The first day of the four-day competition was described as "challenging" for the 182 bass anglers wrangling to climb another notch or two higher in the season standings before the season-ending championship of the Forrest Wood Cup in August.
Even so, 75 pros managed to haul in the limit of five bass, led by Mississippi's Randy Haynes with 26 pounds, 3 ounces total weight. Haynes' haul was almost two pounds ahead of Tennesseean Jason Lambert (24-6.) Scott Canterbury was the only other angler who managed to break 20 pounds on their first day.
Local pro Ramie Colson of Cadiz is 77th, and Paducah's Terry Bolton is 120th after the first day on the lake.
Several local co-anglers fared better in their division Thursday. Maurice Cobb of Eddyville is 13th, Mike Keller of Metropolis is 28th with fellow southern Illinoisan Matt Pinkston of Harribury at 31. Donnie Holland of Cadiz is 39th, and Daniel Schroeder of Paducah is the only other local co-angler in the top 50 in 42nd place.
Friday's weigh-ins are free and open to the public beginning at 3pm at the old beach area of Kentucky Dam Village. Saturday and Sunday will both have 4 pm weigh-ins, plus the FLW Expo will be free for the whole family from noon til 4 with lots of activities and prizes for kids.
Saturday morning includes a free fishing derby for kids from 9-11am at the old beach area. Kids who don't have their own rod and reel will be provided with gear and bait, plus goodie bags for the first fifty signed up.
Visit the link below for complete standings, a schedule of the weekend's events, and live streaming coverage on the water all weekend.
On the Net:
FLW website
