“(Today) will be a big day for everybody,” Ashley said. “It’s been cold, relatively, for consecutive days now, and that puts some fish where they should be (this time of year), and they’ll stay there. That’s going to be a starting point. That’s what I’m trying to find – a starting spot – where I can catch about 12 to 14 pounds, then it’s game-on.”
Lane found bass during the three-day practice period that began last Friday, but not at all hours of the day.
“(Today) is a crucial day, absolutely crucial,” said Lane, who also finished fourth at Hartwell in the 2008 Classic. “I’m going to run some new water, try a couple of different things. I’m having an issue catching fish early. A lot of people are not. I’m not having a problem getting bit later in the day. I’d like to try to figure out something to do early.”