Nick and Kyle had a great showing this year at the 2020 BASS Nation Junior National Championship on Carroll County. We had been to the championship 3 out of the last 4 years, and we really wanted to have a good finish.
During pre-fishing, we had found one really productive area, and had difficulty finding any other areas. We had a lot of luck throwing a small swimbait with different types of jig heads with spinners and without. During different conditions, one would work better then the other. With all the pressure, a 1/4oz. ballhead would be the most productive. Never have we fished a tournament without a baitcaster on the deck; we had 8 spinning rods on the deck during this tournament.
Day 1, we were able to get on our best spot. Kyle was able to catch a keeper on his second cast. But the next 30 minutes, we would only catch a couple of non-keepers. I was looking at the Humminbird 360, and noticed a ditch running along the bank out in 15 feet of water that had some really good brush and stickup along it. It was straight out from the spot Kyle had caught the 7 pounder during practices. So, I figured it may hold another big fish. Kyle threw out to the spot. Just as he started reeling, he got a bite. I knew right away it was going to be a big fish. As Kyle fought it to the boat, Nick was able to net the big fish. It would end up weighing 5 pounds 4 oz. Also, it would end up being big fish of the event. We would only be able to catch 4 keepers that day. With the one big fish, we were sitting in 2nd place with 7lbs 15oz. after day 1. Great start to the event.
Day 2 was very rough. We never could find a bite. Twins would catch about 7 non-keepers. Kyle did lose one big fish next to the boat, about 3 pounds, that would be costly. We zeroed for day 2, and ended the tournament in 14th place. Twins fished really hard that day, just wasn’t meant to be. It would be the twins’ last BASS youth tournament. I’m so proud of the boys. They had fished really hard all year trying to get back to the Championship. Then they were able to get to the championship, be in 2nd place after Day 1, and getting big bass of a BASS event. It is something they will always remember for the rest of their lives.