Davey Hite, Prosperity, SC first place:
"I went to the same place as yesterday. On the first bite, I caught a small one. They put a microphone on me and my second bite was a small one too. But then the third bite was the big one (5-10)."
"I do like shallow-water fishing, it's my strong point. I'm not fishing deep. I just had a great day today. It's a real special little place. I haven't seen another tournament boat in there. If I can catch five fish again, I feel that I will be in good shape."
"I'd prefer to be a little farther ahead. The year I finished second, I backed off my fish and I think that it cost me the tournament. I really fished only half of the water that I think is good today. The spectator boats could mess me up, no doubt about it because they could stir up water. I had a couple of spectator boats today and they were great, very courteous. Nothing but great so far."
"I'm using baits that make noise and vibrations. I think that's important. I almost always put rattles in my baits." When asked about what bait he was using he said, "I'm using about six different lures." When pressed further he replied, "I'm catching most of them flipping a Gambler soft plastic bait. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow."
"Tidal effects do concern me. When the water current changed yesterday, it repositioned the fish and I didn't adjust. I finally wised up and learned to reposition. It's just a matter of putting bait in a different place. I didn't have that lull today"
When asked about what he will do tomorrow he said, "I'm going to same place and stay there. The average size of fish there is just incredible."
Ron Shuffield, Bismarck, AR 2nd:
"I really don't think there's a chance that I can catch Davey. I've only seen three fish in the four-pound class in fishing this area. I've caught bigger fish than I thought I would. But Davey would really have to stumble for me to catch up. I don't expect him to do that. He's a great fisherman." "I've had an area pretty much to myself. I could pretty much catch 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pound fish at will. I thought that a 3-pound average would win. But Davey has proven us wrong."
"I'm flipping a Stanley jig. The fish aren't turning on to bite until between 10 and 12 o'clock. There's four guys up here who has never won a Classic, and I hope that one those four wins it. I'm not knocking my friend Larry Nixon. But it means a lot more to someone who's never won it to win it the first time."
Mickey Bruce, Buford, GA 3rd:
"My strategy is simple: do what I have been doing. Hopefully one of those world record fish will bite me and I will have a chance. I'm going to stick with what I've got and hope I can get some bigger bites like I got the first day. I don't plan to change anything."
"I had a couple of bites that could have been big fish. Jack Wade and I are fishing the same area. We had 8 or 10 spectator boats with each of us, so you have 20 boats or so running in area. Folks were as courteous as they could be, but when you're fishing in shallow water the wakes can mess up your area."
Larry Nixon, Bee Branch, AR 4th:
"I don't feel I'm in very good contention right now. If Davey catches his bass tomorrow, he's pretty much got a lock on it. But things can happen. Yesterday morning, I caught a quick limit in area with some grass. Then I went to some other areas and didn't catch anything. I went back to the other area and didn't get a bite. Not one. Today, after I caught two on spinnerbait, I picked up a jig (in that same area as first day). I caught most of my fish on a Berkley Power worm. I finished my limit with the jig. The only way I have a chance is if Davey stumps his toe."
Gary Klein, Weatherford, TX 5th:
"I really feel that this Classic is Davey Hite's to lose. He's got it won. But things do happen. There are some big stringers in the area that I'm fishing. I'm making a long run. All the fish I've caught I caught in only 4 1/2 hours total."