BRANSON, Mo. — Mike McClelland, an Ozarks lakes angler since he was 8 years old, took his time this week before he stepped into the limelight in the April 3-6 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Table Rock Lake.
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| A solid 17 pound limit leaps Mike into the lead. (Photo: BASS) |
After the first day of competition, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Bella Vista, Ark., was in 12th place. In Friday’s second round, McClelland found surer footing — and a better size of bass. He pushed up into fourth place.
And then he made his biggest move. McClelland grabbed Saturday’s lead by weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces for a three-day total of 49-13 and an almost 4-pound lead.
“It was fine for me to start in 12th. As a ‘local,’ you’re going to get so much more attention if you are leading,” McClelland said. “I kind of like to stay behind the scenes as much as I can and just let it happen.”
