2017 Walmart FLW Tour Beaver Lake Day 3: Johnny McCombs Leads with 41-13lbs!

Lakes levels at record high as it keeps raining.

by Curtis Niedermier

FLW PRESS RELEASE

In the Rogers area in northwest Arkansas, the story of the day was the series of severe thunderstorms that washed through the region overnight Friday and again on Saturday morning and afternoon. The result was flash flooding that swept debris across roads and caused many low-lying areas to become impassible. Downed trees and power lines also caused headaches. Currently, the entire area is a saturated, mucky mess.

One big bass vaults Johnny to first.
(Photo: FLW)

But not all was gloomy in Rogers on Saturday. Out on the water, Alabama pro Johnny McCombs was writing his own story at the FLW Tour event presented by General Tire at Beaver Lake. McCombs, who’s fishing the Tour in 2017 for the first time since 2003, pounded out an 18-pound, 15-ounce limit – the best of the tournament so far – to race from 11th place into first going into the final day of competition. McCombs’ 41-13 total has him in front of Texas pro Jason Reyes by 2 pounds, 4 ounces.
TOP TEN BELOW

2016 BASS Elite Mississippi River Day 1: Casey Ashley Leads 17-09 Pounds!

Rising water changes Day 1 plans

BASS COMMUNICATIONS

Casey Ashley has only a slim lead following the first round of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at the Mississippi River presented by Favorite Fishing, yet he almost oozed confidence as he left the weigh-in stand today.

Ashley turns misfortunate during practice to triumph!
(Photo: BASS)

"I feel like I've got another shot at winning," he said after weighing in a limit of four smallmouth and one largemouth totaling 17 pounds, 10 ounces. The Elite pro from Donalds, S.C., knows that feeling, having won the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. He aims to add another $100,000 to his career total on the Mississippi River this week.

Never mind that two other skilled young fishermen are breathing down his neck. Ott Defoe of Knoxville, Tenn., is second with 17-7, and Jordan Lee, the former college standout from Grant, Ala., is third with 17-2.

Reigning Classic champion Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., is fourth with 16-13, and Brandon Card of Caryville, Tenn., rounds out the Top 5 with 16-9.

Card's success may actually help Ashley's dream of winning become reality.

DeFoe revealed that he has two great spots. One gave up three of the bass he weighed in, and the other produced two.