By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor

Ritter Ferguson picked the right time to make his EverStart Series debut last week.

It helped that the final tournament on the Texas Division schedule was at the lake he knows best – Lake of the Pines, located in east Texas, about equidistant between Shreveport, La., and Lake Fork.

Fishing against a field of Texas stalwarts and a handful of FLW Tour pros, Ferguson leaned on his years of experience on the lake to register a wire-to-wire victory in his first FLW event. He opened with 19-10 on day 1 and never looked back, scoring a 2 1/2-pound victory over fellow Texan John Tanner.



“It felt like a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve fished all of my life and to be able to fish in a tournament like that against the caliber of guys I was fishing against, it’s just awesome to come away with a win.”

Here’s how he did it.

Practice

Ferguson’s fished Lake of the Pines since he was a kid, so he had a good sense of how the fish would be setting up as the temperatures started to cool off. He zeroed in on some schooling fish and also had an area he’d known about for years, but non-locals would likely overlook or bypass due to its semi-isolated location.

“It’s a point that comes out. It’s not real noticeable,” he said. “It’s not like a main point. It’s off the main lake and juts out toward the boat run. It’s pretty heavy with timber so it doesn’t cross over the boat run. A lot of people don’t even see it. The very top of it is 6 feet and it slopes down the sides to 18 or 19.”

A good amount of rain fell the weekend prior to the tournament, but it didn’t bring the water up or add any significant amount of stain.

“Having the knowledge of the lake that I have, I just looked for areas that I knew should be holding fish and was able to find six or seven key areas that had fish, but had one that I felt had real, good quality fish,” he said. “I like structure fishing – it’s my favorite way to fish – and I was able to find some fish located on a key piece of structure. I looked at several different ones. There are a lot ridges in the lake and places that suit my style of fishing, but I only found one that was holding a good, quality school of fish. I was just hoping it would hold up through the tournament.”

Competition

> Day 1: 5, 19-10
> Day 2: 5, 13-11
> Day 3: 5, 13-04
> Total = 15, 46-09

Ferguson came out swinging on day 1, sticking several above-average fish en route to a tournament-best 19-10. On a day when he was thinking 15 to 16 pounds was maybe his best-case scenario, coming in with nearly 20 took him by surprise.

“I was hoping to catch a couple good fish and work on it from there, but I was able to catch three real quality fish in the 5-pound class and another heavy 4,” he said. “That third one was really a bonus for me. I wasn’t really expecting 19 pounds. I knew it was possible, but that wasn’t my expectation.”

He started each morning at his out-of-the-way spot, meandering through a stump field to get there, and he had it to himself all week. All of those fish fell for Texas-rigged plastics.

“Not many people know about it,” he said. “If you looked on a map, you might be able to see the little point coming out, but it’s in a hard-to-get-to area. You have to idle through some timber to get to it. People stay away from that area for the most part. When the water’s up, the stumps are all right at water level so you have to do a lot of stump-jumping to get into it. Right now, with the water down, you can just drive around and through them.



FLW/David Brown
Photo: FLW/David Brown

Ferguson collided with three 5-pounders on day 1 en route to a 19-10 stringer.

“There were a couple boats fishing some points within sight of me and they probably thought, ‘What’s that idiot doing out there in the middle of all that timber?’ For the most part, there may have been two or three boats a day that went by.”

He said the bite would tail off there around 11:30 each day so he ran to the school that held the better quality in practice. On days 1 and 2, he was able to finish his limit there easily by casting Carolina-rigged plastics and picking off keepers. On day 3, his best school didn’t produce much, so he jumped to another area by the dam and finished his limit there.

Winning Pattern Notes

> The key to his morning spot was how he attacked the area. He’d position his boat over deeper water and cast across the top of the ridge, dragging his bait across the rocky apex. As the bait came over the top and started to descend, he’d get bit.

“What I think those fish were doing was feeding on crawfish up on top of the ridge,” he said. “The fish I was catching were just coming out of some deep water. It’s been starting to cool off, but you could tell they were still out deep. I graphed them out around there and could tell there were fish and some bait holding around it. Right now, the mouths of the creeks are holding a lot of bass, but the big ones are hard to come by. There’s a lot of baitfish in the backs of the creeks. The fish are just starting to get into their transition mode I think.”

Winning Gear Notes

> Texas rig gear: 7’6” medium-heavy Bass Pro Shops Extreme casting rod, Bass Pro Shops Extreme casting reel (7.1:1 ratio), 15-pound Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament line, unnamed 5/16- and 3/8-ounce tungsten weight, unnamed 2/0 offset round-bend worm hook, Zoom Trick Worm (green-pumpkin magic), Zoom Baby Brush Hawg (green-pumpkin orange).

> He added a small brass ring under his tungsten weight to add a little more sound as he pulled the worms across the rocks.

> Carolina rig gear: Same rod, Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier casting reel (7.1:1 ratio), same line, 3/4-ounce Mojo Carolina Slider weight, unnamed 3/0 offset round-bend worm hook, 4 1/2" Grande Bass Rattlesnake (watermelon magic).

> He bypassed using a fluorocarbon leader on his Carolina rig because there was a fair amount of stain in the water.

The Bottom Line >

> Main factor in his success – “Just having a good practice session. I’m always confident in my ability on that lake in general, but in practice I was able to locate some larger fish and different schools, which helped me. I also knew a lot of different places where I could try to find some fish.”

> Performance edge – “My HydroWave. I’d turn it on for a few seconds and I’d think the fish would hear it and get interested in what was making the noise and came across my bait, so I think it helped me get a couple more bites through the tournament. It’s one of those things that you have to figure it out. It’s like a graph. A lot of guys have them, but can’t figure out how to use them. Most guys just use it to see the bottom. You have to play with it and let the fish tell you how they want it used. You have to tease them with it. You don’t want to turn it on and leave it on. I think they hear it and get interested in what’s going on.”

Final Standings

1. Ritter Ferguson -- Diana, Tx -- 19-10 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 46-09 (15) -- $24,715

2. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 11-08 (5) -- 13-14 (5) -- 18-11 (5) -- 44-01 (15) -- $8,474

3. Harold Allen -- Shelbyville, Tx -- 12-12 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 17-06 (5) -- 43-14 (15) -- $7,062

4. Kris Wilson -- Montgomery, Tx -- 16-09 (5) -- 11-11 (5) -- 14-08 (5) -- 42-12 (15) -- $6,355

5. Brian Clark -- Haltom City, Tx -- 14-09 (5) -- 14-10 (5) -- 9-13 (5) -- 39-00 (15) -- $5,649

6. Austin Terry -- San Angelo, Tx -- 15-00 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 8-02 (5) -- 36-00 (15) -- $4,943

7. Stewart Herndon -- Graham, Tx -- 10-02 (5) -- 15-00 (5) -- 8-09 (5) -- 33-11 (15) -- $4,237

8. Joe Don Setina -- Pittsburg, Tx -- 14-01 (5) -- 16-02 (5) -- 3-00 (1) -- 33-03 (11) -- $3,531

9. Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 16-01 (5) -- 11-12 (4) -- 1-15 (1) -- 29-12 (10) -- $2,825

10. Bert Thompson -- Benton, La -- 12-12 (3) -- 12-03 (5) -- 1-10 (1) -- 26-09 (9) -- $2,118

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Eric Wright -- Scurry, Tx -- 13-06 (5) -- 10-07 (5) -- 23-13 (10) -- $1,412

12. Andrew Upshaw -- Hemphill, Tx -- 10-06 (5) -- 12-05 (5) -- 22-11 (10) -- $1,412

13. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 11-03 (5) -- 11-08 (5) -- 22-11 (10) -- $1,412

14. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 16-01 (5) -- 5-11 (4) -- 21-12 (9) -- $1,412

15. Jeff Sprague -- Edgewood, Tx -- 12-05 (5) -- 9-07 (5) -- 21-12 (10) -- $1,412

16. Kevin Lasyone -- Dry Prong, La -- 11-09 (5) -- 9-14 (5) -- 21-07 (10) -- $1,059

17. Joe Mauldin -- Hallsville, Tx -- 11-08 (5) -- 9-05 (5) -- 20-13 (10) -- $1,059

18. Rick Carter -- Alba, Tx -- 10-07 (3) -- 10-04 (4) -- 20-11 (7) -- $1,059

19. Timothy Griffin -- Zapata, Tx -- 15-03 (5) -- 5-03 (3) -- 20-06 (8) -- $1,059

20. Christopher Brasher -- Spring, Tx -- 17-13 (5) -- 1-08 (1) -- 19-05 (6) -- $1,059

21. Jeromy Francis -- Magnolia, Tx -- 11-05 (5) -- 8-00 (5) -- 19-05 (10) -- $989

22. James Stricklin Jr. -- Texarkana, Tx -- 4-02 (2) -- 14-11 (5) -- 18-13 (7) -- $989

23. Zach Caudle -- Shreveport, La -- 7-02 (3) -- 11-10 (4) -- 18-12 (7) -- $989

24. Dwain Burns -- Long Branch, Tx -- 7-13 (5) -- 10-15 (5) -- 18-12 (10) -- $989

25. Jeffrey Cade -- Richardson, Tx -- 10-07 (5) -- 8-02 (4) -- 18-09 (9) -- $989

26. Alton Wilhoit -- Harrah, Ok -- 16-11 (3) -- 1-06 (1) -- 18-01 (4) -- $918

27. Gary Riffle -- Paris, Tx -- 6-01 (3) -- 11-12 (5) -- 17-13 (8) -- $918

28. Darold Gleason -- Leesville, La -- 15-05 (5) -- 2-05 (1) -- 17-10 (6) -- $918

29. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, Tx -- 12-04 (5) -- 5-03 (3) -- 17-07 (8) -- $918

30. Patrick Fuller -- Tyler, Tx -- 7-11 (4) -- 9-12 (5) -- 17-07 (9) -- $918

31. Kevin Paddy -- Deridder, La -- 9-00 (5) -- 8-05 (5) -- 17-05 (10)

32. Ernie Paul -- Longview, Tx -- 12-14 (4) -- 4-04 (1) -- 17-02 (5)

33. Gary Vining -- Morgan City, La -- 6-08 (3) -- 10-10 (5) -- 17-02 (8)

34. Russell Lohman -- Pineville, La -- 7-01 (4) -- 9-08 (4) -- 16-09 (8)

35. Justin Morton -- Etoile, Tx -- 9-02 (3) -- 7-06 (5) -- 16-08 (8)

36. Mark Child -- Mansfield, Tx -- 3-13 (2) -- 12-06 (5) -- 16-03 (7)

37. Kelly Jones Jr. -- Deer Park, Tx -- 9-03 (3) -- 7-00 (4) -- 16-03 (7)

38. Lamonte Loyd -- Gilmer, Tx -- 9-15 (5) -- 5-13 (3) -- 15-12 (8)

39. Jeremy Guidry -- Opelousas, La -- 8-15 (5) -- 6-13 (3) -- 15-12 (8)

40. Buz Craft -- Vidalia, La -- 6-06 (2) -- 9-02 (5) -- 15-08 (7)

41. Cody Malone -- Sulphur Springs, Tx -- 11-06 (5) -- 3-15 (2) -- 15-05 (7)

42. Butch Carmack -- Longview, Tx -- 7-13 (4) -- 7-06 (4) -- 15-03 (8)

43. Steve Pebley -- Gilmer, Tx -- 12-01 (5) -- 2-15 (2) -- 15-00 (7)

44. Philip Crelia -- Center, Tx -- 10-14 (5) -- 4-02 (2) -- 15-00 (7)

45. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 6-05 (4) -- 8-07 (5) -- 14-12 (9)

46. Marty Sugg -- Pattonville, Tx -- 3-05 (2) -- 11-04 (5) -- 14-09 (7)

47. Blake Whatley -- Hallsville, Tx -- 5-10 (3) -- 8-11 (5) -- 14-05 (8)

48. Michael Williamson -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 3-09 (2) -- 10-09 (5) -- 14-02 (7)

49. Melvin Dunn -- Orange, Tx -- 5-14 (2) -- 7-11 (3) -- 13-09 (5)

50. Michael Herron -- Paris, Tx -- 2-03 (1) -- 11-03 (3) -- 13-06 (4)

51. Paul Ferguson -- Whitehouse, Tx -- 5-02 (3) -- 8-04 (4) -- 13-06 (7)

52. Robert Brown -- Round Rock, Tx -- 8-08 (5) -- 4-11 (2) -- 13-03 (7)

53. Dean Perkins -- Broaddus, Tx -- 10-07 (5) -- 2-10 (1) -- 13-01 (6)

54. Rob Burns -- Plano, Tx -- 8-14 (3) -- 4-03 (2) -- 13-01 (5)

55. Cloys Warren -- Bastrop, Tx -- 11-06 (5) -- 1-05 (1) -- 12-11 (6)

56. Trent Durst -- Longview, Tx -- 3-01 (2) -- 9-08 (5) -- 12-09 (7)

57. Bill Lee -- Harker Heights, Tx -- 8-02 (3) -- 4-01 (2) -- 12-03 (5)

58. Matthew Scogin -- Magnolia, Tx -- 4-13 (2) -- 7-02 (4) -- 11-15 (6)

59. James Ware -- Longview, Tx -- 11-11 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-11 (5)

60. Jeff Kitchens -- Henderson, Tx -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-10 (5) -- 11-10 (5)

61. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-09 (5) -- 11-09 (5)

62. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 4-09 (1) -- 7-00 (3) -- 11-09 (4)

63. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 1-09 (1) -- 9-14 (5) -- 11-07 (6)

64. T W Hardy -- Silsbee, Tx -- 9-03 (3) -- 1-10 (1) -- 10-13 (4)

65. Peter Daniels -- Shreveport, La -- 3-08 (2) -- 7-01 (4) -- 10-09 (6)

66. John Ballard -- Wichita Falls, Tx -- 3-00 (2) -- 6-10 (3) -- 9-10 (5)

67. Adrian Smiley -- Bossier City, La -- 6-05 (3) -- 2-14 (2) -- 9-03 (5)

68. Randy Cisler -- Mesquite, Tx -- 9-01 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-01 (2)

69. Randy Allen -- Shreveport, La -- 3-14 (2) -- 5-03 (2) -- 9-01 (4)

70. Terry Adams -- Berwick, La -- 3-08 (2) -- 5-04 (3) -- 8-12 (5)

71. Darren Haydel -- Houma, La -- 5-11 (3) -- 2-13 (1) -- 8-08 (4)

72. Aaron Presley -- Moore, Ok -- 3-11 (2) -- 4-10 (2) -- 8-05 (4)

73. Jason Ainsworth -- Longview, Tx -- 7-13 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-13 (4)

74. James Caldemeyer -- Gilmer, Tx -- 5-10 (3) -- 1-12 (1) -- 7-06 (4)

75. Larry Byrd -- Lake Charles, La -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-12 (2) -- 6-12 (2)

76. Mike Day -- Diana, Tx -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-11 (4) -- 6-11 (4)

77. Gene Eisenmann -- Frisco, Tx -- 4-11 (3) -- 1-06 (1) -- 6-01 (4)

78. Keith Surber -- Longview, Tx -- 1-13 (1) -- 4-04 (1) -- 6-01 (2)

79. Mark Knuckols -- Harleton, Tx -- 6-00 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-00 (4)

80. Nicholas Albus -- Trinity, Tx -- 4-01 (2) -- 1-05 (1) -- 5-06 (3)

81. Mark Mowery -- Longview, Tx -- 5-05 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-05 (3)

82. Terry Manley -- Frisco, Tx -- 4-09 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-09 (3)

83. Michael Randolph -- Austin, Tx -- 1-11 (1) -- 2-02 (1) -- 3-13 (2)

84. Glen Bingham -- Texarkana, Ar -- 3-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-12 (2)

85. Dale Blocker -- Longview, Tx -- 3-09 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-09 (2)

86. Chuck Pinson -- Longview, Tx -- 2-11 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-11 (1)

87. Bob Ramsdell -- Sour Lake, Tx -- 2-03 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-03 (1)

88. Mario Riojas -- Blanchard, Ok -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-09 (1) -- 1-09 (1)

89. Bob Sealy -- Sam Rayburn, Tx -- 1-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-09 (1)

Mike Cannon -- Pittsburg, Tx -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)