Shryock with a Chance to Gain Important Ground in the Race for the Points Championship
There’s something to be said about an angler who is consistent. That’s what makes Fletcher Shryock’s run of four straight Knockout Rounds – 10 out of 12 if you include the 2019 Bass Pro Tour season – that much more impressive.
At first glance, it looks like the Spiderwire pro’s 14th-place finish during Group B’s Qualifying Day 2 on Wednesday simply adds one more Knockout Round to his list. But this one will be the most important of his career.
Making the Most out of a Shortened Season
The Ohio native came into Heavy Hitters sitting in fourth place in the Race for the Points Championship behind leader Ott DeFoe, second-place Brent Chapman and third-place Andy Montgomery. With all three of those anglers missing out on the Knockout Round this week, Shryock has a chance to gain some very important ground.
“I knew with this being a shortened season and seeing where I was in the standings after Lake Fork, I knew I had a shot at this thing,” Shryock explained as he hurriedly tied tackle before a Florida late-afternoon storm rolled in. “I knew this event was going to be a curveball for a lot of people because of the time off and the time of year we were going to Kissimmee. I told a lot of people that if I was able to have a good tournament here that I would like my chances to make some noise with one event left.”
DeFoe leads the points race by 27 points over Shryock, meaning if Shryock places 28 spots better than DeFoe at this event, he will then be in the lead with one event left on the 2020 schedule. He’s already guaranteed to earn more points than DeFoe at Heavy Hitters just by making the Knockout Round, but Shryock knows that if he wants to catch up to an angler like Defoe he needs to make this opportunity count.
“If I don’t go out and catch them tomorrow then none of this really matters,” Shryock said simply. “For me to have a shot at catching up to the guys in front of me I have to make this one count with a Top 10. It won’t be easy but to even be in this position makes me really happen with all the work I’ve been putting in.”
Move to Alabama Paying off
That work that Shryock is referring to is thanks to his hours spent on Lake Guntersville. Shryock’s offseason move to a new home on Lake Guntersville has been well-documented. He made the decision to move to the famed Alabama lake so he could spend time year-round fishing a quality lake with quality fish while also improving his skillset. Nearly four events through the 2020 season and he’s showing why his decision was the right one.
“I think moving to Guntersville and spending every single day on the water has really helped me develop as a professional angler,” Shryock admitted. “Rose (Shryock’s girlfriend) will tell you I’m out there twice a day because I’m gone so much. Because of the time I’ve spent fishing grass on Guntersville I really feel at home here in Kissimmee.”
With arguably the most important round of fishing of his career coming up on Thursday, Shryock was able to take a moment and reflect just how tough his journey towards the top of the standings has been while also appreciating the quality of competitors he’s been able to do it against.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a fisherman over the past two or three years,” Shryock said. “I think I still have a long way to go, but I like where I’m heading. To make 10 out of 12 Knockout Rounds overall and not miss one this year against this competition is crazy.
“I don’t care what kind of format you fish – no limit, five-fish limit, one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish –when you go up against these guys, there are no mulligans. You have to be at your best every day if you want a chance at being relevant when the day is over. If you’re not, somebody else will be and you’ll be left behind.”
How, When and Where to Watch
Shryock takes the water Thursday morning at 7 a.m. ET for the Knockout Round where he will compete against the 37 other anglers who advance through the Qualifying Rounds. Only the Top 8 will move on to the Championship Round to meet Zack Birge and Skeet Reese on Friday.
Watch all three periods of competition during MLF NOW! live stream beginning at 6:45 a.m EST. Watch for free on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app or MyOutdoorTV. The General Tire Takeout show begins at approximately 3:00 p.m. EST after each day of competition.