Busy intersection on Red River
A traffic light needs to be erected at the entrance to one particular Red River backwater.
2012 Bassmaster Classic
It’s a party somewhere
Kevin VanDam has joined the party in this Red River backwater area, which shall remain nameless. That brings the total to 14 of the 49-angler field that James Overstreet and I have seen here since 8:30 this morning. We decided long ago there was no sense in leaving to look for other angers when, sooner or later, they are going to come to us. There is, however, one drawback to staying in this stump-filled, wind-blown swamp: Overstreet and I have taken to singing our version of the REO Speedwagon hit "Riding the Storm Out." Our refrain is "riding the stumps out," as we pinball to the left when a stump rides down the right side of the boat hull, then lean to the right as a stump slides down the left side of the hull. And it's only Wednesday. This is going to be a long week.
On-the-water video
Videos galore
Hite not taking a win for granted
Davy Hite has seen a resurgence in the last year. He won at Pickwick, his first win in five years. It was the longest dry spell of his career.
KVD on making the right decision
There is no denying that Kevin VanDam has figured out how to make the Classic his event.
Palaniuk has an open mind
Brandon Palaniuk thinks it will take an open mind to win the Bassmaster Classic, after seeing the Red River in today's practice. "The river is changing quickly, and I think the fish are changing just as quickly," Palaniuk said. "I think it's going to be that way all week. Every day there's going to be some kind of change you have to make." Palaniuk found some shallow backwater that was seven degrees warmer than it was on Sunday. "You can feel the heat from the sun," he said. "I was amazed how fast it has warmed some of this shallow water. And the wind today has muddied up a few of these areas."
2012 Classic: Practice on the Red River, part II
If they're on the water, we're on 'em. Check out more images from the Red River as the competitors enjoy a final day of practice.
Get the most out of your on-the-water Classic experience
If you plan to watch the Classic from on the water here are a few tips from the Red River Waterway Commission.
Tough on Robinson’s
Marty Robinson used Wednesday as proof that he found a better place to fish last weekend. He was hoping to add another hot spot Wednesday, one that was a little closer to the Red River South Marina launch site, but that didn't happen. "There's not much to report today," Robinson said. "I've caught one, about two pounds. "The water temperature is up a little today. A lot of the backwater areas have muddied up. The few where you've got decent water, there's a lot of pressure on the fish."
College plan
As the first ever College BASS representative in the Bassmaster Classic, Andrew Upshaw is the youngest angler in the 49-man field. But he's got the confidence of a Classic veteran. At noon Wednesday, Upshaw said, "I'm about to be off the water. I've got one more spot I want to hit before I go in." Upshaw has a lot of experience on the Red River, especially for someone so young, and he thinks that local knowledge might pay off this week. "It's helped knowing those little spots that fish get in here," Upshaw said. "They are places where a guy might make two or three flips and move on. I know I can make 50 flips in there and catch one." Upshaw pretty much has his game plan set for the opening day of the Classic Friday. "I'm going to hit two places the first day," he said. "I've got a spot where I think I can catch a couple of big ones early, then I'm going to spend the rest of the day in another spot."
