Did a Club Tournament at Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. Never been there before so fished two days and then the tournament. Found enough fish to finish 3rd with 5 fish for 11.8 pounds. Bait fish were everywhere so it was tough to get’em to bite an artificial lure.

Caught them in open water below bait balls on a soft swimbait ( Sexy Shad colored), Crankbait ( Sexy Shad) and a 6 inch spoon ( sexy Shad). Notice a theme?

Did some map research and found some rocky bluffs in 20+ feet of stained water. Didn’t let the light rain and 20 mph winds keep me away. Threw a shad colored rock crawler along the rocky bluff 10-12 feet deep in 71 degree water. Rewarded with a 4 pounder and two 3 pounders in less than 3 hours of fishing. Make it simple just listen to B.Lat!!

Finished 3rd at Lake Anna for my club tournament today with 5 fish for 10 1/2 pounds. Lake was 75 degrees, 20 mph wind gusts and clouds in the morning. Bass are chasing shad so I used a wake bait above the thick hydrilla grass in the back of coves.

BLat preaching the truth on fall cranking. Caught a few today on my local reservoir. 3.9lbs was the largest one.

Barde doing his best to “ be like Keith Poche”

So Brian Barde came into town to prepare for our next BFL on the Potomac River. He was my boater for my club tournament. The weather was not good as we had a Northeast wind/ rain from the aftermath of a tropical storm. I won the club tournament for my first time ever with 5 fish for 10.6 pounds. Barde finished 6th but he was an excellent boater for me.

Weather is looking better today and for the BFL on Saturday. We are going to go for it.

This week I got to fish with some of my fishing club buddies on the St. Lawrence River. I really enjoyed my time with them fishing for fun and slight competition. Some wanted to catch the most fish and me, I wanted to catch big fish. I had a ton of fun fishing a crankbait. While I did not catch the most fish I did catch some quality fish and improved my PB Smallmouth to 5lbs 7oz. Sometimes you need to just fish in a way that makes you happy. I am thankful for the BLat knowledge and my boater who was willing to try something different. 😀

Did some fun cranking today on the St Lawrence River. Caught this PB Smallmouth at 5lbs and 7 ounces. B.Lat has taught me well.

Guess where I’m fishing and guess the technique?

Barde and I are preparing for the next BFL and this comes along?????