I didn't have much time to practice after the state tournament but I did manage to get a few hours in the week prior to the tournament. I planned on sticking close to Maxwell and just check some spots where I've done well in the past. I started in north arm and flipped some heavy cover and caught a decent one pretty quick so I left. I hit another patch of pads where I usually do well so that was a good sign.
Tournament
I was fishing solo and I started off flipping some pads near Maxwell for a few minutes before I headed back to North Arm to flip some heavy milfoil. I had a bite pretty quickly on a jig but didn't hook up. I was working the heavy milfoil out in front of the docks with an occasional cast under the docks as well. It didn't take long to hook up with a nice 2.5 from right out in front of a dock. I continued down the shoreline alternating between heavy punch rig, jig, buzzbait, frog, and swim jig. I got another bite or two but again failed to hook up. I was pretty set on flipping heavy cover all day but wanted to keep an open mind. After working the entire stretch with no more action I decided to head elsewhere.
I headed to a hump with some nice weeds where I've done well in the past. There was a boat on it so I made a few casts on a nearby weedline to see if they'd leave soon. No dice, so I headed near the bridge to try some docks. It was too windy for these docks as the wind was picking up and blowing in on them. I caught two pike with a rat-l-trap and headed back to North Arm.
I decided to head super shallow into a little backwater area and see if anyone was home. Lots of baitfish activity but nothing but a short on the swim jig. I went back to plan a and started flipping the heavy cover again. I was getting bites but nothing over 2 pounds. Usually flipping has big fish potential but not today. I had a small limit by this point but needed some upgrades quickly.
I headed back into Maxwell to hit some pads. The boat traffic was insane. It was a beautiful fall day and everyone was trying to enjoy it out on the water. Especially since the entire lake was a no wake for most of the summer because of the high water. I managed to catch a couple more small fish but no significant upgrades. Time to play dodge boats and head back to weigh in.
I only weighed in 7.39lbs for 10th place. It was disappointing but I was actually kind of relieved this that the tournament season was over. Don't get me wrong I love to fish but this year seemed to be a grind. There were definitely a couple bright spots but fairly mediocre as far as I'm concerned. I am looking forward to the Viking Invitational which is pretty much just for fun and a chance to help out another bass club and a food shelf.
Overall today I just didn't have my head in the game. Even though there was no pressure since I was out of the running for angler of the year, for some reason I was off. When my primary area didn't produce, I didn't have a game plan in place to make the needed adjustments. Then as the day wore on I actually got kind of frustrated. I should know this lake better by now. One more chance to figure it out over the next couple weeks before the Viking Invitational.
Weather
Results
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