Lane lands day-one lead on Lake Eufaula

Christopher Lane of Lakeland, Fla., used a 22-pound, 6-ounce stringer to grab first place overall in the Pro Division heading into tomorrow's round of competition. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Chris Lane.

March 20, 2002 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Fravel holds off competition to grab first place in Co-angler Division

EUFAULA, Ala. – Fishing in only the second EverStart Series tournament of his career, Christopher Lane of Lakeland, Fla., used a mammoth 22-pound, 6-ounce catch to grab the Pro Division lead after the first day of Eastern Division competition on Lake Eufaula. Making the feat even more remarkable was the fact that he was fishing on Lake Eufaula for the very first time as well as competing against a host of FLW pros – including $700,000 Ranger M1 winner David Dudley, Craig Powers, Koby Kreiger and Wesley Strader, winner of the $110,000 FLW title on Lake Ouachita last week.

“It was just a great day,” said Lane. “I’ve never fished here before and it’s the most weight I’ve ever weighed in. It really feels good.”

According to Lane, his strategy was very simple.

“I didn’t really know the lake, so I just went fishing,” he said. “I used a bunch of different baits and I fished all over the lake. I fished deep and I fished shallow. And as long as I can catch some fish tomorrow, I should be all right.”

Lane, who used a combination of shallow-running crankbaits, top-water baits and a worm primarily around deep creeks adjacent to shallow flats, said he is perfectly positioned to advance to the top 20 assuming he has a relatively good day of fishing tomorrow.

“I have about 10 good spots and one really great one with a lot of big fish,” he said. “I left a lot of fish out there for tomorrow and I think I should be able to catch about 10 to 12 pounds. That should be enough to make the cut. But after that, it’ll be a whole different ballgame.”

Although fishing against some of the top pros in the country could be nerve-wracking for some anglers, Lane said he is here to have fun.

“I fish because I love it,” he said. “I don’t fish for the money.”

Big guns waiting to pounce

FLW Tour pro Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala., grabbed second place after landing a whopping 22-pound, 3-ounce stringer. And right behind him, in third place, was Strader – still rolling after winning the first FLW title of his career last week on Lake Ouachita.

“My goal was to try and cover as much water as I could today,” said Strader, who turned in a 21-pound, 2-ounce catch. “For the most part, I’m sight-fishing and catching most of my fish on the bed. Basically, I bypassing all of the 2-pound bass and looking for larger fish.”

Strader, who is using a Lake Fork Tackle Mega jig, tube and ring fry, said he is going to try to catch just enough fish to advance to the next round.

“Tomorrow I’ll probably try to catch a limit of 2-pounders,” said Strader, who currently resides in Spring City, Tenn.. “I’m saving a couple of spots for later on in the tournament.”

Strader also won the day’s big bass award a check for $750 after netting a 6-pound, 12-ounce largemouth.

Rounding out the top five were Rusty Smith (fourth) of Somerset, Ky., with a catch of 19 pounds, 10 ounces; and Brian Randall (fifth) of McCalla, Ala., with a catch of 18 pounds, 15 ounces.

Fravel unravels secrets of Lake Eufaula

Using a combination of spinner baits and plastic lizards, Robert K. Fravel of Leesville, S.C., grabbed the overall lead in the Co-angler Division after landing a 14-pound, 10-ounce catch. Michael Strange of High Point, N.C. finished in second place with a catch of 14 pounds, 4 ounces.

Scott Griffin of Sherrills Ford, N.C., and Jim Jenkins of Winamac, Ind., tied for third place after landing identical catches weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces.

Tony Hill of Chatsworth, Ga., grabbed the fifth spot with a catch of 12 pounds, 8 ounces.

Tom Burks of Okeechobee, Fla., won $250 and the day’s big bass award in the Co-angler Division after netting a 7-pound, 12-ounce largemouth. Burks is currently tied for 12th place.

Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 6 a.m. at Lake Point State Park, located at 104 Lake Point Drive in Eufaula, Ala.