The first cold weather came in on Sunday, with temperatures dropping into the low 80s and strong north winds. The water was slightly stained with water temperatures ranging from 80-83 degrees. The strong wind made fishing offshore structure very difficult. I spent most of my time working a 3/8 oz. War Eagle jig in Pond Scum Perch with a Zoom green pumpkin twin tail around boat docks. I was able to get several bites, but I wasn’t catching many quality bites. I also cranked seawalls with an RC 1.5 in shad patterns. This produced three keepers for me. The next day of practice, which was also the TTBC Pro/Am, I spent fishing offshore structure with a Carolina rig black trick worm and a Zoom ol’ monster big worm. We finished the event weighing just under sixteen pounds. This made my decision to fish structure during the tournament much easier.
The first day of the event went well. I caught the majority of my fish on the Carolina rig black trick worm. I was casting the rig on a St. Croix Legend Elite 7’ MH rod. I had it rigged with a Johnny Morris Signature Series Reel. The main line was 17 lb. XPS Fluorocarbon Line with 14 lb. Excel Line as the leader. I finished the day in 2nd place with 19.4 pounds. The second day started out quick with the same rig. I moved into the lead catching a limit that weighed 17.4 lbs., and I had a 3.8 lb. lead over second place. I was excited for the start of the final day, but unfortunately, the fish were going to make it tough on me. I had fished several of my primary areas with only short fish being taken. At 11:18 I caught my first 3.4 lb. fish and nine minutes later caught my biggest fish of the day, a four pounder. These both came on structure spots with the Carolina rig. After an hour of this with no success I switched to the boat docks catching a 3.4 pound fish off of the very first dock. I caught another 1.8 pound fish sealing the victory.
