Bass Fishing Oct 2018 | Page 48

4 NICK L E BRUN | 28 LB 6 OZ (12) FOR THE RECORD B By Colin Moore PHOTO BY ANDY HAGEDON eing from Louisiana, LeBrun knew what to expect from Lake Ouachita’s summer-stressed bass: not much enthusiasm for chasing baits. His answer was to slow down and soak an 8 1/2-inch V&M Wild Thang Worm (blue flex) with an Elite Tungsten 1/2-ounce weight and a 5/0 Hayabusa WRM959 hook. Mainly he fished grass line edges in 8 to 12 feet of water, posi- tioning his boat offshore in about 30 feet. The approach worked well enough for him to earn a fourth-place finish. The 33-year-old Cajun angler fished spots on a long stretch of lake from the state park to Mountain Harbor. He had the second-best limit the first day – 13 pounds, 5 ounces – and held his position the second round. On the third day, however, he ran out of the kickers it would take to win. 46 LeBrun has a solid resume in the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League, and winning that circuit’s All-American title at Cross Lake opened the door for him to show off his fishing ability on a bigger stage. LeBrun, of Bossier City, La., made the most of the oppor- tunity, becoming the first All- American champion since Kerry Milner to place fourth the same year in the Cup. Milner did it in 2013 after winning the All-American at Lake Nickajack. FlWFISHING.COm I Fall 2018