Intel report

Andy Crawford just phoned in this intel report from the lake. 

It’s no surprise this tournament has a high number of local anglers, their pride on the line and wanting a shiny winner’s trophy and nothing more. That’s all they would get, as nearly all of them did not compete in the other three Eastern events. In doing so, should the winner be a jackpotter, he will not get the automatic invitation to the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

Local sticks are common at the Opens for the same reasons. Pride is on the line. Here though it’s different. Jackpot, local and state regional events are held practically year round on the Coosa River chain, and especially on Lay Lake. And the competition is fierce. The likes of Scott Canterbury, Matt Herren, Wes Logan and Bill Weider all came up through the ranks here. 

Weidler, also fishing this week, told Crawford that Championship Saturday could see 10 of the 12 anglers from those local ranks. 

“Some of these jackpotters could be fishing the Elite Series,” he told Crawford. 

Weidler told Crawford the prevailing pattern this week is all about playing a numbers game and being in the right place at the right time. The bass move from deep water to long, tapering points bordered by deep water, where they stage to feed on passing baitfish. They back off the points when the feeding window closes. 

Above all else, Weidler said we could expect to see multiple 20-pound limits cross the weigh-in scales. And from Crawford, well, he just said it’s downright cold as you can see in his photo.