Prac ce was tough, but by using C-MAP Genesis Charts
(the free char ng func on offered by Lowrance),
I managed to find 80 waypoints. The biggest learning curve I had at this tournament was
to adapt quickly, and that mental prepara on for these
big tournaments is vital.
The fish seemed to be hanging on offshore islands that
had really deep water close by. I must also men on that I learnt a great deal about the
importance of mapping on a finder.
By Wednesday; the official prac ce day, I had a plan.
I managed to get onto the schooling bass bite around
these islands where the fish were ea ng top-water
baits and flukes on the surface. By the end of the tournament, I could look at the chart
and drive 10 miles to a spot that I had never seen and
would be straight in on the ac on just because I
understood what to look for on the map.
The importance of a good GPS and mapping system was
impera ve as you needed to be on the channel break if
you wanted to be in range of the bass when they started
schooling. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lowrance
SA. Lowrance have always been my 'go to' finders and
On day one and two of the tournament I focused on the
top-water bite, and by the end of day two I was si ng in
5 th place.
Of the 120 anglers that started the tournament, the
field was cut to the top 12 for the final day.
Day three was tough. The mental pressure and the fact
that the dam had already had three tournaments on it
meant that the fish shut down.
They would not touch top-water bait. This is when a
weightless fluke, worked slowly through the schoolers,
paid off.
I managed a quick limit and a few upgrades, but simply
th
ran out of me. I ended the tournament in 8 place, a
respectable finish for my first B.A.S.S. Na on
Championship. I hope to do be er next me.
Liz and her team have always been there to support me.
The countless favours, units and (many) spare caps have
always helped me on my road to this point.
Last year I caught 95% of my fish, to qualify for this event,
on a drop shot rig; and my Lowrance units were key to
this success.
This year, I was sponsored a new Elite 9 Ti and a Gen 3,
and I have been blown away by the quality of these units.
My advice to any angler looking for a new unit is to look at
the Lowrance Elite Ti range as they are affordable and are
really top class.
In conclusion, I am humbled by the support I received
from everyone at home.
The messages of support and encouragement kept me
going when the chips were down.
I plan on working really hard to go back to the
championship, but this me for the win.
“
Lowrance SA would like to congratulate James Lowrance
on this
amazing achievement! Well done!
SA would like to congratulate James on this amazing achievement! Well done!
SLIDE SHOW
10
lowrance south
south africa
africa
lowrance
25