Sun comes out, catches go down

TBF anglers struggle during pleasant day on Bull Shoals

BRANSON, Mo. – Strange, the frequent disparity between what looks nice and what functions well. Take, for example the sunny conditions embracing day two of the TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard on Bull Shoals Lake.

Nice day to be outdoors, but a challenging day for fishing. It was just your basic post-cold front stubbornness that commonly befalls bass when chilly, cloudy days thaw into something more comfortable with a bright sky shining down upon those bass. That last part seemed to have put the fish in a foul mood and they made anglers work a lot harder – often for a lot less – than they did while shivering under lots of layered clothing a day earlier.

Several anglers reported the action waning later in the day, as skies unzipped a thin, streaky cloud cover to allow lots of sunlight penetration. Those fishing deep spots suffered less than those committed to shallow patterns. All felt the general downturn in aggression with fish often bumping baits several times before committing.

Following the numbing cold of day one, midday temperatures were up a good 10 degrees on day two. However, stats on numbers of fish caught, catch weights (individual and aggregate) and limits were all down. Nevertheless, champions have a way of getting done what needs getting done, especially when they really need to get it done.

In nothing short of a Herculean effort, Franksville, Wisc. Boater Nick Smyers powered his way through a tough bite to bag 15 pounds, 12 ounces – the day’s heaviest limit. Pairing that with his 18-15 from day one gave the TBF Northern Division champion a 34-11 total and a 4-pound, 8-ounce lead over Filer, Idaho’s Brandon Craner – the Western Division champ who tallied 30-3.

Going into day two, Smyers trailed day one leader Derek Cummings of Mason, Mich. by just four ounces. Cummings, whose 19-pound, 3-ounce opening round stringer stands as the event’s heaviest thus far, brought in a leaner limit today – this one going 11-15.

Using a Strike King Sexy Shad crankbait, Smyers got his fish in 3-9 feet of water. He fished about 50 miles down the lake in an area with a quartet of key spots. Warmer water (low 50’s), murky conditions and the presence of baitfish were his main criteria. But even with all the preferences in place, the fish played hard-to-get.

“The bite wasn’t nearly as good today as it was yesterday,” Smyers said. “I loaded up pretty quickly yesterday. I got a limit pretty quickly today, but I had to work for those bigger fish.”

For day three’s final round of competition, Smyers said he’d actually prefer a return to chilly conditions. “I think the cold just makes the fish want to feed more. Today, it was a little warmer and they didn’t want to eat as good.

“I think I can get them tomorrow, but it’s going to be tough. I’m glad I have that 4-pound lead or I’d be in trouble.”

Divisional leaders

Central: Zachary King, Clarksville, Ark., 27-10

Eastern: Rob Lamoy, Chazy, NY, 19-13

Mid-Atlantic: Robert Harkness, Elizabeth, WV, 27-2

Southern: Daniel Ellis, Gleason, Tenn., 28-3

Terry Kleeman of Joplin Mo. won Big Bass honors for his 6-pound, 1-ounce largemouth. Finishing second in the Central Division, Kleeman caught his big fish on a DD22 crankbait in 15 feet of water.

Modest margin maintains Modrak’s co-angler lead

Day one leader, Mark Modrak of China Township, Mich. managed only two fish on day two, but one went 4-plus pounds. His second round weight of 6 pounds, 5 ounces added to his first day’s weight yielded a two day total of 20-3.

Sticking with his C-Flash crankbait – same as day one – Modrak caught his fish in 6-10 feet. “It was the same deal as yesterday – you had to ricochet the bait off a rock or stump to get their attention.”

In the Southern Division, Woody Parks of Lincolnton, Ga. trails Mondrak by just 9 ounces with 19-10.

Divisional leaders

Central: Jerry Necaise, Long Beach, Miss., 17-6

Eastern: Peter De Moya, Plymouth, Mass., 9-2

Mid-Atlantic: Eric Stewart, Anmore, WV, 13-7

Western: David Martinez, Tucson, Ariz., 16-2

Day three of TBF National Championship action continues at Saturday’s takeoff, scheduled to take place at 7:00 a.m. (CT) at K-Dock Marina located at 295 Highway K Marina Drive in Kirbyville, Mo.