It’s very early in the game but do any of the leaders surprise you? How about the weights?
Rick Clunn. Now that’s a nice surprise. This tournament is setting up to be ideal for the master of zen bass fishing. The tougher the better. That is when Clunn performs at his very best.
Randy Howell. Fair to say a certain topwater, or two, carrying his name are getting the early morning bites. Recent history says so. Howell did well on Toledo Bend with his jerkbait during the early morning shad spawn. That is presumed to be going on here. He also duplicated the good fortune by exploiting the same combination, shad spawn and topwater, at other spring events. What else might come into play is whether or not Howell can carry the momentum after the shad spawn bite subsides later this morning. If he does that makes him a top contender.
Scott Rook and Mike McClelland. No surprise there with the two Arkansans ranked among the most skilled river anglers on the tour.
Can’t leave out KVD. No explanation needed there.
Jason Christie is there, too. Yesterday he told me that getting away from the crowds was his goal, knowing that will be difficult to do here.
“I don’t like that because guys like me like getting off alone to themselves,” he said.
Whether or not Christie has found that secret spot is unknown. Today will be the day for doing just that. As the tournament progresses the best areas become community holes for the week. If one angler finds the magic area it usually attracts a crowd, and especially so when a lake is fishing “small” like Lake Dardanelle is now.
Fishing rivers, and shallow, is a Christie strength. And he’s bringing in lots of it after a strong finish just a couple weeks ago at Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefitting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. His top lure and pattern? A frog fished over shallow vegetation.