DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 28, 2009) - Adam Wagner of Cookeville, Tenn., took the early lead in the Bass Fishing League All-American bass fishing tournament on the Mississippi River with a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 9 ounces in the Boater Division. He is vying for the all important win, where he could earn as much as $140,000 and qualify for the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup, which will be held July 30-Aug. 2 on the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, Pa.
"It really feels good," said Wagner, who would fish the Walmart FLW Tour if he won and were to qualify. "I came to win as I finished in second place in 2005."
Wagner said he was not sure of his plan of attack for Friday, but did say there were several other boats fishing in the same area. "I am not sure yet where I am heading tomorrow. It is just something I will have to decide tomorrow. Getting through the locks and getting back is the biggest thing."
"I caught three of my keeper fish in Pool 13 and three keeper fish in Pool 14," said Wagner. "I was using a quarter-ounce jig and was also flipping a beaver. I was flipping wood and throwing a jig targeting grass and lily pads."
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were Edward Gettys of Scottsboro, Ala. (five bass, 13-10); Gary Edwards of Milton, Ky. (five bass, 12-5); Roger Pope of Statesville, N.C. (five bass, 10-14); Allan Cagle of Deltona, Fla. (five bass, 10-10); Russ Moran of Manchester, Tenn. (four bass, 10-2); J.R. Henard of Rogersville, Tenn. (four bass, 9-13); Rob Lamoy of Chazy, N.Y. (four bass, 9-5); Steve Wagner of New Kent, Va. (four bass, 9-4); and Mike Devere of Berea, Ky. (five bass, 8-14).
Jeff Holder of Bossier City, La. caught a 4 pounds, 14 ounce bass to take home $500 for the Folgers Big Bass on the boater side. Overall there were 120 bass weighing 253 pounds, 10 ounces caught in the Boater Division Thursday. The catch included seven five-bass limits caught by 45 anglers.
Dickson Adams of Woodstock, Ga., leads the Co-angler Division with a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces. He holds a lead of two pounds, three ounces over Jade Keeton of Florence, Ala., in second place with five bass weighing 9-11.
"We headed up north but did not go all the way to [Pool] 13," said Adams. "We stayed in Pool 14.
"I caught my fish today on a shallow-running crankbait and was targeting rock banks. We stuck with our spot all day and fished the same place and just consistently caught fish."
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers are David Deciucis of Richmond, Va. (five bass, 7-15); Ron Jackups of Fairfield, Ohio (three bass, 6-0); Chance Stone of Nashville, Ark. (three bass, 5-13); Elzie Dorman of Charlottesville, Va. (three bass, 5-4); Danny Robinson of Fairland, Ind. (two bass, 5-1); Roger Brown of Tallassee, Ala. (one bass, 4-8); David Martinez of Tucson, Ariz. (three bass, 4-8); and Darren Jeter of Marshal, N.C. (two bass, 4-6).
Brown caught the Folgers Big Bass in the co-angler division with a 4 pound, 8 ounce bass earning $500. Overall there were 64 bass weighing 123 pounds, 6 ounces caught in the Co-angler Division Thursday. The catch included three five-bass limits by 34 anglers.
The 108 anglers from 27 states will take off at 7:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday from Sunset Park Marina in Rock Island, Ill. Weigh-ins will be held at the RiverCenter located at 136 E. 3rd St. in Davenport beginning at 4 p.m.