A classic performance

[mike s]

    Perhaps anticipating the rigors of parenting twins and the potential of a reduced participation in the 2011 season, Derrek Z turned in a dominating performance in the 2010 classic.
    Jamal set the stage by being the unlikely picker of both classic lakes, although his second pick was changed to Ponemah, with the Saturday lake as Orchard. With high winds and low temps on Saturday, conditions were miserable, but there were fish to be found, as Dave D. brought in 11 lbs 13 ozs. to the scales. Derrek followed closely with 11 lbs. and 11 oz. Two other competitors finished a little over 3 lbs back, Mike S with 8 lbs and 12 oz. and Louie with 8 lbs 6 oz.
    Day 2 saw Dave D fall into his unfortunate tradition of a day 2 meltdown, as he brought in only one fish on Ponemah. Mike S also stumbled, bringing in only 2 fish for 31/2 lbs. Derrek, however, turned on the heat, and although he didn't catch his first keeper until 10:30, he waxed the field with a 12 lb 12 ounce bag. Jamal stepped up with a 9 lb 4 ounce bag and Louie came in with 7 lbs, but it was not enough to outdo the frogmaster, as his 24 lb 7 oz. total beat 2nd place (Louie) by over 9 lbs!
   Congratulations Derrek and best wishes for you and your family!   

[nitroderrek]

both days i went for hours without getting a bite, but i just stuck with it, and eventually the fish decided to bite, and i put a few in the boat.  catching a 4 lb 11 oz the first day, and a 3 lb 13 oz the second day really helped.  i wasn't feeling it either day until i boated those fish, and that really motivated me to fish a little harder.  i would only get about 7 keeper bites each day.  i don't think the lure had anything to do with it, i feel i could have caught my fish on another lure, maybe even more fish.  both days, though, it was the most weight i have ever caught out each of the lakes.  neither of my best spots in both lakes worked at all.  i just went fishing, covering lots of water (just about every inch of shoreline in both lakes).  fish were in open water, lilly pads, under boats, on seawalls, in slop, under docks, on shallow sandy flats, etc.  no real pattern.  i would fish an area, and catch nothing, go back 4 hours later, and catch 3 keepers there.  i was just lucky enough to put two good days together.  derrek