Confident Montgomery Ready For Elite Tournament Challenge On Lake St. Clair
Starting with the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell in February, the first half of the Bassmaster Elite Series was not kind to Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C. He finished 43rd out of 55 anglers in the classic and then his best finish through the next four Elite tournaments was 66th on Lake Havasu in May.
“This year started out really bad. I lost some key fish that would have made a huge difference in my whole year. The Elite guys are so good that if you lose one or two key fish it really kills you,” Montgomery said.
By the end of the Havasu tournament Montgomery’s year on the Elite trail appeared to be a washout. Making next year’s Bassmaster Classic had become a distant dream.
But he is heading in the eighth tournament of the year next week on Lake St. Clair brimming with confidence – and in good position to make the 2016 Classic.
So, what happened?
Montgomery has experienced a complete turnaround in the last three Elite Series tournaments, finishing 11th at Kentucky Lake in June, 20th on the St. Lawrence River at the end of July into early August, and 12th a week ago on the Chesapeake Bay.
The turnaround, he said, was the result of regaining his confidence.
“My confidence on landing fish was really shaken. I started changing hooks, trying all kinds of different things. I finally settled on a few things that seemed to be working hookwise and it really made a big difference.”
Montgomery said he went through “a multitude of hooks” before finally settling on a VMC hook from Rapala. VMC hooks feature a wide gap, resin closed eye and 3-degree offset point to help make better hook sets.
“I’ve had a lot of confidence since I started using the VMC hook,” Montgomery said. “I don’t know if it is the hook, but I got the confidence that I was going to catch the fish. Earlier this year when I would set the hook I just knew the fish was going to come off.”
With renewed confidence Montgomery is looking forward to the challenge of Lake St. Clair and, hopefully, another high finish.
“The last three tournaments have been really, really good for me. This is a momentum sport. It has ups and downs and you have to ride the waves,” he said.
If the season ended before the next tournament, Montgomery would be qualified for the 2016 Classic.
“I’m sitting 33rd – and that’s a long way from three tournament ago,” he said.
He needs to finish in the top 40 at St. Clair to hold his position in the points, he said.
“We’ve got one more regular season tournament and then the Angler of the Year Championship. I am blessed that I have put myself into position to make the Classic again,” he said.
Bassmaster Elite Series
Aug 27-30, 2015
Lake St Clair
Lake St. Clair Metropark
