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 Focus On The BassMaster Classic-Spectator Traffic At Lake Wylie: A Factor? This series will allow you to read what several of the BassMaster Classic contenders are thinking in regards to the potential for a large number of spectators being on Lake Wylie during the BassMaster Classic. In the past, some Classic contenders have drawn up to 50 boats crowding their fishing areas. Whether all of those boats affect the fish, remains to be seen, but the boat wakes, the crowding and sometimes the fishing can get into the heads of the pros trying to win Bass Fishing's Greatest Honor. 07/13/04-"I had 75 boats follow me during the 1996 BassMaster Classic. All of those folks were courteous but with so many boats, it put a lot of pressure on the fish. I really believe it is the kind of fish that you are on that is the most important. In 1996, I led after the first day. The next day, day two is when I had all of the spectators, and although they meant well, the kind of fish that I was on were very susceptible to that kind of traffic. My fish in 1996 were suspended, schooling fish that would come to the surface from time to time and put on a real top water show. When they came up, you could get them pretty easily. That day two, they never showed, there was just too many boats in my area. In other years, I have been on fish that were totally not effected by that many boats, and I would just mind my business and the fish would bite, it really depends on what kind of fish you are on." "I practiced at Lake Wylie with the idea that I will have a lot of people following me. The new classic contender, perhaps the Federation angler will probably have a lot less boats following him around, at least until he comes with the big bag, then watch out." My goal is to have several spots where I can run and gun, maybe picking up a fish or two at each spot, it really will be important to me to keep moving." "To give you a better idea about what I mean about the kind of fish you are on. At Lake Wylie during our practice period, you could catch several nice top water fish each day, but that is going to be a sucker's bet because with 30 or 40 boats in the area, the commotion is going to shut that bite down. So some of the normal, seasonal things might not be as good as they should be. Guys that caught their fish during the practice by flipping tubes around docks could be in trouble because with 40 boats in the area, the wakes will most likely muddy up the water in the shallows. You really do have to plan and key in the fish that will be effected least by all of the spectators. I won't be able to count on a top water bite, at least that's my mind feeling right now. |