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Summer 2018
page 52
predominately in the fall. Is that a coincidence or is that when you are at your strongest?
SMITH: I’ve always seemed to do well in the fall. I think that goes back to running a pattern and power fishing. The fall is always a good time to run-and-gun, fish reaction baits and move fast. That time of year just sets up to my style well. I can go run around like a crazy man and target actively feeding fish with reaction baits.
WB: What is your favorite fishery?
SMITH: Clear Lake – definitely. I’ve had a lot of success at Clear Lake. It’s always been my favorite place for a tournament. It suits my style well and it’s a special place to me. I’ve spent a lot of time there with family, when I was younger
WB: Is your success at Clear Lake because you like fishing there or do you like fishing there because you’ve had so much success there.
SMITH: Probably both. I like it there whether there is a tournament or not. But the thing about Clear Lake is there is most always a reaction bite – aggressive fish eating and a reaction bite.
WB: What is your thoughts on tidal water competitions, like the California Delta – fun or intimidating?
SMITH: It is intimidating; but I do feel comfortable there. I’ve put in a lot of time over the past three or four years on the Delta. For a long time, I never really understood the tide and the windows and how you can be in one place without getting bit; but come back in an hour and start catching ‘em. So, I decided to put the time in there to understand it. That made it a little less intimidating; but it’s still a scary place to fish a tournament. Because, if your timing is off your whole day is off.
WB: How did you get started fishing?
SMITH: My dad. He took me to all the reservoirs. We would fish for trout, stocked trout, bluegill and then I saw a guy catch a bass off of dock and thought that looked pretty cool. He let me hold it and throw it back… the rest is history.
WB: What’s your PB story?
Smith: It’s 11-pounds, 7-ounces on the California Delta with a jig. The Delta is like no other fishery that you can ever go to. Between the tides, the big fish, the heavy cover – it can be overwhelming; but it’s still one of my favorites.
WB: Who’s your G.O.A.T.?
SMITH: I’ve got quite a few. I’ve always looked up to Gary Dobyns and Bobby Barrack and Skeet Reese. I like the way those guys fish. They are power fishermen. They will power fish ‘til they’re blue in the face. It’s always been fun to watch them, and it’s been cool to learn bits and pieces from them and form it into my own style.
Bryant Smith
Jody Only