GROVE, Okla. – How do you overcome 30-mph winds that switch directions by the day, dropping air temperatures, bipolar sun and clouds, and ever-changing water conditions and clarity?
“Experience,” TJ Martin said. “When you spend as much time on Grand Lake as I have, you learn when to zig and when to zag.
“If I had to attribute my success this week to any one thing, it’s that.”
Considering he just overcame some of the most turbulent conditions in memory for a wire-to-wire win at the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southwestern Division event on Grand, it’s safe to believe him.
With conditions changing drastically by the day, Martin managed to adapt in real time throughout. His main area that produced the biggest bag of the event on Day 1 (24 pounds, 14 ounces) was rendered useless by the final day, thanks to the water clearing up. And yet, he managed to not only survive but thrive, fishing history and following his gut.
The final day, his main area produced one lone keeper, but he was able to run around to places he hadn’t fished all week to put together an 18-7 bag to take home the title by nearly 10 pounds with 59-11 total. For the win, Martin earned $68,022 and punched his ticket to the Toyota Series Championship this fall.
“I have to keep opening my eyes to make sure I’m not dreaming,” Martin said. “I’ve been wanting to win a major tournament really bad for so long, and it’s even sweeter to do it here at Grand.”
Owning Martin Outdoors and Tackle in Owasso, Okla., the local said he fishes the lake as much as anyone. And that time on the water is really what propelled him when everything changed around him.
His original pattern was bouncing around between Patricia Island and Horse Creek, looking for creeks with a key combination of docks, dirty water and bait. He had one particular creek that produced 7- and 5-pounders in practice, and then his 8-1 kicker on Day 1.
All of those fish, and the majority of his fish the first two days, were caught on a ¾-ounce white War Eagle Spinnerbait with double willow blades (gold kicker and silver main). He had a 3.8-inch Keitech Swing Impact Fat as a trailer.
However, the spinnerbait only produced one fish on the final morning, prompting him to abandon it.
“I just started running history and what felt right,” Martin said.
Stop one was some rock piles where he filled his limit – including a 5-pounder – with a Gene Larew Biffle Bug (green pumpkin) on a 7/16-ounce Gene Larew Biffle Hardhead. After that, it was moving to spawning pockets, where he upgraded multiple times, tossing a 5/16-ounce Jewel Finesse Jig with a Zoom UltraVibe Speed Craw (green pumpkin) to fish he felt were spawning but couldn’t see.
It was that last move that solidified his win and gave him a moment he’ll never forget.
“Around 1 p.m., I caught a 4-pounder and a 3 1/4 in about 10 minutes,” Martin said. “I had some buddies following me today, and when I caught that last fish to get over 18 pounds, I told them everyone else was going to have to catch them. I’d done my job. And that was pretty cool, having them following me around and being there to support me.
“It’s been a bucket-list thing for me for so long, I’ve been so close before. So it feels good to finally get it done.”
Top 10 pros
1. TJ Martin – 59 – 11 (15) – $68,022 (includes $35,000 Phoenix Bonus)
2. Chris Jones – 50 – 04 (15) – $12,602
3. Steven Graeber – 49 – 12 (15) – $9,757
4. Cody Ross – 49 – 07 (15) – $8,130
5. Rodney Copeland – 48 – 08 (15) – $7,317
6. Andrew Rickman – 48 – 08 (15) – $6,504
7. Denton Cooper – 47 – 02 (15) – $5,691
8. Charlie Apperson – 46 – 15 (15) – $4,878
9. Larry Puckett – 46 – 06 (15) – $4,065
10. Dustn Overton – 46 – 02 (15) – $3,252