It’s no coincidence that three northeast Oklahoma residents occupy places at the top of the Day 1 standings in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
“There’s something going on in certain parts of the lake here that are really similar to things that happen in Oklahoma,” said James Elam of Tulsa, who is in sixth place with 16 pounds, 7 ounces. “When you see that and grow up doing it, you know how to do that stuff.
“All the northeast Oklahoma lakes are kind of like that. Any of the lakes we have, even the clear-water ones, have stained areas. We’ve got a good mix, just like Hartwell does.”
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., is leading after Day 1 with 20-14. “Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma looks a lot like Hartwell,” he said. “Hartwell is clearer, obviously, but the fish set up the same way. There’s something going on that plays to your strengths.”
Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., who is in second place with 19-9, agreed, saying, “In Oklahoma we’ve got a lot of lakes that are set up like this right now.”
It’s too early in the tournament to reveal exactly what these three Oklahoma anglers are doing, but Elam offered this, saying, “There’s a really good chance that we’re all doing the same thing.”