The average weight of the bass that hit the scales yesterday was 2.74 pounds, as 107 anglers caught 98 five-bass limits totaling 1,400.5 pounds. Day 1 leader Chad Pipkens caught the big bass of the day, a 5 1/2-pounder. A “kicker fish” in a limit here is 3 3/4 pounds and up.
All those numbers illustrate the tight margin between success and failure on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, where only 3 pounds separated 11th place – Darrell Ocamica with 16-2 – and 64th place – Gerald Swindle with 13-2 – after Day 1.
“Sixteen pounds a day here is strong,” said Alton Jones. “That’s four three-pounders and throw in a four-pounder. To me, this place is fishing as strong as I’ve ever seen it.”