Cody Woods of Jacksonville, Texas grew up around fishing. His father, BJ Woods, was a famed guide on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn who fished the 1972 Bassmaster Classic and was good buddies with Tommy Martin, Larry Nixon and the rest of that formative Texas crew. BJ passed away not too long ago after a battle with Leukemia.
The younger Woods thus grew up on Sam Rayburn and fished it all his life, so when the bite turned brutally tough 2 weeks ago at the Rayburn Texas AFS, he harkened back to an old trick his father had taught him.
That savvy move propelled Woods, at 39 years old, to a win and $25,000 payday. (Both Martin and Nixon finished in the Top 5.)
Here's how Woods did it.
Practice
Woods started his practice 6 days prior to the event.
"I caught them in the very backs of creeks, and what I found was they'd hit a (Smithwick) Rogue," he said. "The pattern was deadsticking and the bait had to be still for them to hit it.
"When cold weather and rain came in, the fish moved from the backs of creeks – where the ditches were – out to little secondary points. They were still in 2 to 3 feet of water, but they just positioned differently with the muddy water and high (barometric) pressure. They were in clear water and you had to have clear water to get bit."
He did have some deep fish "like everyone else" on a dropshot and tailspinner, but he noted the barometer was rising every day and those deep fish were getting harder and harder to catch. So he felt shallow was the way to go.
Competition
> Day 1: 5, 15-11
> Day 2: 5, 11-05
> Day 3: 3, 5-10
> Total = 13, 32-10
Day 1 was "fantastic," Woods said. "It was raining straight down and cold, but I always watch the barometric pressure. On Wednesday it was rising, and that's when the bite was hard. Then Thursday, with all the rain, it started falling. I had a feeling I was going to catch them and I did. I had a good day – seven bites and I caught five of them."
All his fish came on the deadstick Rogue.
On day 2 he went back into the same area and fished the same kind of water under a steady barometric pressure.
"I was able to get three out of there deadsticking," he said. "It was one bite every few hours. Then the sun came out at about 2:00 and that meant the bite was going away. I was able to catch them on a red Rat-L-Trap in the middle of the little creeks."
Day 3 was pure post-frontal conditions – high skies, cold and still. In short, about the worst fishing conditions imaginable.
He caught one on the deadstick before the sun came up, missed another one, then it was over and he switched to the Rat-L-Trap. He caught a 3 1/2-pounder on the Trap and later added another for a total of 5-10 on the day.
It was enough to win – that's how tough the fishing was.
Winning Pattern Notes
Woods said he deadsticked the Rogue "between the brown haygrass and the inside grassline."
It was a floating Rogue. He'd throw it out, let it sit for 10 seconds, then twitch it. When he twitched it, he tried to keep it from going under the water – he wanted it to wobble on the surface. He'd perform that sequence four or five times, then work the bait back in.
"People thought I was crazy, but the bite was on top, even though it was 48-degree water," he said. "I learned that as a kid growing up on this lake. Dad showed it to me. There are always some big fish up shallow. They live there. And bass at Rayburn hate anything above their heads.
"Dad passed away about a year and a half ago. He was a great fisherman. He fished the Classic in '72, and was one of the guys who helped get bass fishing started."
Woods threw his rattlebait in the same pockets where he deadsticked, but out in the middle of the creek – along a ditch with hydrilla to both sides. What was key about his area, he noted, was the hydrilla wasn't as thick, and he thinks that helped concentrate the fish in certain areas along the ditch.
Winning Gear Notes
> Deadstick gear: 6'6" medium-action fast-tip Castaway spinnerbait rod, Shimano Curado 200E7 casting reel, 15-pound Berkley Trilene Big Game (green), Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue (black with orange belly, officially called a "gold Rogue").
> Rat-L-Trap gear: 7'6" medium-heavy American Rodsmiths rod, same reel, 20-pound PowerPro braid, Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap (red).
> He replaced the stock hooks on the Trap with red ones.
The Bottom Line
Much of the tackle referenced above is available at the BassFan Store. To browse the selection, click here.
Final Standings
> Field = 147 boats
1. Cody Woods -- Jacksonville, Tx -- 5, 15-11 -- 5, 11-05 -- 3, 5-10 -- 13, 32-10 -- $24,680
2. Randy Cisler -- Mesquite, Tx -- 2, 3-09 -- 4, 24-08 -- 2, 2-15 -- 8, 31-00 -- $8,391
3. Charles Bebber -- Willis, Tx -- 4, 8-10 -- 5, 15-04 -- 3, 6-05 -- 12, 30-03 -- $5,923
4. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 5, 11-05 -- 5, 9-15 -- 5, 8-13 -- 15, 30-01 -- $4,936
5. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 9-04 -- 5, 18-12 -- 1, 1-11 -- 11, 29-11 -- $4,442
6. Keith Caka -- Huntsville, Tx -- 5, 13-11 -- 5, 14-09 -- 1, 1-05 -- 11, 29-09 -- $3,949
7. Buz Craft -- Vidalia, La -- 4, 12-03 -- 2, 10-06 -- 3, 7-00 -- 9, 29-09 -- $3,455
8. Robert Collett -- Zapata, Tx -- 5, 9-05 -- 5, 12-00 -- 4, 8-02 -- 14, 29-07 -- $2,962
9. Bud Pruitt -- Houston, Tx -- 4, 6-15 -- 5, 13-10 -- 2, 3-00 -- 11, 23-09 -- $2,468
10. Mike Moody -- Alba, Tx -- 5, 13-15 -- 3, 9-06 -- 0, 0-00 -- 8, 23-05 -- $1,974
The following anglers didn't make the cut and didn't fish day 3:
11. Cory Rambo -- Orange, Tx -- 5, 16-02 -- 2, 3-13 -- 7, 19-15 -- $1,481
12. Ricky Guy -- Humble, Tx -- 1, 7-04 -- 5, 12-11 -- 6, 19-15 -- $1,481
13. Ronnie Bickham -- Brookeland, Tx -- 5, 11-02 -- 5, 8-03 -- 10, 19-05 -- $1,481
14. Nick Aber -- Piedmont, Ok -- 5, 12-12 -- 3, 6-07 -- 8, 19-03 -- $1,481
15. Trent Durst -- Longview, Tx -- 3, 5-02 -- 5, 13-13 -- 8, 18-15 -- $1,481
16. Bert Thompson -- Benton, La -- 5, 11-06 -- 4, 7-09 -- 9, 18-15 -- $1,481
17. David Ozio -- Beaumont, Tx -- 2, 5-14 -- 3, 13-00 -- 5, 18-14 -- $1,481
18. Robert Robinson -- Mobile, Al -- 5, 8-00 -- 5, 10-02 -- 10, 18-02 -- $1,481
19. Cole Garrett -- Winnfield, La -- 5, 13-06 -- 2, 4-09 -- 7, 17-15 -- $1,481
20. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 5, 8-13 -- 4, 8-13 -- 9, 17-10 -- $1,481
21. Kris Wilson -- Montgomery, Tx -- 4, 7-08 -- 4, 9-15 -- 8, 17-07 -- $1,234
22. Daniel Barnes -- Belton, Tx -- 3, 10-02 -- 4, 6-15 -- 7, 17-01 -- $1,234
23. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 3, 11-05 -- 2, 5-10 -- 5, 16-15 -- $1,234
24. Tommy Durham -- Whitney, Tx -- 5, 16-01 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 16-01 -- $1,234
25. Dillon Lee -- Mount Pleasant, Tx -- 3, 13-10 -- 1, 1-12 -- 4, 15-06 -- $1,234
26. Jeremy Guidry -- Opelousas, La -- 5, 8-09 -- 3, 6-13 -- 8, 15-06 -- $1,234
27. Stephen Johnston -- Hemphill, Tx -- 4, 6-02 -- 3, 8-13 -- 7, 14-15 -- $1,234
28. Ed Grisham -- Katy, Tx -- 4, 7-01 -- 3, 7-12 -- 7, 14-13 -- $1,234
29. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 4, 11-11 -- 2, 2-15 -- 6, 14-10 -- $1,234
30. Bill Wilcox -- Burleson, Tx -- 1, 2-09 -- 4, 11-15 -- 5, 14-08 -- $1,234
31. Stephen Francis -- Brookeland, Tx -- 2, 6-11 -- 2, 7-02 -- 4, 13-13 -- $987
32. John Salamone -- Jasper, Tx -- 2, 8-09 -- 2, 5-02 -- 4, 13-11 -- $987
33. Will Welch -- San Angelo, Tx -- 5, 9-10 -- 2, 3-15 -- 7, 13-09 -- $987
34. David Mauldin -- Round Rock, Tx -- 3, 5-09 -- 4, 7-14 -- 7, 13-07 -- $987
35. Rick Carter -- Alba, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 13-01 -- 5, 13-01 -- $987
36. Chris Russell -- Montgomery, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 13-00 -- 5, 13-00 -- $987
37. Jeff Buchanan -- Lufkin, Tx -- 3, 6-01 -- 3, 6-09 -- 6, 12-10 -- $987
38. Marcus Faske -- Lago Vista, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 12-09 -- 5, 12-09 -- $987
39. Ryan Dupriest -- Midland, Tx -- 3, 8-14 -- 2, 3-11 -- 5, 12-09 -- $987
40. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 2, 8-15 -- 2, 3-07 -- 4, 12-06 -- $987
41. Melvin Dunn -- Orange, Tx -- 3, 7-02 -- 2, 5-03 -- 5, 12-05 -- $790
42. John Bowen -- League City, Tx -- 3, 6-12 -- 2, 5-09 -- 5, 12-05 -- $790
43. Michael Herron -- Paris, Tx -- 2, 3-08 -- 4, 8-12 -- 6, 12-04 -- $790
44. Ricky D Scott -- Van Buren, Ar -- 4, 12-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 12-00 -- $790
45. Dicky Newberry -- Houston, Tx -- 5, 11-15 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-15 -- $790
46. Albert Hamilton -- Houston, Tx -- 4, 9-06 -- 1, 2-08 -- 5, 11-14 -- $790
47. Alton Wilhoit -- Harrah, Ok -- 1, 2-06 -- 2, 8-15 -- 3, 11-05 -- $790
48. Todd Thomas -- Fouke, Ar -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-04 -- 5, 11-04 -- $790
49. Brett Kilmer -- Rowlett, Tx -- 5, 11-02 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-02 -- $790
50. Ray Peace -- Arlington, Tx -- 5, 11-02 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-02
51. Tim Reneau -- Del Rio, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 11-01 -- 4, 11-01
52. Jerry Propst -- Jasper, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-00 -- 5, 11-00
53. Terry Adams -- Morgan City, La -- 1, 2-06 -- 3, 8-10 -- 4, 11-00
54. Larry Rea -- Stigler, Ok -- 3, 10-13 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 10-13
55. Robert Case -- Point, Tx -- 5, 10-07 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 10-07
56. Larry Peacher -- Bentley, La -- 3, 6-04 -- 2, 4-00 -- 5, 10-04
57. J.B. Young -- Deer Park, Tx -- 2, 4-04 -- 3, 6-00 -- 5, 10-04
58. Richard Cremo -- Laredo, Tx -- 1, 1-09 -- 5, 8-10 -- 6, 10-03
59. Rob Burns -- Plano, Tx -- 2, 4-15 -- 2, 5-04 -- 4, 10-03
60. Bob Weaver -- Lawton, Ok -- 3, 8-02 -- 1, 1-15 -- 4, 10-01
61. Terry Owens -- Carrollton, Al -- 4, 10-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 10-00
62. Nicholas Albus -- Trinity, Tx -- 5, 7-15 -- 1, 1-15 -- 6, 9-14
63. Daniel Fletcher -- Drummonds, Tn -- 1, 3-04 -- 2, 6-03 -- 3, 9-07
64. Kevin Lasyone -- Dry Prong, La -- 2, 3-09 -- 3, 5-12 -- 5, 9-05
65. Yarri Schreibvogel -- Sam Rayburn, Tx -- 1, 2-09 -- 3, 6-07 -- 4, 9-00
66. Robert Baney -- Montgomery, Tx -- 3, 5-06 -- 2, 3-10 -- 5, 9-00
67. Matt Ogrodowicz -- Cypress, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 8-13 -- 3, 8-13
68. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 2, 3-12 -- 2, 5-01 -- 4, 8-13
69. Randy White -- Haslet, Tx -- 1, 1-12 -- 2, 6-14 -- 3, 8-10
70. Tony Hawk -- Huffman, Tx -- 3, 5-00 -- 2, 3-10 -- 5, 8-10
71. Theron Caldwell -- Colleyville, Tx -- 4, 8-09 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 8-09
72. Robert Byrd -- Dallas, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 8-08 -- 4, 8-08
73. Gene Eisenmann -- Frisco, Tx -- 1, 2-01 -- 3, 6-07 -- 4, 8-08
74. Dean Coleman -- Humble, Tx -- 3, 8-05 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 8-05
75. Timothy Griffin -- Zapata, Tx -- 1, 3-06 -- 3, 4-15 -- 4, 8-05
76. Marvin Ettredge -- Shreveport, La -- 2, 8-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 8-00
77. Rod Lambirth -- Odessa, Tx -- 2, 4-01 -- 2, 3-11 -- 4, 7-12
78. Chuck Naomi -- Rayne, La -- 2, 5-07 -- 1, 2-02 -- 3, 7-09
79. Mike Hastings -- Buda, Tx -- 2, 5-12 -- 1, 1-11 -- 3, 7-07
80. John Biondi -- Arlington, Tx -- 1, 2-08 -- 2, 4-14 -- 3, 7-06
81. James Carper -- Wright City, Ok -- 2, 7-05 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 7-05
82. Bob Propst -- Cedar Hill, Tx -- 1, 2-12 -- 1, 4-08 -- 2, 7-04
83. Lindy Hadley -- Sam Rayburn, Tx -- 1, 1-11 -- 2, 5-06 -- 3, 7-01
84. Jeary Wheeler -- Batesville, Ar -- 3, 5-00 -- 1, 1-15 -- 4, 6-15
85. Shaun Williamson -- Dallas, Tx -- 1, 4-02 -- 1, 2-13 -- 2, 6-15
86. Justin Stokes -- Cypress, Tx -- 1, 2-06 -- 2, 4-08 -- 3, 6-14
87. Jeff Richards -- Helotes, Tx -- 2, 4-04 -- 1, 2-10 -- 3, 6-14
88. Reed Sartin -- Austin, Tx -- 2, 6-12 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 6-12
89. Jerry Mckinnis -- Little Rock, Ar -- 1, 4-12 -- 1, 1-15 -- 2, 6-11
90. Lamonte Loyd -- Gilmer, Tx -- 1, 1-11 -- 3, 4-15 -- 4, 6-10
91. David Truax -- Beaumont, Tx -- 1, 2-14 -- 2, 3-09 -- 3, 6-07
92. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 1, 3-00 -- 2, 3-05 -- 3, 6-05
93. Justin Rackley -- Flower Mound, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 6-01 -- 3, 6-01
94. Bart Blakelock -- Lake Charles, La -- 3, 5-15 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 5-15
95. Matthew Scogin -- Montgomery, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 5-10 -- 3, 5-10
96. Mario Carreon -- Las Cruces, Nm -- 1, 1-15 -- 2, 3-09 -- 3, 5-08
97. Darryl Folse -- Addis, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 5-07 -- 2, 5-07
98. Roy Sanford -- Brookeland, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 5-06 -- 2, 5-06
99. Homer Hinson -- Lubbock, Tx -- 2, 3-05 -- 1, 2-00 -- 3, 5-05
100. Heath Hardwick -- Emory, Tx -- 2, 3-10 -- 1, 1-10 -- 3, 5-04
101. Zack Keathley -- Kerens, Tx -- 2, 5-01 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 5-01
102. Cody Malone -- Morgan, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 4-15 -- 3, 4-15
103. David Mullins -- Coppell, Tx -- 1, 2-03 -- 2, 2-11 -- 3, 4-14
104. Tommy Ellis -- Paris, Tn -- 2, 4-12 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-12
105. Don Williams -- Keithville, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-11 -- 2, 4-11
106. Ernie Paul -- Longview, Tx -- 2, 4-09 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-09
107. Jimmy Brumfield -- Madison, Ms -- 3, 4-05 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 4-05
108. Gary Vining -- Morgan City, La -- 2, 4-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-04
109. Greg Gleason -- Houma, La -- 2, 4-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-04
110. Teddy Cloide -- Vidor, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-03 -- 2, 4-03
111. Kelly Jones Jr -- Deer Park, Tx -- 1, 2-06 -- 1, 1-13 -- 2, 4-03
112. Jon Lessard -- Clarksville, Tn -- 1, 2-01 -- 1, 2-02 -- 2, 4-03
113. Jeff Kitchens -- Henderson, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-13 -- 2, 3-13
114. Douglas Jones -- Fort Gibson, Ok -- 2, 3-12 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-12
115. Robert Roark -- The Woodlands, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-12 -- 2, 3-12
116. James Caldmeyer -- Gilmer, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-11 -- 2, 3-11
117. Marty Sugg -- Pattonville, Tx -- 1, 1-13 -- 1, 1-13 -- 2, 3-10
118. Mark Biondi -- Burleson, Tx -- 1, 1-13 -- 1, 1-12 -- 2, 3-09
119. Bradley Stringer -- Huntington, Tx -- 1, 3-01 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 3-01
120. Jeff Bunch -- Mt Juliet, Tn -- 1, 2-06 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-06
121. Kelly Owens -- Crowley, La -- 1, 2-02 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-02
122. Vu (Ted) Nguyen -- Lawrence, Ks -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-02 -- 1, 2-02
123. Burt Briggs -- Universal City, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-01 -- 1, 2-01
124. Christopher Brasher -- Spring, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-00 -- 1, 2-00
125. Toby Wallace -- Tolar, Tx -- 1, 2-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-00
126. Bob Ramsdell -- Sour Lake, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-15 -- 1, 1-15
127. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-14 -- 1, 1-14
128. Kent Mcphail -- Lubbock, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-13 -- 1, 1-13
129. John (Jack) Morris Jr -- Robinson, Il -- 1, 1-12 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-12
John Ballard -- Wichita Falls, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Justin Burns -- Warren, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Harmon Davis -- Marlow, Ok -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Elbia Ebert -- Porter, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Gary Evans -- Basalt, Co -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Glen Freeman -- Converse, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Joe Gerard -- Concordia, Ks -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
David Gregg -- Haslet, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Clay Mayeaux -- Natchitoches, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Justin Morton -- Etoile, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Steve Palmer -- Rosenthal, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Jerrel Pringle -- Hemphill, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Daniel Stokes -- Cypress, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
James Stricklin Jr -- Texarkana, Ar -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Keith Surber -- Longview, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Michael Yoder -- Texarkana, Ar -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Big Bass
> Day 2 -- Randy Cisler -- Mesquite, Tx -- 10-08 -- $294
> Day 1 -- Dillon Lee -- Mount Pleasant, Tx -- 7-15 -- $294
