Victory at the Southern Kayak Anglers TPC River Event!

A momentous occasion indeed.  My second kayak bass fishing tournament ended with a hard won victory over some serious competition.  The field included some of the Southeast's top kayak anglers who have proven their skills in the River Bassin' Series and numerous other major events.  As a beginning tournament angler I am ecstatic to say the least.  This victory has been weeks in the making when one of my favorite flows was included in the boundaries.  Although blind fishing a new section of that flow, I was confident it held enough big spots to put me in contention.  My float started off at a turtle's pace with only a few small red eyes to show.  At my pre-determined half way point I had culled once; sitting around 50 inches.  The water made a drastic change  mid trip and I began to grind out a nice pattern: War Eagle spinnerbait in pearl shad and Lucky Craft Sammy in a threadfin pattern.  Over a span of about three and a half hours I culled my entire limit and anchored it with  17 inch and 19 inch spots.  Boating that 19 incher was like a shot of pure adrenaline, the heavens opened and I saw a light at the end of a tunnel: a serious chance to win the event.  Despite a few timing and strategic miscues, I fished an extremely clean tournament.  I missed one large spot when I moved for an adjustment-paddle stroke, but was able to coax him back to my Lucky Craft Sammy again.  I also lost another nice large mouth on the Sammy, but was able to go back and pick him off with a Zoom Trick Worm and hour later.   A drastic change from my last tourney where I scrambled to grind out a last minute top 5 finish.