Watson Kept His Focus On Transition Banks

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

James Watson prefers not having to look at the LED screen of a depthfinder to find bass. He'd much rather use his own two eyes to determine his fishing locations.

He was able to do that at last week's Norris Lake FLW Tour Invitational, and he left Andersonville, Tenn. with the most lucrative victory of his pro career.

"It was a completely visual tournament and I don't do well if I don't have that," said the wise-cracking 7-year FLW Tour pro from Nixa, Mo. "I need to be able to look up on the bank, drive my boat up to it and start casting."

He needed an average of just over 12 pounds per day to claim the $78,400 winner's check, plus a $17,000 Ranger Cup bonus. He also earned a slot in next year's Forrest Wood Cup.

"I got a $92,000 commission check from my real estate business one time," he said. "Until (Saturday), that was the biggest payday I'd ever had."

He surpassed 13 pounds on each of the first 2 days of the 3-day derby, then scrounged up 9-12 on the final day to hold off runner-up Jason Lambert by 3 ounces. Ironically, Lambert is one of several tour pros staying with him this week for the FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake.

"I've got a whole houseful of hammers right now," he said.

Following are some of the details of his first tour-level victory.

Practice

Watson had never been to Norris prior to his arrival for practice. Some information he'd gotten a couple of months earlier from a semi-local named Joe Lee, whom he'd become acquainted with through the now-defunct PAA Tournament Series, proved invaluable.

"We fished together at Douglas and we kind of fish similarly, and I asked him to grab a Norris map and circle some stuff that I'd like," he said. "He pointed me in the right direction. It wasn't 'fish this bank right here,' it was more just this general area and that general area.

"He knew I'd figure it out once I got a look at it, and it worked."
He caught two fish on each of the first 2 practice days, then spent the rest of the time throwing baits that either had their cooks covered up or removed.

"Both days I had two quality bites and a handful of other bites that really dialed me in. I don't need to catch 17 or 18 pounds in practice to know what I'm going to do – I just need a few key bites to give me those clues. I think a lot of people make the mistake of catching fish in practice that they could use in the tournament."

His best action came from an area known as Loyston Sea. The mile-wide stretch is at the site where the town of Loyston sat before the Clinch River was dammed to form Norris in 1936.

The key features were silt or mud banks that transitioned to rock, and the juncture had to be flat rather than the severe slopes that surround most of the lake. Big gizzard shad were hanging out there and the bass were feasting on them.

"When I'd run my trolling motor, they'd be jumping out of the water like Asian carp," he said of the baitfish.

He could catch the bass, which were holding in 0 to 3 feet of water, with a variety of topwater offerings.

Competition

> Day 1: 5, 13-10
> Day 2: 5, 13-04
> Day 3: 5, 9-12
> Total = 15, 36-10

Watson relied on three key stretches of bank on days 1 and 2.

"Those places actually reloaded better than the Ozark lakes do," he said. "I ran new water every day, but all 3 days I cycled back through my best areas."

He averaged nearly 13 1/2 pounds through the first 2 days and had a 1 1/2-pound lead when the field was cut to the Top 20 for day 3. He caught a quality smallmouth on a spinnerbait early in the final round from a place he'd visited in practice, but the remainder of the day was a struggle.

With his best areas seemingly having dried up, he ran to a big bay up the Clinch and boated three run-of-the-mill keeper largemouths. He later learned that the bay had been fished hard by three other competitors who made the Top 20.

With 10 minutes remaining in the day, he had 9 pounds in his livewell – an amount that he was certain would not be sufficient to win. He then caught two more largemouths on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper that improved his total by just a couple ounces each, but it was enough to hold off Lambert.

Pattern Notes

> Watson said he made super-long casts with his topwater baits in order not to spook the extremely shallow fish. He also downsized his braided line from 65-pound to 50 for the same reason.

"That worked because I didn't have a bunch of obstacles in the water," he said of his line-size reduction, "but I did break off with braid for the first time ever on some zebra mussels."

> He caught a couple of weigh-in fish flipping boat docks and a couple on a Spook-style River2Sea Bubble Walker.

Winning Gear Notes

> Topwater gear: 7'10" heavy-action Waft Fishing rod, Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite casting reel (7:1 ratio), 50-pound Maxima braided line, River2Sea Whopper Plopper (loon).

> The Whopper Plopper accounted for eight of the 15 fish he took to the scale. Several others were enticed by a War Eagle Buzz Toad with a Luck-E-Strike Frantic Frog trailer (black).

> The spinnerbait he used to catch the key smallmouth early on day 3 was a 3/8-ounce Luck-E-Strike Rick Clunn Trickster with a gray skirt.

The Bottom Line

> Main factor in his success – "Just dialing into the type of stuff I needed to be looking for."

> Performance edge – "Some people might think that 7'10" Waft rod was overkill for what I was doing. I'm always open to criticism and becoming better, but I think I've got the right rod, reel and line setup for the Whopper Plopper and the Buzz Toad."

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Final Standings

1. James Watson -- Nixa, Mo -- 13-10 (5) -- 13-4 (5) -- 26-14 (10) -- 9-12 (5) -- 36-10 (15) -- $95,400

2. Jason Lambert -- Pickwick Dam, Tn -- 12-14 (5) -- 10-14 (5) -- 23-12 (10) -- 12-11 (5) -- 36-7 (15) -- $23,720

3. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, NC -- 9-13 (5) -- 12-5 (5) -- 22-2 (10) -- 13-8 (5) -- 35-10 (15) -- $19,600

4. Derrick Blake -- Rockwood, Tn -- 12-4 (5) -- 11-4 (5) -- 23-8 (10) -- 10-6 (5) -- 33-14 (15) -- $15,680

5. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 10-11 (5) -- 11-2 (5) -- 21-13 (10) -- 11-2 (5) -- 32-15 (15) -- $11,760

6. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 7-1 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 19-15 (10) -- 9-2 (5) -- 29-1 (15) -- $10,192

7. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 8-8 (5) -- 10-8 (4) -- 19-0 (9) -- 8-9 (4) -- 27-9 (13) -- $9,900

8. Ken Vicchio -- Bluff City, Tn -- 3-8 (1) -- 12-2 (5) -- 15-10 (6) -- 11-2 (4) -- 26-12 (10) -- $9,408

9. William Campbell -- Middlesboro, Ky -- 2-9 (2) -- 11-0 (5) -- 13-9 (7) -- 10-9 (5) -- 24-2 (12) -- $9,016

10. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 5-5 (3) -- 10-7 (5) -- 15-12 (8) -- 8-4 (5) -- 24-0 (13) -- $8,624

11. Bill Dunn -- Maynardville, Tn -- 10-1 (5) -- 6-7 (3) -- 16-8 (8) -- 7-0 (4) -- 23-8 (12) -- $7,840

12. Mitch Crane -- Columbus, Ms -- 5-13 (3) -- 10-2 (4) -- 15-15 (7) -- 6-15 (3) -- 22-14 (10) -- $7,840

13. Johnny Mccombs -- Morris, Al -- 5-13 (3) -- 9-8 (5) -- 15-5 (8) -- 7-7 (5) -- 22-12 (13) -- $7,840

14. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, Al -- 7-2 (4) -- 9-4 (4) -- 16-6 (8) -- 5-9 (2) -- 21-15 (10) -- $7,840

15. Eddie Whiten Jr -- Pickens, SC -- 5-4 (3) -- 11-6 (5) -- 16-10 (8) -- 4-14 (3) -- 21-8 (11) -- $7,840

16. Nick Lebrun -- Bossier City, La -- 2-1 (1) -- 14-5 (5) -- 16-6 (6) -- 4-15 (2) -- 21-5 (8) -- $7,840

17. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 15-1 (5) -- 1-12 (1) -- 16-13 (6) -- 4-0 (2) -- 20-13 (8) -- $7,840

18. Ray Philhower -- Milford, Oh -- 7-3 (3) -- 8-9 (4) -- 15-12 (7) -- 3-15 (3) -- 19-11 (10) -- $7,840

19. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 2-8 (2) -- 12-3 (5) -- 14-11 (7) -- 4-11 (2) -- 19-6 (9) -- $7,840

20. Greg Werner -- Niagara, Wi -- 5-4 (2) -- 9-10 (3) -- 14-14 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-14 (5) -- $7,840

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

21. Todd Goade -- Suwanee, Ga -- 5-2 (4) -- 8-4 (5) -- 13-6 (9) -- $6,272

22. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 8-9 (4) -- 4-12 (3) -- 13-5 (7) -- $6,272

23. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 4-10 (3) -- 8-9 (5) -- 13-3 (8) -- $6,272

24. Paul Napier -- Middlesboro, Ky -- 1-12 (1) -- 11-6 (5) -- 13-2 (6) -- $6,272

25. Kevin Hatfield -- Harlan, Ky -- 5-11 (2) -- 7-2 (4) -- 12-13 (6) -- $6,272

26. Brandon Brock -- Mayking, Ky -- 6-3 (4) -- 6-2 (4) -- 12-5 (8) -- $5,880

27. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 1-6 (1) -- 10-14 (5) -- 12-4 (6) -- $5,880

28. Bill Smith Jr -- Burlington, Ky -- 6-10 (2) -- 5-10 (2) -- 12-4 (4) -- $5,880

29. David Valdivia -- Norwalk, Ca -- 7-10 (3) -- 4-2 (2) -- 11-12 (5) -- $5,880

30. Jeff Cannon -- Douglasville, Ga -- 6-3 (4) -- 5-8 (4) -- 11-11 (8) -- $5,880

31. Charlie Lane -- Clinton, Tn -- 2-1 (2) -- 9-3 (5) -- 11-4 (7) -- $5,488

32. Curtis Merriman II -- Cullman, Al -- 4-12 (2) -- 5-7 (3) -- 10-3 (5) -- $5,488

33. Bryan Leonard -- Blountville, Tn -- 3-9 (3) -- 6-8 (4) -- 10-1 (7) -- $5,488

34. Teddy Cranford -- Seminary, Ms -- 5-13 (4) -- 4-2 (2) -- 9-15 (6) -- $5,488

35. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 7-3 (3) -- 2-11 (2) -- 9-14 (5) -- $5,488

36. Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 9-11 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-11 (4)

37. Jeremy Gordon -- Rutledge, Tn -- 2-8 (1) -- 7-3 (4) -- 9-11 (5)

38. Vincent Yonemitsu -- Thornhill, On -- 2-10 (1) -- 6-15 (3) -- 9-9 (4)

39. Samuel Smith -- Girdler, Ky -- 4-8 (2) -- 5-1 (3) -- 9-9 (5)

40. Archie Wilson Jr -- Corryton, Tn -- 2-11 (2) -- 6-13 (2) -- 9-8 (4)

41. Jonathan Bowling -- Harriman, Tn -- 6-13 (3) -- 2-8 (1) -- 9-5 (4)

42. Stephen Patek -- Dallas, Tx -- 5-4 (2) -- 3-8 (1) -- 8-12 (3)

43. Jimmy Brewer -- Marshall, Tx -- 1-15 (2) -- 6-5 (4) -- 8-4 (6)

44. Randy Sitz -- Prosper, Tx -- 1-13 (2) -- 6-5 (3) -- 8-2 (5)

45. Chris Gerrein -- Villa Hills, Ky -- 6-2 (4) -- 1-14 (1) -- 8-0 (5)

46. Matthew Pain -- Scottsboro, Al -- 5-8 (4) -- 2-8 (1) -- 8-0 (5)

47. Randy Despino -- Colfax, La -- 2-12 (1) -- 5-0 (2) -- 7-12 (3)

48. Luke Dunkin -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 4-7 (3) -- 3-5 (2) -- 7-12 (5)

49. Scott Sullins -- Laurel, Ms -- 3-8 (2) -- 4-4 (2) -- 7-12 (4)

50. John Carroll -- Lafollette, Tn -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-10 (5) -- 7-10 (5)

51. Cameron Gautney -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 2-1 (1) -- 5-8 (5) -- 7-9 (6)

52. Josh Worth -- Grand Junction, Co -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-1 (3) -- 7-1 (3)

53. Jason Bridwell -- Gray, Tn -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-11 (3) -- 6-11 (3)

54. Wesley Smith -- Vinemont, Al -- 5-9 (4) -- 0-13 (1) -- 6-6 (5)

55. James Morrow -- Murphy, NC -- 0-14 (1) -- 5-7 (2) -- 6-5 (3)

56. Andrew Luxon -- Richmond, Ky -- 6-4 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-4 (2)

57. Trevor Windgassen -- Alexandria, Ky -- 3-3 (2) -- 2-12 (2) -- 5-15 (4)

58. Brandon Card -- Caryville, Tn -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-11 (3) -- 5-11 (3)

59. Norman Lee -- Lake Placid, Fl -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-9 (2) -- 5-9 (2)

60. James Mignanelli -- Harmony, Pa -- 5-8 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-8 (2)

61. Jacob Beyer -- Stephenville, Tx -- 4-0 (3) -- 1-4 (1) -- 5-4 (4)

62. Dalton Wesley -- Worden, Il -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-0 (3) -- 5-0 (3)

63. Roman Ryan -- Madison, Wi -- 1-8 (1) -- 3-6 (1) -- 4-14 (2)

64. Jeffrey Randolph -- Huntsville, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-13 (4) -- 4-13 (4)

65. Benny Roberts -- Jacksboro, Tn -- 4-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-13 (2)

66. Jonathan Henry -- Grant, Al -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-3 (2) -- 4-3 (2)

66. Brad Porter -- Bluford, Il -- 4-3 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-3 (2)

68. Michael Kaminskas -- JacksonR -- 1-5 (1) -- 2-13 (2) -- 4-2 (3)

69. Cloys Warren -- Bastrop, Tx -- 4-0 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-0 (2)

70. Jamie Pierce -- Hallsboro, NC -- 3-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-13 (2)

71. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 1-4 (1) -- 2-8 (1) -- 3-12 (2)

72. Chris Gosselaar -- Fresno, Ca -- 3-11 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-11 (2)

73. Darren Heavner -- Fort Worth, Tx -- 1-15 (1) -- 1-11 (1) -- 3-10 (2)

74. Brian Merriman -- Falkville, Al -- 1-9 (1) -- 2-0 (1) -- 3-9 (2)

75. Hermilo Salgado -- Artemus, Ky -- 1-6 (1) -- 2-2 (1) -- 3-8 (2)

76. John Goebel -- Lumberton, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-15 (1) -- 2-15 (1)

77. Jimmy Taylor -- Clinton, Tn -- 2-11 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-11 (1)

78. Troy O'Rourke -- Natchitoches, La -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-5 (2) -- 2-5 (2)

79. Jack Faulkner II -- Jacksboro, Tn -- 1-12 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-12 (1)

80. Robert Sparks -- Heflin, La -- 1-9 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-9 (1)

81. Jimmy Wilson -- Wagener, SC -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-7 (1) -- 1-7 (1)

81. Bo Goodin -- Harrogate, Tn -- 1-7 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-7 (1)

83. Blaine Bucy -- Weirton, WV -- 1-6 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-6 (1)

83. William Kisiah -- Slidell, La -- 1-6 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-6 (1)

85. Tommy Brown -- Louisville, Tn -- 1-5 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-5 (1)

86. Blake Nick -- Adger, Al -- 1-4 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-4 (1)

87. Jason Lenderman -- Glenwood, Ar -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Darius Kohl -- Raymond, Ne -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Rob Clowers -- Sweetwater, Tn -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Bob Keeland -- Huntsville, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Michael Milton -- La Follette, Tn -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Chaunteil Carte -- Boise, Id -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Will Hambrick -- Winona, Ms -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Fred Thompson -- Defuniak Springs, Fl -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Peter Cherkas -- Des Moines, Ia -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Al Schultz -- Waterford, Wi -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Joe McDermott -- Lu Verne, Ia -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

87. Mark McCartney -- Davis Junction, Il -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)