1st Place - Jackie Wright
I picked up my first fish on a white buzzbait. Are caught many fish on a green pumpkin centipede on a shaky head. I had a limit by 8 AM, then the fish just shut off. I switched to a bandit square bill 100 series and started catching a few fish again was able to start culling. Caught the 15 and 16 1/2 inch fish in the last hour of fishing. Crystal Lake is a lot better lake that I was giving it credit for. Tight lines
2nd Place - Justin Phillips
I'd be lying if I said I felt confident pulling out of Cabela's parking lot. My draw was Bob Kidd Lake, a lake I'd only visited once, and at that, during a rough cold front over a year ago. Moreover, the night before the tournament we had a full moon and the day of the tournament promised high skies. Yup, it was shaping up to be a grinder in the trenches.
After putting in I tried a variety of top water and moving baits. Not surprisingly I wasn't getting any interest from the fish. At this point I mostly put down the baitcasters and picked up the spinning gear.
I eventually came to an area that seemed like it might hold some fish. It was a moderate drop off near a flat. I picked up the ned rig and caught my first close to some wood. After losing 4 more, and a change of hooks, I felt the fish were patterning right on the wood and pretty much ignoring both top and mid portions of the water column.
After carpet bombing the area, and catching 3 more with a ned rig the bite started to slack. I changed locations trying to find something similar. I still felt like they were relating to the bottom so I put a spin on the ned rig with a bait that's quickly becoming a favorite in my arsenal; Golden's Baits Rattle Tail worm. This versatile bait can be used as split-shot rig, weightless T-rig, shakeyhead, and I've even had good luck using it on a dropshot. I tied it on as a shakeyhead and pitched it in close to the wood and drug it out. This allowed me to finish my bag and cull.
Overall it was a tough day of fishing and I was thankful to be able to figure a little something out.
3rd Place - Vance Minnick
Was just keying in on pre-spawn and spawning areas throwing a wacky rigged Powerbait 5in Heavyweight Sinkworm (Senko style worm). Had a really good time. Seems to be a great group of guys. I would like to fish the entire tournament schedule next year. I think I will be able to fish a few more this year. My travel schedule for work is in the way of fishing several of the remaining dates. I think I might have another one or two guys interested in giving it a try. Nicely done though. I really like how even the guys who had a bad day and didn't catch a lot have a chance of taking something home....I was really impressed with that.
