Cooler Weather Highlights Day-One Of The Bassmaster Classic
A steady northwest wind and air temperatures that dropped close to 20 degrees in a 24 hour period welcomed the participants in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, dubbed the World Series of Bass Fishing. The atmosphere at “blast off” was electric and regardless of the wind and the cooler temperatures, optimism for a great “bite” spread among the anglers.
The Red River is a navigable body of water with a series of locks controlling barge traffic up and down the river’s length. At least 25 of the 59 anglers chose to “lock down” into pool number 4. Defending Classic Champion, Kevin VanDam was among those who felt water conditions were better in the lower pool.
Although conditions may have been better below the locks, the anglers still had to work for each and every bite. I was paired with Ish Monroe and he also went downstream to a tiny backwater area, the entrance to which was less than a foot deep. A boat was already stuck in the mud as we approached the area. After a 10-minute battle, and using Monroe’s push pole (that he loaned Josh Polfer), he finally cleared the entrance and dropped back into 2-feet of water.
Monroe and I worked our way into the small backwater and were surprised that we had no problem at all getting into the pool (fears that I would weigh his boat down turned out to be unfounded). After allowing Polfer’s boat to continue beyond a couple of flooded trees, Monroe began casting a swimbait right next to the trees in 2-feet of water. It took less than five minutes for him to catch a five-fish limit of aggressive though smallish largemouth bass.
Although Monroe caught his limit early, he struggled the rest of the day to improve his weight and the only large fish he hooked broke his line before getting it in the boat. He ended the day in the middle of the pack, weighing 9 pounds and 10 ounces.
The tournament leaders as of my press deadline were as follows: In first place (with several boats left to weigh in) Keith Poche, 17.13 pounds, followed by Greg Vinson, with 17.12 pounds, Dustin Wilkes at 16.9, David Walker with 16.8, and Ott DeFoe rounding out the top five with 16.6 pounds.
Kevin VanDam weighed 11 pounds even and threw spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jigs all day long. Most of the anglers reported catching a lot of fish but failed to get the one big bite. “I think the cold front made the larger fish finicky,” said Ish Monroe. “And, the problem is that tomorrow those big fish will even be harder to catch.”
Day two will see improving weather but the day will start out in the low 40s, and with the prevailing wind it will feel like a mid-30s start to the day. Although no one who finished day-one lower than 15th position has ever won the Bassmaster Classic, there are at least 25 anglers within striking distance of the top spot going into day two. There are a lot of fish yet to be caught and some great stories yet to be told, so stay tuned.
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