For openers, I waited 'til all the other boats had disappeared down the channel before I ever started my motor. Then, I executed my plan to try and stay as far away from the rest of the crowd as possible.
With the high water, I knew I could get in all my favorite places down in Albright's, and that's where I stayed until about noon, when I ran back to West Neck to finish out my day in one of my favorite coves.
I only had been in Albright's about five minutes when I caught my first fish of the day...what proved to be the only decent one I would see. Despite all the big carp and gar wearing out the weedline, I had managed to detect one ring coming from a patch of grass that I figured had to be a bass, and I was right. As soon as my topwater reached that point, the fish immediately sucked it in. A couple of subsequent stops in Albright's yielded two more small bass that I didn't take time to measure. I had predetermined only to keep fish that I knew were solid keepers.
I went through a series of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, wake baits, and Senkos, without finding one I could get bit on. The bites I had all day came on two topwaters: the one I started with and one other (a popper). There was nothing fancy about the popper bites. In most cases, the fish would just suck it down after a pop, and I'd see the line moving off. When I'd rear back, though, there would be no fish. That pattern continued throughout the day, and it wasn't 'til about a half-hour before weigh-in that one of my hooksets finally yielded a second keeper.
Had a few gear problems during the day, but no more than I expect on a typical outing, and given the steady bites, I came away with hopes that maybe things are turning around. With another tournament next weekend, I won't have long to wonder.
Incidentally, Dave, if you happen to be reading this post, know that you were missed yesterday. Can't tell you how many guys asked me about you.
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