2017 Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake Day 1: Bryan Thrift Takes Massive Lead!

Fall fishing freezes out some of the best

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Thrift proves why he is a winner!
(Photo: FLW)

Day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake started slow for bass-fishing superstar Bryan Thrift, but it quickly turned into another epic outing for the 2017 FLW Tour Angler of the Year when he piled about 25 pounds in his livewell on one spot this afternoon to top off a 27-pound, 8-ounce limit. The performance has him in first place by a margin of 7-1 over Alabama pro Cameron Gautney.

Justin Hicks of Roanoke, Va., leads all co-anglers with 16-13.

Top 10 pros

1. Bryan Thrift – Shelby, N.C. – 27-8 (5)   

2. Cameron Gautney – Muscle Shoals, Ala. – 20-7 (5)                 

3. Chad Foster – Saint Cloud, Fla. – 19-13 (5)      

4. Sheldon Collings – Grove, Okla. – 18-4 (5)                    

5. Bradford Beavers – Ridgeville, S.C. – 15-13 (5)                       

6. Kurt Mitchell – Milford, Del. – 15-8 (5)            

7. Ron Nelson – Berrien Springs, Mich. – 15-7 (5)           

8. Dustin Smith – Grand Island, Fla. – 15-3 (4)    

9. Todd Hollowell – Fishers, Ind. – 15-2 (5)

10. Jason Abram – Piney Flats, Tenn. – 14-15 (5)           

Current divisional leaders

A slot in the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be awarded to the top finisher at the Costa FLW Series Championship from each of the five U.S. divisions and the International Division. The next five highest finishers regardless of division also receive a spot at the Cup.

Here are the day one leaders from each division:

Southeastern – Bryan Thrift – 27 pounds, 8 ounces – first place

Central – Cameron Gautney – 20 pounds, 7 ounces – second place

Southwestern – Sheldon Collings – 18 pounds, 4 ounces – fourth place

Northern – Kurt Mitchell – 15 pounds, 8 ounces – sixth place

Western – Brent Shores – 13 pounds, 13 ounces – 15th place

International – Michael Matthee (South Africa) – 11 pounds, 9 ounces – 26th place (tie)