UNC Charlotte shines brightest on Day 1

Lake Norman showed out for the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops and UNC Charlotte shined brightest on Day 1 with 16 pounds 12 ounces.

CHARLOTTE, NC  Lake Norman showed out for the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops and UNC Charlotte shined brightest on Day 1 with 16 pounds 12 ounces. Cole Blythe and John Auten lead after Day 1 but are well aware of change in the air as a nasty front looks to shut down the spawn.

“This lake this time of year is changing so much, so fast,” said Blythe. “Most of our fish didn’t change that much from practice but we did have to do things slightly different from practice.”

As the fish move up to spawn on Norman, there’s enough variation in mood, location and presentation from day to day as it is. Add to that a cold front forecasted to drop the air temps from the low 80s to the upper 20s, and game plans will have to be modified.

“We probably live 10-to-15 minutes from here,” said Auten. “But it’s still hard to stay on fish out here because they move so much.”

Just knowing that the fish are on the move will help UNCC use their local knowledge to adjust on Day 2 and attempt to maintain their lead.

“Today was the day to have a big bag,” said Blythe who brought in the Day 1 Carhartt Big Bass weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces. “With the wind, rain and front coming, we’re just looking for a solid limit tomorrow to go with what we had today.”

Edward Rude III and Matthew Combs of West Virginia University pull in close behind UNCC on Day 1 with 16 pounds and 8 ounces to sit in second by a mere quarter of a pound.

“Of all the lakes we’ve fished, this one was my worst finish two years ago,” said Rude. Looks like the tide is turning on Norman for the WV Mountaineer and his teammate.

Jay Emmert and Christian Peake of the University of Tennessee sit in third with 15 pounds 13 ounces after Day 1.

Lake Norman fished well on Day 1, with 87 of the 109 teams catching a limit. In addition, it took 8 pounds to place in the top 80 and 11 pounds 9 ounces to put teams in position for the Day 3 top 20 cut.

All the Day 2 Lake Norman action can be found online at Bassmaster.com or we welcome you to come out to Blythe Landing for the Day 2 launch at 7:30 AM and Day 2 weigh-in beginning at 3:45 PM. All times Eastern.