With four 2011 Bassmaster Elite circuit stops behind him and three paychecks in his pocket, the Virginia Beach bass pro Rick Morris of RPM Full Throttle Fishing boasts his best finish in the Battle on the Bayou at Toledo Bend in Louisiana.
Recalling his pre fish Morris revealed, “I had a really slow practice; I was crankin’ grass not catchin’ a lot of fish.” He shared he was “pretty much alone on his water” and had “about 10 or 12 really good bites” at the Toledo Bend reservoir which lies between Texas and Louisiana.
A top-10 spot on the leaderboard ended the Elite pro’s first day of the event with 18 lbs 8 oz registering on the scale. Saying he was excited about his first tournament day on the water Morris made reference to the “big one he left waiting for him” after losing a 7 lb’r.
The 4-time Classic qualifier gave it a good try but wasn’t able to boat one of the big ones he anticipated finding on day two of the event. He came to the scales with a limit of 11 lbs 5 oz which dropped him in standings to 23rd. Disappointed but not shaken, he made the first field cut and said, “I know where a few big fish are, I just need that kicker bite to get another 17 lbs.”
He explained he doesn’t like to junk fish and was going to run the Roadhouse Tackle boat powered by his Mercury Motor a quick 20-miles to his water and concentrate all his efforts on crankin’.
It was a great plan and moved Morris right back up the leaderboard for day three. He attributed to his success to “rippin’ a giant crank on a RPM ROD”.
The Elite veteran vaulted his weight by nearly 5 lbs and was sweatin’ the rail to see if he made the final top-12 contender chop. Unfortunately, he missed fishing the final day by mere ounces, coming in on the bubble holding down 13th with a three day total of 45 lbs 10 oz.
Pleased to add another cash to his season, Morris will move on in May as the Elite’s land in LaGrange for the Pride of Georgia.
Currently on the circuit Morris is besting more than half the field sitting in 42nd place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. It is midpoint of the season with the remaining stops of;
- West Point Lake in Georgia
- Lake Murray in South Carolina
- Arkansas River in Arkansas
- Wheeler Lake in Alabama
To follow Full Throttle Fishing facts, click here.
For more information on Elite Series pro Rick Morris visit his website.
Details on the Bassmaster Elite 2011 schedule are available here.
Share your own fish tale below or drop a line.
Comments