CULLMAN, Ala. – Heading into the first day of Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Covercraft Stop 2 on Smith Lake, almost to a man, the field expressed keen interest in the number “15” – as in, 15 pounds of spotted bass or largemouth a day (or a combo of both) to establish their spot on the top end of the 163-boat field. So far, so good for Josh Weaver…and then some.
With roughly two hours of fishing time left in the day, Weaver sits perched atop the unofficial live leaderboard with 17 pounds, 4 ounces, just over a pound ahead of Kerry Milner (16-0). Weaver started the morning fast, with a 4-pounder and a 3-4 in the first 30 minutes of the day, which he supplemented with a “spotasaurus” roughly an hour later. Weaver admitted to MLF photographer Kyle Wood that he has “one of the biggest spotted bass I’ve ever caught in my life in the livewell.”
We might see a 5-pound spotted bass at the scales today.
Since then, the Georgia pro has gradually plinked away at a solid bag with a mix of reaction and finesse baits.
Don’t be surprised if he comes to the scales with a little more than the 17-4 we’re crediting him with on the leaderboard.
That same pattern could be applied to a hearty percentage of the field catching spotted bass, as deep-diving jerkbaits, small swimbaits and drop-shots have accounted for the lion’s share of fish suspended off points and under deep floating docks.
Of course, there are multiple anglers lurking who don’t have marshals, who will likely become factors the second the weigh-in scales get active at 3 p.m. CT: Jesse Wiggins, John Cox, Cody Meyer, Spencer Shuffield, David Williams, etc. Our photo crew has reported 12- to 14-pound bags for some of those anglers, but they’re UN-unofficial.
With a couple of hours before weigh-in starts (and plenty of flights checking in later ), expect to see a lot of movement on the unofficial live leaderboard, which will be updated until 2 p.m. ET. Be sure to tune in for the live weigh-in show at 3 p.m. on MajorLeagueFishing.com.