PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – In a tight derby, every ounce and every mistake matters. Likewise, maximizing opportunities becomes even more important.
All of that is unfolding on script after two days of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Northern Division opener on Lake Champlain.
For leader Tucker Smith, his first time at Champlain has been a dream scenario that keeps getting better and better. After scraping together 19 pounds, 11 ounces yesterday, today, everything that could go right did, and he sacked up 20-9 to give him 40-4, overall. That puts him 3 ounces ahead of Ethan Fields and less than a pound ahead of Kurt Mitchell and Kyle Patrick in sixth and seventh place, respectively – all of whom are lamenting some key mistakes right now.
Those mistakes didn’t just cost them the lead right now, but with forecasted high winds putting Saturday in jeopardy, they might’ve cost them the win.
But for now, we’ll focus on today and how Smith put himself in position to take home the hardware.
After he did a lot of running around yesterday, he opted to start this morning in an area where he saw the most fish on Thursday. Only, things had changed, in a good way.
“There was triple the number of fish compared to yesterday, and almost all of them bit,” Smith said. “I had all of my weight by 7:30 a.m. It was nuts. At one point, I just stopped fishing and took my co-angler to another area so he could get his limit. It was a fun day.”
Though, if you want fun, Fields might’ve beaten everyone today. After quickly sacking up 18 pounds on his starting spot, he realized he just couldn’t get to the next tier of fish to get him over 20 pounds. So, he decided to be optimistic.
“In last year’s Toyota, I found a little school in practice, but come the tournament, they were gone,” Fields said. “I guess it was wishful thinking, but I decided to check that spot just to see if they were there again, and they were. I caught fish every cast for 15 minutes straight. It was an absolute blast.”
Needless to say, it was hard to remove the smile from Fields’ face … other than him thinking about the giant smallmouth he lost yesterday that might’ve cost him the win.
Though, no one may be lamenting lost fish more than Mitchell. His 18-1 bag yesterday included a 2-pounder, as he lost three big smallies down in Ticonderoga. Today, he didn’t lose any tossing his War Panda Glide Bait, and the result was the biggest bag of the event, 21-5.
“I could’ve had an even bigger bag yesterday, which hurts,” says Mitchell, especially when thinking about the forecast. “If the winds back down a little instead of what they’re calling for, I’d like to go out tomorrow. My main areas will be shot, but I’m confident I can still find a way to have a good bag. I just would rather go out and have a chance to win then call it quits now.”
Considering he’s only a few ounces back, one would think Fields would definitely want to go out Saturday. Think again.
“Being only 3 ounces away from the win is tough, but I’m not sure I want to go out if it’s what they’re forecasting,” Fields said. “Second is still cool. I guess we’ll see in the morning.”
And as for the leader Smith? Well, his answer is easy.
“Oh, I hope they cancel,” he said.
Top 10 pros
1. Tucker Smith – 40 – 04 (10)
2. Ethan Fields – 40 – 01 (10)
3. Emil Wagner – 40 – 00 (10)
4. Brody Campbell – 40 – 00 (10)
5. Dylan Quilatan – 39 – 07 (10)
6. Kurt Mitchell – 39 – 06 (10)
7. Kyle Patrick – 39 – 05 (10)
8. Riley Harris – 38 – 15 (10)
9. Ethan Carr – 38 – 11 (10)
10. Tripp Berlinsky – 38 – 09 (10)