DENISON, Texas — Keith Combs consistency carried him to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the final 2010 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Lake Texoma. Combs of Del Rio, Texas, registered one of only five limits Friday — up from three on Thursday — which weighed 11 pounds, 10 ounces, upgrading his two-day total to 20-6.
"Today was a good day," he said. "I went out to get five bites doing the same thing I did yesterday, and it just worked better."
Combs was tossing a crankbait and a worm, though he declined to reveal specifics on either. Combs said his spot surprised him by producing as many fish as it did, so he stuck with it. If he's consistent for one more day, he may be cashing the top check of around $40,000.
In addition to the tournament prize, Combs is one of a host of anglers chasing two Classic berths via the Central Opens. Combs headed into this week in second in the points standings and is looking to lock up a berth with his banner performance on Texoma thus far. If he is able to hold serve, Combs will be a lock for one of the two berths.
Craig Schuff of Watauga, Texas, was first in the standings heading into this week and was able to salvage a 48th-place finish at Texoma. But Clark Reehm of Russellville, Ark., has put the heat on and is ninth at Texoma. He could challenge Schuff for a Classic berth depending on how Saturday plays out.
Behind Combs in the event was Jeff Reynolds of Idabel, Okla., who weighed in 12-7, building his total to 19-4. Reynolds says that the gusty Friday wind aided his bite a bit.
"I wasn't sure if the wind was going to help or not, but I managed to get a few bites from one hole," he said. "I'll go try it again tomorrow morning and see what shakes out."
In third place was Jay Fuller of Newcastle, Okla., with 19-3. Dropping to fourth was Thursday leader Lee Sisson of Winter Haven, Fla., who fell off the pace a bit with just 8-3 on Day Two, good enough for 18-13. Rounding out the top five was Ray Brazier of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., who almost doubled his Thursday weight with 12-7, bringing him up to 18-12.
On the co-angler side, Matt Crawford of Little Elm, Texas, stunned the crowd with a three-fish limit that weighed 10-3, bringing his total to 12-0. Patti Campbell of Waxahachie, Texas, also significantly added to her total with 9-9. She ended up at 10-14. Thursday leader Travis Gray of Princeton, La., fell to third with 10-3.
The field was cut to the top 30 today, with the tournament wrapping up Saturday.
The public is invited to watch the outcome of the Texoma event from Highport Marina, 120 Texoma Harbor Drive, Pottsboro, Texas. Boats will take off at 7:30 a.m. CT each day. Weigh-ins are set to begin at 3:30 p.m. CT. All events are free and open to the public.