Local Myers Knows Secrets of South Carolina
By Thomas Allen
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Britt Myers fully understands the amount of risk that comes with making
a near two-hour boat run to access his fishing spots, but on Friday the gamble
paid off in a big way.
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| Britt working grass flat and ditches to secure lead. (Photo: BASS) |
Myers, of Lake Wylie, S.C., brought in a five-bass limit that weighed 21
pounds, 7 ounces, which catapulted him into the lead with a two-day total of
37-15 during the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay
presented by GoRVing.
After a weather delay on Thursday, Friday’s take-off was on time and
preceded a beautiful spring day that produced some impressive bass.
Kelly Jordon of Flint, Texas, weighed the heaviest limit of the
tournament so far with 24-7, pushing his two-day total to 32-12. Brett Hite of
Phoenix, Ariz., is in third with 32-2, while Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas,
is holding down fourth place with 26-1. Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla.,
rounds out the Top 5 with 25-8.
With two days remaining, Myers won’t divulge specifics yet, but he is
confident that the right bass will be where he’s fishing at least one more day.
Myers was targeting bass in deep and shallow water, bass that were
spawning and bass that were just roaming. But the tide impacted which
particular group of fish he focused on, and when he targeted them.
"Today it was all about the timing,” he said. “When the tide was
perfect, the biggest fish would eat, which I figured out on Thursday. I
capitalized on what I learned today, and I really think I can put myself into
position to do it again tomorrow — and hopefully on Sunday for the win.”
Myers believes that if he can catch 13 to 14 pounds each of the final
two days, he should be able to claim the championship. However, after Jordon
brought in 24-7 during Friday’s weigh-in, it’s hard to predict what might
happen.
Jordon had the kind of day that tournament anglers dream about.
“I’m the type of angler who swings for the fence at every event,” Jordon
said. “It’s cost me big time in the past, but today it definitely paid off. So
much of the success in this sport hinges on simple decisions, and I learned
something valuable yesterday that made me think I could replicate it again
today.”
On Thursday, Jordan weighed only one big bass for 8-5, which revealed
what he thought might be a workable pattern. That gut feeling helped put the
Texas angler in second place leading into Saturday.
“I am going to fish the same pattern again tomorrow,” he said. “But,
it’s hard to say whether the same caliber fish will bite or not. Because this
fishery is so expansive, once you decide where you’re going to fish, you’re
pretty much committed. I’m going to gamble and see if I can do it again.”
Hite said that the Winyah Bay area reminded him of the California Delta,
which is one of his favorite fisheries.
“I was confident that this event would play out much like a tournament
on the California Delta, but you really can’t be sure until you catch some
fish,” Hite said. “I found an area that had very similar characteristics to
what I’d look for out West, and it’s holding a big school of nice fish.”
Hite is confident that his pattern will hold up for a couple more days.
He is one of the many anglers who are making a long run to access prime waters,
which naturally comes with risk of travel delays.
“So far the traveling aspect of this tournament has been a breeze, which
really keeps me confident in making good decisions and staying on the right
fish,” he said. “That kind of confidence doesn’t come easy, but it helps
tremendously. I’m excited to see how Saturday shapes up.”
After Saturday’s semi-final round, the Top 12 anglers will advance to
Championship Sunday for a shot at the $100,000 prize.
Myers also earned the Livingston Lures Leader award of $500 for leading
the second day of the event.
Daily
take-offs are scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine
Complex, with weigh-ins scheduled at the same location at 3:30 p.m.
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