BassTrakk shows Drew Benton with 13 pounds, 12 ounces, or slightly 1 pound behind current leader Daisuke Aoki. Benton just told Andy Crawford his weight is 14 3/4 pounds.
Benton is in the hunt for one good kicker largemouth to take the lead, and possibly the win.
“If I can cull my smallest with a 4-pounder, that’ll give me 18 pounds and then maybe I can win it,” he said.
Like Friday, Benton is committed to using two baits with the greatest potential for him to catch bigger bass. Those are a 6-inch Scottsboro Tackle Line Through Swimbait, and a Big Bite Baits Suicide Shad Swimbait, rigged on an 8/0 Owner Weighted Beast Hook.
Yesterday, Benton said wind was crucial to the success of his pattern. He needs it now, more than ever.
“The wind blew earlier this morning, and boy did they bite,” he said.
One thing is certain. Soon as he weighs in, Benton will hit the road, hammer down, to the next Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Fork Reservoir, where practice begins on Sunday. A win would certainly make losing a practice day worth it.