A tough week of many fish, but too few keepers! Everyday I would catch between 30 and 50 bass, but both days I only caught 4 keepers. Largemouths, spots and smallmouths all were numerous but under 15″.

We now left for my wife’s family farm in Illinois. The weather has been beautiful, 75 and light rains, and the farm is green and perfect! Next week, I will be leaving for the Bass Open on the James River. The last time I saw the James was when I won $100,000 at the Busch Shootout back in 2004! Should be fun, I’ll let you know!!

I caught keepers on my first two casts, had a limit in 15 minutes, and caught another 60 fish, moved up 30 places, great day! The only downside was that I missed the Classic by 50 points, but I’ve got 3 more chances in the Northern Opens. I just fished one ledge all day with jigs, spoons, cranks and dropshots. If I’d gone there the first day, probably would have made the cut. Amy’s sister Lynn arrived Thursday, and we are all travelling up to Table Rock tomorrow for the PAA event. Absolutely a great two weeks, and we are looking forward to next week, stay tuned……

Even though it shows that I finished 51st, I made the cut for tomorrow!!! I found a huge school about 1pm today, and caught over 60 fish, my best 5 were 13-7. I’ve got one more chance to move up, and I plan on taking advantage. I lost two big fish today, so I know they’re around, I’m ready!!!

Unfortunately, it was the same as prefish, an early limit, but no size! Caught quite a few fish, and never even had a big one bite. Not sure what to do tomorrow, figure that out on the fly. I really need to catch them, to move up into the AOY money!

Since we missed the 1st day of prefish, I was the first one on the water today. I went right to where I placed fourth here 3 years ago, and caught drum,catfish, whites, no bass! Very tough day today. I only found 3 schools of fish, and they weren’t very big.

Give it another go tomorrow, need to find some big ones!