Elite Series pro Rick Morris of RPM Full Throttle Fishing checked in today to share his practice time pick-ups in an interview on the eve of the 2011 season opener Bassmaster event, the Sunshine Showdown in Florida on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
A 4-time Classic qualifier, Morris spent the better part of the last three days in the Roadhouse Tackle boat searching for fish on the vast waterway known as the Harris Chain which encompasses approximately 76,000 acres and nine lakes including Dora, Eustis, Griffin, Harris, Little Harris, Denham, Beauclaire, Carlton Trout and Horseshoe.
Breaking down the tournament waters one small piece at a time Morris stated, “I don’t feel I am on a winning pattern, but I am confident I will make some decent decisions." He continued to reveal, “I will probably be conservative, not spending a lot of time running around, starting out with the goal of getting a limit first and then looking for something bigger.”
With the expansive choice of fishing locations ahead of the tournament field, Morris explained, “Game plan is everything and you have to decide where to fish, weighing the conditions and my boat number will be a deciding factor in my strategy.”
The Triton pro came off the water Wednesday describing the day with ambient air temps at 83 degrees, with 25-mph wind gusts and water temps ranging from the mid 60’s to highs in the low 70’s. Expecting a front to move in by morning blast off, he did not consider the conditions on day one to be ideal for bed fishing. He concluded that his double Power Poles may be the most useful item in the boat due to wind.
Morris feels the tournament will yield a first day leader with a bag in the high twenty lb range and drop off after the bed fish are brought in. He, himself has found a few 7-8 lbr’s but saw more of the 3-4 lbr’s guarding fry. Describing most of what he has seen as “spooky” Morris remarked, “I have located quite a few on beds, but I’m not sure if that will be my target the first day; it depends if the weather and my draw cooperates.”
He commented that his best bet has been moving baits, crediting his War Eagle spinnerbait that he is fishing on his signature 711H Okeechobee Special as the best producer, thus far. Another bait that is bringing in the bites are Berkley Hand Pour Finesse Worms.
The 20-year Elite vet described starting his pre fish with 30 RPM Custom rods on the deck and has narrowed it down to about half. He explained the wide variety of vegetation and density of the foliage dictates what will be used in any given area and anticipates he will continue junk fishing tomorrow.
By lights out on Wednesday, Morris had learned he would blast off as boat 91 in the morning and was mulling over the idea of fishing Eustis but did say he was going to “sleep on the decision”.
The Sunshine Showdown runs from March 10 – 13, launch time is 7:30 am and weigh in is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
Day one conditions include expected Thunder Storms with the high to peak at 70 degrees and a 50 percent chance of rain. The nightly low is anticipated to be 44 degrees.
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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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