Denny Brauer, Camdenton, Mo.:
"I'm using a bait that I used during the pre-fishing period that generates a few more strikes. I'm using something different--using four or five baits but this one is a little different. The great thing about is you can go behind other anglers and catch fish. I had a guy in front of me and I caught three fish behind him."
"I have two key areas and one is better than the other. I would have had the same catch yesterday if I hadn't busted a big fish. I'm going to live or die with this pattern; I won't change a thing tomorrow. But I will saturate one of the areas, which is better than the other place. I feel really good about the one area because everything happened so fast. I had several fish take the bait but they didn't eat the bait. I'm going to work that area real hard."
"I knew it was going to be a good day when I caught the big fish (7-6) five minutes into the day. And even better, I had my limit by 8:25 a.m." (Note: He didn't limit until 2 p.m. on Thursday.)
"The spectators aren't a factor for me, even though I'm fishing in very shallow water. I had about 30 boats with me for most of the day. I've figured out how to do handle the waves and that makes it easier to stay on my spots. I don't mind the spectators because I know they're here to witness what's happening."
"The water is down about six inches, and I noticed they (Yadkin Power) were pulling water and there was quite a current going in my area." He caught eight keepers today.
George Cochran, Hot Springs, Ark.:
"I have eight different spots that I'm fishing and I only saw one other boat where I was fishing. I didn't realize he was fishing most of the same spots I was fishing. Today I was in the second flight and the guy was already there. I'm going to expand on my best shallow water area instead of hitting all eight spots. I'm going to live and die at this place."
"I tried several other lures today but I'm still betting on the same lure. It's not that big a secret--you can go over to the Outdoor Show and buy them at the Strike King booth. But I'm not telling you what it is until tomorrow. I've lost a couple of fish in this tournament and you can't afford to loose a good fish."
Mike Reynolds, Modesto, Calif.:
"I'm using a lure these fish out here have not seen. It's a West Coast bait and I'm catching fish behind the other guys. I'm pitching and flipping in water that is 10 feet or less."
Zell Rowland, Montgomery, Texas:
"The day went like I planned it. I had enough bites to catch my limit yesterday and I did it again today. I am going to change water tomorrow and fish another area that has more opportunities. I've got to get better bites in order to move up."
"I'm doing the same thing the other guys are doing--fishing shallow. But we're all using different baits and that's why we're all up in the standings. I haven't caught any fish on topwater" (he's known as a topwater expert).
They don't drop water here on Saturday so it will come up tonight. I think a little rising water could possibly help everybody in the top five. The water has gotten a little more murky. The water clarity is the exact same color as I believe it was in 1994. The only difference is the water is lower." He had nine bites and caught seven keepers today.
Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla.:
"The conditions aren't the same as in 1994. It's a lot muddier than it was then (upriver). I didn't think this would be won flipping. So I didn't fish shallow and I'm fishing deeper that most people think I do. Everybody has me tagged as a shallow water fishermen and I knew that I'd have to be versatile in order to do well in this tournament. I caught one fish 22 feet deep."