Jason Christie casted a topwater to shallow water all day for the tournament lead (Photo by Rob Newell)

Oklahoma pro leads day two of 2011 Forrest Wood Cup

12.Aug.2011 by Brett Carlson
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Bass Fishing 101 states that the day after a front is the toughest. And that proved true on day two of the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup as the weather returned to normal and Lake Ouachita became stingy. While the weights fell substantially, a handful of pros continue to figure them out. Ironically, the one leading the tournament had an absolutely terrible practice.

Jason Christie felt like yesterday’s cool, cloudy conditions were a godsend. It not only allowed him to fish to his strengths, but it also helped him slowly begin to pattern the lake.

“I took what I learned yesterday and applied it to today,” he said. “I figured out what I should be looking for and today I found more of that; I probably doubled my area. I junk-fished completely yesterday and today I spent about 60 percent of my day junk-fishing. I’m just taking off with the trolling motor, and I’ll fish all the way through an area and then pull up and go somewhere else. I actually fished a place today and went back an hour later and there were fish there that weren’t there an hour earlier. I think they just cruise around and travel. You’ve just got to hit them in the head.”

Christie has 10 or so shallow coves that are covered with standing timber. Not only are the bluegills spawning around the timber, but the shade spots and wood make the Oklahoma native feel more comfortable.

“I actually caught my biggest fish today flipping, but my primary deal is topwater.”

The Diet Mountain Dew pro is throwing both prop baits and poppers on top.

“In the slick water I use the prop baits and when it’s choppy I use the popper, which is the best topwater bait in August, period.”

Christie starts each morning by staying in one area until he has a limit. Today he had No. 5 by 9 a.m. But each day his better fish have come from somewhere else. That trend has him reconsidering the order in which he samples his spots.

“I caught probably twice as many fish today, but they’re still spooky. Overall, I would still describe them as hard to catch. If you don’t make the perfect cast with just the right angle you don’t get bit.”

Christie’s day-two limit weighed 13 pounds, 6 ounces and pushed his total weight to 31-7.

“This tournament is all about getting a big bite or two each day. And I think the big bites come from up shallow so I’m going to live or die there.”

Courtesy FLW Outdoors.

Christie stunned with second-place sack

Pro Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., finished the first day of 2011 Forrest Wood Cup competition in second place. (Photo by Gary Mortenson)

In second place is Park Hill, Okla., pro Jason Christie, who caught a limit of largemouths worth 18 pounds, 1 ounce. A noted shallow-water fisherman, Christie was extremely thankful for the change in weather.

“It played right into my hands,” said the Lake Hartwell champion. “I had one of my worst practices ever. But today I was able to just go fishing like I do back home. When you get wind and rain on a clear lake like this, they bite.”

Christie described his pattern as junk-fishing. He threw topwaters quite a bit, but that wasn’t his only bait.

“I fished both deep and shallow. Now I know what I’m looking for, but I don’t know where they’re at. As soon as I get home I’ll be looking at a lake map.”

While several pros struggled with keeping fish buttoned up, Christie never lost one.

“I didn’t catch a lot of fish, but I got the right bites. But to be sitting in second, I’m as shocked as anyone.”

Courtesy FLW Outdoors.