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KY. Next Generation "Flexes its Muscle"

Saturday, August 28, 2010

 08-28-10 / Johnny Lancaster

Smiles were all around the crowd just before the final weigh-in of the 2010 season in Kentucky. I sensed that there was one team in particular that had an AWESOME day. I looked at Steve Freeman and asked, "Did ya'll get 'em"? With a huge smile on his face he said, "Probably the biggest sack we have had in a long time". I knew that they must have a monster sack because I knew of a couple of great finishes they had this year. I did not get to see or speak to Lance Freeman before he and his Uncle toted their sack to the scales, but I could see the "cat that ate the canary" look in Lance's eyes.

As the pair carried their sack to the scales one on each side I told those around me, "You are about to see one heck of a sack". Lance reached into their sack and pulled out a toad of a fish that tipped the scales at 6.70lbs. With each fish pulled out of their sack there was a gasp for air from everyone in the crowd. When all 5 Largemouth Bass were weighed the scale hit 25lbs and stopped! With a High 5 between Lance and Steve the crowd cheered and clapped for the fine days work that was shown by the pair. Pictures were being taken all around as this was an awesome sight. 

I spoke with Lance a few days later and he talked about his stellar day. He said the Big Fish bit and he told his Uncle Steve "Don't worry about the net it's little". Then the tug began and the fish showed itself. Lance said his attitude changed when the fish showed itself for the first jump. Needless to say Uncle Steve "Got the net". Lance said they caught between 60 to 70 fish on the day with 10 or 11 keepers. I asked Lance to tell me more and he said, "I had a really fun day". "I told my Uncle Steve we might not win this thing, but we will have a respectable finish". I should say so they covered the field by 13.5lbs. Lance said they thought that they had between 22 or 23lbs. Lance also said "This has been a great year. I have had 2 sacks over 22lbs and now this 25lb sack. I was super excited to see the scale stop at 25lbs. I never thought we had that much". 

Lance later told me he had to thank our division sponsors for his winning sack. He said he caught fish on a Texas rig with a Behemoth Lures weight and a NetBait Salt Lick lure. He and the others received these at the end of the other tournaments we have had this year. He also reported catching the 6.70lb Toad on a Slong’s jig with a NetBait Paca Craw trailer. 

Lance is a very well mannered Young Man who I have been lucky to meet this year. He is a Sophomore at Lyon County High this year. I have a feeling we will see him around the College trails in the years to come. 

I asked Lance what he thought about the USA Bassin The Next Generation Tournament Trail, and this is what he had to say. "The Next Generation is phenomenal. The seminars that we had at the events were great. The free tackle we received from the sponsors was awesome. it's always exciting on the Next Generation Tournament Trail. No one goes home a loser that's for sure"!