Today was tough

Today was tough. There’s no other way to put it, but I’m not complaining. Up to this point I’m having my best Classic ever. The tough part gets in your head, though, especially after the kind of practice I had.

In four days my lightest bag would have been around 16 pounds. I’ll give you the details:  In four days of practice I had bags that weighed 24 pounds, 22 pounds, 16 pounds and 23 pounds. That’s serious weight even for a lake that many of us consider to be one of the best two or three in the country. And, I was getting 10-15 bites a day.

I don’t mind telling you that I was like a caged animal waiting to get started on this thing. Some of the guys were complaining that they couldn’t get a good (big) bite. I was thinking I couldn’t get a little one.  

My guess is that the bass are in a funk because the water has warmed so fast. When we got here the water temperature was around 40 degrees. It’s now 55 degrees almost everywhere and in some places it’s up near 60. Most of that change has happened in the last three days.

Their adjustment usually takes about a week. But, of course, we don’t have a week. As of this afternoon we have one day.

The important word there is “we.” Every angler is facing the same thing. I’m looking at it as a challenge that I have to get through. There’s no point in wishing, hoping or dreaming. It is what it is. That’s the challenge of a Bassmaster Classic. 

Besides, fishermen are always optimistic. I’m saying that tomorrow may be better. Today was one with clear, blue skies and very little wind. Tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy and rainy. Maybe that’ll fire up the big bite…