Chris Johnston, who is in second place with 19-12, according to BASSTrakk, is hitting structure spots along the lake, looking for schools of keepers. He has spent almost as much time riding and looking at his depthfinder as he has casting.
It has yet to pay off while we’ve been watching him. We were glad to see him firing up the outboard for what turned out to be a long run from his previous area. That meant we got a chance to cool off in this oppressive heat.
Johnston stopped to chat with his friend Chris Groh. Groh tossed Johnston a bag of lures as we watched. According to tournament rules, anglers can only receive lures from another angler after competition has begun. Now they are fishing side-by-side over what must be a productive spot. They must be good friends.
Neither has hooked up with a fish, although Groh did swing on one and miss. He could have used it. He’s 34th with four bass weighing 14-4.