Yesterday myself and Andy Crawford worked on our new series called Dock Talk. It’s named that for a reason. Tournament fans know of dock talk for the chatter that occurs when anglers return from a day on the water. Everyone has a story to tell: some of it true, a lot of kind of shady on the truth side. This morning I returned to the scene of yesterday’s interviews. You get more clarity when it’s game time. Here are some of the comments from the guys.
Skylar Hamilton:
“I’m heading right, downriver toward Waddington. It’s where I’ve done well in years past. It’s what I’m used to doing. I just never figured out the Clayton section. I’m going to play the current, set up drifts, and hope for the best.”
Chris Zaldain:
“We’ve got clouds, low pressure, and there’s no wind. There was so much of it during practice the lake was just blown out, that you couldn’t fish it. I think what you will see this year is the weights are just slightly down. Instead of a super freak smallmouth fishery, it’s going to be a regular smallmouth fishery, at least on the river. There is a lack of current, half of it is off limits, and I think you will see a regular smallmouth tournament, nothing like we had in Waddington.”
Stetson Blaylock:
“This is my fourth trip here and I’m going to stay in the river. I spent some time on the lake, but didn’t find them there. I’m just going to keep it simple, and just look for five bites.”
Matt Arey:
“I’m committed to the river. The lake is not out of the question, though. I’m probably the only guy that didn’t go to the lake. I know the quality of the fish to win is in the river. I just haven’t found them. So, I’m going to just continue practicing today, looking for the hidden nugget that I need to be in the hunt for the win. Actually, I’m going to mix in a few largemouth places. I know what it takes to win here, which is catching 4-plus-pound fish every day of the tournament.”
Scott Canterbury:
“I fished the lake and river all week and struggled putting something together. I’m going to stay in the river and hope that I can get five quality bites, hope that I make the right drift and be in the game. Anything can happen on the St. Lawrence River.”