Putting up 15 pounds, 3 ounces on Day 2 of the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Northern Division event on the Potomac River, Aaron Dixon handily maintained his lead over the 109-boat field. With a total of 32-4, Dixon has a decent edge over Thomas Wooten (who cracked 18 pounds on Day 2) and Matt Becker, who iced the Angler of the Year title but only managed 13-13 on Day 2. A Potomac River local who has been on fire in recent weeks, come Saturday it looks like Dixon will have a good shot at his biggest win yet.
Mostly spending his time in one are, Dixon had to change things up on Day 2. Despite a howling wind and overcast conditions in the morning, he couldn’t catch an easy limit like he did on Day 1.
“They weren’t biting the spinnerbait early, so I picked up the flipping stick earlier than I did yesterday and started off pretty quick,” he says. “Then I slowed down and missed a few in that area. I was on the same track as I was yesterday. I had three at about 10 o’clock, and then I made the decision to leave it all together and come up here. I managed to catch my last two within an hour.”
Moving closer to takeoff with flagging trolling motor batteries, Dixon punched up a 3-pounder late to go from a decent limit to the 15-pound mark. So far, every decision he’s made this week has worked, and his lead is the product of both consistency and excellent execution.
“I just kept the flipping stick in my hand all day and caught seven keepers,” he says. “I’ve been pretty dialed in the last couple weeks. Flipping is my favorite thing to do, and I’ve been dialed in on what type of grass – it’s got to have the right bait, it’s got to look right, it’s got to have the right clarity, the right depth. And, you can’t just flip anywhere in the mat; there are some really specific places they set up more than other places.”
If Dixon can put in one more good day with the big weight, or make a few of the right adjustments, he could be in line for a big win. At just 21 years old and not too far removed from high school fishing, it’d mean a lot for his goals.
“I’ve always wanted to be a pro,” Dixon admits. “I’ve been in the Top 10 on Day 1 the last two or three tournaments they had here. In one of them the boat broke down, another one I just kinda flopped. It feels good. I feel like I’m due, but when it’s your time, it’s your time.”
Top 10 Pros
1. Aaron Dixon – 32 – 04 (10)
2. Thomas Wooten – 30 – 12 (10)
3. Matt Becker – 30 – 04 (10)
4. Nolan Gaskin – 28 – 09 (10)
5. Nick Hatfield – 28 – 01 (10)
6. Robby Lefere – 27 – 07 (10)
7. Danny L. Shanz – 27 – 02 (10)
8. Brian Latimer – 27 – 01 (10)
9. Jason Williams – 26 – 09 (10)
10. Frank Ippoliti – 26 – 00 (10)