Bass Fishing pro Teddy Carr is gunning for a coveted spot in the national championship as he fishes in this weekend's Bassmaster Weekend Series regional tournament on Lake Erie.
The top 50 anglers from the regional tournament – featuring top finishers from the Northeast Division of the Weekend Series – advance to the national championship tournament on the Santee Cooper in South Carolina on Nov. 9-12.
Carr had made the national championship for three years in a row but fell less than a pound short last year, finishing 59th in the regional event. He's understandably anxious to start a new streak.
"It'd be great to get back there and compete on the national stage," Carr said. "I just barely missed it last year, so that left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. Hopefully, we'll get back there this year. I want to get back there really bad."
He'll have to battle difficult conditions in the two-day regional tournament that begins Friday. Tournament officials are keeping a close watch on the weather, and if the winds are high enough, they could restrict the area where anglers can go on Lake Erie. That could put a crimp in Carr's plans.
"I went out there Thursday morning and hit the mother lode," Carr said. "But here's the catch on that: They are probably going to confine us to the harbor with the winds we're having. We're having 20-30 mph south-southwest winds, so unfortunately, I may not be able to get back to those fish Friday.
"I hope they'll hold for me and not leave the area until Saturday. Of course, I need the wind to lay down enough for us to get back out there."
Carr has worked a bit inside the breakwall, catching some largemouth bass there, so he is prepared for Friday no matter the ruling.
"Hopefully, I can grind enough fish out to stay competitive," Carr said. "I've done my part. We don't have any control over Mother Nature.
"I'm going to roll the dice and see what I can come up with. If I can weigh a limit of largemouth to stay competitive until I can get out there to my smallmouth on Saturday, I should be OK."