EUFAULA, Ala. — The top-20 cut has been made at the Stren Series Southeast Division event on Lake Eufaula. An examination of the top six pros’ patterns so far this week reveals an even split between a staging bite and a spawning bite.
In the bed-fishing corner are the Floridians: leader Johnny Crews of Lakeland, Fla., John Cox (3rd) of Debary, Fla., and Koby Kreiger (6th) of Okeechobee, Fla.
The staging-bite camp features Ryan Ingram (2nd) of Phoenix City, Ala., Rodger
Beaver (4th) of Dawson, Ga., and Scott Hayes (5th) of Newnan, Ga.
The bed fishers are concerned that the falling water is making their fish skittish, while the staging guys are worried that optimum spawning conditions have fish going to the bank.
It’s a classic case of “the grass is always greener on the other side” of the pattern.
Over the next two days, it should be interesting to see what pattern emerges as the strongest.
Pierce happy to be fishing
One pro in the top 20 is just happy to be fishing today. Patrick Pierce of Jacksonville, Fla., was on his way back to check-in Thursday when engine complications left him stranded in the middle of Lake Eufaula.
Pierce, who was in third after day one and had four keepers in his livewell, began to sweat.
“I thought I was toast,” Pierce recounted. “When the boat stopped, there was no one around for miles. Suddenly David Parsons (of Dothan, Ala.) came running out of a nearby pocket and saw us. He gave up the rest of his fishing day to give us a ride back to check-in, and we made it with 10 seconds to spare.”
Pierce’s four bass kept him in the top 20, and he has survived to fish another day.
“It’s a testament to the kind of sportsmanship we have here on the Stren Series,” Pierce said. “I can’t thank David enough.”
The day-three weigh-in will be held at the Eufaula Wal-Mart beginning at 4 p.m. Central. For those who cannot be at the weigh-in in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, its cutting-edge Web application that brings viewers audio, video, results and more in real time.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:50 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 58 degrees
Expected high temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 63-68 degrees
Forecasted winds: NW at 10 to 15 mph
Day’s outlook: sunny