After his stop in Alabama, Elite series pro Rick Morris of RPM Full Throttle Fishing broke down the fishing facts on the Pickwick stop of the 2011 Bassmaster Elite circuit. Pickwick Lake, the third stop in the series met Morris with higher water than usual due to the increased rain.
Sharing that the conditions changed the preconceived strategy of the Elite pro he stated, “I thought I would get on a pre spawn pattern here but they were on the bank, in the brush or near the brush.”
Morris commented that his pre practice was spent down closer to the Wilson Dam near the tail races. He explained that area is where the water coming out of the dam causes a lot of current and many of the guys were throwing jigs out at the end of the dam but stated, “I couldn’t really get ‘em going there.”
The Elite veteran described a 5-degree temperature change in practice to tournament and less winds.
Morris referenced his last year’s placing on Pickwick saying he made the top-12 in 2010 and closed the tournament in 4th place. The Virginia Beach pro packed in 14 lbs 12 oz to the stage on the initial day of the event. Explaining that it was a much different scene this year at the first day’s weigh-in he said, “I have some work to do.”
At the close of the first day, Morris stated, “I am just going to hunker down tomorrow with the same strategy in the same area and flip all day looking for five big bites.”
Flippin the War Eagle jig on his remarkably strong RPM 711 Okeechobee Special in day two moved Morris up nearly one lb and seven spots in the standings, landing him in 40th and qualifying him for the first field cut with 15 lbs 11 oz for the day. Morris remarked, “I was sweatin’ bullets; I caught plenty of fish just not the big bites I wanted.”
Powered by his Mercury Motor day three began as the Roadhouse Tackle boat blasted Morris through the Alabama waterway where he made a repeat performance of the day before and brought in another limit of 15 lbs 11 oz. This bumped him into 32nd and put his tournament total at 46 lbs 2 oz.
The Pickwick finish of the 4-time Classic qualifier had him pocketing another payday in the Elite circuit; his second check in the three stops of the season.
Morris will make his mark at the next Elite event April 14-17 at the Battle on the Bayou.
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For more information on Elite Series pro Rick Morris visit his website.
Details on the Bassmaster Elite 2011 schedule are available here.
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