Seth Feider is facing more demons this week than the other 94 anglers competing on Lake Champlain. That comes with the territory when you are leading Angler of the Year with just two tournaments remaining. The pressure gets ramped because everyone expects Feider to do well at Champlain and St. Lawrence, as he has done in the past.
During the first two hours of Day 1 Feider was not catching fish and his frustration bubbled to the surface. “Stupid smallmouth,” he said with thinly veiled sarcasm. “I hate those things. Why be in the same place two days in a row.”
But then Feider landed a 4-pound largemouth and the frustration seemed to evaporate from his body. Then he landed a 3-pounder about an hour later. He’s back in the game with plenty of fishing time remaining. Feider now has 14 pounds, 2 ounces in BassTrakk and he’s sitting in 26th place.
Keep in mind, Feider does not have to win this tournament to keep his AOY lead. He likely just needs a good tournament to hold off the guys behind him.