Hoernke hones lead

Bite improves slightly in FLW Series on Smith Lake

JASPER, Ala. – The weigh-in line at the Wal-Mart FLW Series event on Lewis Smith Lake was a bit longer Thursday compared to day one when the holding tanks were empty most of the afternoon.

The bite improved just a bit. All total, there were about 65 more keeper bass weighed in today than yesterday.

That may not sound like much, but after Wednesday’s anemic weigh-in, any improvement is huge.

Although less five-bass limits were weighed, the top-end weights got a little healthier. On day one, 11 pounds, 3 ounces was the top weight. Today, six stringers over 11 pounds, 3 ounces were weighed in.

One of those top limits belonged to Sean Hoernke of Magnolia, Texas, who now leads with a two-day total of 23 pounds.

Hoernke sacked a mixed bag of spots and largemouths today for 13 pounds, 10 ounces.

“I’m fishing the weather,” Hoernke said. “I’m on something real specific. I have to run around a lot to find it, but when I see it, I can just about call my shot. I lost two mules today in the 5-pound class, and that hurts.”

Hoernke said his pattern started to materialize during practice, but it was not real strong. The weather the last two days, however, has strengthened his pattern.

The skies failed to clear in Northern Alabama today. Heavy clouds remained as a cold mist drifted through the air. But sunshine is on tap for tomorrow.

“If the sun comes out, what I’m doing could dry up,” Hoernke added. “Hopefully the pattern will last long enough to beat out a few more keepers.”

Saleswke sacks 16

Rusty Salewske of Alpine, Calif., bagged the biggest limit of the day – 16 pounds of spotted bass – to jump into second place with a two-day total of 20 pounds, 7 ounces.

“I’ve had a horrible practice,” Salewske said. “And I just got real lucky today. The big spotted bass just happened to be bunched up in my area this morning. Why, I don’t know. But it’s the first time I’ve seen the big ones bunched up all week.”

On his first spot, Salewske caught two magnum spotted bass on back-to-back casts. On his next spot, he caught three more big ones on consecutive casts.

“I fished the same area I fished yesterday,” he said. “Like I said, I got lucky and they just happened to be wadded up.”

Salewske noted he is catching his fish “real deep” on a jig. 

McDonald in third

Tim McDonald of Hagerhill, Ky., brought in five bass for 12 pounds, 11 ounces to move into third with a two-day total of 19 pounds, 11 ounces.

“I’m targeting spotted bass, but the largemouths showed up today,” McDonald said of his catch consisting mostly of largemouth bass. “I guess the weather and the rising water brought the largemouths up; they were biting today, and it turned into a real bonus.”

McDonald is targeting docks and brush in 30 feet of water in one particular pocket.

“The spotted bass just will not sit down in the brush,” he added. “I guess the clouds and rising water scatters them out, so I’m glad those largemouth showed up.”

Herren finesse fishing for fourth

Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala., who currently sits in 47th in the points standings, is desperately trying to battle his way to a 2007 Forrest Wood Cup qualification.

Herren, normally regarded as a shallow-water power fisherman, has broken out the spinning rod and 6-pound-test this week.

“My hands are tied, and I have no choice but to do it,” he said. “For two years I’ve gotten spanked on my home lake (Logan Martin) in the FLW Championship with a spinning rod. And I knew if I was going to make a move in the FLW Series points here on Smith Lake, I was going to have to get out there in 30 feet of water and catch spotted bass.”

Herren now sits in fourth place with a two-day total of 18 pounds, 2 ounces. With a top 10 here, he will likely move up into the coveted top 30 in the points and receive a Forrest Wood Cup berth.

Mathis falls to fifth

Day-one leader, Brian Mathis of Charlotte, N.C., fell to fifth place today after bringing in three bass weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces for a two-day total of 17 pounds, 12 ounces.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 pros after day two on Smith Lake:

6th: Kyle Mabry of Birmingham, Ala., 17-0
7th: Gary Yamamoto of Mineola, Texas, 16-10
8th: Craig Powers of Rockwood, Tenn., 15-15
9th: Andy Chappell of Warrior, Ala., 15-15
10th: Frank Ippoliti of Smithsburg, Md., 15-14

Local Lee leads co-anglers

Todd Lee of Jasper, Ala., is one day away from being a hometown

hero on his home lake.

After sacking the co-angler big bass yesterday, Lee mustered 4 pounds, 10 ounces today to take a 2-pound lead with 13 pounds, 14 ounces going into tomorrow.

“To win on my home lake would be a real honor,” Lee said. “But I’ve still got a long way to go. Two pounds is not a comfortable margin for me. I’m going to have to fish as hard as I can tomorrow.”

High five co-anglers

Tracking down Lee from second place is T.R. Fuller of Auburn, Ala., with a two-day total of 11 pounds, 11 ounces.

Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., sits in third place with a two-day total of 11 pounds, 11 ounces.

Frank Divis of Fayetteville, Ark., is staying in the hunt in foruth with a two-day total of 10 pounds, 10 ounces.

After zeroing yesterday, Spencer Lynn of Vinemont, Ala., bagged four bass for 10 pounds, 6 ounces today to move into fifth place.

Day three of the FLW Series on Smith Lake begins at 7 a.m. CST at the Lewis Smith Lake Dam Friday.