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Big Largemouth Lifts Smith To Day 1 Win At College Classic Bracket On The Coosa River
WETUMPKA, Ala. — Anchored by a 3-pound, 7-ounce largemouth, Tucker Smith weighed in a five-bass limit Saturday that tipped the scales at 10-2 to advance past his Auburn University teammate and partner Logan Parks and into the semifinal round of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Coosa River.
Conner Crosby and Tucker Smith of Auburn University and Tristan McCormick and Stevie Mills of Bethel University have advanced to the second round of head-to-head competition in the 2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Coosa River. Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
Smith led all anglers in total weight, edging out No. 1 seed Tristan McCormick by 9 ounces in the overall standings.
While Smith has experience on this section of the Coosa River, growing up just over an hour away from the takeoff site, he practiced like it was a new body of water and found the topwater bite was good during cloudy conditions. The clouds Smith was hoping for, however, did not materialize during Day 1.
“It wasn’t as good as it could have been,” Smith said. “Hopefully tomorrow it will be cloudier and they will bite better during the day. Cloud cover is the biggest thing for me. I can catch a few with the sun out, but if there are clouds it would be better for sure.”
After catching 8-11 on qualifying day to secure the No. 2 seed, the morning bite on Day 1 was key for Smith, who landed around 15 total bass in the first couple hours of the event, including the big largemouth in a system known for its quality population of spotted bass.
“That really separates you when the fishing is this tough,” Smith said. “I was really excited about that one. The largemouth get [big] up there, and usually, when you catch one, they are going to be superfat.
“I had it on a spinning rod so it was kind of frightening. On 10-pound test it wasn’t a very fun fight. It changed my day around and it got the ball rolling.”
From there, the three-time high school national champion moved out of his most productive area and tried some different stuff, but didn’t find the quality he found early in the morning. With warmer temperatures still hanging around southern Alabama, Smith said the bass aren’t fully committed to a fall pattern and it has made the fishing a lot more challenging.
“It doesn’t seem like you can go throw a topwater all day and catch them,” he said. “You kind of have to grind it out after the sun comes out.”
The general game plan will remain the same for Smith Sunday, but changing with the weather conditions will be the key to his success.
“I’m going to fish the conditions and see how it goes,” Smith said. “I learned a lot this afternoon so I’m going to try and use that to adjust and catch more.”
Meanwhile, McCormick overcame adversity to end the day with a 9-9 limit and defeat Hayden Scott from Adrian College.
Early in the morning, the Bethel angler missed a couple of key fish on a topwater. Then later, he swung a quality largemouth into his boat, only for it to come unbuttoned and slide across the front deck and back into the water.
“I tried not to get spun out and I was telling myself I needed to stay in it mentally,” McCormick said. “I kind of laughed about it and moved on.”
McCormick shifted through a couple of areas throughout the day, starting in a spot with a lot of current. After losing the first big one, he landed a 3-4 bass as well as a few smaller fish to move his total weight to around 7 pounds early in the day.
From there, he moved downriver where he flipped and threw a topwater bait to catch a few smaller bass before losing the largemouth over the side of the boat. With a few hours to go, McCormick moved back to his starting area and found the current had slacked off, but on his second cast he landed a quality fish that helped him advance.
With over 10 pounds on qualifying day, McCormick earned the overall No. 1 seed for the event and during practice, he learned that the morning bite would be key.
“The first day of practice, it was cloudy for most of the morning and the topwater bite lasted a lot longer,” he said. “There is a lot more activity and fish busting on the surface. I knew it was going to be tough when the sun came out.”
With a front moving into the area Sunday, McCormick said he hopes that the cloud cover will return and fire up the bass.
“It’s tough, but you still catch a bunch of fish. It is just trying to get the quality,” he said.
Fellow Bethel University angler Stevie Mills, the No. 3 seed, caught 6-13 to advance against Auburn angler James Cobbs, who landed 5-15. Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Conner Crosby caught 6-2 and earned the victory over Adrian College angler Griffin Fernandes, who fell short of a limit and weighed in 4-15.
In the Final Four, it will be Auburn against Bethel on both sides of the bracket as McCormick will face off against Crosby and Smith will go head-to-head against Mills.
The winners of the head-to-head matchups will advance to the championship round Monday for a chance to qualify for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at Lake Hartwell. The final champion will also earn paid entry fees into the 2022 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens with a fully-rigged Nitro and Toyota Tundra.
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. CT and will conclude their day at 2:30 p.m. Bassmaster College Classic Bracket LIVE presented by Bassmaster Fishing 2022, the Official Video Game, will stream live on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms beginning at 7 a.m.
The City of Wetumpka is hosting the tournament.
2021 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2021 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2021 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2021 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2021 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala, TNT Fireworks
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops 10/1-10/4
Coosa River, Wetumpka, AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School No./Weight
Tucker Smith Auburn University 5 10-02
Logan Parks Auburn University 4 06-10
Tristan McCormick Bethel University 5 09-09
Hayden Scott Adrian College 5 07-04
Stevie Mills Bethel University 5 06-13
James Cobbs Auburn University 5 05-15
Conner Crosby Auburn University 5 06-02
Griffin Fernandes Adrian College 2 04-15
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 36 57-06
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Taylor Watkins Rallies on Day 3 for the Win
GROVE, Oklahoma – With his biggest bag of the week on the final day, Taylor Watkins added 17-pounds, 10-ounces to finish with a total weight of 50-pounds, 3-ounces to take the victory at Grand Lake. While planning on a topwater bite for the event, Watkins evolved a jig pattern to catch his fish and give him his first NPFL victory.
“It was awesome, it pretty well went to plan. This morning I went where I have been and lost a 3-pounder that ended up not costing me, but it would have culled a pound or more. As soon as I got to my docks this morning the storm hit, and I had to take cover. When the storm passed, I fished both of those docks and never got bit.”
After not getting bit, Watkins picked up a buzzbait and picked up a few fish. After jumping around on his way back to Wolf Creek, Watkins got to work with his jig to finish out his day.
“I figured out there five docks close by to the take-off that held fish and I cycled through those three times and caught some each time. I knew the weather would change things, but it didn’t play out at all like I thought. The topwater bite never materialized but I figure out the jig deal and went with it. Big thanks to Mustad Hooks, Tuff Line, and the jig was a True South Custom Lures.”
KEITH CARSON WINS PROGRESSIVE AOY GOLD
Story Coming Soon
Sheldon Collings
Grove, Oklahoma angler Sheldon Collings added 13-pounds, 3-ounces to his total for a total weight of 48-pounds, 11-ounces to finish in 2nd place. Leading after two days on Grand Lake, Collings fished a mixture of docks and offshore brush and rock piles to catch his fish this week.
Bryant Smith
Adding 15-pounds, 2-ounces on the final day, Bryant Smith finished the event in the 3rd spot with a three-day total of 45-pounds, 13-ounces. The Roseville, California angler relied on a topwater and flipping bite on shallow flat banks with isolated timber to catch his fish.
James Biggs
With 12-pounds, 7-ounces on the final day, James Biggs finished in 4th place with a grand total of 42-pounds, 14-ounces. With the slowest day of the tournament on day three, Biggs weighed in a five bass limit every day to accomplish his goal of making the NPFL championship.
“Today was horrible. When my camera guy got out of the boat around 1 pm, I had two little fish. I went to a rock pile and caught two quick, turned around, threw a crankbait up on the bank and caught my 5th fish.”
The goal all season was to make the championship. Biggs knew Grand Lake would be his best lake and was happy to have it at the end of the season.
“I can’t wait for Nickajack, I have some history there. Outside of Pickwick, I finished in the top 40’s everywhere, just had a couple bad ones, so it was nice to rebound here this week. My in-laws followed me around today, all day, the watched me not catch fish for several hours.”
Jeff Dobson
Jeff Dobson weighed 12-pounds, 14-ounces on day three to finish with a total weight of 42-pounds, 6-ounces. Dobson relied on local knowledge and an Omega Custom Tackle Pro Mega jig fishing vertical structure to finish the event in the 5th place spot.
“I started this morning and caught 12-pounds and then went deep to try and cull. I had two bites, one small and one big one, and I broke the big one off.”
With a tough year on the NPFL trail, the Bartlesville, Oklahoma angler is happy to have a good finish on his home body of water but had this one penciled on his calendar all year.
“Its Grand Lake, I wanted to win, man. I had a rough season, one of the roughest I can remember as a pro, but I am definitely glad to finish on a good note.”
Rest of the Best:
6th Timmy Reams 41-1
7th John Polasini 40-14
8th Paul Browning 40-13
9th Derrick Blake 40-0
10th Matt Mollohan 39-5
The post Taylor Watkins Rallies on Day 3 for the Win appeared first on Bass365.com.
Jason Lambert | Stage 7 St. Clair
Take a look back at a few fish catches from Stage 7 at Lake St. Clair. The Yo-Zuri HARDCORE Crank 4, T7 Fluorocarbon and the right Duckett Rod and reel were key to Jason’s success. Don’t overlook offshore cranking when it comes to smallmouth……you may just be surprised!
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Day 2 Daily Dip at Grand Lake
Things are for sure heating up at Grand Lake heading into the final day of the NPFL on Grand Lake. Fat Cat checks in with his thoughts. Lot’s on the line so stay tuned!
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Collings Extends Grand Lake Lead, Perkins Holds AOY Lead
GROVE – Oklahoma. Adding 16-pounds, 8-ounces to his day one total of 19-pounds, Grove, Oklahoma angler Sheldon Collings maintains his lead going into Showdown Saturday with a two-day total of 35-pounds, 8 ounces. Collings takes a 2-pound, 15-ounce lead into Showdown Saturday presented by Omega Custom Tackle.
Starting off his morning not like he had planned, Collings was sitting on one bass at 9AM. The local knowledge kicked in and the local angler made the trek way down the lake. Flipping some docks to get a limit, the day turned around in a big way.
“This morning was pretty terrible. I had a small fish and decided to make a move. I got on some docks I thought I could catch some keepers and caught a limit for like 10-pounds or so. Around noon, I fished around and never got a bite.”
Knowing the offshore bite would settle in, Collings got back to where he caught some fish on day one and caught a 4-pounder, culling to around 12-pounds. The next couple hours were tough, but he maintained his focus and revisited some offshore areas as live coverage ended.
“Once again, live goes off and I got to an offshore spot and basically back-to-back I caught two that were almost 4-pounds. I went from 12-pounds to 14-pounds to 16-pounds on those two bass. Each one was like 2-pounds worth of upgrades.”
Collings understands the timing of his offshore areas and doesn’t get discouraged with a slow start. In the fall, Grand lakes seems to turn on in the evening when the shad pull up and the bass get to biting.
“The timing is key. You can fish them all day, but they don’t bite. I am fishing community holes; I know how they set up and when they bite. I can tell they are set up to feed. I want to win this more than anything. I told my camera man, if the weather is right tomorrow, I’ll stay on my big fish holes all day cause the wind positions them and they will bite all day.”
If the weather is right, Collings will fish for bigger bites but isn’t afraid to go and catch a limit. After a limit, 5 to 6-hours on his offshore areas to end the day and hopefully take the win on his home pond.
“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If not, I’m going to go and have fun regardless and see what I can do.”
Taylor Watkins
Taylor Watkins added 15-pounds to his day one weight of 17-pounds, 9-ounces to finish the day in the 2nd place spot with a two-day total of 32-pounds, 9-ounces. Fishing a topwater first thing, Watkins went back to work on his dock deal and was able to catch his two biggest quality fish for the day.
“I fished on top this morning and basically wasted a bunch of time. I made a move to my primary area and got a small limit, then moved back further in the creek to some docks. I caught two good fish there today, and two good ones yesterday.”
The magic docks have produced several 3.75 to 4-pound quality bass for Watkins the first two days and its unknow whether the area is reloading or if those are resident fish.
“Either way, I am and planning on not catching any there tomorrow. Other than that, I lost a 6-pounder with like ten minutes left today – I’ll probably spend some time there tomorrow, too.”
With his main area way down the lake, and the big fish spot close to the takeoff, the Clinton, Tennessee angler is unsure how tomorrow will go, and hasn’t made a game plan yet.
“I saw a lot of quality fish in practice in my areas, but I didn’t think they would hold up, but that’s all I have. I saved one area, fished it today, and didn’t get a bite. There is one small stretch I got several bites in practice there, I may try it again tomorrow.”
Brandon Perkins
Progressive AOY Leader Brandon Perkins added 14-pounds, 11-ounces to his day one weight of 17-pounds to end the day in the 3rd place spot with a two-day total of 31-pounds, 11-ounces. Getting off to an early start this morning, Perkins felt some pressure fall off his shoulder and was able to fish for bigger bass for the rest of the day.
“I made a mental mistake, I hung out in a place thinking I could catch some bigger fish, and unfortunately never did. A place I caught some big fish in practice, I got in there today with the intention of just fishing through, but I ended up gambling and tried to catch big ones. I’ll take it thought, I was able to give my fish a break and I am ready to get after them again tomorrow.”
With the goal this week to win the Progressive AOY, Perkins is not taking his foot off the pedal. Playing it safe is not in the cards and knows that with as little experience as he has on Grand Lake, he is around fish and getting enough bites a day to hang.
“I am good, I am where I want to be, and I am thrilled with it so far. I am not playing it safe at all. Every day in practice I got a big fish over 4-pounds, and today was the first day I didn’t. I got more bites today than yesterday. I have two or three areas I have fished both days, but I didn’t touch my second-best area today. I wasn’t saving anything, I just felt like with the weight I had, I had to find bigger bites.”
Bryant Smith
With a 15-pound, 10-ounce bag today, Bryant Smith added to his day one weight of 15-pounds, 1-ounce for a total weight of 30-pounds, 11-ounces to finish in the 4th Spot. Utilizing a mix of topwater and flipping presentations, Smith has gone to work on a shallow pattern to catch his fish this week.
“On day one, I caught a few good ones on top and a few flipping. Today, I think all but one was on a topwater. I am basically looking for flat banks, and if it has isolated wood, it’s even better.”
Fishing a mix of areas, he found in practice and a few areas he located during the tournament, the Roseville, California anglers has fixed a mix of new water every day to keep his areas fresh.
“I’m fishing a little new water every day, some stuff from practice and some stuff I found while fishing. I am basically fishing a Strike King Sexy Dog Hard Knocker and slipping a Strike King Rage Bug in Black/Blue. I’ve been mixing in a buzzbait as well – just mixing it up.”
The key to his areas?
“The flatter the bank, the better it is. And, I am casting right up on the bank”
James Biggs
With a two-day total of 30-pounds, 7-ounces, James Biggs added 13-pounds, 2-ounces to his day one weight of 17-pounds, 5-ounces to finish the day in the 5th place spot. Running a similar program as yesterday, Biggs wasn’t able to capitalize on some bigger bites on day two.
“I didn’t get as many big bites, but I also missed a lot more, missed several, they just were not eating it good. I either missed them or they came off today.”
Fishing some of the same water, Biggs only hit one or two of his areas and fished lots of new water. With an early limit, he took advantage of the extra time to try and focus on bigger bites.
“I saved a bunch of stuff for tomorrow, and I have been having fun. I don’t worry about pressure. My goal was to make the Championship and I have to catch them tomorrow. I am a firefighter, I deal with real pressure, these are just green fish. If I lose one, or catch one, I know the goal and just keep fishing. I did catch my biggest fish today offshore.”
Jeff Dobson
Local Jeff Dobson added 14-pounds, 12-ounces to his day one weight of 14-pounds, 12-ounces for a two-day total of 29-pounds, 8-ounces to finish in 6th place. Locating fish adjacent to feeding areas, Dobson is fishing an Omega Custom Tackle jig and fishing vertical cover.
“I am fishing the bridges, bluff walls, suspended fish. I’m flipping the big jig and forcing them to eat it, it’s a reaction bite. Only one fish this week I casted and dragged it by and got bit. They are biting it on the fall, I am not feeling it. I just pick up and they are moving off with it.”
Rest of the Best:
7th Paul Browning 29-4
8th David Hoheisel 27-7
9th John Polasini 27-6
10th Bret Loomis 26-10
Check out the OFFICIAL LEADERBOARD and then set your alarm for Showdown Saturday.
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