While the approach might sound simple, an in-depth look
reveals a pattern. Pickett’s most successful Regionals came on
Mid-South reservoirs in the fall of the year. Most featured fish
positioned on sparse, isolated cover off the bank and around
points and drains – perfect Carolina-rig water.
In an effort to maximize his lure’s effectiveness, Pickett will
tweak his rig to meet conditions. That could mean switching to
a lighter sinker or even a differently shaped weight to ensure
his bait slides through the cover. Often, he uses a monofilament
leader instead of fluorocarbon to slow his lure’s fall.
Subtle changes in his setup are the kind that lead to one more
fish here and there, which can make a big difference.
Regardless, Pickett lives and dies by the sword. It’s the only
way he knows to make the Big Show.
“If you’ve got a technique that’s your strength,” he says,
“you’ve got to use it to make an All-American.”
(Read more about Pickett’s Carolina-rigging strategy in the
feature on page 64.)
In addition, Wright feels comfortable only with proper
preparation.
“If I can’t go and practice, I might as well stay home,” he says.
He’ll often visit Regional sites long before he’s qualified
in order to search for isolated, overlooked targets. In the
event that he makes the Regional, which he usually does,
Wright will already be one step ahead once practice begins.
Roger Fitzpatrick
David Wright
PHOTO BY CURTIS NIEDERMIER
PHOTO BY JODY WHITE
King of the Hill
David Wright has fished more All-Americans than anyone in
history – a staggering 11 times over the past four decades. A
retired computer applications teacher by trade, Wright has
always taken a mathematical approach to tournament fishing.
“There are six spots at each Regional [that will qualify for
the All-American],” he says. “That’s not good odds. So, I pick a
division that hosts its Regional at a place where I can fish my
strong suit.”
Wright admits his specialty is fishing isolated targets offshore,
likely with a crankbait, and specifically on the lowland
reservoirs of the South. For that reason, his goal is to qualify for
Regionals that meet those criteria, with places such as Buggs
Island, Eufaula or Gaston topping the list of preferred lakes.
“You’ve got to be smart enough to know what you’re better
at than others,” the Carolinian insists.
The Ozark Duo
Roger Fitzpatrick and Dennis Berhorst are two of the most
successful tournament anglers in the history of the Ozarks.
Together, they have qualified for a stunning 15 All-Americans.
They also share information while preparing for tournaments.
Their All-American secret lies in playing their strengths as shallow-water
powerhouses.
“Put the trolling motor down and fish everything,” says
Fitzpatrick of his usual game plan.
“If there’s a fish on the bank,” adds Berhorst, “I’m going to
find him.”
Fitzpatrick and Berhorst take casts-per-day to the extreme.
In fact, Behorst will often fish 30 or more tournaments a year
and never break 50 hours on his outboard, yet he’ll put thousands
on his trolling motor. To each, burning the bank is a
lifestyle, which is a big part of why they’ve had so much
Regional success.
“Regionals are in October, and, most of the time, they are
won fishing shallow,” Fitzpatrick says.
Practice usually follows a pretty standard procedure, where
they start fishing near the bank, and, once a fish is caught,
attempt to quickly duplicate likely scenarios and cover. After a
key trait has been established, they compare notes.
“You’ve got two minds, and two lines in the water instead of
one,” Berhorst says, adding that he only listens to Fitzpatrick. “I
pay no attention to dock talk of any kind. I just keep my line wet.”
It’s a unique approach, but, obviously, an effective one.
JUNE-JULY 2020 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FLWFISHING.COM 25