Over the past few years, Michael Neal has been one of the most successful anglers in the world. He's finished consistently high at Bass Pro Tour events in an every-fish-counts format while also dominating the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit with back-to-back Angler of the Year titles with a five-fish format. He's catching them everywhere, no matter what the rules of the game are.
The switch this year to a five-fish limit for REDCREST on Lake Norman in North Carolina won't faze him a bit and he's likely to do very well and may even win the tournament. While he has limited experience on the lake, he made the trip to scout it before it went off-limits and has a plan.
Pre-practice approach for REDCREST
All of the anglers in the event were free to visit Lake Norman before it went off-limits on February 1st. Some made the trek and fished to check it out, others skipped it entirely, and Neal went and never made a cast while scanning with his electronics.
"I went there and didn't even have rods and reels in my boat," he said. "I've learned over the years that the more I fish during pre-practice, the worse I do. So much changes in a month, especially early in the year, and you end up going back to where you caught them a month ago and waste your time. I personally think it hurts you more than it helps."
Instead, he spent his time scouring the lake with electronics on a lake around five hours away from his home in Dayton, Tennessee, on the shores of Lake Chickamauaga.
"I've only been there twice a long time ago and one of those times, I was a co-angler," he said. "I know the lake has changed from everything I have read about and seen from my pre-practice trip. I know the blueback herring have changed it and the spotted bass have become more of a factor, but I still think largemouth will be important in this one."
Technique plans and weight predictions
Lake Norman is full of docks and Neal knows they will be a factor, but he also thinks the offshore bite could be an excellent way to catch some key fish.
"I think you'll see a lot of guys catching fish on docks, but can see a jerkbait and "Damiki Rig" catching some fish off from the bank," he shared. "There should also be a good cranking bite up shallow with baits in that 4 to 8-foot diving range, like the Spro Speed Demon."
Neal predicted high teens bags would be solid when asked what he expects it to take. "I'm thinking somewhere around 17 pounds a day will be good and give you a shot," he said. "It won't take that much to advance to the Knockout Round, but it should be enough to win if you can average that the final three days."
Preparing for the weather at REDCREST
Spring can be a crapshoot when it comes to the weather and that's why Neal has a truckload of gear to be ready for anything.
Among the must-haves for spring bass fishing are some AFTCO products that will keep him warm and dry and also protect him against the sun.
Neal's first must-bring item is the AFTCO Hydronaut jacket and bibs. He wears it often during the mornings, from fall through winter and spring.
"Those cool mornings in the morning running down the lake, you need something that will keep you warm," he said. "The Hydronaut is great and will keep you dry, even in torrential rains. It's a must and my go-to suit."
When he fishes, Neal is typically covered head to toe in sun protection gear, even if it is on the chilly side.
"I guess you can say I have a phobia of getting skin cancer because I fish so much, but I am always covered up," he said. "I haven't worn shorts in several years and it's always the AFTCO Gamma Ray pants. They are super comfortable and dry quickly if you get a little wet. I'll wear them by themselves or under my raingear."
To round out his sun protection arsenal, Neal wears the AFTCO Helm Insulated Fishing Gloves if it's chilly. "The Helm gloves are great for keeping you warm and are the only full-fingered gloves I know that you can wear and still fish effectively," he said. "You can also still use the touch screens on your electronics with them on, which is really important. The other thing I wear is the AFTCO Sun Mask; they're great against the sun, obviously, but also keep your face warm if it's a little cold in the morning."
Tennessee pro Michael Neal has become one of the brightest stars in professional bass fishing and is still looking for his first big championship win. This year's REDCREST will give him another shot at taking home a major title.
Advertising