QUITMAN, Texas – The weather has become the biggest story at Toro Stage Two Presented by Grundéns on Lake Fork, even though the fishing in Wednesday’s Knockout Round was excellent, considering the conditions.
The 38-angler field spent the day fishing in temperatures hovering around the 30-degree mark, with rain on the way for the afternoon. Ice on the angler’s rod guides, trolling motors – and even on the MLF cameras – were a common sight today. It was, in a word, frigid.
It didn’t seem to cool down the “Jones Express” though, as Alton Jones Jr. led the way with 12 bass for 52 pounds, 3 ounces. The big-fish bite was fiery as well: three 8-pounders and a 9-pounder hit SCORETRACKER®, as did a 10-7 for Dustin Connell for Berkley Big Bass of the Day.
FULL RESULTS
BALLY BET AOY STANDINGS
The imminent freezing rain caused the day’s competition to be shortened to just two periods after input from the MLF Angler Advisory Board concerning the safety of the anglers and MLF crew on the water. The Lake Fork area is under a Winter Weather Advisory that will be in effect until Thursday at 6 p.m. The National Weather Service is calling for unsafe driving conditions – as a result, the Championship Round has been shifted to Friday.
Junior Joins Senior in Championship Round
This event marks the first time both Alton Jones and Alton Jones, Jr. have made the final day together. The Texans have plenty of experience with prespawn bass in the Lone Star State and each could be considered favorites to take home the win.
Junior started relatively slowly in the Knockout Round with one bass in the first hour, tacking on three more before the end of the first period. He went on a tear with eight more bass in Period 2 to take the lead from Dakota Ebare. Once he grabbed the lead, Jones never looked back.
According to SCORETRACKER® Insider, Jones did all his damage with a 1.5-sized squarebill fished around stumps in zero to 5 feet of water.
Ebare and Floyd Making Waves
Ebare put on a show in the first period, jumping to a seemingly commanding lead, thanks in part to an 8-15. He ended up with 12 for 48-11 and was very thankful for the chance to fish his first Bass Pro Tour Championship Round.
“Today was awesome and a real blessing,” Ebare said. “I’ve watched all these guys on TV my whole life and have always dreamed of fishing against them one day. I can’t be more thankful for the opportunity to be here, and I’m ready for the Championship Round.”
Fellow Bass Pro Tour rookie Cole Floyd (who rooms with Ebare on the road), also made his first Championship Round. A 6-2 with 15 minutes to go sealed it for him. He wound up with eight bass for 35-2.
Daily Leaders
- The Berkley Big Bass of the Day was the 10-7 caught by Dustin Connell.
- Alton Jones Jr. had the most weight on SCORETRACKER® with 52-3.
- Jones and Ebare had the most scoreable bass with 12.
What’s Next & How to Watch
The final 10 anglers will take to Lake Fork on Friday to determine the Stage Two champion. Action kicks off at 8 a.m. CST Live coverage of the final day of Toro Stage Two Presented by Grundéns starts at 7:45 a.m. CT on the MLF NOW! live stream. Watch for free on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app, or the MyOutdoorTV app.
Bally Bet Angler of the Year
MLF has partnered with Bally Bet for the 2022 Bally Bet Angler of the Year award. Bally’s is MLF’s exclusive sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and free-to-play partner for all MLF tournament circuits. The 2022 Bally Bet Angler of the Year will take home a $100,000 prize at the end of the 2022 Bass Pro Tour season. Follow the Bally Bet AOY standings all year long as the Bass Pro Tour season continues.