A 12 1/2-pound deficit is real difficult to make up in a single day, but Kris Wilson accomplished that feat at the recent Sam Rayburn Texas EverStart.
Day 1 of the event was canceled due to severe weather, and the field faced a tall task in trying to run down Louisiana's Bert Thiompson, who weighed a monstrous 27-13 stringer on the opening day of competition. But Thompson brought in just a single 2-pounder on the final day, and that opened the door for Wilson.
The resident of Montgomery, Texas brought 19-04 to the scale on day 2 for a 34-09 total. He beat out runner-up Stephen Johnston by 2 pounds and pocketed more than $29,000, plus a new Ranger boat rig.
Here's how he did it.
Practice
Wilson's home is about a 2-hour drive from Rayburn and he gets over there several times a month. He grew up fishing "Big Sam" and is a regular in local derbies.
He and his partner labored to a 21st-place finish in a tournament the weekend prior to the EverStart, as the bag they brought to the stage was one fish shy of a limit. He didn't figure things out until the EverStart finally got under way.
Competition
> Day 1: 5, 15-05
> Day 2: 5, 19-04
> Total = 10, 34-09
Wilson was having a mediocre day 1 when he came to a spot and caught fish on four consecutive casts. Right there, it all came together for him.
"A light went off in my head and I started expanding on that deal," he said. "It was a staging fish pattern."
It was centered around secondary points that contained grass in water that was 5 to 8 feet deep. Because of his vast experience on Rayburn, He knew a lot of locales that fit that bill.
It wasn't a surefire thing – maybe one in four points was harboring a group of fish. If he found a school, he could usually cause them to become competitive and would boat multiple fish at that stop.
He caught a total of about 15 fish on day 2 and made four culls after he had a limit. Still, he had no inkling he'd make up 12 places and claim the victory.
"I was really surprised. I was just hoping for a Top 10."
Winning Gear Notes
> Carolina-rig gear: 7'6" heavy-action Falcon rod, Shimano Curado casting reel (7:1 ratio), 20-pound Seaguar Red Label fluorocarbon line (main line and leader), 1-ounce tungsten weight, clacker, 3/0 Owner straight-shank worm hook, Big Bite Baits Kriet Kreature or Big Bite Baits Bush Pig (green-pumpkin).
> He said he fished the Bush Pig early and switched to the Kriet Kreature later in the day, after the fish had become a bit more active.
The Bottom Line
> Main factor in his success – "The grass was definitely the key. With all the time I've spent on the lake, I knew where enough of those places were and I just kept moving until I found the ones I could catch them on."
> Performance edge – "My Ranger/Yamaha. Because of the weather, a lot of guys had boat issues in this tournament, but I never had a problem."
Notable
> Wilson's sponsors are Big Bite Baits and Falcon rods.
Much of the tackle referenced above is available at the BassFan Store. To browse the selection, click here..
Final Standings
Field = 108 boats
1. Kris Wilson -- Montgomery, Tx -- 5, 15-05 -- 5, 19-04 -- 10, 34-09 -- 10, 34-09 -- $29,409 + boat
2. Stephen Johnston -- Hemphill, Tx -- 5, 16-02 -- 5, 16-06 -- 10, 32-08 -- 10, 32-08 -- $10,083
3. Joe Erwin -- Claremore, Ok -- 5, 14-09 -- 5, 17-02 -- 10, 31-11 -- 10, 31-11 -- $8,403
4. Charles Bebber -- Willis, Tx -- 5, 17-01 -- 5, 13-09 -- 10, 30-10 -- 10, 30-10 -- $7,562
5. Ronnie Eschete Jr -- Thibodaux, La -- 5, 18-03 -- 5, 12-06 -- 10, 30-09 -- 10, 30-09 -- $6,722
6. Bert Thompson -- Benton, La -- 5, 27-13 -- 1, 2-01 -- 6, 29-14 -- 6, 29-14 -- $5,882
7. Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 5, 16-14 -- 3, 12-14 -- 8, 29-12 -- 8, 29-12 -- $5,042
8. Claude Rabb -- Vidalia, La -- 5, 16-03 -- 4, 12-15 -- 9, 29-02 -- 9, 29-02 -- $4,201
9. Michael Yoder -- Texarkana, Ar -- 5, 13-04 -- 5, 15-12 -- 10, 29-00 -- 10, 29-00 -- $3,361
10. Kevin Lasyone -- Dry Prong, La -- 4, 7-14 -- 5, 18-07 -- 9, 26-05 -- 9, 26-05 -- $2,521
11. Ed Grisham -- Katy, Tx -- 5, 14-11 -- 4, 11-09 -- 9, 26-04 -- $1,681
12. Chuck Naomi -- Rayne, La -- 5, 16-03 -- 4, 9-08 -- 9, 25-11 -- $1,681
13. Kevin Walker -- Buna, Tx -- 5, 15-03 -- 5, 9-07 -- 10, 24-10 -- $1,681
14. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 5, 21-04 -- 1, 2-05 -- 6, 23-09 -- $1,681
15. Jerrel Pringle -- Hemphill, Tx -- 5, 15-09 -- 3, 7-04 -- 8, 22-13 -- $1,681
16. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 5, 8-04 -- 5, 14-00 -- 10, 22-04 -- $1,260
17. Robert Seals -- Porter, Tx -- 5, 18-04 -- 1, 3-12 -- 6, 22-00 -- $1,260
18. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 11-13 -- 4, 10-00 -- 9, 21-13 -- $1,260
19. David Curtis -- Trinity, Tx -- 3, 9-04 -- 4, 12-02 -- 7, 21-06 -- $1,260
20. Phil Marks -- Dallas, Tx -- 1, 4-01 -- 5, 16-14 -- 6, 20-15 -- $1,260
21. Greg Gleason -- Houma, La -- 3, 8-00 -- 4, 12-12 -- 7, 20-12 -- $1,176
22. Michael Herron -- Paris, Tx -- 5, 9-05 -- 5, 11-07 -- 10, 20-12 -- $1,176
23. Ricky Guy -- Humble, Tx -- 5, 13-12 -- 3, 6-13 -- 8, 20-09 -- $1,176
24. Nicholas Albus -- Trinity, Tx -- 5, 12-05 -- 3, 6-14 -- 8, 19-03 -- $1,176
25. George Jeane Jr -- Evans, La -- 5, 9-04 -- 4, 9-09 -- 9, 18-13 -- $1,176
26. Andy Gaia -- Tomball, Tx -- 5, 15-08 -- 1, 3-01 -- 6, 18-09 -- $1,092
27. Dicky Newberry -- Houston, Tx -- 1, 2-12 -- 5, 14-08 -- 6, 17-04 -- $1,092
28. Art Garza -- Buna, Tx -- 5, 16-14 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 16-14 -- $1,092
29. Trent Durst -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 15-01 -- 1, 1-10 -- 6, 16-11 -- $1,092
30. Dean Perkins -- Broaddus, Tx -- 5, 11-03 -- 2, 5-08 -- 7, 16-11 -- $1,092
31. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 3, 6-05 -- 4, 10-03 -- 7, 16-08 -- $1,008
32. Buz Craft -- Vidalia, La -- 4, 8-01 -- 2, 8-00 -- 6, 16-01 -- $1,008
33. Landan Ware -- Jewett, Tx -- 3, 11-01 -- 2, 4-13 -- 5, 15-14 -- $1,008
34. Joe Elkouri -- Lawton, Ok -- 1, 5-10 -- 2, 10-04 -- 3, 15-14 -- $1,008
35. Jeff Kitchens -- Henderson, Tx -- 4, 8-10 -- 2, 7-04 -- 6, 15-14 -- $1,008
36. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 3, 8-00 -- 4, 7-10 -- 7, 15-10 -- $1,008
37. Gary Riffle -- Paris, Tx -- 3, 6-01 -- 3, 9-07 -- 6, 15-08 -- $1,008
38. David Moore -- Cambridge City, In -- 4, 7-07 -- 4, 7-09 -- 8, 15-00 -- $1,008
39. John Ballard -- Wichita Falls, Tx -- 3, 9-01 -- 3, 5-11 -- 6, 14-12
40. Jacky Hawthorne -- Greenville, Tx -- 3, 9-15 -- 2, 4-11 -- 5, 14-10
41. Ronnie Wagner -- Houston, Tx -- 5, 11-15 -- 1, 2-05 -- 6, 14-04
42. Wayne Murray -- Baton Rouge, La -- 5, 11-09 -- 1, 2-10 -- 6, 14-03
43. Jim Guzman -- Coldspring, Tx -- 5, 11-13 -- 1, 2-00 -- 6, 13-13
44. Jeremy Guidry -- Opelousas, La -- 2, 5-14 -- 3, 7-15 -- 5, 13-13
45. Matthew Scogin -- Magnolia, Tx -- 4, 9-02 -- 2, 4-04 -- 6, 13-06
46. Marty Sugg -- Pattonville, Tx -- 3, 10-11 -- 1, 2-10 -- 4, 13-05
47. Randy Despino -- Colfax, La -- 3, 10-08 -- 1, 2-08 -- 4, 13-00
48. John (Jack) Morris Jr -- Robinson, Il -- 3, 9-07 -- 1, 3-08 -- 4, 12-15
49. Randy Cisler -- Mesquite, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 12-13 -- 5, 12-13
50. Lance Schouest Jr. -- Houma, La -- 4, 8-14 -- 1, 3-15 -- 5, 12-13
51. Marc Woolems -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 12-11 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 12-11
52. Robert Collett -- Zapata, Tx -- 2, 4-07 -- 4, 8-01 -- 6, 12-08
53. Rick Carter -- Alba, Tx -- 2, 6-11 -- 3, 5-09 -- 5, 12-04
54. Don Williams -- Keithville, La -- 4, 12-03 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 12-03
55. David Harvey -- Beaumont, Tx -- 5, 0-00 -- 5, 12-03 -- 10, 12-03
56. Jeramy Johnson -- Lufkin, Tx -- 2, 3-06 -- 4, 8-11 -- 6, 12-01
57. Buddy Hardin -- Nederland, Tx -- 2, 4-05 -- 2, 7-08 -- 4, 11-13
58. Theron Caldwell -- Colleyville, Tx -- 3, 11-08 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 11-08
59. Darren Haydel -- Houma, La -- 1, 4-02 -- 2, 7-03 -- 3, 11-05
60. Ronnie Bickham -- Brookeland, Tx -- 3, 11-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 11-04
61. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 5, 11-03 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-03
62. Chris Wilkerson -- Conroe, Tx -- 2, 3-10 -- 2, 7-01 -- 4, 10-11
63. Richard Draper -- Cypress, Tx -- 4, 10-02 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 10-02
64. Justin Burns -- Warren, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 10-01 -- 2, 10-01
65. Robert Brown -- Round Rock, Tx -- 1, 2-00 -- 4, 8-00 -- 5, 10-00
66. Joe Gerard -- Concordia, Ks -- 1, 4-01 -- 1, 5-15 -- 2, 10-00
67. Raul Morineau -- Mexico City D.F.,Mexico -- 1, 3-01 -- 2, 6-13 -- 3, 9-14
68. Robert Case -- Point, Tx -- 1, 1-15 -- 3, 7-13 -- 4, 9-12
69. Bart Blakelock -- Lake Charles, La -- 3, 6-11 -- 1, 2-13 -- 4, 9-08
70. Tommy Durham -- Whitney, Tx -- 2, 6-05 -- 1, 2-13 -- 3, 9-02
71. David Ozio -- Beaumont, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 8-13 -- 3, 8-13
72. Alton Wilhoit -- Harrah, Ok -- 2, 6-07 -- 1, 2-02 -- 3, 8-09
73. Dan Battarbee -- Zwolle, La -- 1, 3-02 -- 2, 5-07 -- 3, 8-09
74. Thomas Martens -- Leander, Tx -- 2, 3-10 -- 3, 4-15 -- 5, 8-09
75. Eric Wright -- Scurry, Tx -- 3, 8-08 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 8-08
76. Mike Moody -- Alba, Tx -- 3, 6-06 -- 1, 2-01 -- 4, 8-07
77. David Mauldin -- Round Rock, Tx -- 1, 3-13 -- 1, 4-10 -- 2, 8-07
78. Ernie Paul -- Longview, Tx -- 2, 5-00 -- 1, 3-06 -- 3, 8-06
79. Bo Middleton -- Elgin, Ok -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 7-15 -- 5, 7-15
80. Chip Porche' -- Bixby, Ok -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 7-13 -- 2, 7-13
81. Richard Cathey -- San Antonio, Tx -- 2, 6-00 -- 1, 1-12 -- 3, 7-12
82. Rob Burns -- Plano, Tx -- 2, 5-10 -- 1, 2-02 -- 3, 7-12
83. Kelly Owens -- Crowley, La -- 1, 2-07 -- 2, 5-04 -- 3, 7-11
84. Jesse Fry -- Granite Shoals, Tx -- 3, 7-07 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 7-07
85. Ken (Skeeter) Fowler -- Grand Saline, Tx -- 2, 7-03 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 7-03
86. Larry Peacher -- Bentley, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 7-03 -- 3, 7-03
87. Judy Wong -- Many, La -- 2, 4-14 -- 1, 2-01 -- 3, 6-15
88. Cody Ryan Greaney -- Austin, Tx -- 2, 3-15 -- 1, 2-13 -- 3, 6-12
89. Robert Bean -- Daisetta, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 6-03 -- 2, 6-03
90. Chris Weaver -- Lawton, Ok -- 2, 4-11 -- 1, 1-07 -- 3, 6-02
91. Burt Briggs -- Universal City, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 6-01 -- 2, 6-01
92. Billy Cline -- North Richland Hills, Tx -- 2, 4-01 -- 1, 1-14 -- 3, 5-15
93. Gary Vining -- Morgan City, La -- 1, 1-13 -- 1, 3-13 -- 2, 5-10
94. Darin Deatherage -- Shawnee, Ok -- 1, 5-06 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 5-06
95. Todd Thomas -- Fouke, Ar -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 5-06 -- 3, 5-06
96. Bradley Stringer -- Huntington, Tx -- 1, 2-11 -- 1, 2-07 -- 2, 5-02
97. Michael Rogge -- Yantis, Tx -- 1, 3-03 -- 1, 1-11 -- 2, 4-14
98. Elbia Ebert -- Porter, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 4-11 -- 2, 4-11
99. Bob Ramsdell -- Sour Lake, Tx -- 1, 2-03 -- 1, 2-00 -- 2, 4-03
100. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 2, 3-14 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-14
101. David Truax -- Hemphill, Tx -- 3, 3-13 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 3-13
102. Yarri Schreibvogel -- Sam Rayburn, Tx -- 1, 3-10 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 3-10
103. John Moon -- Brookeland, Tx -- 2, 3-08 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-08
104. David Mullins -- Coppell, Tx -- 2, 3-05 -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-05
105. Bob Weaver -- Lawton, Ok -- 0, 0-00 -- 2, 3-05 -- 2, 3-05
106. Rod Lambirth -- Odessa, Tx -- 1, 2-10 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-10
107. Christopher Brasher -- Spring, Tx -- 1, 2-01 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-01
108. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 1, 2-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-00
109. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 1, 2-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 2-00
110. James Caldemeyer -- Gilmer, Tx -- 1, 1-11 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-11
James Baldwin -- Tijeras, Nm -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Mike Holland -- Ragley, La -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Cody Malone -- Morgan, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Jim Milson -- Odessa, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
Keith Surber -- Longview, Tx -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00