Cliff Pace was possibly the most unenthusiastic classic winner of all time!!
About a year ago I was fishing a tournament, 1st place was guaranteed $5,000, in the first 8 minutes I lost a fish that was an easy 4lbs, jumped and threw my red eye shad. Wasn't a big deal as it was still early. After catching a couple 2's in the following minutes I then hooked a big fish, jumped 3 times, it was an easy 7lbs, had it at the boat 3 times after a few failed attempts with the net it surged 1 final time and broke me off. I yelled, wanted to break my rod, felt sick, devastated, you name it i felt it. Told my partner that there is little chance we can win this thing losing a fish like that. Went on to get a few more good fish of that spot but nothing over 4lbs. Ended day 1 with 10lbs had two dinks that were no more than 3lbs together. A 7+ and a 4 would probably have put me at about 18lbs or so. Day two went out and stuck a 5 a 4 and 3 in the first 10 minutes off the same spot then scrambled the rest of the day to get two more 2lbers. Caught a 10lb catcfish that i thought was a hawg bass initially and was disappointed when i realized it was a cat. Ended day two with 15 1/2lbs or so..ended up 6th and didnt cut a check. I still haven't completely healed from losing those two fish that first day
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
now that was in a mid level local guaranteed cash tourney.
Can't even begin to imagine something like that happening in the classic! I would probably just start vomiting and continue for a few days.