ELLIJAY, Ga. — When faced with just one practice day on a strange lake what do the pros do?
Some fish angling strengths, and while others their follow instincts. There is no time to press hold on the calendar to extend practice. It’s game on whether they are on the fish or not.
Probably the best example of all the above this season is the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Classic Bracket underway on Carters Lake in northwest Georgia. What began with 15 anglers is now cut to the top 12 in the elimination style, bracket format.
This is not just any tournament, either. For the dozen anglers this is their second and final chance to qualify for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Challenging enough is the bracket format. Adding to the high-stakes competition are the prevailing fishing conditions on 3,200-acre Carters Lake, an ultra-clear and deep highlands reservoir in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
A lake turnover, transition from summer to fall patterns, a series of low-pressure systems with rain and chilly weather all are in play. Balancing those uncontrollable variables with careful game day management make this a competition like none other.
Today the goal was getting seeded inside the top 12. From here on out the weights begin adding up. Separate three-hour morning and afternoon match sessions comprise the quarter- and semi-final rounds. On Friday six anglers in the three final brackets compete for the Classic berths. Only three will advance.
With all the above up in the air, and after one day of practice and a competition day, here are highlights of what the pros learned.
Fred Roumbanis (16 pounds, 1 ounce, first place)
What went well: “As the last guy in it was the lack of pressure. I just went out and had fun, went fishing. I knew I could go out and catch five. Then I got into more quality fish than expected. So I went looking to expand those areas, and did, and hopefully what I discovered can be sustained over the next few days.”
What didn’t go well: “I lost a big one on the swimbait. But sometimes you’ve got to throw a big bait like that to find out what presentation makes them bite. The reward is worth the risk, though. I turned a negative into a positive.”
Greg Vinson (13 pounds, 10 ounces, second place)
What went well: “Making the right decision early. I took a gamble that was a little different than my game plan. I caught a good fish early. That gave me great confidence, so I could settle down and go look for new water.”
What didn’t go well: “The places where I went later in the day, some very similar to the good ones, didn’t produce. I couldn’t really separate what made those bad, the others like those much better. It was much tougher to figure out.”
Keith Combs (12 pounds, 6 ounces, third place)
What went well: “I got through today, caught five, but not too many. Fish and time management are big deals in this tournament. I like my pattern and I want to keep it productive for the next few days.”
What didn’t go well: “I missed so many. I caught my first and then missed the next four. Some bite short, others pulled the worm off the hook. Even adjusting the timing of my hookset, letting them take the bait longer, didn’t help. It was very frustrating. In practice I was getting solid bites, good hook-to-land ratio.”
Ray Hanselman Jr. (10 pounds, fourth place)
What went well: “I had 15 bites and five keepers. That was good. I think I can do it again tomorrow. I am using one bait and am confident, committed to that lure.”
What didn’t go well: “I needed better quality fish. That’s what it’ll take from here on out, because building up weight is really going to matter a lot.”
Gerald Swindle (9 pounds, 10 ounces, sixth place)
What went well: “It was about what I expected, I got what I thought I needed to stay inside the 12 cut.”
What didn’t go well: “It’s a grind. You might think I like it that way but, but with the bracket format and elimination, the cut, there is no more room for a comeback if you fall back.”
Mike McClelland (9 pounds, seventh place)
What went well: “Catching three good fish on the Spro Mike McClelland RkCrawler 55 Crankbait. But seriously, I just put my head down and covered a lot of water, which is what it’s going to take to stay in this game, advance through the brackets.”
What didn’t go well: “Not catching the fifth fish. I didn’t need it today but it really could be a difference maker from now on. I thought topwater would be the main focus right now, but that is not the case.”
Chad Pipkens (8 pounds, 8 ounces, eighth place)
What went well: “Catching five, a limit, went well.”
What didn’t go well: “I’m trying to stay in high percentage areas. But it’s going to be tough to catch five keepers in three hours. My problem is the fish are either moving around a lot—and I can’t keep up with those movements—or the bite is just off. I’m trying to fish specific areas and that makes it tougher.”