Patrick Walters has his sights set on the century mark, and one of those gaudy, highly-treasured belts B.A.S.S. awards to anyone topping 100 pounds in a tournament. It doesn’t happen often, and absolutely no one thought it would happen this week. After consecutive days of 25-14, 26-14 and 29-6, Walters begins today needing only 17-14 to hit the 100-pound mark.
“I can promise you, I’m going to do everything in my power,” the 26-year-old, Summerville, S.C., pro said. “I’m going to stomp on ’em as hard as I can. That’s a bucket (list) I want to check.”
Walters will know early if his pattern of throwing jerkbaits around suspended fish in standing timber will continue for a fourth day in a row. There’s an early bite, a lull from about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and then the fish start feeding again. Walters’ 29-6 total Saturday began with a 9-pound, 1-ounce bass in the first 30 minutes. It was the big bass of the day for the tournament.