10-20-2017, 09:00 AM
<br /> Well, we headed out as boat 1 for day 2 of the classic upriver. The big motors flew past us as we sat back and cruised to our first spot. When we arrived, we immediately realized that &amp;quot;they are pulling a lot of water&amp;quot;. Yes they were. We started fishing and in a few minutes Dusty put our first keeper in the boat on a texas rig. A few minutes later I landed our second keeper. By 9:30 or so we had three keepers and then we hit a dry spell. We regrouped and headed to the original lay downs and in a few minutes I finally got on a small run, catching two bass on two casts. We finally had our limit. albeit small. On the next cast I feel a tap-tap and set the hook. I see a bronze flash and think I have hooked that monster smallie like the one that jumped off at the boat during CFF 12. I worked the fish, literally shaking in the fear I was going to lose him. We finally get him to the boat and as he comes up to be netted...freaking flathead catfish. We were heartbroken. Caught three more fish, including a single cull and one on a crankbait before moving downriver, where we caught three more and culled once more before making the long run back to Sullivans. We knew heading back the limit was not going to win, but were hopeful to hold on to third. Thought we had it until the last boat weighed in, and Lance and Joe took third, crowning us &amp;quot;first losers&amp;quot; for another year. We caught over 25 fish, but many were small spots that even when they keep, only contribute slightly to your overall weight. <br /> With all the current, we also helped to keep the tackle companies in business as I lost a small fortune in terminal tackle today. At least I had the common sense to shelve the tungsten and go to lead, otherwise I would be having to work a second job to replenish my tackle.