At the recent Grand Lake Bassmaster Elite Series, BassFans watched as rookie Marty Robinson hung right in there with his idol Kevin VanDam for 3 days. He entered the final day less than 2 pounds behind the lead, and had a terrific shot to win it all. But he came up way short with a four-fish, 10-15 day and finished 7th. What happened?
For starters, wind was crucial to his bite, and day 4 started off dead.
"The morning was kind of slick – there wasn't much wind," he said. "I think that's what made the bite a little tougher. Later on in the day, the bite got better. We had a little bit of wind the last 2 or 3 hours. I got one on and lost it. It was a 4-pounder. I don't know where that would have put me – maybe 3rd or 4th. My fish just wouldn't bite well (the final day). Most that I caught had the hook in the side of the head, or barely in the bottom lip. They must have been swiping at it or something."
About whether he thinks he should have done something differently on day 4, he noted: "I think I could have hit some new spots, like the ones I fished. Three of my bites came on places I hadn't fished all week. I'd beat my stuff up pretty good I guess. I only caught one fish on one of my (past) spots, so maybe I caught most of the fish on those places."
Overall though, he said he's happy with his finish, because he'd never fished Grand, and came in with the goal of a Top 12.
And about KVD winning, he said: "He's the man. He had 20 pounds again. He's the man. But this helps my confidence. It gives me a big boost, knowing I can get up there and compete against these guys. It makes you feel a win's within your grasp."
> He kept his boat in 10 to 12 feet of water all week and quartered casts along points. He threw a WEC Tapp crankbait – a custom lure from Zoom founder Ed Chambers – and he also caught a few on a Buckeye Mop Jig.
