It had all the makings of a big-time tournament. Even the Goodyear blimp showed up.

It is human nature to compete. Everybody likes winning, and putting a little something on the line is a motivator.

Like golfers wagering a few dollars, anglers put up money in hopes of claiming the pot at the end of the day. Whether it is investing in a megabucks bass tournament or pocket change for a weekday throw-together, it’s all about competing for the bucks and bragging rights.

Wednesday was one of those days. Ray Halter asked me to join him at Mogadore Reservoir south of Kent for a winner-take-all bass tournament among friends, including his fellow club members Al, Chief, Larry and Denny.

I never pass up an opportunity to fish with Ray. He’s one of the best to ever pick up a fishing rod in northern Ohio. A day on a lake with Ray is like playing 18 holes with Scottie Scheffler – well, almost. You’re going to witness pure skill and talent.

We pushed his boat from the dock as the sun peeked over the treeline. A few fish dimpled Mogadore’s surface, catching the attention of a soaring Osprey. It fluttered, dove and caught the first fish of the day. A good sign, for sure.

Ray directed his boat to a cluster of trees that had toppled from the bank. We pitched plastic worms to the tangle of branches, but failed to tease a strike.

We worked our way out of the launch ramp cove to hit some of the plethora of off-shore hotspots Ray has pinpointed on his GPS. Optimism was bubbling because Mogadore is known as a darn good bass lake and Ray knows it like the back of his hand.

Before too long as I hopped my ribbon-tail worm back toward the boat, I felt the familiar tightening that is the tell anglers seek. I reeled down, swept the rod back and struck a solid hookset into the jaw of a largemouth that weighed more than five pounds.

Good start, we agreed, as we bumped fists and turned back to casting and dragging our worms. Ray connected on the next two keepers, and we were well on our way to boxing our five-bass limit.

The Goodyear blimp, meanwhile, hummed over the trees south of our fishing water, just as it circles great sports spectacles all across America. I know the crew wasn’t making video of our fishing, but it was fun to imagine that possibility.

Ray has been fishing competitively for more than 50 years. He has won more bass tournaments than he can count and serves as a board member of Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. His well-earned credentials sparkled Wednesday as he deftly maneuvered from one hotspot to another. We picked up our fourth and fifth fish and culled up to more than 14 pounds before the 2:30 rendezvous to score the anglers’ catches.

The blimp continued zigging and zagging, riding the brisk breeze that buffeted Ray’s boat. Of course, the blimp is sighted frequently around Mogadore, as the Goodyear airship base is just a few miles from the lake.

But for a few hours Wednesday, it added to the dazzle of good fishing with a great friend and champion. Mogadore, when it was all said and done, was a winning experience. We paid our money, took our chances, and loved every minute.

Jack Wollitz writes this column weekly for Trib and Vindy readers. His new book, “The Common Golfer,” was released in April by Tucker DS Press. Contact him at jackbbaass@gmail.com