Stephen Browning has matched Kyle Monti’s hot start this morning, and raised. Browning caught a 5-pounder at 7:29 a.m. to give him a limit estimated at 18-4 on BASSTrakk. With a 2 1/2-pounder in his livewell, he’s a decent cull away from eclipsing 20 pounds.
The Hot Springs, Ark., resident has been doing this for a long time. He’s been a full-time B.A.S.S. pro for 23 years and won over $1.3 million on the circuit. Browning already has a victory this year – the Bass Pro Shops Central Open at Ross Barnett in March. This week Browning could give himself a big birthday present with a win at Grand Lake. He turns 52 years old on Saturday.