Skeet’s Beat – Douglas

I went into Douglas Lake feeling very optimistic. I had done my homework and felt ready for what was going to be happening once we got there.

Once practice started, I was able to locate some really good schools of fish. In fact, I found some of the schools that a lot of the guys who finished in the top 12 were fishing.

I just couldn’t figure out how to make them bite.

I forced myself to fish deep because I didn’t think there was any way to do well fishing shallow. I turned my back on the bank and fished out. Turned out I was right, but I couldn’t make them eat.

I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to see big schools of fish I know are bass on my Lowrance HDS10 and not be able to make them eat. I tried everything. I tried stroking big jigs, I tried stroking swimbaits, I tried throwing crankbaits, but I couldn’t get them to get off the bottom to eat anything.

The more I’ve thought about it, I think the schools were really locked onto the bottom because of the amount of pressure that Douglas Lake receives. It seemed that they needed something that stayed on the bottom and kept moving. The guys who figured out that they could long line a crankbait really put it together.

I was really pulling for Britt Myers to win. He’s a great guy and really good to everyone on tour. I felt really bad for him not to be able to close it out.

One great thing about the week was my stay at the Point Resort on the lake. I had a suite there, and a boat slip with gas on the water, and they even had a restaurant. I didn’t have to leave and even got to go over to the morning launch by water; that was pretty cool and a great place to stay.

Now we’ve got a long break before Toledo Bend, and I can’t wait to get back there. I really need a good finish there, and I figure, if I want a shot at the AOY title, I had better run off four more Elite 12 finishes. I’ve done it before and know I can do it again, I’ll just have to make it happen.

I’ve got a couple of things to look forward to. My new Berkley Havoc Sick Fish is getting ready to be released here in May. The four-inch model will be the first one to be released, and the colors of this thing are unbelievable. I think they are the best little swimbait for an Alabama Rig, or for just swimming on a little jighead. They will come two to a pack and will retail for $3.49 a pack.

Also, Kim and I will be working really hard on my second annual Kids Fishing Day. Last year was a great event, and we’re looking forward to another one.