By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor


Facing a 7-pound, 4-ounce deficit entering the final day of the Lake Eufaula Southeastern FLW Series last Saturday, Josh Stracner figured the best outcome he could hope for was a runner-up finish.

Michael Smith amassed 50-00 through two days and had put 5 1/2 pounds between himself and his nearest challenger, Scott Montgomery.

“I thought we were fishing for 2nd,” Stracner said, inferring Smith had the tournament by the tail.

But a shrewd decision on day 3 helped Stracner compile a 22-03 stringer and rocket to the top of the standings after Smith and Montgomery both stumbled with 11-02 and 12-01, respectively. Stracner, a three-time BFL winner at Eufaula with plenty of experience on the big lake that straddles the Alabama-George border, finished with 64-15 – just shy of a 22-pound daily average – to collect what he calls the biggest win of his career.

All because he shifted his focus to brush piles just past the midway point of the final day.

“It’s my first big win and it feels good,” Stracner said. “I’ve been wanting to win a bigger tournament for a long time now. I felt really good coming in. I have a lot of good history in hot weather and I thought I could do well. It went pretty much the way I thought. From the start, brush was my backup plan and I had to use it on the last day.”

While he did the bulk of his work on river ledges with a crankbait, swimbait and hair jig on days 1 and 2, a crankbait and Texas-rigged worm dragged through brush piles late on day 3 proved to be the difference-makers.

“The lake has been good to me,” Stracner said. “I’ve spent a lot of time down there learning how to fish offshore. It sets up good for me. I enjoy fishing offshore using my electronics. That lake is so big and has a lot of offshore structure in it. It’s just miles of river ledges and shallow bars and brush. It has everything.”

Ledges To Lead Off

Stracner had been following the progression of Eufaula’s largemouth through their post-spawn phase in the weeks leading up to the tournament. He knew they were starting to group up on the ledges along the Chattahoochee River channel and it wasn’t out of the ordinary to connect with 4-pound caliber fish on a consistent basis.

That’s what had him thinking it would take a significant amount of weight to prevail.

“Before the tournament, I figured I’d need 22 (pounds) a day to have a chance,” he said.

Stracner, who hails from Vandiver, Ala., near the Coosa River, said he put in 4 1/2 days of practice prior to competition. Very little occurred to sway his thinking on how the tournament would unfold.

“It happened how I thought it would,” he said. “I knew the ledge deal would be a big player.”

That meant he spent hours upon hours idling and trying to decipher what he was seeing on his electronics. On Tuesday, he re-checked all of the areas where he’d marked schools of fish to see if he could trigger a couple bites to gauge which schools had bigger fish in them.

“There were a couple places where they’d only bite one bait, and some schools they’d bite whatever you’d throw in there,” he said.

He had a late boat number on day 1, which had him worried that he’d have to resort to secondary spots to start the day.

“Somehow, I got on both of them,” he said, noting his key depth range was 18 to 22 feet. “I don’t know how, but there were fresh schools there and nobody had messed with them.”

He seized on what seemed to be a two-hour window early in the day when the fish were active. He also said the last couple hours in the afternoon were productive. He produced 23-09 and was 2nd behind Smith following day 1.

Day 2 was somewhat tougher for Stracner, who noticed the fish had pulled out a bit deeper and started to scatter out in some spots.

“Sometimes, they’d pull up on the ledge in 16 to 18 feet,” he said. “It seemed like the better fish pulled out deeper. The trouble was those ledges are all lined with natural timber in 30 to 35 feet and when they suspend in that stuff you can’t catch them.”

Even when they shuffled out deeper, Stracner kept hitting them with the same variety of presentations – a 10XD crankbait, a couple different swimbaits and a mix of hair jigs. His weight tailed off to 19-03, dropping him to 3rd entering the final day.

Brush With Greatness

Typically, brush is Stracner’s jam at Eufaula, but during practice and on days 1 and 2, he saw more potential targeting the ledges.

“I couldn’t get anything going and come to find out, nobody else could either,” he said.

Until late morning on day 3.

After amassing roughly 14 pounds by 11 a.m. Saturday, he began noticing the more scattered nature of the ledge-oriented fish. He attributed it to the weather front moving in.

“It got dark and cloudy and the fish wouldn’t get right,” he said.

That prompted him to sample some brush spots and the bites soon followed. The key piles were in 14 to 15 feet.

“The longer I fished them, they kept getting bigger,” he said. “Around 1 p.m., the wind started to pick up and I went to an area with a few brush spots in it. I had some history on the spot, but I hadn’t fished it all week because I hadn’t planned on it.”

He hit three spots and caught a 4-pounder on each spot to push his stringer past the 22-pound mark.

“They were in the piles,” he added. “You had to hit the pile with the crankbait or the worm to get them to bite.”

A little later, a heavy downpour enveloped the lake and made it difficult to effectively present baits, so he headed back to the ramp to check in.

“I have a lot of history fishing that brush and with the ledges playing out, I had enough confidence to go to it and stay with it,” he said.

Winning Gear Notes

> Crankbait gear (ledges): 7’6” heavy-action Daiwa Tatula casting rod, Daiwa Tatula SV TWS casting reel (6.2:1), 14-pound Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line, Strike King 10XD (sexy shad).

> Stracner swapped the stock hooks for 1/0 Gamakatsu trebles.

> Swimbait gear: Same rod, same reel (7.2:1 ratio), same line (16-pound), 3/4-oz. Scottsboro Tackle Company Recon jighead, 5” and 6” Scottsboro Tackle Company swimbait (natural light).

> After letting the swimbait go to the bottom, Stracer would employ an extremely slow and steady retrieve.

> Hair jig gear: 7’6’ medium-heavy Daiwa Tatula casting rod, same reel and line as swimbait, various 5/8-oz. hair and bucktail jigs (Cumberland Pro, Big Daddy, SPRO).

> Like the swimbait, Stracner waited for the hair jig to hit bottom, then he’d hop it once or twice and gently lift his rod tip to give it more action.

> Worm gear: Same rod as crankbait, same reel and line as swimbait, 3/8-oz. Titan Tungsten worm weight, 5/0 Owner offset worm hook, 8.25” Reaction Innovations Fat Flirt Worm (plum).

> He used a 7’4” Daiwa Tatula fiberglass casting rod and 12-pound Gamma Edge fluorocarbon when probing the brush piles with a Strike King 5XD.



Final Results

1. Josh Stracner -- Vandiver, Al -- 23-9 (5) -- 19-3 (5) -- 42-12 (10) -- 22-3 (5) -- 64-15 (15) -- $29,034

2. Ryan Ingram -- Phenix City, Al -- 19-4 (5) -- 19-10 (5) -- 38-14 (10) -- 23-15 (5) -- 62-13 (15) -- $10,669

3. Bryan New -- Belmont, NC -- 19-11 (5) -- 19-3 (5) -- 38-14 (10) -- 22-10 (5) -- 61-8 (15) -- $8,260

4. Michael M Smith -- Andalusia, Al -- 25-7 (5) -- 24-9 (5) -- 50-0 (10) -- 11-2 (5) -- 61-2 (15) -- $6,883

5. Shane Powell -- Dothan, Al -- 23-0 (5) -- 17-12 (5) -- 40-12 (10) -- 20-4 (5) -- 61-0 (15) -- $6,195

6. Josh Butler -- Hayden, Al -- 17-9 (5) -- 24-0 (5) -- 41-9 (10) -- 16-7 (5) -- 58-0 (15) -- $6,507

7. Scott Montgomery -- Eufaula, Al -- 23-5 (5) -- 21-2 (5) -- 44-7 (10) -- 12-1 (5) -- 56-8 (15) -- $4,899

8. Dustin Smith -- Grand Island, Fl -- 18-7 (5) -- 19-1 (5) -- 37-8 (10) -- 17-5 (5) -- 54-13 (15) -- $4,130

9. Austin Lang -- Kinsey, Al -- 18-10 (5) -- 19-3 (5) -- 37-13 (10) -- 15-15 (5) -- 53-12 (15) -- $3,442

10. Kacy Mims -- Randolph, Al -- 18-15 (5) -- 18-12 (5) -- 37-11 (10) -- 16-0 (5) -- 53-11 (15) -- $2,753

The following anglers missed the cut and did not compete on day 3.

11. Ethan Greene -- Eufaula, Al -- 16-1 (5) -- 21-0 (5) -- 37-1 (10) -- $2,581

12. Chandler Ray -- Georgetown, Ga -- 19-1 (5) -- 17-5 (5) -- 36-6 (10) -- $2,409

13. Logan Waites -- Phenix City, Al -- 17-2 (5) -- 19-2 (5) -- 36-4 (10) -- $2,065

14. Mike Cavender -- Phenix City, Al -- 16-9 (5) -- 19-3 (5) -- 35-12 (10) -- $2,065

15. Laker Howell -- Guntersville, Al -- 20-5 (5) -- 15-5 (5) -- 35-10 (10) -- $2,065

16. Josh Bragg -- Jacksonville, Al -- 20-12 (5) -- 14-12 (5) -- 35-8 (10) -- $2,065

17. Chad Prough -- Chipley, Fl -- 16-3 (5) -- 19-1 (5) -- 35-4 (10) -- $2,065

18. Will Beutjer -- Athens, Al -- 17-3 (5) -- 18-0 (5) -- 35-3 (10) -- $2,065

19. Brent Crow -- Hartselle, Al -- 16-3 (5) -- 16-13 (5) -- 33-0 (10) -- $2,065

20. Logan Johnson -- Tuscaloosa, Al -- 14-15 (5) -- 18-0 (5) -- 32-15 (10) -- $2,065

21. Jesse Millsaps -- Jasper, Ga -- 14-6 (5) -- 17-13 (5) -- 32-3 (10) -- $1,893

22. John Duvall -- Madison, Ga -- 15-1 (5) -- 17-0 (5) -- 32-1 (10) -- $1,893

23. Cal Lane -- Gunntersville, Al -- 15-13 (5) -- 15-12 (5) -- 31-9 (10)

24. Clabion Johns -- Social Circle, Ga -- 19-7 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 31-6 (10)

25. Rodger Beaver -- Dawson, Ga -- 16-1 (5) -- 15-2 (5) -- 31-3 (10)

26. John Lee -- Cataula, Ga -- 16-2 (5) -- 15-0 (5) -- 31-2 (10)

27. Clayton Batts -- Butler, Ga -- 17-5 (5) -- 13-10 (5) -- 30-15 (10)

28. Jason Nixon -- Wetumpka, Al -- 17-3 (5) -- 13-7 (5) -- 30-10 (10)

29. Scott Towry -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 14-4 (5) -- 16-6 (5) -- 30-10 (10)

30. Guy Jordan -- Gainesville, Ga -- 17-14 (5) -- 12-8 (5) -- 30-6 (10)

31. Chris Hensley -- Marbury, Al -- 15-0 (5) -- 15-6 (5) -- 30-6 (10)

32. Jeff Kitchens -- Auburn, Al -- 15-11 (5) -- 14-0 (5) -- 29-11 (10)

33. Jim Murray Jr -- Leesburg, Ga -- 14-6 (5) -- 15-1 (5) -- 29-7 (10)

34. Ronnie Ray -- Phenix City, Al -- 15-14 (5) -- 13-8 (5) -- 29-6 (10)

35. Allen Armour -- Cumming, Ga -- 13-12 (5) -- 15-10 (5) -- 29-6 (10)

36. Chris Summers -- Winchester, Tn -- 18-10 (5) -- 10-6 (5) -- 29-0 (10)

37. Ty Solis -- Albany, Ga -- 17-15 (5) -- 10-0 (5) -- 27-15 (10)

38. Sean Bierman -- Wewahitchka, Fl -- 13-7 (5) -- 14-3 (5) -- 27-10 (10)

39. Bradley Enfinger -- Colquitt, Ga -- 11-7 (5) -- 16-0 (5) -- 27-7 (10)

40. Tim Arnold -- Cullman, Al -- 14-1 (5) -- 12-6 (5) -- 26-7 (10)

41. John Grinstead -- Cairo, Ga -- 11-3 (5) -- 15-3 (5) -- 26-6 (10)

42. Matt Baty -- Bainbridge, Ga -- 12-8 (5) -- 13-14 (5) -- 26-6 (10)

43. M. Keith Bardolf -- Enterprise, Al -- 13-0 (5) -- 13-6 (5) -- 26-6 (10)

44. Terry Tucker -- Gadsden, Al -- 12-7 (5) -- 13-14 (5) -- 26-5 (10)

45. Casey Smith -- Musella, Ga -- 17-5 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 26-3 (10)

46. Scott Gibbs -- Rome, Ga -- 11-15 (5) -- 13-14 (5) -- 25-13 (10)

47. Lance Oligschlaeger -- Gallatin, Tn -- 16-2 (5) -- 9-7 (5) -- 25-9 (10)

48. Dale Tomazin -- Gainesville, Ga -- 10-10 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 25-7 (10)

49. Michael Hood -- Winchester, Tn -- 16-2 (5) -- 8-12 (4) -- 24-14 (9)

50. Justin Wallace -- Scottsboro, Al -- 13-10 (5) -- 11-2 (5) -- 24-12 (10)

51. Michael Brewer -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 13-4 (5) -- 11-4 (5) -- 24-8 (10)

52. Casey O'donnell -- Guntersville, Al -- 12-6 (5) -- 12-2 (5) -- 24-8 (10)

53. Griffin Heffington -- Coal Mountain, Ga -- 11-2 (5) -- 13-2 (5) -- 24-4 (10)

54. Kip Carter -- Mansfield, Ga -- 11-12 (5) -- 12-3 (5) -- 23-15 (10)

55. Byron Kenney -- Griffin, Ga -- 11-0 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 23-14 (10)

56. Tyler Morgan -- Columbus, Ga -- 11-5 (5) -- 12-8 (5) -- 23-13 (10)

57. Kyle Glasgow -- Guin, Al -- 12-3 (5) -- 11-4 (5) -- 23-7 (10)

58. Raymond Kitchens -- Southside, Al -- 10-4 (5) -- 13-1 (5) -- 23-5 (10)

59. Justin Marbut -- Jacksonville, Al -- 14-7 (5) -- 8-5 (2) -- 22-12 (7)

60. Hank Golden -- Tallassee, Al -- 10-8 (5) -- 12-1 (2) -- 22-9 (7) -- $81

61. Bryton Kurtz -- Magnolia, Tx -- 7-2 (5) -- 14-8 (5) -- 21-10 (10)

62. Bobby Wilson -- Albany, Ga -- 14-9 (5) -- 6-11 (3) -- 21-4 (8)

63. James Johnson -- Trinity, Al -- 10-6 (5) -- 10-3 (5) -- 20-9 (10)

64. Hunter Hayes -- Gadsden, Al -- 5-2 (2) -- 15-6 (5) -- 20-8 (7)

65. Lee Black -- Danville, Al -- 9-11 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 20-7 (10)

66. Brandon Mayhann -- Youngstown, Fl -- 7-7 (3) -- 12-7 (5) -- 19-14 (8)

67. Hermilo Salgado -- Artemus, Ky -- 7-2 (4) -- 12-5 (5) -- 19-7 (9)

68. Ricky Parpolowicz -- Decatur, Al -- 12-10 (5) -- 6-7 (5) -- 19-1 (10)

69. Andrew Nordbye -- Guntersville, Al -- 10-13 (5) -- 8-2 (4) -- 18-15 (9)

70. Jeff Cannon -- Douglasville, Ga -- 11-10 (4) -- 7-2 (4) -- 18-12 (8)

71. David Parsons -- Dothan, Al -- 9-0 (5) -- 9-2 (5) -- 18-2 (10)

72. Wayne Cook -- Gautier, Ms -- 8-12 (5) -- 8-5 (3) -- 17-1 (8)

73. Charles Gordon -- Leitchfield, Ky -- 6-1 (3) -- 10-5 (5) -- 16-6 (8)

74. Tim Vanegmond -- Gay, Ga -- 15-8 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 15-8 (5)

75. Adam Lynn -- Columbia, Tn -- 5-7 (4) -- 8-13 (5) -- 14-4 (9)

76. Patrick Ross -- Almo, Ky -- 7-4 (4) -- 5-14 (2) -- 13-2 (6)

77. Harry Peyton -- Guntersville, Al -- 1-3 (1) -- 11-5 (5) -- 12-8 (6)

78. Scott Byrd -- Ocklawaha, Fl -- 8-11 (5) -- 3-11 (2) -- 12-6 (7)

79. Brian Merriman -- Falkville, Al -- 5-7 (2) -- 6-0 (3) -- 11-7 (5)

80. Cody Branstetter -- Wetumpka, Al -- 1-11 (1) -- 9-5 (5) -- 11-0 (6)

81. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 4-3 (2) -- 5-15 (4) -- 10-2 (6)

82. Scott Huff -- Madison, Ga -- 5-9 (3) -- 3-11 (2) -- 9-4 (5)

83. Anthony Ford -- New Smyrna, Fl -- 9-1 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-1 (4)

84. Wayne Murray -- Baton Rouge, La -- 7-7 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-7 (3)

85. Bill Spratlin -- Rockford, Al -- 6-15 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-15 (3)

86. Larry James -- Helena, Al -- 3-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-13 (2)

Jerry Lawler -- Athens, Al -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)