ROGERS, Ark. (May 14, 2009) - Mark Rose of Marion, Ark., weighed in a five-bass limit that weighed 13 pounds even during the first day of competition at the FLW Tour Open bass fishing tournament on Beaver Lake and ended the day with a slim 8-ounce lead.
"On Beaver Lake, it's all about getting in a comfort zone and then being able to go fishing," said Rose, who has won more than $778,000 in FLW Outdoors events. "That's what happened to me today.
"I caught a little limit of spots and then went flipping and was fortunate to catch my big fish on a Strike King Rodent in a bush," Rose added. "The fish got me hung up, but I was able to get it out."
Rose said he caught one of his larger fish in water he called "very clear." He added the water he fished Thursday had little to no color at all. According to reports from many anglers, Beaver Lake has returned to its traditional clear state after heavy rains for an extended period of time in the area. During the 2008 Walmart Open, Beaver Lake was uncharacteristically muddy, and most fisherman caught fish using power fishing techniques.
"I got a few key bites that really helped me, but you never really know with fish," Rose said. "I've got an area that has some keepers, but as far as getting those kicker fish that you need to get you over the hump on Beaver Lake two days in a row ... that's really hard on Beaver Lake. I've kind of clued in to what's going on. It's just a matter of getting the right bites."
Rose said his strategy won't change for the second day of competition. He said he would like to repeat his Day 1 performance and perhaps even eclipse the 13-pound mark.
"I'm not going to do anything different," Rose said. "I've got an area I started in today that nobody tried to come in on. Hopefully I'll get there in the morning and try to catch a limit and go from there."
Rounding out the top five places are Thanh Le of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (five bass, 12-8); Rob Kilby of Hot Springs, Ark. (five bass, 12-3); Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn. (five bass, 12-1); and Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C. (five bass, 12-1).
Jay Yelas of Corvallis, Ore., earned the day's $1,000 Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 4-pound, 13-ounce bass.
Overall there were 702 bass weighing 1,233 pounds, 15 ounces caught by 154 pros Thursday. The catch included 118 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing for a top award of $200,000 this week plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for $2 million Forrest Wood Cup, which will be held July 30-Aug. 2 on the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, Pa., where they could win as much as $1 million - the sport's biggest award.
Kevin Hawk of Ramona, Calif., leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 10-0 followed by Brent Bridgeman of Elkmont, Ala., in second place with five bass weighing 9-14.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Dirk Davenport of Delaware, Ohio (five bass, 9-11); Ernest Cate of Springdale, Ark. (five bass, 9-8) and Alton Lackie of Germantown, Tenn. (five bass, 9-8).
Patrick Majors of Rogers earned the day's $500 Folgers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 3-pound, 3-ounce bass.
Overall there were 424 bass weighing 620 pounds, 9 ounces caught by 139 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 37 five-bass limits.