7/13/13 - MA B.A.S.S. Nation Pro Am @ Long Pond Lakeville
This was the 4th and last tournament for this trail, this year. Top 10 boater, and co-angler T.O.C. placement to be determined at the end of the day. Draw at the ramp gets me a Boater by the name of Mark Burgess (Former B.A.S.S. Elite Series guy, among many other accomplishments). Super nice guy, very friendly in general, and very open with tips/advice, etc. One thing I notice immediately as I scanned Mark's rod set-ups on the front deck is I had pretty much most of the same kind of baits tied on already too (Buzz Bait, Craw, Shaky Head, Swim Bait, Shallow Crank). Water temps were 83-86 all day, weather was warm, humid, and overcast most of the day until the rain showed up 2:30 all cooled everyone down.
I won't give away any of Mark's spots, but on a tough day he put together a nice limit, culling 3 or 4 times. I struggled only putting 1 keeper in the boat all day. Even with that I had a good day, as it always good to fish with someone new and learn more. When scales closed Mark had 10.91lbs for a 5th place finish, I had a dissapointing 0.83lbs for 12th place. Winning Co-angler had 9.99lbs, and winning boater had 14.12lbs. 3lb Lunker on the Co-angler side, 4.31lbs on the boater side.
So good and bad as I wrap this up. The bad, I had an opportunity with a decent bag for Co-Angler of the year, and I didn't execute. Can't blame anyone but myself. The good, I fished hard all year. I had a solid year. With my one fish today I believe I got 2nd place overall for the year, as appose to 6th place last year. Also qualifying for the T.O.C. 2 years in a row against some great competition. Always learning experience that Ill take with me in future tourney's, starting with Champlain in 2 weeks!