Lucas’ wire-to-win

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Justin Lucas sits in the back of the angler meeting on the eve of the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented Econo Lodge, sizing up the field. He most surely had to be thinking to himself, ‘I got this.’
Justin Lucas sits in the back of the angler meeting on the eve of the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented Econo Lodge, sizing up the field. He most surely had to be thinking to himself, ‘I got this.’
Lucas might actually have started feeling that way after he had a very productive first day. He planned to hit his first spot then head back south to fish docks. But several 3-pounders convinced him to stay on the community hole of a water intake.
Lucas might actually have started feeling that way after he had a very productive first day. He planned to hit his first spot then head back south to fish docks. But several 3-pounders convinced him to stay on the community hole of a water intake.
All anglers look for that one spot that will produce enough fish for a victory, and Lucas stumbled upon one such potential piece of structure - an elevated parking deck just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. He actually fished the intake then on a whim said he'd give the hard structure a shot. Bingo, bango, bongo. Three quick fish, and he was staying.
All anglers look for that one spot that will produce enough fish for a victory, and Lucas stumbled upon one such potential piece of structure – an elevated parking deck just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. He actually fished the intake then on a whim said he’d give the hard structure a shot. Bingo, bango, bongo. Three quick fish, and he was staying.
Lucas had only three bites in that area during practice, but he figured he’d have company. Instead, he had it all to himself. He also learned that the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant was a sensitive enough area that a photographer climbing up to take photos of him would be removed by security.
Lucas had only three bites in that area during practice, but he figured he’d have company. Instead, he had it all to himself. He also learned that the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant was a sensitive enough area that a photographer climbing up to take photos of him would be removed by security.
Lucas produced the big bag on Day 1, and his 20 pounds, 4 ounces led second-place Brent Ehrler by more than 2 pounds.
Lucas produced the big bag on Day 1, and his 20 pounds, 4 ounces led second-place Brent Ehrler by more than 2 pounds.
Reporters ask Lucas about his hot start. He won his first Elite tournament last season on another tidal water, the California Delta, where he grew up.
Reporters ask Lucas about his hot start. He won his first Elite tournament last season on another tidal water, the California Delta, where he grew up.
Early on Day 2, Lucas was at the dock hoping the previous day wasn’t just a dream.
Early on Day 2, Lucas was at the dock hoping the previous day wasn’t just a dream.
Oh yeah, the magic was still happening there. There were lulls, but Lucas would see flurries …
Oh yeah, the magic was still happening there. There were lulls, but Lucas would see flurries …
... catching nice fish ...
… catching nice fish …
... after nice fish.
… after nice fish.
He certainly looks like he knows something special could happen for him on the Potomac.
He certainly looks like he knows something special could happen for him on the Potomac.
Temps reached into the mid- to upper-90s and the heat index climbed to around 110 each day, requiring fluid hydration efforts.
Temps reached into the mid- to upper-90s and the heat index climbed to around 110 each day, requiring fluid hydration efforts.
The Blue Plains security guards chatted with Lucas on a number of occasions. Lucas was super polite, explaining he was just there fishing a big tournament.
The Blue Plains security guards chatted with Lucas on a number of occasions. Lucas was super polite, explaining he was just there fishing a big tournament.
There was plenty of confidence in Lucas’ demeanor after his Day 2 weight of 19-14 gave him a lead of almost 6 pounds.
There was plenty of confidence in Lucas’ demeanor after his Day 2 weight of 19-14 gave him a lead of almost 6 pounds.
Lucas backs his rig into the water at Smallwood Park, anxious to see if his spot would hold up another day.
Lucas backs his rig into the water at Smallwood Park, anxious to see if his spot would hold up another day.
All kinds of folks want to meet with the leader of the pack.
All kinds of folks want to meet with the leader of the pack.
Although he's fiddling with a jig, Lucas relied on a hand-poured, blue and brown, 6-inch worm, rigged with a 3/16-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Weight and 1/0 hook.
Although he’s fiddling with a jig, Lucas relied on a hand-poured, blue and brown, 6-inch worm, rigged with a 3/16-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Weight and 1/0 hook.
Compared to the first two days, Lucas struggled on Day 3, only bringing in 12-15. Although it was his smallest bag, Lucas still held a lead of almost 6 pounds over Bill Lowen.
Compared to the first two days, Lucas struggled on Day 3, only bringing in 12-15. Although it was his smallest bag, Lucas still held a lead of almost 6 pounds over Bill Lowen.
Lucas and fourth-place Jason Christie chat before they head out onto the Potomac on Championship Sunday. Christie would go out and catch the biggest bag of the event.
Lucas and fourth-place Jason Christie chat before they head out onto the Potomac on Championship Sunday. Christie would go out and catch the biggest bag of the event.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer interviews Lucas before launch, no doubt asking if he could withstand the heat from the field and the sun.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer interviews Lucas before launch, no doubt asking if he could withstand the heat from the field and the sun.
Lucas idles out before his 35-minute run north from Smallwood State Park to the dock. The big question was if Saturday’s small bag was a sign that the big fish had left the dock or if they would be back. Another 12-pound certainly would have left the door open.
Lucas idles out before his 35-minute run north from Smallwood State Park to the dock. The big question was if Saturday’s small bag was a sign that the big fish had left the dock or if they would be back. Another 12-pound certainly would have left the door open.
Lucas’s fish bit again on Sunday and he quickly put together a limit that eased any nerves.
Lucas’s fish bit again on Sunday and he quickly put together a limit that eased any nerves.
“I think it was my West Coast roots and having a dropshot rod in my hand when I hit that pier that was key,” Lucas said. “If I had a jig tied on, maybe I don’t get those bites and I end up leaving. It could’ve been a rough tournament for me.”
“I think it was my West Coast roots and having a dropshot rod in my hand when I hit that pier that was key,” Lucas said. “If I had a jig tied on, maybe I don’t get those bites and I end up leaving. It could’ve been a rough tournament for me.”
After one big fish, Lucas was jubilant. He kissed the fish and announced it was worth $100,000.
After one big fish, Lucas was jubilant. He kissed the fish and announced it was worth $100,000.
Lucas did some cyphering in his head, and with his bag of nearly 20 pounds, he knew Lowen would need a ridiculously large bag of more than 25 pounds to pose a threat.
Lucas did some cyphering in his head, and with his bag of nearly 20 pounds, he knew Lowen would need a ridiculously large bag of more than 25 pounds to pose a threat.
So Lucas took it easy, leaving his dock just a bit after noon and headed back to Smallwood State Park to avoid any potential trouble. During his first win, he needed a ride in on the last day after he ran out of gas. At the dock Sunday, Lucas receives the full media treatment from Mercer and Davy Hite for Bassmaster LIVE.
So Lucas took it easy, leaving his dock just a bit after noon and headed back to Smallwood State Park to avoid any potential trouble. During his first win, he needed a ride in on the last day after he ran out of gas. At the dock Sunday, Lucas receives the full media treatment from Mercer and Davy Hite for Bassmaster LIVE.
Christie scored the big bag of the event with 23-1, but that only made up half of his 8-pound deficit to Lucas, who won by 4 pounds.
Christie scored the big bag of the event with 23-1, but that only made up half of his 8-pound deficit to Lucas, who won by 4 pounds.
Lucas was rather jazzed to capture his second Elite Series title. He’s only fished the Elites since 2014. Lucas totaled 72-14 to collect another $100,000 prize.
Lucas was rather jazzed to capture his second Elite Series title. He’s only fished the Elites since 2014. Lucas totaled 72-14 to collect another $100,000 prize.
The victory gives Lucas two in 40 B.A.S.S. events. Amazingly, he’s earned a check in 32 of them, including 13 top 10 finishes.
The victory gives Lucas two in 40 B.A.S.S. events. Amazingly, he’s earned a check in 32 of them, including 13 top 10 finishes.
A kiss of the trophy to match the kiss of his fish. He said this victory really boiled down to stumbling onto the winning area, which Davy Hite and Mark Davis both said they fished years ago. “It was one of those scenarios you dream about.”
A kiss of the trophy to match the kiss of his fish. He said this victory really boiled down to stumbling onto the winning area, which Davy Hite and Mark Davis both said they fished years ago. “It was one of those scenarios you dream about.”