Bait Shop

Paradise Lake, near Kissimmee, Florida, is hosting a Professional Bass Association contest. Local bait-shop owner and former amateur champ Bill Dugan is in deep trouble: the bank wants $15,000 for the shop’s mortgage. He doesn’t tell his wife, who’s angry when she finds out, and his wealthy blowhard father-in-law wants him to work for him. The tournament favorite is Hot Rod Johnson, a crowd-pleaser and ESPN darling who’ll do anything to win. Bill’s son Scott thinks Hot Rod is cool. Hot Rod opens a huge store close to Bill’s, his ne’er-do-well pals are ready to desert him, and he may lose it all. His one hope is to enter the contest and win the prize. Time to fish or cut bait.—