Based on the fact that 51st place in the Day 1 standings was 15 pounds, 12 ounces, a new mark for highest two-day cut weight this season is expected at the end of the day. That would be a further testament to Sam Rayburn Reservoir being on the upswing.
Bill Lowen, of all people, predicted this after practice. He said catching 3-pounders was relatively easy at Rayburn, adding, “So that tells me 15 pounds a day is probably going to get you a kick in the butt.”
Three anglers were tied with 15-12 after Day 1 – Brian Snowden, Jesse Wiggins and, of course, Bill Lowen. It varies from lake-to-lake and often depends on changing weather, but generally you can double 51st-place total from Day 1 and make an educated guess about the Day 2 cut weight.
Here are those numbers for 51st place from the previous four Elite Series tournaments this season:
Day 1 Day 2
Cherokee Lake 13-1 25-2
Lake Okeechobee 13-10 27-14
Toledo Bend Reservoir 13-12 26-4
Ross Barnett Reservoir 11-5 22-14
Sam Rayburn Reservoir 15-12 ???