Dealing with double zeros

Some pros still looking for first keeper bass at Dardanelle

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – There’s a popular bumper sticker that reads: A bad day of fishing is a better than a good day at work. But what if fishing is your work?

Lake Dardanelle dealt out 30 zeros in the Pro Division on day one of the FLW Series BP Eastern.

On day two 19 of those 30 pros redeemed themselves by asking for a weigh-in bag at check-in. But 11 pros are still looking for their first keeper bite.

One of those pros who has not weighed in a keeper yet this week is former Forrest Wood Cup winner Scott Suggs of Bryant, Ark.

Suggs’ struggles so far this week are a reminder that even the best in business can have bad days in an occupation that some think is bad-day proof.

The fact that Suggs is from Arkansas and loves offshore fishing in the summer makes his double-egg even more surprising.

“I’m a victim of the hometown jinx this week,” Suggs said this morning as he rigged tackle for day three of the BP Eastern Series. “I decided to go with my local knowledge and fish history spots where I’ve caught them before and none of it is working. I’ve tried all my best offshore places where I’ve jacked them up in the past and there’s nothing out there. I lost the only two keepers I had on the first day and then broke a keeper off yesterday – it’s just not been my week, man.”

“Hey, I can’t complain though,” Suggs continued. “I’ve had a great year on the FLW Tour and the fact of the matter is you can’t let weeks like this get you down because I can assure you they’re going to happen – sooner or later everyone out here gets their turn at a week like this. It’s not the end of the world.”

Then Suggs began to exhibit the eternal optimism that’s an essential element in a successful pro’s foundation.

“I’m going somewhere completely different today,” he said with a big smile. “I’m locking down once, maybe twice and it’s going to be an adventure. If I go down there and catch about 13 pounds, I could get a check out of this thing yet!”

The day three weigh-in begins Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:30 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 65 degrees

Expected high temperature: 91 degrees

Water temperature: 83 degrees

Wind: NE 5 to 10 mph

Day’s outlook: Sunny