LIVE BLOG: Atkins Sets New MLF Record with a 10-8 on Lake Fork

Justin Atkins just set the MLF record with a 10-8 bass.

March 14, 2020 • MLF Field Crew • Bass Pro Tour

EMORY, Tex. — Sixty-three bass of 5 pounds or heavier were caught yesterday on Lake Fork to start of the General Tire Stage Three Presented by TrueTimber off on the right note. What will Qualifying Day 2 bring us? Hopefully more of the same. It might be a little tougher for the 40 anglers heading out in Group B, however. There is a local kayak tournament happening on Lake Fork today, which means our pros will be competing with locals as well as each other.

Yesterday’s No. 20 angler, Bradley Roy, ended his day with 40 pounds, 11 ounces just to give you an idea of how great the fishing was during Qualifying Day 1. We’ll see what happens today as we get started.

5:17 p.m. CT — Three anglers that had zeroes after Period 1 are inside the Top 20 now. Jacob Wheeler, Fred Roumbanis and Zack Birge all find themselves above the Elimination Line as time winds down on Qualifying Day 2.

5:01 p.m. CT — Michael Neal is the new leader for Qualifying Day 2. He has 13 bass for 48-15. His biggest bass is a 6-14 that he caught working away from the bank. In fact, Neal has been away from the bank for most of the day.

4:38 p.m. CT — Justin Atkins just added an 8-7 on to his total weight after setting the MLF record earlier today. Atkins used a wacky-rigged Berkley General to catch both of those massive fish and has now moved into third place. He has only seven scorable bass, but those seven add up to 43 pounds, 13 ounces.

3:42 p.m. CT — Brandon Coulter sits on top of SCORETRACKER® with 11 bass for 47 pounds, 4 ounces. That 9-5 he caught in Period 2 has really helped him shoot towards the top. We saw yesterday’s Elimination Line near 40 pounds, but it’s not looking like that will be the case today. Dustin Connell is currently in 20th place with 18-7.

Zack Birge lands a 5-10 for his biggest of the day.

Jacob Wheeler finally makes it onto SCORETRACKER® with a 4-7.

Mike Iaconelli lands a 5-5 to move up SCORETRACKER®.

2:48 p.m. CT — We have a new leader on top of SCORETRACKER® and it is James Watson. The Missouri pro is averaging nearly 4 pounds per scorable bass with 10 bass for 39 pounds. Watson’s biggest bass is a 5-10 and he has a 5-8 and 5-6 to go with his total.

2:39 p.m. CT — Brandon Coulter just brought in a 9-5 on a crankbait, a bait that he said has gotten him all of his bites today. Coulter is now in fifth place with eight bass for 34-5.

1:51 p.m. CT — We have a new record for the largest bass ever caught in MLF history, for the second straight day. Justin Atkins just battled a 10-8 for more than 2 minutes before finally getting it in the boat. Atkins just broke Jason Christie’s record of 10-4 he set during Qualifying Day 1. Congrats to Justin Atkins on an amazing catch.

1:40 p.m. CT — Kelly Jordon and Bryan Thrift are right on Lefebre’s tail for the lead. Both Thrift and Jordon have over 29 pounds, just ounces behind Lefebre’s 30-5. We have seen a lot of guys trying to continue the sight fishing patterns of yesterday with some success. Still, we have yet to see a truly monstrous bass like we witnessed yesterday.

Jared Lintner catches a 6-6 on Lake Fork.

12:52 p.m. CT — Dave Lefebre’s lead has shrunk to just 10 ounces thanks to Brandon Coulter. Coulter has seven bass for 25 pounds, his biggest bass being a 4-7.

12:15 p.m. CT — We have yet to see a fish weighed in over 7 pounds, but there have still been a large number of 5- and 6-pounders. As time winds down in Period 1, there are 30 anglers on SCORETRACKER®. A bit of a surprise is the fact that Jacob Wheeler and Zack Birge have yet to catch a scorable bass. Wheeler took home the Stage One championship while Birge has been solid over the first two events.

11:38 a.m. CT — James Watson is making a run for the top spot. He has two 5-pounders on the day and a total weight of 15-4. He is only 2-8 behind Dave Lefebre for the lead. It looks like Watson has found his success flipping and pitching so far this morning.

Gary Klein feels right at home in Texas with this 5-14.

10:55 a.m. CT — Dave Lefebre extends his lead thanks to two more 4-pounders added on to his 6-6 earlier. He now has three bass for 15-10 just an hour into his day. James Watson is 5-12 behind Lefebre for the lead.

Anthony Gagliardi lands a 5-0 near some gator grass.

Dave Lefebre lands a 6-6 to start off his morning.

10:26 a.m. CT — Our first big fish of the day comes to us from John Murray. The Tennessee pro just brought in a 6-1 largemouth into the boat and put it on SCORETRACKER®. Dave Lefebre is now the leader after landing a 6-6, the biggest fish of the day… so far.