KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Chad Morgenthaler is right where he wants to be going into the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1. The Missouri pro isn’t in the lead but close enough to win.
“I’d rather be behind than in the lead,” said Morgenthaler, who won this very tournament here last January. “I’m very happy where I am now, although tomorrow I hope for better results.
Indeed he does. Morgenthaler came from 9 pounds behind to win the 2015 tournament. Doing so assured him a berth in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
“As long as you are within 10 pounds of the lead there is always a chance to win here in January,” he said. “All it takes is one good fish to push your weight up to the top.”
Nonresident pros have a love-hate relationship with central Florida bass fishing. It can be boom one day and bust the next. Morgenthaler falls into the unique class of anglers who loves the challenge.
How he does that is simple.
“I fish the way I want to fish,” he explained. “I have a one-step approach of how I like to fish vegetation here.
“Over the years I’ve always found my comfort zone after several days of fishing,” he added.
Fishing the long rod is his way. Morganthaler said he rarely relies on any other technique than flipping the many varieties of aquatic vegetation. That’s not easy in a state where the lakes are filled with grass.
“I’ve just learned how to find the transition areas within vegetation, so it’s worked well for me.”
Morgenthaler’s past bodes well for his chances of a repeat. Beyond last year he came from behind to win the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card. That was on Lake Okeechobee and he’s scored numerous near wins statewide.
Curse for the locals
Florida anglers are usually tough to beat under the likes of the weather conditions encountered during the first two days of this Southern Open. Yesterday’s drenching rain gave way to post-frontal conditions of bluebird skies and strong northerly winds.
Yesterday only one Floridian moved into the top 20, a remarkable scenario. He was Eric Panzironi, who moved from 6th-place yesterday to the runner-up spot going into tomorrow’s final day.
Now, he’s not alone. Joining Panzironi are Orlando residents Kazuki Kitajima of and Cody Detweiler in 3rd and 7th places, respectively. Not far behind in 9th place is Terry Scroggins of Palatka.
Detweiler normally would work tomorrow at Big Toho Marina. His family owns the host marina and has for the past 16 years.
“I won’t be stocking the shelves, dipping minnows or taking orders at the grill,” he mused.
Detweiler, who grew up on Lake Toho, is a skilled angler and professional bass guide when he’s not doing any of the above.
Changing boats, careers
Eric Jackson had never set foot in a bass boat until last year. Before then he was a world champion freestyle kayaker, kayak designer and founder of Jackson Kayaks.
“I’ve made my entire living from a whitewater kayak and now it’s time to try something different,” said Jackson, 52, of Rock Island, Tenn. “Who knows, it might turn into my second career.”
Jackson said he’s ready to make the rookie mistakes along the way.
“You can only be a rookie once, right?”