Post Norman BFL Report

Practiced yesterday and fished the BFL today at Norman...quick recap of practice first.
As I wrote last week, I had a great practice last Saturday and was expecting great things. My practice plan was to fish the areas I fished last week but fish different structure with different baits and try to find the best area to concentrate on. After about an hour i reached down to pick up a rod and my back went out. I fought it for a half hour and decided there was no way I could fish Saturday if I didn't do something. I have had back issues for years but it has been awhile since it went out this bad. I finally got back to the ramp, crawled out of the boat, and got things loaded up. (Another shout out to Trick Steps - was a life saver while loading) I went to Mooresville and checked into the hotel, unhooked the boat, and came back home and got medicine and my Tens Unit for my back. Spent the afternoon in the hotel.
Got a great draw - a fine young man from Grover, NC who is a good fisherman and is experienced. I made one stop in the back of a pocket and then went straight to my best stuff. I had about 10-12 places to crank a square bill and was sure they would be on several of them. On the second stop I hooked up with a good fish only it turned to be a catfish. Caught another that almost kept, had several touch my bait but not get it, and that was it. Stayed down the lake until after lunch and then came back to mid-lake and hit places that both me and my co-angler liked. Neither of us boated a keeper today.
Looking back, my back issue did not affect me today but it did affect my ability to practice yesterday. There are a few fish on the beds down the lake and I was wanting to try a technique that pays off a lot of times as they are going on the bed. (Saw 68 water temp this morning in Ramsey) I feel like I might have figured out yesterday that things had changed had I been able to fish. But, the Lord kept us safe and I guess I have caught my share over the years so I am thankful I was able to go play in the rain today.
Wylie is next in 3 or 4 weeks. Not sure yet what I will do there but I hope it doesn't involve throwing a square bill several thousand times! Practice will start in two weeks - we have the annual Car Show at Swofford Career Center next week so I will be at work next week.
Want to give out a shout out to Jody Wright for a great third place finish today. Jody is a great local fisherman and I sure am glad to see him have a great tournament today.