Well, the 2012 Bassmaster Central Open season has come to a close. It’s been an incredible year..
We started in February at a blustery cold Lake Lewisville in Texas. This was easily the toughest fishing I’ve ever seen at a professional event. I was fortunate enough to get some good bites and capture a 2nd place finish after tie-breaker with one of my fishing heroes, Brent Chapman. Most of the fish I caught through the event came on Pro Swimbaits 5″ Pro Minnows in the “Bertrand Special” color. I owe my travel partner Nic Mcmurry a big thank you for letting me borrow his Nitro as my new Z9 was still on order!
Our 2nd event was on a much more pleasant Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Fishing was on fire through practice, and stayed strong in the tournament. We averaged 25-30 fish per day. Two decent tournament days produced a 19th place finish. These were post spawn fish, we focused on transitional banks leading out of spawning coves. Most of the bass I caught in the tournament came on Spro “McStick” jerkbait.
We finished the season up at a hot and humid Lake Fort Gibson. This was a fun tournament, as I was able to share a backwater cove with my good friend and fellow Arizona Angler Mitch Kistner. All of the fish I weighed in were caught on a 1/2 ounce Pepper Custom Baits Football Jig. We both fished the backwater through most of the tournament and caught some nice fish. I ended Fort Gibson in 17th place.
As the season came to a close, I was shocked to find out that I had ended up 1st place in the points standings and qualified for the 2013 Elite Series. Fishing the Elite Series has been my long time dream, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do this at 24 years old. I want to thank my family, friends, travel partners Nic Mcmurry, Kitch Kistner, Tommy Jonovich, Mark Walker, and Wally Hardy for their help through the season. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my fantastic sponsors; Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, Rigid Industries LED Lighting, Temple Fork Rods, Lake fork Tackle, Pepper Custom Baits, Pro Swimbaits, Topwater Clothing, and A&M Graphics.
I’m looking forward to blogging from the road on the 2013 Elite’s. It will certainly be a difficult road ahead, fishing against some of the best fisherman in the world. The challenge will be fun, and I am exciting to write about what I learn on the way.