Thursday, 02 July 2009

BassFan Winning Pattern

Consistency was the name of Mike McClelland's game at the Harris Chain Bassmaster Elite Series. Pros who win tour-level events will often tell you that keeping an open mind was a critical component in their success. But a narrow-minded approach worked quite nicely for Mike McClelland at the recent Harris Chain Bassmaster Elite Series. Read More..
Photos provided by BASS Communications
7th: McClelland Up and Down

"It feels really good to make a Top 12 here, but I'm disappointed about slipping the last 2 days," he said. "I don't feel I adjusted as well as I should have, and I know this is silly, but I really wanted to break 100 pounds. I came up 6 pounds short." Complete Story

 
4th: Stagnant Water Hurt McClelland

McClelland has been within a pound and a half of the lead throughout the tournament, but now finds himself more than 10 back and chasing three anglers.

"The current killed me today," he said. "I've really relied on the current to catch them in the afternoons and I've always been able to cull four or five times. Complete Story

 
With pressure to win diminished, at least some of Top 12 plan to relax, enjoy last day of fishing
Mike McClelland, who's been alternating between a War Eagle spinnerbait and a Spro BB-Z1 rattlebait to amass his fourth place stringer of 77 pounds, 4 ounces, also has a strong chance of moving up because he's fishing a spot that has consistently produced big bass for him.

"The real deal for me is to get more than just one big fish in my bag," said the Arkansas pro. "I've got a place that has produced a 7-pounder each day, but today I need to get at least a couple of them. On this lake, this week, anything's possible, so" Complete Story
 
2nd: Same Deal for McClelland

McClelland's bag was nearly 4 pounds lighter than the one he weighed on day 1, but it didn't cost him anything in the standings.

"I caught them pretty much the same way today," he said. "I didn't get fortunate and catch an 8-pounder, but I had a 6-14 that kind of saved me.

"I was hovering around the 20- to 21-pound mark for most of the day until I caught that 6-14. It was a day when I improved ounces at a time instead of pounds." Complete Story

 
2nd: McClelland Surprised
McClelland might've been in trouble today had he not keyed in on something in the closing hours of practice.

"(My weight) did surprise me a little, but I thought I had a good opportunity to catch at least 20 (pounds)," he said. "I figured out late yesterday what I needed to do and today it came together. I feel very blessed – the Good Lord shined on me today."

He revealed that he caught his first five fish on a War Eagle spinnerbait, and then expanded on that pattern to boost his bag. He caught 25 to 30 keepers, including the 8-pounder. Complete Story
 
McClelland held steady in second
McClelland held steady in second with 57-7. Sticking with what was successful Thursday, the 41-year-old threw a variety of baits, including spinnerbaits, to defined areas.

After a horrid first two days of practice, McClelland became dialed in after making some wholesale adjustments. He is executing a 1-2 punch, keying on the shad spawn in the early morning to build a modest limit and then pecking and hunting for larger fish by working with the current later in the day. Complete Story
 
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