Monday night after the meeting prior to the Lake Lincoln Tournament, I picked up a Strike King 3/4 oz Red Eye Shad in the sexy shad color at Bass Pro Shops. Yes I said just one, but don’t worry that’s the point of this story. I almost didn’t buy the one but hey Kevin VanDam says they’re good so they must be good right… Well day of the tournament comes and James and I are boat number one. After some pre-fishing, he felt it best that we go straight to this one spot. Now I have to admit, I was a little nervous fishing with such a seasoned angler. I had no idea what to fish with and didn’t have much confidence fishing this spot or anywhere else on this lake for that matter. Not knowing what else to do, I throw on my new bait and start fishing. It seemed like only minutes had past when right at the boat, A STRIKE! I knew it was a good fish but when it came to the surface and I saw the size, I lost it. No I didn’t loose the fish, just my mind. Even though I completely freaked out, we somehow managed to get the fish in the boat. Because of my yelling, I also managed to get us some new company. For some reason, James was crazy about all of our new friends fishing the same spot as we were. Well after I quit shaking, I managed to catch another smaller fishing. I thought, “This is going to be a great day of fishing!” Until a couple a cast latter and I lost the bait on a stump. No big deal, people loose baits all the time. James said to throw another Red Eye Shad on there and get back to fishing. I was thinking to myself, another one… I don’t have all the baits I want yet much less multiples of each. “Um James, that was the only one I had.” James replied, “What do you mean that’s the only one you had!”
Thankfully we went on to win the tournament anyhow. Fishing with James last weekend was great! That guy knows his stuff.
And I hope he’s happy now.
