Expectations were low on the first day of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake. Heavy rains during practice and a one day postponement due to flooding set a low bar. But Neely Henry was full of surprises Friday, as 68 five-bass limits were caught in the 98-man field. And most surprised of all was leader Brock Mosley, who weighed 16 pounds, 15 ounces.
“I caught my limit in a place I didn’t even get a bite in practice,” Mosley said. “I started there just because there was nobody in there. I was boat 92 (at takeoff), and I figured it would be the only place all day I didn’t fish behind somebody. Everything went perfect. Once I caught a limit I started fishing new stuff.”
After Day 2, the field will be cut to the top 48 anglers. After practice, many thought 7 pounds would get you inside the cut mark. However, three anglers are tied in 48th place after Day 1 with 9 pounds, 9 ounces.
Clark Wendlandt is in third place with 15-13 and took big bass honors Friday with a 5-pound, 4-ounce largemouth. “My goal was just to catch a limit, seriously,” Wendlandt said. “I didn’t have a very good practice, and I heard that sentiment a lot. I think the weights are going to be a lot better than people thought.”