Tennessee pro Michael Neal has been one of the most consistently good anglers over the past several years and he's turned it up a notch in the past few months. He was known for a long time as the "best angler without a tour-level win," and now he has two of them in just over six months' time.
He won the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit AOY title in 2021; the last Bass Pro Tour stop on Lake St. Clair, Michigan in 2021 and the kick-off to the 2022 Pro Circuit season in January on Sam Rayburn, Texas. Neal is fishing as well as anyone right now and coming into REDCREST; he's easily one of the favorites to hoist the trophy at the end of the day.
Grand Lake Thoughts and Plans
Neal has only been to Oklahoma's Grand Lake and that was early in his career in 2013 while he was fishing the FLW Tour. It did not go well for him and he wants some revenge this time around.
"The lake was flooded, and I didn't do well at all," he said. "It was one of the worst finishes of my entire career. This week we have some changing conditions with some rain on the way, which can change things quickly on this lake. Some parts will be unaffected, but even an inch of rain can quickly change the water levels and clarity."
For this event, he's banking on a pre-spawn bite and plans to fish proven baits in some textbook locations this time of year.
"It's setting up to be a classic pre-spawn bite, and I'll be looking for points, channel swings, and things like that. I'm guessing that 20-pounds a day will be pretty good and that will be seven or eight bites here, which should put you in a good position each day."
Neal had crankbaits, both shallow and medium divers rigged and ready to go for practice. He also believes spinnerbaits and jerkbaits could also be factors. Some of his recent success has come with forward-facing sonar and although it's a slim possibility in this event with most bass along the banks preparing to spawn, he's not counting it out entirely.
"For me, fishing that way is always the best thing when it's the hottest and coldest water of the year," said Neal. "Those are the times when the bass and baitfish are furthest from the bank and when that technology really shines because the bait is suspended and the bass will be there with them. I don't know where all of the baitfish are right now on Grand, so I don't know if it will be a factor, but I'm going to keep it honest and look around and try to find a chance to use it."
The Importance of Momentum
Riding a high from all of his recent success, including a third-place finish at Smith Lake just over a week ago, Neal seems to be unstoppable just about everywhere he goes. He had an uncharacteristically tough event on Lake Fork before that one and was happy to rebound.
"It's good to have some momentum and be coming off of a good finish, especially after Lake Fork," he said. "I'm hoping to keep that rolling this week during REDCREST."
Gearing Up for Grand
Practice for the tournament featured beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures on the first day, followed by cooler weather and rain on the second day. The anglers have an off day before the tournament begins and the weather will continue to fluctuate the entire event. As a result, Neal is prepared for it all.
"I started by wearing my Barricade Elite Rain Gear bibs and jacket the first day of practice because it's super comfortable and lightweight and still keeps you dry," he said. "I had to switch it up to my Hydronaut suit the second day because it's much warmer. I've worn that suit for several years and it's great for protecting you from the elements."
No matter the weather, Neal will be wearing gloves on his hands, which is something he's grown used to. His gloves of choice are the AFTCO Solago sun gloves that protect his hands from sunburn.
"I wear them when it's raining and when it's sunny, it doesn't matter," he shared. "What I like most about them is that they don't inhibit my fishing. They are very comfortable and you don't lose any sensitivity holding your rods."
Michael Neal has become one of the best and most consistent pros on the Bass Pro Tour and catches them on various lakes. He'll be one to watch for at REDCREST and has the skills and momentum to bring the $300,000 and big trophy home to Tennessee.
Advertising