Consistency Puts Reinkemeyer on Top at Lake of the Ozarks
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – Leading the local charge on Lake of the Ozarks is Warsaw, Missouri, pro Brock Reinkemeyer, who after two days of fishing in the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. event is the lone pro to break the 20-pound mark back-to-back.
Fishing hasn’t been great in this event, which is presented by Smart Digital, but Reinkemeyer has consistently made it seem easy. Having brought 21 pounds, 2 ounces to the scale on Day 1, Reinkemeyer had a repeat performance today and scrounged up 21-7 to easily slide from second to first with 42-9 total and one day to go.
Finishing fourth in last year’s March event on this pond, Reinkemeyer is excited to have another shot at fishing on the final day of the Plains Division Presented by Outlaw Ordnance event, with a decent shot at the biggest win of his career.
“I’d rather be in second place honestly, so I don’t have that No. 1 on my back,” joked Reinkemeyer of having a 3-2 lead heading into Thursday. “I don’t know what to say, I’m in shock. I’m happy with it. It’d mean everything to get a win. That’s what I’ve been working for the last couple of years, is to be able to come fish these Toyota Series events and get my name out there.”
Part of Reinkemeyer’s success this week is his willingness to adapt and make the right adjustments at the right times. With so many of the top pros running brush and rock piles in the same areas, a key adjustment or two can go a long way.
“I didn’t even bring a jig rod to this tournament because I haven’t thrown a jig out here in like three months,” said Reinkemeyer. “Last night my buddy had a jig rod sitting there and I said, ‘let me try that.’ I wanted to throw it at least one cast at each spot before I left.
“At 12 o’clock I had a 2-pounder and this one bank had been getting a lot of pressure. The fish that had been on brush out in front of a dock, I figured they had to slide under it to get away from the pressure. I flipped my jig under the dock and caught a 4-pounder. Adapting to the pressure has been the key to my success I think.”
Aside from the one clutch jig fish today, Reinkemeyer has weighed the majority of his fish on an umbrella rig and some on a jerkbait. Running brush and rock on the lower end of the lake has been his program over the last two days, though he’s aware he may have to make some small adjustments on the final day.
“I stumbled across some stuff I haven’t hit for like three days and a couple of those spots panned out,” Reinkemeyer said. “I think they have started to leave the brush, honestly. So, I adapted to that today.
“Less pressure tomorrow should help, too. Instead of being the second or third guy on a brush pile or rock vein, you’ll get first dibs on it. I’ll probably mix in some other baits too because if you can get one extra bite that’s key out here.”
Top 10 Pros
1. Brock Reinkemeyer – 42 – 09 (10)
2. Justin Miller – 39 – 07 (10)
3. Travis Harriman – 37 – 04 (10)
4. Austin Culbertson – 35 – 03 (10)
5. Mark Dunbar – 35 – 00 (10)
6. Grant Akers – 34 – 07 (10)
7. Josh Shirley – 33 – 10 (10)
8. Michael Harlin – 30 – 14 (10)
9. Nathen Luce – 30 – 10 (10)
10. Andy Newcomb – 30 – 09 (10)