It’s a disappointing story, but here’s what happened

Again, it’s been a hectic few days, and I haven’t had much time to myself. Let me say right now that I know it’s better to put out a blog on the spot - and not have to do a rehash several days later. I will try to do that during the Elite Series. I will do my best. But these few days have given me time to reflect. I’ve done a lot of thinking since the Classic. I know a lot of people are disappointed, and no one’s more disappointed that I am. It got away on the first day. Here’s what happened.

I had a good practice, caught about 17 to 18 pounds a day in practice, every day. Well, every day except one - and that was the day I found I spot that I thought would let me win the thing.

But anyway, on Wednesday, the official day, I didn’t check my good stuff. I checked other stuff. I checked up the Tugaloo River where I had one pattern. I had a another pattern down by the dam, that was a second spot. I was in good shape. But then I had this third place. That’s the one I was talking about. … I could have won the Classic in that one ditch. I went into that creek and found a school, a bunch of threes and fours. Then I went about 20 yards ahead and caught two more fours and a three. I trolled around some more and they were everywhere. … It’s not the first time I’ve seen fish stack like that, early pre-spawn. I have seen it. But they’re usually smaller. These were the biggest fish in the biggest numbers I think I’ve ever come on.

But the weather took the spot. … All of the great spots I found were dependent on stable weather. And we didn’t get it.

At that point, as Friday unfolded, as the weather changed with 35 degrees and rain, I had to decide whether to find another pattern, or whether I could get five out of my existing spots. … I chose to go after my existing spots. I had six on the first day, but I lost too many of them. Then, on Saturday, I had more than 15 pounds without a big fish. … But I didn’t survive because of Friday. Bad as you hate it, those days come. You just don’t want them in the Classic.

Here’s a funny thing, though. Even though Friday was a tough day with a low weight, I enjoyed the Classic. This year, as a consolation prize, I had a chance to watch the event, to take it in. … Greenville was great, so was Hartwell Lake. Last year I was so focused because I was leading. I had to block everything else out. This year, I was down on the floor. I got to pass the trophy off to Alton Jones. I got to watch the emotion of the other fishermen. I enjoyed that.

I was proud to see Alton Jones win it. He’s 16, 17 years in, he has solid character as an individual, and I’m certain he’ll do the things to support and represent the sport. He’ll be a good champion. It’s an unwritten requirement that the Classic champion will support and honor the sport. And, as I said, he’ll do that.

I was like a lot of people. I pulled hard for Charley Hartley. There’s probably no one that wouldn’t have been happy to see him win. I wasn’t surprised KVD was in there, he always is. And Cliff Pace fished a great classic, came out of nowhere.

One other thing. I was real excited to see Ike in the final six. He had kind of down year last year, and it’s great to see a leader in our sport back on top, where he belongs.