Day On The Lake Hunter Shryock [Summer]
Date: Aug. 6, 2018
Venue: Lake L, a flatland reservoir
Water: 85 degrees, stained
Weather: Partly cloudy, high of 95 degrees
Pro: Hunter Shryock, 30, Newcomerstown, Ohio. He began fishing the Bassmaster Opens in 2013 and qualified for the Elite Series in 2017
Boat: Phoenix 21PHX with a 250-horsepower Mercury outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics and twin Power-Pole shallow-water anchors
HUNTER SHRYOCK SAYS his older brother Fletcher, a former Elite pro, taught him how to fish. “Fletcher was my mentor. He taught me the basics of bass fishing and helped me become a more effective competitor when I began fishing tournaments.” Although Hunter is the only one of the two remaining on the biggest stage in bass fishing, rivalry still factors into their relationship. “Neither Fletcher nor I are shy about doing a little trash talking when one of us outperforms the other, but hey, we’re brothers first and foremost, and that goes with the territory. We nudge each other to become better competitors.” If you could use a bit of a nudge to become a better summertime bass angler, ride along with Hunter while he attacks Lake L on a sweltering August day.
We arrive at Lake L’s launch area. It’s 75 degrees and clear with a light south breeze. Shryock pulls several Abu Garcia baitcasting and spinning outfits from storage and arranges them on his boat’s front deck. “It’s going to be a scorcher today,” he says as he loads water
