scott: “Shhh, shhh.”
It was a humorously endearing moment, but one that makes you wonder how many times Roland Martin played a similar game back in the day. Both father and son intimately know the lake — particularly the south end, near the family’s famous marina, where Scott did all of his opening-round work.
Essentially, he’s tucking way back into an area that’s attracting prespawn and spawning fish, while also accommodating postspawners. He caught a few by flipping shallow vegetation, but Martin caught much of his weight with an old-school technique — slowly working prop bait in about 3 feet of water.
Only time will tell if the game plan holds up, but if he needs to change, the well of Martin family knowledge runs deep.
