GREENVILLE, S.C. — Paul Mueller is tops in the anglers representing the B.A.S.S. Nation in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Mueller ended Day 1 in 13th place with 13 pounds, 12 ounces.
His story from the 2014 Classic took center stage, though. Multiple competitors referred to Mueller's Day 1 of last year when he tanked and was only a few steps from the very bottom of the leaderboard, and yet how he came back with the biggest five-bass bag ever caught in Classic competition and only missed winning the Classic by a pound.
That Cinderella story could happen for any of the anglers in this year's Classic, and several of the Nation anglers are hoping it happens for them.
Coby Carden is next in line in 24th place with 9-3. Behind him is Teb Jones in 33rd with 7-9 and Jeff Lugar in 50th with 2-4. Troy Diede and Steve Lund came to the scales empty-handed.
"This is the best time I've ever had not catching fish," said Lund on stage, smiling. "It's been amazing."
Lugar echoed his sentiments.
"There's no frown on my face because this is the Bassmaster Classic," said Lugar. "This is the best experience in bass fishing, believe me."
The six anglers go back to work tomorrow, trying to make the Top 25 cut so they can fish on Sunday. Last year, only Mueller and Carden qualified to compete on Day 3.
Keep up all day Saturday and Sunday on Bassmaster.com.