FLW Tour Pro, Ricky D. Scott was introduced
to the sport of Tournament Bass Fishing at an early age. Before Ricky entered his teen years, he and his father competed
in buddy tournaments. Later, his mother was the Women's National Fishing Champion. Ricky entered his first B.A.S.S.
affiliated club tournament two days after his 16th birthday. He won that event and has been drawn to the sport ever
since. Ricky has earned over $330,000.00 in tournament winnings. He has garnered press in FLW Outdoors Magazine,
BASSMASTER Magazine, B.A.S.S. Times, Central Pro-Am Association's Fishin' Magazine, Angler's Choice Magazine, FLW Outdoors.com, BassFan.com, Fishing World .com, and
numerous newspaper and internet
articles. He has also had television appearances on FLW Outdoors
on FSN, The BASSMASTER'S on TNN, Central Pro-Am Association's Fishin'
Magazine Television Series, 5 Outdoors and has also been a guest on Don Berry's Radio Show, and BassBuckandDuck.com Radio
Show. Ricky is sponsored byCASTAWAY Rods,Barling Boat Sales, and Hamby's Protector Beaching Bumpers. Clickhere for info on how to put Ricky to work, advertising for you. (email).
Days 1 and 2 went well. I had an
area to myself. It was way up a major creek arm and difficult to access. I made one pass (covering only a portion
of my productive area) and caught 8 keepers on day one. I was flipping a Berkley Power Hawg to any cover I encountered.
On day 2, it took a little while longer to catch a limit and I had to go just a little farther up the creek.
I caught 7 keepers with the Power Hawg and a small crankbait.
On day 3, I arrived to my primary area to
discover that the overnight rains had trashed the area. The water was a soupy mix of redish brown water and flowing
really hard. I had to put my 36 volt trolling motor on 50% power just to maintain my position and almost on high to
move against the current. I managed to catch one small keeper before abandoning the area. I spent the rest of
the day scranbling and covering water with a spinnerbait and small crankbait. With about ten minutes to go, I had only
three small keepers. I told my partner that this was the first day all year that I would fail to weigh in a 5-bass limit.
However, my next few cast produced a couple more keepers and I finished my limit, a very small limit! I end the day
in 48th place. That is normally a $10,000.00 payday. But, this event had 146 boats instead of 150. So, they
pay 45 places and I end up 8 ounces short.......................
Day three of my practice was tough too.
However, on day 4, I finally found something that has potential. I don't know how many others have found the same thing
though. Hopefully, I will have it all to myself and do well. I'll find out tomorrow. I'm boat #65 and due
in at 3:40. You can watch the weigh-in on FLW Live on the www.flwoutdoors web site.
The first two days of practice have been tough. The first day, I only had one keeper. Yesterday,
it took me ALL day to catch five little keepers. Their total weight would have only been about 7 pounds.
The water temp is in the 70's for the most part. Some of the shallow water is cooler than that early in
the morning, but quickly warms with the sunshine and lack of wind. The fishing would probably be better if the wind
would blow! I'm still looking!
I'm sitting on the edge of Lake Clarks Hill. Practice for the FLW starts tomorrow.
The water is over 9 feet higher than it was last year. Last year I was in 5th place for the first two days of the event.
However, on Day 3 (when the field was cut to the top 10) I fell to 18th place. A good pay day, but no top 10.
I'll try to do a little better this year. I need to cash a good check so we can get a new camper!
The
lake looks clear. The wind is blowing. It looks good! It is supposed to be a tough bite though...........................I'll
find out tomorrow.
