We pulled up on Jake Whitaker, and within minutes the angler’s rod was bent on what proved to be a 3 1/1- to 4-pounder.
He added that smallmouth to a livewell already holding one 4-pounder and a couple of “small fish.”
He figures he’s got about 11 or 12 pounds with those four.
And he said he was grinning behind his pulled-up neck gaiter.
“I’m all smiles,” Whitaker said with a laugh.
He should be, since his Championship Sunday plan is working like a charm.
“I caught a 4-pounder on my first cast,” Whitaker said. “I literally pulled up this morning, had one boil and I threw a Ned right out and caught it.
“I was like, ‘Catching a fish on the first catch – that’s not good.’ But I don’t care!”