Day Two Central Divisional Results
Greers Ferry, Ark.—The ability to catch fish deeper than the range of a Louisiana depth finder helped Samuel Anthony take over the lead today at Greers Ferry Lake in the in the BASS Federation Nation Central Divisional presented by Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats.We fish brackish water at home where you can check the depth with your rod,” said Anthony, a 42-year-old truck driver from Independence, La. “You just have to learn how to adapt.” The North Pass Bassmasters club member had never fished Greers Ferry before, but he found some fish at depths of 30 feet or more during practice.Competing in his second divisional, Anthony caught four bass weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces yesterday to move into 14th place. He weighed in a 9-pound, 8-ounce limit today to jump into the lead with 17-2.
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“I had five bites today,” said Anthony. “I caught them on the three basic same baits as yesterday.”Anthony has been forced to endure the heat while waiting for his fish to bite. “I have been getting only two bites early,” he said. “I don’t have a clue why they are not biting in the morning because they should be.”
Individual and team honors are at stake in this two-part event. BASS Federation Nations from eight states are battling for the top prize of the tournament, a $30,000 Skeeter bass boat/Yamaha outboard rig. Nebraska is the leading team with an accumulative weight of 109 pounds, 4 ounces, while Missouri is in second place with 84-7.The Central Divisional anglers also have the opportunity to advance to the BASS Federation Nation Championship since each state team’s top finisher earns a berth to the ultimate event for amateur bass anglers. Competitors from the Louisiana 12-man squad have to overtake tournament leader Anthony to qualify for the championship. Other state leaders are Matthew Dowding (Missouri), Richard Risewick (Nebraska), Robert Degraffenreid (Oklahoma), Tom Jessop (Texas), Jared Taliaferro (Arkansas), John Stanford (Mississippi) and Mark Warner, (Kansas).The Central Divisional CastingKids contest was also held today to qualify two youngsters for the national finals. Andy Ortega, Odessa, Texas, recorded a 130 score to win the 7- to 10-year-olds age division, while Trevor Yates, Norman, Okla., scored a 140 to top the 11-14 age group.
Winners in the individual and team competitions of the Central Divisional will be determined tomorrow when the final weigh-in for the tournament begins at 2 p.m. CDT at Devil’s Fork Park.
