By; Frank Evans, Senior Writer, Fishers Of Men

Horrendous thunderstorms greeted competitors at the Burnside State Park ramp this morning, causing at least a 2-hour delay before we could start launching boats. However, Al Odom, the National Director, extended the fishing time an hour (to a 4:30 first-flight checkin) in order to make up for some of the lost time and give anglers a chance to take advantage of the afternoon bite that had developed over the previous few days.

Rain continued to fall throughout most of the day and during the weighin as well. Temperatures hovered around the mid to upper 50’s. When teams started coming to the scales, several began to vaguely reveal how they had caught their fish. There was never really a solid pattern to get huge limits into the boats, as many techniques were employed. From buzzbaits and spinnerbaits to shallow water, (soft and hard) jerkbaits, plus dredging the bottom with deep diving crankbaits and jigs on points, ledges, bluff banks,and in coves, the fishermen managed only 8, 5 fish limits.

Moving up to the top spot from 3rd, Kentucky South Central teammates, Mike Devere and Jarred Hembree brought in 16.47 lbs to lift their total weight up to 32.63 lbs for 10 bass. Following more than seven pounds behind the current leaders, South Carolina Lowcountry anglers, Wayne Frierson and Ronald Mueller, however, leaped all the way up from Day one’s 20th position to take second with 5 fish at 17.01, thus giving them 25.27lbs in 8 fish for the first two days. They also earned the $500.00 1st Big Fish award for one weighing 5.93 lbs.

Paul Carman and Dale Read brought in 3 fish weighing 7.38 lbs, also collecting the 2nd Big Fish award for a 5.00 pounder. The Texas Central pair hold 3rd place with a 2-day total of 8 fish going 23.12 lbs. Moving onto Day-3 of competition in 4th place with 22.35 lbs is the Kentucky South Central team of Densmore Goodson and Dacker Combs. They caught 10 fish over 2 days, going 13.19 and 9.16, respectively.

Finishing out the first two days of the tournament in 5th place (up from 10th) is Louisiana North Central’s, Jerry Silmon and Chris Burnham. By catching 3 bass today at 8.04 lbs and 5 on Thursday, weighing 11.98, the pair will begin Saturday’s final day with 20.02lbs.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible: Triton Boats, Mercury, Shakespeare, All Star Graphite Rods, Plueger, XTools, Strike King Lure Co., SOSPENDERS, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Marshall’s Marine Lake City SC, Solar Bat, Spike-It Bait Co, Keelshield, HOOAH Energy Bars, MotorGuide, Lowrance, All-Terrain Tackle, Stanley Jigs, Dual Pro Charger, Spot Remover by Buckeye Lures, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacobs Glass, Poor Boy's Baits Lurecraft, T&H Marine, Rejuvenate, and Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor.

Day 2 Results

Day 3 Results