Bucktail Jig Magic with Jim McLaughlin

The bucktail jig is a bass and walleye classic. Big Jim McLaughlin has tied tens of thousands of bucktails in his life, so he knows how to fish them.   Listen to this Canadian living legend as he explains why bucktails are so good along with some hot colours.

OFAH Insights: Have your say on Firearms Bill C-71

On March 20th, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness tabled Bill C-71, the federal government’s long anticipated gun bill. While the intent of this Bill was to target illegal guns and gang violence in Canada, it is abundantly clear that this Bill adds numerous additional restrictions to licensed firearms owners.

The OFAH continues to work with as many MPs as possible across the province, including Minister Goodale’s office, and has requested to appear before a government committee on Bill C-71 in an effort to minimize unnecessary restrictions on law-abiding firearms owners.

We need your feedback on Bill C-71 to help drive our messages home. Your participation in a short survey on the Bill is extremely important to the OFAH, and we appreciate you taking a few minutes to provide us with your feedback.

Take thesurvey here and please share it with family, friends and colleagues.

Your opinion matters.

Humminbird & Minn Kota Linked for Better Fishing with Charles Sim

Linking your Minn Kota trolling motor to your networked Humminbirds will allow you to precisely navigate your boat right on the juice. Listen to Bassmaster Classic qualifier Charles Sim as he explains the importance and benefits of linking your Humminbird electronics to your Minn Kota trolling motor.

Bryan Thrift Wins 2018 FLW Tour Lake Cumberland with 70-02lbs!

Chris Johnston move to 6th from 70th

by Curtis Niedermier
FLW PRESS RELEASE

Smallmouth and swimbaits make Thrift a champion.
(Photo: FLW)

So long as Bryan Thrift fishes the FLW Tour, for anyone else, winning a tournament will never come easy. Winning means beating Bryan Thrift. Beating Bryan Thrift is a feat.

The Shelby, N.C., pro proved once again that if he’s in the hunt on the weekend, he’s not going to have a bad day. He’s purely lethal. Today, Thrift put the finishing touches on his sixth FLW Tour victory and his 10th FLW win overall. This one came on a cold, rainy, miserable day in central Kentucky at Lake Cumberland for stop No. 4 of the 2018 Tour. The tournament was presented by General Tire, and Thrift won with a 70-pound, 2-ounce total and pocketed $125,200 for his efforts. 

Thrift squashed an impressive run by 2017 The Bass Federation National Champion Allen Boyd, who gave one of the tournament’s best performances, catching 18 pounds, 2 ounces of largemouths despite losing a couple of hours this morning to a mechanical issue. Boyd charged ahead hard, but he couldn’t keep pace with Thrift, whose 18-10 stringer gave him a four-day margin of victory of 1 pound, 10 ounces.

Surely, if there’s a conversation about who’s the best bass angler alive right now, Thrift deserves consideration. Andy Morgan, another of bass fishing’s best, said on stage today in Somerset that he thinks Thrift is the best there is. There couldn’t be a much better commendation than that.

“Who’s the best?” is a fun debate, but the facts are what matter now. Thrift closed out the tournament with his fourth consecutive stringer of Cumberland smallmouths. He weighed in 15-9 on day one, improved the following two days with 17-4 and 18-11, and finished with 18-10.
Top 10 Below

2018 FLW Tour Lake Cumberland Day 3: Bryan Thrift Jumps into Lead by Ounces over Andy Morgan

Chris Johnston 10th

FLW PRESS RELEASE
All FLW Tour events are exciting, but this week’s tournament has been exceptional thanks to a showdown among A-list pros who are flat out smashing fish on Lake Cumberland. We’re on the cusp of what could be one of the greatest Sunday slugfests in FLW Live history on the final day of the season’s fourth Tour stop, which is presented by General Tire.

Morning smallmouth key to Thrift pattern.
(Photo: FLW)

Bryan Thrift is in the lead with 51 pounds, 8 ounces, but Andy Morgan is only 7 ounces back, Allen Boyd is a pound and 2 ounces back, and Greg Bohannan is 1-15 back. The entire top 10 is within 6 pounds of Thrift’s lead. With many in the top 10 catching 30 or more fish a day – and a lot of good ones – there’s no predicting the outcome, except to guarantee that Sunday at Cumberland will be one to remember.

Aside from the pro showdown, there’s also a very interesting species showdown going on. The main patterns are targeting staging and spawning smallmouths with swimbaits, and targeting staging and spawning largemouths with spinnerbaits. The two patterns seem to be producing at about an equal rate.

Thrift is in the smallmouth camp. He’s weighed in 15 brown bass, and brought in 18-11 today for his 52nd consecutive limit in FLW Tour competition, extending the record that he broke yesterday.

“Today was fun,” Thrift says. “The first two days were a little bit of a struggle, but I caught a lot of fish today.

“You can’t feel safe with Morgan behind you,” he adds. “Hopefully they bite again tomorrow. I caught a lot of them, so we’ll see.”

The fact that he caught so many today is the only thing that worries Thrift. He’s simply not sure if his “home area” can last for another day.

All three days he’s fished a variety of targets in his area, from the main lake to primary and secondary points to some of the lead-in banks in pockets. About the only thing he’s not fishing is the backs of the pockets where other pros are targeting largemouths.
TOP 10 BELOW

2018 FLW Tour Lake Cumberland Day 2: Andy Morgan Controls Tournament with 34-11lbs!

Chris Johnston 17th, Cory Johnston 93rd, Richardson 114th, Gussy 125th

by Curtis Niedermier

FLW PRESS RELEASE

For the second consecutive day, tournament leader Andy Morgan has a 1-pound, 6-ounce lead over second place at the FLW Tour event presented by General Tire on Lake Cumberland.

Sling a spinnerbait is what Andy does best.
(Photo: FLW)

Consistency is nice when you’re in the lead, but Morgan knows he left the door open today. A rash of lost fish, short strikes and bad breaks prevented him from fulfilling his potential. He weighed in 15 pounds, 12 ounces to back up 18-15 on day one, and likely could’ve come close to repeating his day-one weight had he managed to land a few more of the Cumberland smallmouths that slapped and toyed with his spinnerbait this morning.

“I think it was just bad luck,” says the Dayton, Tenn., pro about his misfortunes today. “I had some pretty good opportunities today to have a really, really nice bag.”

Among the heartbreak bass was a 5-pound-class smallmouth that gobbled Morgan’s spinnerbait. He says the fish had almost the entire bait in its mouth; only the top blade was hanging out. Morgan got a good look at it when the fish “gave up” the fight and wallowed on the surface. With his co-angler poised and ready with the net, Morgan believed the fish was as good as caught. Then the spinnerbait shot free. That fish alone would have been a big help.

As it stands, Morgan has 12 anglers within 5 pounds of his lead. Five pounds is a healthy cushion on some lakes, but Cumberland’s smallmouths are really starting to fire, and the forecast for tomorrow is for rain and overcast skies at least part of the day, which should make the smallmouth bite even better.

Top Ten Below

2018 FLW Tour Lake Cumberland Day 1: Andy Morgan Claims First with 18-15lbs!

Richardson 40th, Chris Johnston 71st, Cory Johnston 105th, Gussy 154th

by Curtis Niedermier

FLW PRESS RELEASE

All largemouths for Andy.
(Photo: FLW) 

Today, Andy Morgan did what he’s previously failed to do all season long: He stuck with what he knows, fished ways that he’s comfortable fishing and hammered a tournament-leading stringer of bass that weighed 18 pounds, 15 ounces.

Morgan, who came into the tournament 109th in the standings, was the only pro to break the 18-pound mark on day one of the FLW Tour event presented by General Tire on Lake Cumberland, and he has a 1-pound, 6-ounce lead over Jason Meninger in second place.

Morgan admits that he’s tried a little too hard this season to fish the patterns that are “supposed to be” good, instead of sticking with the shallow-water, power-fishing approach that has historically landed him in check range at tournaments, and Forrest Wood Cup range at the end of the season. He wasn’t making that mistake here this week.

“I knew coming in here I was gonna fish my way,” he says. “I don’t give a darn if the smallmouths are biting, or if they’re biting off the hook. I’m gonna fish my way.

“I made a run, and the lake’s flooded,” he adds. “There’s a lot of stuff to throw at. The fishing’s good. It’s not like I smoked ’em, but I got quality bites.”

The smallmouth bite certainly was good today, too, with most of the top five pros keying on brown bass, which are starting to spawn on Cumberland’s lower end. Morgan and the rest of the largemouth crew mostly worked moving baits in flooded trees and bushes.

The Dayton, Tenn., pro says he needed a couple hours this morning to relocate the largemouths he’d found during practice. There are real giants in his areas, but he thinks the fish are in a bit of a funk due to the fluctuating water levels and air temperatures that have ranged from the mid-20s to mid-70s over the last few days. He anticipates big bags of fish at tomorrow’s weigh-in.

“I think they’re right on the cusp [of spawning],” Morgan adds. “The five fish I caught today were all females, and were all full of eggs.

“It’s really, really random,” he adds. “I don’t know what the next one is going to be beside or when the next bite is going to come. But it’s my kind of fishing. It ain’t no dragging around.”

Top 10 pros

1. Andy Morgan – Dayton, Tenn. – 18-15 (5)

2. Jason Meninger – St. Augustine, Fla. – 17-9 (5)

3. Grae Buck – Harleysville, Penn. – 16-13 (5)

4. Jared McMillan – Belle Glade, Fla. – 16-12 (5)

5. Allen Boyd – Salem, Ind. – 16-5 (5)

2019 Bassmaster Classic Heading to Knoxville

BASS PRESS RELEASE

For the first time in its 49-year history, the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will be held on the Tennessee River out of Knoxville, it was announced today by B.A.S.S. and the host organization, Visit Knoxville.The prestigious championship bass tournament — widely known as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” — will be held March 15-17 in downtown Knoxville and on The University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus.

“Knoxville meets and exceeds all the requirements we have for the Bassmaster Classic — great fishing on the Tennessee River, first-class facilities to accommodate crowds of fishing fans, a vibrant city with plenty to see and do, and a corps of state and local tourism professionals who will ensure its success,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin.

“Bass fishing is hugely popular in this part of the country,” he added. “In fact, 10 of our 109 Bassmaster Elite Series pros are from the Volunteer State, and most live in east Tennessee. This is going to be a very exciting Classic.”

Jackall Rerange Jerkbaits with FLW Pro Cory Johnston

Spring time is jerkbait time. Actually, these is no bad time to jerk a jerkbait. Listen to FLW Tour pro and BASS winner Cory Johnston as he explains why you need to buy a Jackall Rerange jerkbait for bass fishing. It comes in a 110 and 130 sizes perfect for all your needs.

Sunline's New Flipping FC with Hi Viz

Fluorocarbon lines can be hard to see in dirty water. If your local lake or river is muddy this Spring, Flipping FC can be a great choice for helping you see your line better.  Sunline pro angler Jason Christie says,"Flipping FC has been great for me in dirty water to allow me to better see my line."

It features 30" of clear line followed by 12" of high vis yellow repeating thru the entire spool.  Tie your lure on in the clear like a leader and get the benefits of high vis for easy bite detection.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Praises Inclusion of Wildfire Funding Reform

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated the passage of wildfire funding reform as part of the FY18 Omnibus Spending Bill. This new legislation will support long-term wildfire mitigation practices and safeguard important forest programs including recreation, ensuring Americans continue to have access to healthy, active outdoor recreation on their public lands.

Wildfire costs have risen out of control, constraining other federal agency efforts and jeopardizing public lands recreation programs and projects vital to an outdoor recreation industry that accounts for two percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and $673 billion in Gross Output according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that wildfire suppression costs surpassed $2.3 billion this year, with more than 8.5 million acres burned. In addition to the tragic loss of lives and homes, vital recreation infrastructure has been destroyed. Fire suppression activities continue to rise as a percentage of the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) budget. This rise has reduced investments in trails, campgrounds and other recreation infrastructure, much of which needs modernization and expansion.

Crestliner PT 20 Bass Boat Walk-Though with 2 Time Classic Champ Mike Williams

The Crestliner PT 20 is a huge aluminum bass boat.  Constructed with seamless welds, tremendous storage, wide casting platforms at a fraction of the price and weight of a glass boat. Learn as Crestliner pro Mike Williams gives up a walk through on his new rig.

2018 BASS Elite Sabine River Tournament Postponed

Citing recent heavy rains and high water in the Sabine River watershed, B.A.S.S. has decided to postpone the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Elite presented by Econo Lodge that had been scheduled to begin in Orange, Texas, next week.

“The safety of our anglers and others on the waters of the Sabine River system are our primary concern,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “Weather and water conditions are expected to create potentially hazardous boating conditions, and we feel compelled to postpone the event until conditions are more favorable.”

The tournament originally was to begin Friday, April 6, and conclude Monday, April 9. As conditions began to deteriorate, Weldon told Elite Series anglers Thursday the tournament would be delayed at least one day. “We became convinced today that conditions would not improve in time for the tournament to be held in the coming days.”

The tournament will be rescheduled for another time during the 2018 Elite Series season, which concludes with the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship in September. Officials from B.A.S.S. and local host organizations in Orange will be meeting in the coming days to select a suitable date to reschedule the event.

B.A.S.S. has conducted Elite Series tournament at Orange twice before, in 2013 and 2015. Both generated tremendous crowds of spectators, including some of the best attendance figures in tournament history.

Local organizers were hoping to set new records next week and had planned concerts following the afternoon weigh-ins to further entertain bass fishing fans.

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) said in a statement it has been made aware of B.A.S.S.’s decision to postpone the Bassmaster Elite Tournament on the Sabine River, based on the safety of the anglers. “As a result of this decision the Orange County River Festival will also be cancelled,” it said. 

Tad McKee, Chairman of the GOACC Board, stated, “This was a hard decision, but we support B.A.S.S.’s commitment to the safety of the anglers and participants. We look forward to a rescheduled tournament in the near future."

Bill C-71: An Act to Amend Certain Acts and Regulations in Relation to Firearms

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) supports firearms legislation measures that increase the public safety of Canadians, as long as it doesn’t implement further unnecessary restrictions or barriers on law-abiding firearms users.

The government’s stated intention of Bill C-71 is to prioritize public safety and respond to increasing trends in gun crime and violence, yet it would seem that the majority of the proposals are focused on lawful firearms users. The government is painting a picture of alarming trends in firearms-related crime and violence to justify the proposed measures and to show action on election platform promises of 2015. Unfortunately, targeting lawful firearms users will not help them achieve their intended goals.

The stats being used to support the need for Bill C-71 reference 2013 (lowest criminal homicides in 50 years) as a baseline to suggest we have a growing problem with firearms in Canada. However, the facts show a long-term decline in firearm-related crime.

For decades, the OFAH has been pushing the federal government to invest in programs and policy that targets illegal firearms and actual criminal activity, rather than policy that has the effect of making criminals out of law-abiding firearms owners. The investments announced by the Government of Canada in 2017 to fight gangs and gun violence are a step in the right direction; however, this ‘complementary bill’ will do little to achieve the government’s stated goals.

HAPPY EASTER!

Wishing you and your family a HAPPY EASTER.

Ned Rig for Smallmouth with Z Man Pro Dave Chong

The Z-Man Ned Rig is one of the most effective finesse presentations an angler can cast. Listen to Dave Chong as he explains how he uses the Ned Rig for  smallmouth. Dave Chong has won tournaments throughout the smallmouth range and knows how to make bass bite.

G Loomis Redesigns E6X

NEWLY-DESIGNED E6X BASS RODS

Providing bass anglers with both performance and value, G. Loomis launches a redesign to its popular E6X Series to make them more durable and even lighter. Available to anglers for the 2018 fishing season, the new E6X bass rods includes 33 models offered in both technique specific, along with G. Loomis’ universal ‘Mag Bass’ (MBR) casting and ‘Spin Jig’ (SJR) spinning actions.  

Built around a performance platform with a focus on weight, balance, sensitivity and action, “our E6X bass rods are the perfect choice for anglers who have never experienced what it’s like fishing a G. Loomis rod,” said G. Loomis senior planning manager - and noted bass angler - David Brinkerhoff. “And for those anglers who want to add specific actions to their rod arsenal - say a big swimbait rod or a dropshot spinning rod for some finesse fishing - the E6X series will have it covered.”

The slight weight reduction on rods was done while also increasing overall durability. “When you can go light and stronger, along with providing a smaller sized guide train for better balance, it was the right time for this nice upgrade to the E6X bass rods,” said Brinkerhoff. “Plus with the 14 spinning rods offered in the line-up, anglers will appreciate the added in-hand comfort from a more streamlined reel seat.”

Berkley's Squarebull Crankbaits

Squarebill crankbaits are amazing for shallow water. Berkley has a great ones called the Spuarebull. The Squarebull is available in 3 sizes: 3.5, 5.5 and the big 7.5 crankbait. Listen as Richard Brouwer as he explains how this plug has a super hunting action and deflects so well off of cover. Designed by Bassmaster Classic Champ David Fritts, you cannot ask for anything better.

Shimano Launched New Bantam Baitcasting Reel at Bassmaster Classic

BANTAM 150 BAITCASTING REELS FROM SHIMANO NOW OFFERED -

THE REEL THAT BEGAN SHIMANO’S PERFORMANCE LEGACY

Going back 40 years, Shimano introduced anglers to Bantam - its first low-profile baitcasting reel. It began Shimano’s connection to bass anglers. A new chapter for Bantam reels begins with the introduction of the Bantam 150 MGL, now being offered in six models - the Bantam MGL150, 151, 150HG, 151HG, 150XG and 151XG.

           

Suggested Retail: all sizes - $349.99

“With the new Bantam MGL reels, we went back to the legacy we built with the original metal construction reels, and took advantage of 40 years of ever-expanding technology,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development staff. “Anglers will discover the entire concept behind the Bantam MGL reel is all about rigid, solid, and sensitive. We incorporate specific design elements and technology to focus on that concept.”

            Bringing the rigidity of a machined round reel to a low profile reel, anglers will experience the Bantam MGL’s ‘CoreSolid Body’ design. “We are able to combine multiple parts and integrate the B-sideplate, frame and levelwind guard into a solid one-piece aluminum platform,” explains Epich. “After a day on the water casting and retrieving, anglers will notice the familiar, rigid feel of round reel design, along with appreciating the ergonomics, comfort and sensitivity of this low profile reel.”

           

Jerkbait Refinement for BASS with Megabass Pro Nick Cousvis

Megabass pro Nick Courvis has been a big jerk for over 20 years. Never! He's a cool guy who knows tons about why a jerkbait is an amazing bait for bass. He's a master with the Megabass Vision 110. Listen as he explains some of his knowledge on how to make bass eat a jerkbait even when they're not interested.

Jordan Lee Wins the 2018 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell with 47-07lbs!

Lee Repeats as Classic Champ 
By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Lee comes from behind again to win!
(Photo: BASS)

After three magical days on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, Jordan Lee now belongs to one of the most exclusive fraternities in professional bass fishing.
 
Lee, who began Sunday’s championship round in sixth place, caught five bass that weighed 16 pounds, 5 ounces and won the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods with a three-day total of 47-1.
 
Lee, who won last year’s Classic on Lake Conroe, Texas, joins fishing legends Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only anglers in history to win the Super Bowl of professional bass fishing two years in a row.
 
“That part of it hasn’t set in for me,” said Lee, who pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S. past $1 million with the $300,000 Classic win. “I’m still just freaking out.
 
“It was just a perfect week for me. I caught fish on five different baits and a lot of different techniques.”
 

2018 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell Day 2: Christie Leads with 37-04!

Christie leads Evers by 5!

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Jason Christie ready for Day 3 and the win.
(Photo: BASS)

Once again, Jason Christie is on the verge of winning the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
 
And once again, his good friend — and occasional nemesis — Edwin Evers, has a chance to take it away from him.
 
The Oklahoma anglers occupied the Top 2 spots in the standings for the second straight day at Lake Hartwell, and they will lead the remaining 23 anglers into Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $300,000 first-place prize and the most coveted trophy in professional bass fishing.
 
Christie caught 16-6 during Saturday’s second round to push his two-day total to a tournament-best 37-4. Evers had a much tougher day than he did on Friday, landing only 13-0. But he remained in second place with a two-day mark of 32-9.
 
“It was the same deal today where you just had to weed through them until you found a good one,” said Christie, who also led the first two days of the 2016 Classic on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, only to lose the title to Evers on the final day. “I had a chance to have a really good day, but I lost some fish. I don’t know if it was the lightning we had this morning or if the water’s clearing up or what, but they’re biting funny.”
 
Those funny bites led to some ragged hook sets that cost Christie on several occasions.
 
“I lost a 5-pounder and a 3- or 3 1/2-pounder,” said Christie, who won the GEICO Everyday Leader Award of $2,500 for the second straight day. “I also broke one off that was my fault. I hit a cable on one cast, and I didn’t retie. Then later on, I broke one off setting the hook.
 
“I caught a 4-pounder on my last cast, but I’m not getting enough of those kinds of bites. I can’t afford to booger those up when I get them.”
 

2018 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell Day 2: Mid-Morning Report.

Change is good for leaders

By Luigi De Rose

Evers working a typical Grand Lake Pre-spawn pattern.
(Photo: BASS)

Sometimes you get what you wished for. That is the case for many of the top anglers in the 2018 Bassmaster Classic on Day 2 who prayed for an overcast morning but it doesn’t seem to have helped.  They wanted a darker, misty morning to prolong the bite unfortunately, it has hindered the fish catches instead of accelerated it.  The deep-water spotted bass have been smaller than yesterday and many of the anglers do not have a 5-bass limit as of 10:45am. 

One key pattern has emerged over the last day and a half; capitalizing on largemouth moving shallow. Even though Lake Hartwell is spotted bass heaven, big largemouth are critical to winning any spring tournament.

Largemouth are making a move toward the back of pockets, coves and flat banks to start the spawning ritual. Christie, Evers, Elam, DeFoe and a few others are fishing grass, rocks, wood but the docks seem to be the best at holding the larger females. Largemouth will migrate to the truly shallow water if the conditions change, and they’re changing. The corners and especially the back corners, closest to the bank are the best. Much of the Top 10 caught their larger bass yesterday after 11am as it became warmer. If it continues to warm up, anglers on this pattern will be waiting for them.

The vibrating jig, jigs and even spinnerbaits are key baits today and yesterday to the largest bass being caught. If it gets super sunny, rising the water temperature, it might produce a strong bite that could launch an angler back in the Top 15 into the lead just like what happened to Jordan Lee when he won the 2016 Classic on Lake Conroe.

Top 10

1. Edwin Evers  32-3
2. Jason Christie 29-12
3. Jordan Lee 29-6
4. James Elam 29-05
5. Jacob Wheeler 27-13
6. Brent Ehrler 27-12
7. Casey Ashley 24-0
8. Jacob Powroznik 23-14
9. Aaron Martens 23-8
10. Dustin Connell 23-9

2018 Bassmaster Classic Lake Hartwell Day 1: Jason Christie Grabs Lead with 20-14lbs.

Christie leads with 20!

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Christie ready to win first Classic!
(Photo: BASS)

After one day of fishing on Lake Hartwell, the leaderboard for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods has a familiar look.
 
Oklahoma angler Jason Christie leads the way, with Edwin Evers — a fellow Okie and Christie’s roommate on the Bassmaster Elite Series — sitting close behind in second.
 
Christie said a change in strategy near the mid-point of Day 1 helped him to his tournament-best weight of 20 pounds, 14 ounces.
 
“I’ve got two little deals going, and I did the first little deal for the first three or four hours,” said Christie, who claimed the GEICO Everyday Leader Award of $2,500. “But then it just kind of ran out.
 
“I changed it up and actually caught a 5-pounder — and that gave me a clue. So, I just ran with it and ended up culling everything I had.”
 
Christie said he caught fish all day, but patience was required for finding the type of big fish that helps an angler win the Classic.
 
“They’re all on the same kind of stuff, but you just don’t know where the big ones are going to come from,” he said. “You’ll catch a 2-pounder, a 2-pounder and then finally a 5-pounder.”
 
Evers, who brought in 19-9 Friday, got off to a fast start with a good early-morning bite that he said might have been due to bass feeding on blueback herring.
 
“I honestly don’t know what they were doing,” he said. “I got really lucky and found a place that had a bunch of fish in it. It was an early-morning deal. I caught them every cast.”
 
Like Christie, Evers caught his biggest fish — two largemouth that each weighed 4-10 — in the afternoon hours.
 
“Those fish came around 12:30 or 1 o’clock,” he said. “It made for a better day than I thought I was going to have. I thought I was going to catch 16 or 17 pounds and maybe get a couple of big bites to push that up — and that’s what happened.”
 
The last time these two anglers waged a close battle in a Classic was 2016 on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in their home state. Back then, Christie led the first two days, only to see Evers overcome him with a giant catch on the final day.
 

2018 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell Day 1: Christie Sacks 20-14lbs for Lead!

Oklahoma room mates land 1 & 2!
By Luigi De Rose

Considering the hype about Lake Hartwell prior to the start, the fishing was slow for most. Even the top anglers complained about long lulls between bites. Oklahoma anglers Christie and Evers, room mates on tour, sit first and second after Day 1. Both explained that Hartwell fishes very similar to Grand Lake. The site of the 2016 Classic, Grand Lake is where Christie led the first two day but later succumbed to a heroic last day limit by Ever which vaulted him in the winner's circle. This event could be a repeat of 2016.

Tomorrow will see increased cloud cover and warmer temps. This might give shallow anglers or anglers targeting spotted bass with moving baits the edge.

1	Jason Christie		5 / 20-14
2	Edwin Evers		5 / 19- 9
3	Jordan Lee		5 / 18-10
4	Brent Ehrler		5 / 17- 8
5	Ott DeFoe		5 / 16- 8
6	James Elam		5 / 16- 7
7	Jacob Wheeler		5 / 16- 1
8	Mark Daniels Jr.		5 / 15-14
9	Gerald Swindle		5 / 15-13
10	Jamie Hartman		5 / 15-12
11	Dustin Connell		5 / 15- 5
11	Jason Williamson		5 / 15- 5
13	Jacob Powroznik		5 / 15- 4
14	Casey Ashley		5 / 15- 0
15	Alton Jones		5 / 14- 9