Five Key Things from Group B’s First Day on Lake Travis
AUSTIN, Texas – The first day of fishing for Group B at Berkley Stage Two Presented by Mercury on Lake Travis proved to be very similar to Group A’s first day, with plenty of fish catches and many small fish mixed with a handful of big ones.
Inclement weather rolled in early in the third period, causing a weather delay that ultimately ended the competition day. Still, Jacob Wheeler managed to catch more weight in roughly 5 ½ hours than anyone in Group A did in a full day of fishing.
Here are five key things from Group B’s Qualifying Round:
Changing Weather Conditions
The weather forecast for Saturday showed a 100% chance of rain for most of the day, with lightning in the afternoon. The morning rain never materialized, but the lightning did, forcing a two-hour weather delay before league officials called the day.
Sunday’s forecast shows improved weather conditions and partially sunny skies with comfortable temperatures. After a big storm, the fishing quality will be the big question as anglers are likely to see a different Lake Travis when they return under postfrontal conditions.
The Big Bite is Key
Just like on Day 1, the big-fish bite catapulted anglers up the leaderboard. Fletcher Shryock‘s 8-pound, 4-ouncer accounted for more than a third of his weight even though he landed eight bass on the day. He ended the day in fourth place.
Arizona’s Roy Hawk also benefited from two quality fish, including a 6-10. His four bass for 14-1 has him in 14th place.
Catching a big one on Lake Travis has proven to be difficult, but it looks like these bigger bass will key in some anglers advancing.
Wheeler and Birge Battling it Out
Both Wheeler and Zack Birge have been extremely successful on the Bass Pro Tour – it seems like one of them (or both) is in contention for the win at every event.
Wheeler led the day with 16 bass for 52-11 while Birge had 18 for 42-2. The two are far and away ahead of the pack as Ish Monore holds down third with 28-5.
It’s looking like either Wheeler or Birge will win the group and advance straight to the Championship Round. That automatic bid will likely come down to who gets the hot start on Monday as Birge will surely switch to practice mode if Wheeler extends his lead any further.
Can Thrift Rebound?
Bryan Thrift was considered an easy choice as a potential winner for this event. He’s competed twice on Lake Travis and finished second both times (and he generally catches them everywhere he goes).
One big surprise is seeing him at the bottom of SCORETRACKER® after a day of fishing with just one bass for 1-11. It doesn’t look good on the results page, but he’s not out of it by any means.
Thrift is 8-1 below Kevin VanDam in 20th place, and if anyone can make up that ground in a hurry, it’s Thrift.
Toro Cut Line Drama Looming?
As was the case in Group A, things are incredibly close around the Toro Cut Line for Group B and should make for a dramatic finish when the anglers return to the water. Both groups have tightly packed standings going into their next day of fishing.
In Group A, the 20th place line sits at 11-7, while Kevin VanDam holds that spot in Group B with 9-12 on a weather-shortened day.
On Day 1, 12th through 31st place were all separated by just over 10 pounds. In Group B, 11th through 36th are less than 10 pounds apart.