Hite, Lee, Montgomery and Sprague Survive Sudden Death, on to Championship Round
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – It’s one of the tensest rounds of professional bass fishing there is: Sudden Death. Nine anglers made their way to Bull Shoals Lake in Mountain Home, Arkansas for Sudden Death Round 1 of the 2020 Lucas Oil Challenge Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches. Only four of those pros are moving on to the Championship Round with a shot at the Challenge Cup trophy still intact.
Flooded conditions persisted in the Ozarks as the nine anglers tried to reach the SIG SAUER Target Weight of 25 pounds. MLF producers decided to throw the anglers a curveball and moved them to the Lead Hill area of Bull Shoals, a zone with more than 8,800 surface acres.
Montgomery First to 25
Andy Montgomery is no stranger to the stress of Sudden Death Rounds, which are unique to MLF Cup events. That’s why the South Carolina pro wasted no time, crossing the 25-pound threshold in only the second period.
“There’s no better feeling in bass fishing than hitting the Target Weight in Sudden Death,” Montgomery said with exhaustion shortly after winning Sudden Death Round 1.
Montgomery finished with 15 bass for 26 pounds, 5 ounces. He now moves on to the Championship Round, a familiar place to the Strike King pro. Montgomery knows what’s at stake and what he needs to do to come home with a trophy.
“It’s going to take a good day of fishing to win me a championship,” Montgomery said. “I know I can do it, I just have to keep fresh water in front of me, get off to a good start and I have to close.”
Sprague Stays Hot
Fresh off of a win in Elimination Round 1 win, Jeff Sprague continued his impressive performance in his MLF Cup debut. The Texas pro caught 14 bass for 27-1, including a 3-3 that put him just 3 ounces from the Target Weight. After that 3-3 however, Sprague didn’t catch another fish for almost an hour. Finally, with time winding down in Period 3, Sprague hooked a 2-4 largemouth on a vibrating jig to send him on to the Championship Round.
“I was stuck on stall for a good bit,” Sprague said with relief. “To finally get that last fish in the boat and move on to the Championship Round in my first Cup event is unbelievable.”
Sudden Death Drama
While it was an easy day for Montgomery and Sprague, the final two spots in the top four were still up for grabs throughout most of the afternoon. Brett Hite and Matt Lee began Period 3 less than 5 pounds away from reaching the target weight, but Dave Lefebre found a honey hole that nearly paid off in a big way.
Lefebre began Period 3 in eighth place with only seven bass for 10-10. The Pennsylvania angler found a flooded willow tree that looked to be a promising target. Lefebre’s analysis proved correct as he landed nine bass for 11-15, pushing his total weight to 22-9. Despite Lefebre’s best efforts, Hite and Lee were able to hold off the comeback. Hite dominated the day once again with a vibrating jig while Lee was able to get the majority of his bites searching for offshore schools.
It was Hite’s first experience with the Sudden Death format after his Elimination Round 2 win. The Yamamoto Custom Baits pro experienced a range of emotions during his first two days of MLF Cup action.
“You go from the highest of highs, winning the Elimination Round, to just barely skating in for Sudden Death,” Hite recapped. “Fortunately it went in my favor today. I knew Sprague and Montgomery were going to get in, so it was basically between me and Matt (Lee) to grab those final two spots. Luckily, I was able to hold off a late charge from Lefebre. I’m excited to be moving on.”
Just Short of a Championship Round
Stephen Browning, Brent Ehrler, Bobby Lane, Dave Lefebre and Jared Lintner were unable to hit the Target Weight and were eliminated from Challenge Cup contention. Browning, Lefebre and Lintner have all qualified for the Heritage Cup. Browning, Ehrler and Lane return for the Patriot Cup. Ehrler, Lane and Lintner will compete in the Summit Cup.
The 2020 Challenge Cup continues on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. ET with Sudden Death Round 2 on Outdoor Channel.