Day two of Truman classic and last tournament of the year, with points counting towards Angler of the Year, meant this was an important tournament . The day before I caught them really good. So, I was leading with 15.31lbs on a spinnerbait, and most of it came out of the same pocket.
Day two plan was to start in the pocket. The weather was supposed to be sunny and calm, but the two days before the weather was cloudy and windy. I had focused on dirty water throwing a blade. When we got to the pocket, it was still early. My partner hooked up on the first cast. I figured we were going to catch them. Ok, I can do this. Then finally way back in the pocket, there were three trees making a triangle. I cast to the back of the tree. Set the hook on a really big fish. Of course, it swam around the tree the wrong way and got hung up on the tree. We tried to fit through the trees, but the boat was too big. The fish kept jumping, and then the line went slack. I just lost a fish in the 5 pound range. Just blew the tournament and angler of the year. Next 10 casts, I caught two more small keepers. I was not in a good mood.
Finally, I caught a limit, but my only big fish was 15 inches. Not good. We moved to another pocket without any luck. The night before I was studying the map of the lake, and saw a good pocket the wind would be blowing into. We decided to go try the pocket. I noticed right away there were a lot of shad. As we worked to the back of the pocket and started working our we back out, I hooked up with a good fish on the spinnerbait. I wasn’t sure it was a bass. But as it got closer to the boat, I got a good look at it. It was a big bass around 4 pounds. Just want I needed. As my partner netted it, I right away felt I had a chance. Just still wishing I had the other fish. As the day went on, I was able to creel one more time. I had a little over 10 pounds. I was not sure that was going to win me the Classic and Angler of the Year in the club. But after everyone turned in their sheets, I would end up with 25.39 pounds for the weekend. The one big fish of the day got me the win and back to back Angler of the Year in the Club. It felt so good to win a tournament on Truman in the fall. Also, I caught big bass both days. Great finish to the season. Thanks to my non-boater for keeping me focused and calm after losing the big fish.