However, according to Henderson, he almost didn't fish the event. This was due to the fact that he's "in the negative on PTO balance" at work and that the only early scouting he could do was Navionics study on his phone. Fortunately for Henderson, he found a spot on the map that had everything contour- and cover-wise that he likes to fish back home. It turned out to be a good strategy for Henderson because when he got on the water there, the spot was close to a massive school of bass that hung around the same area all week. He managed to easily and quickly catch three good fish in practice, which made him realize just how special the spot was. Henderson then decided to leave the area and leave the school undisturbed.
It turns out that the spot that Henderson had found was a favorite summering spot fro some of the big Ouachita largemouths. It is situated in an area of the lake that has a main-channel ledge in 12 to 18 feet of water. Henderson also mentioned that his strategy involved dragging a junebug creature bait. His method of dragging it slow meant that he could feel it going through the school of fish and popping the line.
While Clint Henderson took first place, it was a close finish, with Dwain Batey taking the 2nd spot and Garett Morgan coming in third. The top ten list is as follows, with the complete results for all 72 anglers available on the official website (https://www.tourneyx.com/app/tourney/2019-flw-kbf-cup-hot-springs/finals#ttabs).
1st: Clint Henderson, Rome, Ga., 157.75 inches
2nd: Dwain Batey, Siloam Springs, Ark., 155 inches
3rd: Garrett Morgan, Conway, Ark.., 154 inches
4th: A.J. McWhorter, Lexington, Ky., 152.5 inches
5th: Eric Jackson, Walling, Tenn., 151.5 inches
6th: Dustin Murguia, Forest Park, Ill., 148.25 inches
7th: Henry Veggian, Durham, N.C., 147.25 inches
8th: Drew Gregory, Wingate, N.C., 146.75 inches
9th: Matt Ball, Little Hocking, Ohio, 139.5 inches
10th: Josh Stewart, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 137.25 inches
