I can’t believe it’s almost here. I’ve been waiting for my first Bass Pro Tour event since the day I qualified and accepted my invitation.
I’m really looking forward to fishing Stage 1 and super stoked for the opportunity to fish with these guys at the highest level of tournament fishing with Major League Fishing. They’re all incredible anglers, so even putting myself in that group is still sort of strange to think about, but this is an incredible opportunity. Plus, having my first regular-season event on Lake Guntersville, a place I’m familiar with and that is so close to home, makes it that much better.
Guntersville is my comfort zone
With this one being on Guntersville, I feel good about the fishing and fortunate to have been at REDCREST on this same lake last year. I had a decent showing, finishing 17th, but the experience was what was so valuable.
That tournament showed me a lot about what BPT competition is going to be like, including how things are run and how the format works. I don’t know what to expect from the fishing or how much weight it will take to do well in this one, but having experience with SCORETRACKER® and the pressure that comes with it is huge. That’s one less thing to worry about as we get ready to start practice.
I’ve spent tons of time on the lake in the last year, just because it’s been fishing so well. One thing that’s cool about Guntersville is that it’s always changing. The grass changes; some years it’s a phenomenal bite, and other years it’s not as good. It also grows in different places throughout the lake, and you really have to stay on the fish to do well consistently. I like that challenge, and I’m hoping all the time I’ve spent out there in the last year will help me put everything together faster.
How’s the fishing?
Guntersville has been one of the hottest lakes in the country – that’s no secret. It’s always been a very popular fishery, but in the past few years, it seems like it’s getting more pressure than ever. Thankfully, the lake is full of fish, and the fishing should still be excellent.
The unique thing about this event is the time of year. Right now, most fish are on the move. They are constantly chasing bait, feeding and roaming around. I believe certain areas will wind up being the place to be, and we may see certain zones dominate among the top anglers, just like the first event last year on Lake Conroe, when it seemed like everyone in the Top 10 was doing the same thing in the same creek. We could see that again this year if things line up.
The weather has been really weird this fall and winter – it’s been really nice and mild. But we are about to get a cold front coming through during our practice. We’ll be out there in high-pressure, bluebird skies and post-front conditions, and that may make our practice a little tough.
Based on that, I think a lot of guys are going to severely underestimate just how good the fishing is going to be. That’s why you can’t get too caught up in how your practice was. I think it’s going to be a game of who adjusts best based on the positioning of the fish and how they change, just like it always is.
This is one of the best lakes around, and the fishing should be phenomenal. It will be a great way to kick off the new season.