Mize hits five-fish limit, takes first-day lead in Bassmaster Classic
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Jimmy Mize took the first-day lead at the Bassmaster Classic on Friday with five bass totaling 6 pounds, 2 ounces. Stacey King and Aaron Martens were tied for second, as both recorded weight totals of 5 pounds, 1 ounce.
“I’d be a lot more excited if this was the third day,” said Mize, who is making only his third appearance in the Bassmaster Classic. “We had the best conditions for fishing you could ask for.”
Mize and Martens were two of only four contestants who caught the limit of five fish. The other two were Preston Clark and Skeet Reese.
“You have to catch a few every day to stay near the top of the standings,” said Mize, who lives in Ben Lomond, Ark. “A three pounder can make the difference, but five little ones each day might just win this tournament.”
And Mize could have had a bigger lead if it wasn’t for the bass that got away.
“I had a three-pounder and another that was probably a pound and a half, but both got away,” said Mize.
King caught three fish, including a 2 pound, 14 ounce largemouth bass, which tied with Kevin VanDam for the biggest bass of the day, which earned each a prize of $500.
Van Dam is in fifth place after catching three fish that totaled 4 pounds, 11 ounces.
“I was real fortunate to get some quality bites,” said VanDam.
“Tomorrow will be a real challenge. The record for the lowest weight could be in jeopardy.”
The record for the lowest weight total in the 35-year history of the Bassmaster Classic is 15 pounds, 5 ounces, which was set by George Cochran in 1987.
“I went pretty far up the river,” said Martens, who would not reveal where he stopped. “By the time I got through the locks, I only had three or four hours to fish.”
Clark is in fourth place with a weight total of 4 pounds, 14 ounces. Reese is in sixth place with a total of 4 pounds, 10 ounces.
Defending champion Takahiro Omori is 31st in the standings after catching only one fish that weighed 1 pound, 1 ounce.
The anglers returned to Pittsburgh’s three rivers for Saturday’s second day of competition in fishing’s biggest event. The 47-man field will be cut to 25 after Saturday.
On The Net: Bassmaster: http://www.bassmaster.com