I know this sounds like a broken record, but I sucked!! I drew out 3rd from last the 1st day, and just tried to avoid the crowded areas, very bad idea, most of the fish were caught in 3 small areas. The second day, I drove 2 hours in 3 ft waves, caught 2, then fished 50 yards from the ramp, and caught a 4 lber- the biggest fish I’d caught all week!! The moral is to never discount any water! We are actually heading back to Phoenix over the 4th for a week, then I am heading back to Icast in Orlando to work for River2Sea. Something has to change at the Murray camp, this has been my worst pro year fishing, but the best as a family! I’ve been thru slumps before, and the only good part is when you come out and start winning.

Huge disappointment! After a good start, I gambled on a different pool and LOST! I caught over 40 bass, but never got a good one, oh and my troll motor cable broke about 11:30 and I was done for the day! Green Bay really sucks, cause all 98 boats will be crammed into 3 bays. This is way too small of venue for our tourney, and I’m not even prefishing tomorrow. Amy , TJ and I are going to the off limits area and check it out, see all the good water we can’t fish….

Wow, what a week! After two months of unbeleiveable pain, the Doctor finally said I have RA. It’s pretty tough to get that diagnosis after 46 years of great health, no hospital stays, no broken bones, no major injuries. But at least I know what I facing and feel better than I have in a year. We are loaded and ready for Wisconsin. I feel good about the Miss, because I’ve fished two All- Americans there in the 90′s, and I did my homework a month ago with my friend Jimmy Johnson. I’ve been working on my swimjig technique down at the farmpond and using that 723 Powell endurance has really increased
my catch ratio. We have alot of family and friends coming over for this event, so should be
a fun week!!!!!!

Ended up in 27th place, with a 17lb stringer the last day! I only practiced a couple hours for two days, due to my joint pains, but I did catch an 11lber on the second practice day. I started on that spot the 1st day and never caught a bass for 90 minutes, I ran to my next spot, which I thought had only small bass. I caught about 60 on R2S jigs and wave worms. I weighed almost 13lbs and was very excited to get out on day 2. Day 2 was tougher and I only had 10lbs, but made the cut in 46th. The last day was great, I only fished two spots, but caught 25 keepers and weighed almost 18lbs. The fish were always there, but I was fishing too fast, slowing down with the dropshot was the key. Now it’s back to Illinois to get ready for Lacrosse, one of my favorite fisheries in the US!

I’m on my way to Toledo, and the second half of the year. Amy and TJ stayed in Ill, to save wear and tear on the motorhome, so I’m staying with Skeet again. Should be fun, depending on internet signal, I’ll keep you posted!!