After all, who can forget the incredible images that emerged from the 2013 Alabama River Elite event? Pros David Walker and Jared Miller stole the show by putting their equipment to the ultimate test.
Both anglers found fish stacked in the rapids below Jordan Dam, and they, as one reporter phrased it, "went through hell and back to get to them." Take a look at the accompanying combination of photos above (top, David Walker; bottom, Jared Miller) and see for yourself.
They weren't alone, either. On Day 1 of the Alabama River event, Tommy Biffle ran an estimated 60 miles and burned 46 gallons of gas, then tried to climb up over two shallow waterfalls in his Mercury-powered Ranger. "I made it over the first waterfall, but the second one got me," lamented Biffle. "The prop was still on there, but one big rock knocked the lower unit clean off," he continued.
Believe it or not, Biffle was able to return to fishing, thanks to a couple of well-respected marine-service technicians who drove all the way to where he was stranded and installed a new lower unit.
"Nothing can replace my Skeeter," said the then-44-year-old Menendez, further noting, "it's the finest fishing boat I've ever owned. But in this case, it wouldn't fit into the culvert (where I wanted to fish). I was forced to choose an alternate form of transportation. Besides, no matter what boat you're in, you have to catch the fish to win. Thankfully, I did."
While it paid off, this veteran pro was taking a huge gamble with his unique approach. It took him nearly an hour each to get to his spot and return to the weigh-in site, and he estimates that he only fished for 10 hours over the three days of competition. Furthermore, with cold and windy conditions throughout the tournament, the ride was far from pleasant. And on the final day, Menendez had to move rocks and other obstacles out of his way to reach his honey hole.
"I was 100 percent committed to aluminum this week," he said. "The thought flickered through my mind to go back to my comfort zone, but I knew that the only shot of getting to that area was the smaller rig."
His "do or die" efforts paid off with a three-day total of 55 pounds 7 ounces, which was good enough to squeeze out a victory over his nearest competitor, Kevin VanDam, who had 53 pounds 4 ounces at the end of the third day.
As noted in one Bassmaster report, "While these were some of the more extreme incidents, the fact is that many lesser problems occur on almost a daily basis. Let's face it: In tournament fishing, stuff happens. With so much riding on the results, boats become nothing more than a means to reach the fish. Trees, shoals and other boats aren't the only obstacles encountered. When the water's high, and the fish are back in the woods, you can bet the pros will follow them. They'll use their boats like all-terrain vehicles, grinding up flooded brush as if it were soft milfoil.
"Then there are manmade obstacles, like bridges and culverts," the report continued. "Perhaps you recall the B.A.S.S. event on Kerr Reservoir where Randy Blaukat removed his seats, windshield and engine cowling, then pulled the plug on his Ranger so that it would take on water--all so he could pass beneath a low bridge and into a flooded creek. The maneuver required considerable time, effort and ingenuity, but it gave Blaukat a win."
Although the average angler never would put his equipment through these situations, he or she realizes a benefit from it in the long run. Said Bassmaster, "It's our field testing that makes the end product more reliable and durable."
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