PELL City, Ala., — Thunder, lightning and a deluge of rain last night muddied Logan Martin Lake’s already stained water. The water level rose at least two feet and turned the tributaries feeding the lake into coffee-colored torrents.
 
The drastic change in conditions sent most of the pros that qualified for the Top 12 finale scrambling to find new water and fishing patterns. The anglers who claimed the Top 2 spots were able to catch bass using the same tactics that produced for them prior to Friday night’s monsoon.
 
David Kilgore of Jasper, Ala., sacked four solid bass today that brought his total to 46 pounds, 8 ounces. It was enough to snatch victory from Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Vinson of Alabama who finished second with 40 pounds, 15 ounces.
 
Kilgore’s winning lure was a white 1/2-ounce Strike King Pure Poison chattering jig dressed with a white Strike King Rage Tail Craw.
 
“I fished docks over 10 to 15 feet of water where the shad were spawning,” Kilgore said.
 
All but one of the bass that Kilgore brought to the scales during the three-day tournament were fat Coosa River spots. He caught 12 to 14 keepers a day the first two days. In Saturday’s final round, only one area of the lake was clear enough for his pattern to hold up.
 
The win earned Kilgore $10,000, a Nitro Z-9 powered by a Mercury 225 Pro XS outboard and a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville. Kilgore knows Guntersville well and is ready to compete in the world championship of bass fishing.
 
Vinson keyed on spawning bluegills in shallow water around flooded shoreline grass. The bream beds were too deep to see, but he caught largemouth bass wherever bluegills nipped at his Texas rigged NetBait Mini Kickin’ B craw matched with a 1/4-ounce tungsten bullet weight. This bait and a Lobina Rico popper produced all of Vinson’s bass.
 
“I fished different areas every day,” Vinson said. “Today I was lucky enough to find a place that didn’t get extremely muddy.”
 
Tennessee Elite Series pro David Walker started the day in third place, which is where he ended up with a total of 40 pounds, 11 ounces. He struggled Saturday to bag a 9-pound, 12-ounce total, due to the challenging water conditions.
          
“Several people asked me if the water came up today,” Walker said. “It was like a Biblical flood out there.”
 
Walker caught largemouth and spotted bass over the course of the tournament. His primary lures included a Koppers Frog, a Z-Man ChatterBait and a spinnerbait. As the highest finishing owner of a Toyota truck, Walker pocketed a $1,500 bonus.

CLICK HERE for final standings.

PART 1: Saturday Scorecard for West Point was not impressive

The past two weeks we fished Elite Series events at West Point Lake and the Alabama River. After these two events, I stand in 23rd place in Angler of the Year points, and I have to admit that I’m right on track for the goals I set at the beginning of the year.

That’s good and it’s bad. The good part, obviously, is that it’s nice to reach most of your goals. The bad part is that I freely admit I’m fishing conservatively. We’ll talk about that more in some future columns, and I promise it’s not the way it’s always going to be.

But I set out this year to take the second step in what I called my personal “Comeback Tour.” I have to do things way differently than I did in 2011 when I bottomed out. Last year I had a decent year that ended with a victory at Oneida. That was Step 1 in the comeback.

This year, consistency was the goal. I set out to fish on Saturday every week, which meant making every cut. Only a handful of anglers do that. But in trying to make every cut (and in so doing make sure that I make the Classic field for 2014), sometimes you have to sacrifice the “going for broke” mentality that it takes to win a tournament.

So I’ve almost made my goal. In fact, I’m one fish short of making every cut so far. And that one slipup happened at West Point, when I couldn’t catch the fifth fish on Friday. It cost me a cut.

Here’s how the Scorecard read for West Point.

(Just for review, in the Saturday Scorecard, I rate the critical phases of my performance in tournaments on a 1-10 scale.)

SATURDAY SCORECARD FOR WEST POINT
FINISH POSITION (58th) – Scorecard Rating: 3

The system is: If I win, I get 10 points. If I finish in the top 10 percent of the field, I’ll get 9 points, the top 20 percent equals 8 points, etc. My 58th-place finish equals 3.

DECISION-MAKING – Scorecard Rating: 3
West Point was a tough event. Not many people had good practices. In fact, the only place on the lake where the fish were biting was around Highlands Marina. I started there, but I missed the fact that most of the weight was in the back of the creek.

On the first day I had a good boat draw and went straight to the area of the marina where I knew there would be fish. But as I staked my spot, my marshal counted 26 boats that passed me and went farther back into the creek. And it was easy to count them, because it was an idle area where everybody had to pass slowly. And I’ll repeat, 26 boats passed by me.

I also made a bad decision late. I had found a boat dock with a bunch of spots, and I knew I could probably catch a limit of small fish on that dock. But it would take 45 minutes to get in and out of there.

Late in the tournament, when I gave up on catching a fish of any size, I decided I would go to the dock and see if I could get the limit. But, as I said, it was late, and by the time I got to the dock, I would only have about 15 minutes of fishing time. So I took off and got to the edge of the creek, where I would have to start idling. And I decided it wasn’t worth it. I decided not to idle in. I spun around and went to a bridge, where I thought I could catch the fifth one- and maybe it would be bigger. It turned out to be a horrible decision, and I knew it in my gut when I made it.

Just to prove how bad it was, after I missed the cut, I went back into the creek and went to the boat dock. (I could do that then, because I was out of the tournament.) I got to the dock, made three casts and caught three fish.

That decision could have cost me an entire season. I don’t know if a 3 is a low enough rating.

FOCUS AND COMPOSURE – Scorecard Rating: 6
Even making a bad decision, I was ok with the fact that I didn’t freak out on the first day when I realized I had made a mistake. But the second day was frustrating because I wasn’t catching them. I just didn’t fish well the second day and got frustrated when I couldn’t put the fifth one in the boat.

PREPARATION – Scorecard Rating: 8
As I’ve said before, I don’t get many chances to pre-fish, and I didn’t pre-fish here. Preparation wasn’t the issue. I did what I had to do.

PRACTICE – Scorecard Rating: 3
Enough said. I found one decent area. But I missed the big one.

WEST POINT SATURDAY SCORECARD RATING – 23

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Continuing a long tradition of supporting America’s servicemen and servicewomen, B.A.S.S. has signed an agreement with Oklahoma-based Folds of Honor Foundation to assist in its mission to provide educational scholarships to the dependents of soldiers killed or disabled while serving our country.
 
Under the cross promotional agreement, B.A.S.S. will raise awareness of Folds of Honor among its millions of Bassmaster Magazine readers and Bassmaster.com website visitors. In addition, a special fishing tournament pairing Bassmaster Elite Series anglers with active and retired military personnel will be conducted during Toyota All-Star Week, Sept. 23-29, in Muskegon, Mich.
 
Postseason Bassmaster events, including the annual Toyota All-Star Week, have traditionally included fishing outings for wounded service members, with America’s top professional bass anglers serving as guides.
 
Folds of Honor also has been invited to conduct fundraising projects during the All-Star tournament as well as during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic to be held in Birmingham in February. An appeal by Folds of Honor founder Maj. Dan Rooney during a weigh-in ceremony for the 2013 Classic in Tulsa netted more than $20,000 in donations.
 
Since its inception six years ago, Folds of Honor has raised more than $25 million and funded more than 3,800 educational scholarships for the dependents of service members. Its flagship fundraising projects are Patriot Golf Day on Labor Day Weekend and the Patriot Cup pro-am, gala and concert held in Owasso, Okla., on Memorial Day.
 
“By providing scholarships and other support, the Folds of Honor Foundation pays tribute to the sacrifices of men and women who have lost their lives or been severely wounded protecting our freedom,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “We are proud to be associated with the foundation and to assist in raising funds for this extremely worthy cause.”
 
Rooney, a former F-16 fighter pilot, launched Folds of Honor following the second of his three tours of duty in Iraq. Upon returning home from overseas, he was moved by the profound display of a family’s grief as they welcomed home the remains of Cpl. Brock Bucklin. Inspired by the tragic homecoming of a fallen American soldier, Rooney started Folds of Honor in 2007 to support military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.
 
“We are so thankful for great partners like B.A.S.S. who have stepped up to help fill a gaping need for the families of our heroes,” said Rooney. “There are more than 1 million dependents of fallen or wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan alone and only 87 percent receive federal educational assistance. It’s up to the rest of us to ensure these families are taken care of when it comes to getting the education they deserve.”

Shaw Grigsby hollered “Oh crap!” and leaped from the front deck of his boat as though his Simms fishing pants were on fire. Fresh off another long day of battling the Alabama River’s outrageous current, Grigsby had forgotten to plug in his battery charger and rushed to find his 100-foot extension cord.

The spring to action exhibited a level of energy and athleticism that was in no way indicative of the 57 candles that will blaze on his birthday cake today. In fact, it’s as though the likeable and legendary Florida pro has a built-in battery charger that continuously throws 36-volts of positive energy to his heart and soul.

Or maybe it’s just the two jugs of caffeine rich homemade iced tea, and a 2-ounce bottle of Redfin Energy that ride with Grigsby all day in a Yeti cooler. NASCAR has high octane Sunoco to fuel their 650 horsepower engines. Shaw has the liquid equivalent in caffeine.

“I only drink the Redfin if I feel like I need it late in the day, but I drink iced tea all day. I love it,” he smiled. “Most of the time I just carry unsweet that I make with two tea bags and hot tap water in the hotel room. Sweet tea’s a treat. When I catch a limit of bass, I treat myself to a sweet tea,” explained the career long Quantum pro.

One jug lasts Grigsby one day. And the sweet tea this week is even more special because Alabama’s famous Dreamland BBQ gave it to him at the angler registration meeting Wednesday evening.

This tea thing of Grigsby’s doesn’t end with the jugs. Oh no, this is a system not unlike the wiring scheme that simultaneously charges his boat batteries. Shaw explains in great detail that by putting a large styrofoam cup from McDonald’s inside a large plastic cup from Wendy’s, that he achieves the ultimate in durability and insulation from which to sip.

“I keep a couple extra cups from both Wendy’s and McDonald’s on hand, but the first thing that will wear out on you is the plastic lids, so it’s real important to keep extra lids from Wendy’s,” explained Shaw with a seriousness that jogs thoughts parallel to Si Robertson’s tea fetish on the mega-popular TV show Duck Dynasty.

Grigsby sits in 16th place on his birthday as Day Three begins at the Bassmaster Elite Series Alabama River Charge presented by Starbrite. After catching a great 17-pound limit the first day, his limit on Day Two was much lighter at 11 pounds 9 ounces.

“I just ran out of fish. It’s a real finicky situation. It seems when there’s a fresh school, they bite, but then they’ll just shut off. I’ve got one spot where 4-pounders are coming up to eat on the surface, and when they do, I’ll throw a football jig on ‘em, and they’ll just smash it,” he grinned.

Mustache covered grins and positive energy never seem to fade with Shaw. Not even after 28 years as a pro, 15 Bassmaster Classics, and two battery draining days of battling the Alabama River’s brutal current.

It could be caffeine, but more likely something that can’t be carried in a plastic jug. Instead, intangibles such as appreciation, respect and gratefulness. “How can you not be upbeat getting to fish for a living? Do you know how many people would give anything to do this for a living?” asks the supercharged 57 year old, as though everyday is his birthday.

Tommy Biffle finds his favorite music on a SiriusXM satellite radio station called “The Highway”. Found on Channel 59, they spin the latest country music. But it was TLC’s rhythm and blues hit “Waterfalls” that played heaviest in my mind as Biffle recounted his daredevil-like Day One at the Bassmaster Elite Series’ “Alabama River Charge.”

The song “Waterfalls” spent seven weeks at #1 back in 1995, and its lyrics are a perfect fit for Biffle’s self described James Bond like tactics in a bass boat yesterday. “Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to.”

Biffle ran an estimated 60 miles from launch yesterday, burned 46 gallons of gas, and attempted to climb-up over two shallow waterfalls in his Mercury powered Ranger bass boat. “I made it over the first waterfall, it was the second that got me,” lamented Biffle.

At 10:00 a.m. Biffle was without a lower unit on his outboard. “The prop was still on there, but one big rock knocked the lower unit clean off,” said Biffle.

“Jay Anderson and Andy Stallings (both well-respected marine service technicians) are the ones that deserve to be talked about, not me. Those two guys drove all the way up there to where I was stranded and put a new Mercury lower unit on so that I could get back to fishing,” said Biffle,  showing a smartphone photo of the formerly destroyed part.

Ironically, there was a small boat ramp located barely above the waterfall where Alexander and Stallings gained access to Biffle. The ramp became the ‘service yard’. But with no outboard power, and a very fast running current, it was all Tommy could do to keep his boat from being swept over the falls. “Jay and Andy were hollering at me to not let it go over the falls,” said Biffle.

With Jay and Andy’s skilled help, Biffle was able to continue fishing, but due to lost time, by noon, Biffle had only boated one small keeper. No surprise, a Quantum EXO 100 reel spooled to 25-pound Sunline fluorocarbon line, tied to the career-building jig that Biffle’s become famous for, salvaged four more keeper bites in short order and resulted in an 11 pound 9 ounce limit for the day.

When asked his age, Biffle responded, “Uh 55, no maybe 54, old enough to know better, and too old to be jumping up over waterfalls.” “I’m thinkin’ about shavin’ my head. I’ve got three buddies my age that are all millionaires, and they’re all three bald. They spend their days goofin’ around, while I’m out here jumping over waterfalls in a bass boat to make a living.”

Fact is, you don’t climb to the top of the charts as a pro angler without guts and competitive fire. Biffle may have a grey beard and stiffened body movements, but obviously, there’s still plenty of flame and fortitude. “My back hurts every day, but what hurts the most today is my butt from not catching them better. You do what you do. Another boy in the tournament made it over both those waterfalls, and he caught a 17-pound limit today.”

In ironic, yet fitting, conclusion to the story of Biffle’s drive and desire, comes the next line of that famous TLC song from ’95 – “I know you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all. But I think that you’re moving too fast.”

Bixby, OK - Fred Roumbanis is halfway through the 2013 season, and he’s on a roll.  Before the start of the season, the Oklahoma pro made the decision to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour, and PAA Tournament Series (a total of 18 tournaments) in 2013.  

It’s a decision that appears to be paying off handsomely at the midway point of the season.   Since the second week of February, Roumbanis has competed in eight tour level events between the FLW Tour Majors, Bassmaster Elite Series, and PAA Tournament Series.  He has recorded finishes of 35th, 28th, 21st, 96th, 22nd, 64th, 2nd, and 40th.  He has cashed a check in seven of those tournaments and notched six finishes inside the top 40, earning a combined total of $74,500 in the past two-and-a-half months.  

He is currently in 28th place in the Toyota Angler Of the Year standings on the Bassmaster Elite Series, 22nd place in the Angler Of the Year standings on the FLW Tour, and 22nd place in the PAA Tournament Series Angler Of the Year standings.   With a strong second half to his year, Roumbanis will qualify to fish in all three major championships – the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, 2013 Forrest Wood Cup, and 2013 Toyota Texas Bass Classic.  

Before the 2013 season started, Roumbanis took a silver Sharpie marker and wrote two sayings on the dashboard of his Triton boat that he looks at every time he starts his engine:  “I FISH TO WIN. WINNING IS SURVIVING” and “Trust your instincts. YOU KNOW!!”

He said that the two sayings have helped him maintain his mental focus during the 2013 season.  “It’s kind of like my boat talking to me and telling me to snap out of it and go do what I know how to do when things aren’t going so great,” he explained.  

“B.A.S.S. used to give us a championship decal that I always put on my dashboard.  When I won the Major in 2007, I put that decal on my dashboard.  The following year in 2008 at the Elite Series tournament on Lake Murray, I had nothing going in practice and seeing that decal on my dashboard inspired me and made me realize that I’ve won tournaments and I can do it again.  I ended up winning that tournament on Murray. We don’t get that decal anymore, so I just wanted to have something on my dash that reminded me.”  

Here are some of Roumbanis’ thoughts on the first half of the 2013 season:

What have you learned during the 2013 season so far?
“There’s no doubt that you become a better tournament fisherman by spending time on the water, and by fishing all these tournaments, I’ve literally been on the water nonstop for weeks on end.  I feel like I’ve been making really natural decisions because I’ve really just been going with the flow.”

What has been the most challenging tournament for you this year?
“The PAA tournament on Douglas was probably the most challenging, because I went there with little to no practice.  On the first tournament day, I just went with what I thought was the right thing to do and ran up the river and threw a crankbait. 

“Guys were throwing The Alabama-Rig and I hadn’t had a chance to experiment with it on that lake due to my lack of practice.  When I only had 7-pounds on day one and realized that I needed a huge comeback to cash a check, it was pretty challenging.  I was able to come back on the second day and weigh-in 22-pounds and get a check.”  

In what tournament would you say you’ve made the best decisions?  
“My 2nd place finish in the Elite Series on Bull Shoals Lake really seemed to flow the easiest.  I had a solid game plan and I was confident that I was going to be somewhere around the top of the standings by the time the tournament was over.”

What is the toughest thing about fishing eight tour level tournaments before May?
“Being away from my family is without a doubt is the toughest thing.  I start missing my wife and my two sons.  The toughest thing is to stay focused on fishing and not get saddened by missing my family.”

What is your favorite moment from the first half of the year?
“My favorite moment was when I walked on stage at the first Elite Series tournament of the year in Orange, Texas and looking into the crowd and saw my wife and my two boys in the crowd.  It totally surprised me because I had no idea that they were coming.  To see them there was the coolest thing ever.”

GUNTERSVILLE, AL – 2012 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Chris Lane, announces his 6th annual Reeling in Future Pros Fishing Camp for kids. Each year the camp continues to grow. This year’s camp will be held on July 20, 2013 at The Harbor in Guntersville, AL.

This year’s camp will feature a full day of fishing fun with the 2012 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Chris Lane and other fishing pros. It will also feature seminars, hands on stations, casting and fishing contests, take home tackle kits, Stren knot-tying station, lunch provided by Tony Chachere, and live music from Nashville country singer Rodney Clawson.

Hotel accommodations offered by the Guntersville Hampton Inn. The cost for the camp is $30 and is limited to the first 150 participants that sign up. The camp sold out in 2012 and tickets are sure to go fast.

This year’s camp is made possible by sponsors including Stren, Frogg Toggs, All Star Rods, Mustang Survival, Luck “E” Strike, Power Pole, Legend, Mercury Marine, Swiftwick, LB3 Outdoors, Oakley, TH Marine, Bob Hembree Chevrolet, Snagg Proof, and Fish Lake Guntersville.

You can now register online at www.chrislanefishing.com or by stopping by Chris’ tackle shop at 14455 U.S. 431, Guntersville, AL.

BENTON, Ky. - The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) is pleased to announce the fourth and final event for the 2013 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series will be on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma. The event will take place the week of November 4 -10, 2013. Grand Lake Association will be our host for this fourth and final qualifying event for the 2014 Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) world championship.

“We are thrilled that the prestigious PAA will be coming to Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees and the new Wolf Creek Park Facility. This event will bring more professional anglers and continued nationwide notoriety to the region,” said Tad Jones, Executive Director of the Grand Lake Association.

PAA President Dave Mansue said, “The PAA is excited to be heading back to Oklahoma for our first ever event on Grand Lake. Known for its outstanding bass fishery, we could not ask for a better venue than Grand Lake to decide the final 15 anglers who will represent the PAA at the 2014 Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Fork. The City of Grove and Grand River Dam Authority have built a state of the art facility at Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility. We expect some great crowds to turn out to see their favorite PAA, Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour anglers competing there in November.”

The Grand Lake event will be a slight departure from the three (3) previous 2013 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series events. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Bass Pro Shops store, the competition days for this event will be on Friday, November 8 through Sunday, November 10.

Official practice for this event will be held Monday, November 4th thru Wednesday, November 6th with an off day on Thursday, November 7th for pre-tournament activities to be held at the Broken Arrow, Okla. Bass Pro Shops store location.

A full field of pro anglers will fish on Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. The top 15 pros will fish on Sunday, November 10th.

For co-anglers, the full field will fish both Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th with the champion to be crowned on Saturday, November 9th following the weigh-in at Wolfe Creek Park.

“Many of you know PAA anglers are qualifying for two (2) Toyota Texas Bass Classic world championships this year. The Grand Lake event represents a great opportunity for the PAA and our anglers. All anglers still have an excellent chance to qualify for the 2014 TTBC. No one is out of the race, as witnessed by PAA pro Brian Thrift's come from behind victory in the 2012 Toyota Texas Bass Classic. If an angler didn’t compete in the first event of the year on Douglas Lake, he/she still has an excellent opportunity to qualify for the 2014 TTBC by competing in our final three (3) 2013 PAA Tournament Series events. If an angler did compete at Douglas but did not fare well, they can fish all the remaining events and earn a drop toward the 2014 TTBC," said PAA President Dave Mansue.
 
The PAA would like to extend our thanks to Mark Jeffreys and everyone with the Fish & Chips Fishing and Poker Tournament who have graciously offered to eliminate their off limits period since so many PAA anglers compete in that event as well. The Fish & Chips event will take place during the week of November 10 - 16, 2013 on Grand Lake.

LaGrange, GA – Alabama’s Steve Kennedy was rather surprised with the day one results of the Elite Series tournament on West Point Lake, a fishery that he grew up fishing and has the most history with out of any angler in the field this week.  

In 2011 when the Elites visited West Point, four anglers broke the 20-pound mark on day one, including Kennedy who was in 2nd place after the first day with a limit of West Point Largemouth weighing 22-3.  Compare that to yesterday’s weights, and the disparity is noticeable.  Not a single angler was able to crack the 16-pound mark on Thursday, and just two anglers (Keith Combs and Greg Vinson) were able to reach the 15-pound mark. 

The overall weight is down throughout the field this year on West Point as well.  In 2011, 56 anglers cracked the 10-pound mark on the first day at West Point.  On Thursday, just 13 anglers were able to accomplish that feat. Boyd Duckett and Casey Ashley are currently tied for 20th place heading into cut day on West Point after each weighing-in limits for 8-15.   In 2011, 8-15 on Thursday was only good enough for 65th place.  

Kennedy, the defending West Point Lake champion, finished Thursday in 48th place with a limit weighing 7-6. 

“I’m definitely surprised with what’s going on this year,” said Kennedy after weighing-in.  “I knew that I wasn’t on the fish like I was back in 2011, but I really expected that at least one of these guys would really figure the lake out.  I saw plenty of big fish and cruisers during practice,” he continued. “Several times during practice I saw five bass on a single bed that probably totaled 20-pounds.”

Kennedy said that there are several factors contributing to the lower weights on West Point in 2013.  “The water has come up so much and the wind and the spawning carp have really muddied it up.  The mud is also coming down the river, so you really can’t see all those fish that are spawning and cruising.

“All that aside, I really don’t know what’s going on with the lake and I can’t tell if the fish are coming or going.  Normally, they’d be moving out from the shallow water to the points.  With the water up, I guess that they’re staying back in the cover.

“The weights from 2011 are a lot more typical of what this lake has to offer,” he stated. “We’ve been in a drought for the last three to five years, so the fish had no idea that the grass and bank cover even existed here until recently,” concluded Kennedy.  

It’s a funny position to be in right now. I’m on the heels of a really good tournament, but I’m worrying about what could be a terrible couple of days coming up.

In other words, Bull Shoals was a good Elite Series event. I fished well. Now we’re about to take on West Point – and I’ve caught exactly one largemouth bass in three days.

I should mention that I’m a little late getting the Saturday Scorecard out for Bull Shoals. My schedule between events has been tough, and the first good opportunity I’ve had to do this is at the end of practice time before we’re starting at West Point. And as you can tell, practice hasn’t been good.

I’m not the only one struggling. Everybody I talk to says the same thing. But you know how these Elite Series events are. Somebody is going to smash them. Maybe several somebodies. All I know is that unless something good happens tomorrow that I’m not expecting, it probably won’t be me.

The clouds and the rain are a problem here. There are new fish coming up, trying to bed. But I don’t see them as well as I used to, and this kind of weather makes it even tougher.

So I hope things get better. And they might. It’s been a good year so far.

The thing that concerns almost all anglers at all levels, though, is that we all know we can have an awful event. And one lousy event can sink your year. It almost happened to me last year at Toledo Bend when I finished 95th.

If I’m not careful and focused and fishing smart, it could happen again.

At any rate, no use complaining. Especially when I can go back and review what turned out to be a good event at Bull Shoals.
 
SATURDAY SCORECARD FOR BULL SHOALS
 
FINISH POSITION – Scorecard Rating: 6
The system is: If I win, I get 10 points. If I finish in the top 10 percent of the field, I’ll get 9 points, the top 20 percent equals 8 points, etc. My 35th-place finish (for the second week in a row) equals 6 .
 
DECISION-MAKING – Scorecard Rating: 8
I mentioned when I started doing these scorecards that one tournament I might have a decent finish without fishing all that well, while another time I might believe I did the best I could and the result wasn’t great. Well, at Falcon Lake I finished 35th and gave myself bad scores in a lot of areas. My scorecard rating was a total of 30.

At Bull Shoals I also finished 35th and brought in less weight than at Falcon – considerably less. But the score is going to be better because I fished consistently. In fact, I caught 15 bedders at Bull Shoals. I took what the tournament gave me and stayed with the program.
 
FOCUS AND COMPOSURE – Scorecard Rating: 9
Every day was a scramble, and there was only one time that I got frustrated. That was on the second day. I only had three fish, and I had to keep my composure because I felt like my best option was to stay with bedding fish. I caught two fish late in the day. Saved me.
 
PREPARATION – Scorecard Rating: 7
As I’ve said before, I don’t get many chances to pre-fish, and I didn’t pre-fish here. But I did a lot of research and read what I could. I would rate it a little higher, but maybe I could have spent a little more time. Maybe.
 
PRACTICE – Scorecard Rating: 7
I found the bedders and the secondary stuff. I didn’t miss any patterns. I would score this higher, but the practice didn’t mean much once the tournament started because the weather system that came through changed everything. As I said, it was the best tournament yet.
 
BULL SHOALS SATURDAY SCORECARD RATING – 37