“It was one of those days when it seemed like I could pull in anywhere and catch one,” Christie said.
His catch started with a 5-pounder Friday morning and then an 8.37 pounder that sits as the tournament’s big bass. Southern winds up to 25-30 mph battered the lake but Christie said he believes that helped him.
“I think it positioned the fish in the shallow drains a little better,” he said. “I’m just throwing a Booyah jig and spinnerbait, and covering water.”
Matt Reed of Texas is on his heels with 40.26 pounds after another consistent day. Reed caught a limit early, then his biggest that weighed 6.54 pounds and “culled a little bit the rest of the day, but didn’t get another big bite.”
The PAA All Star Series featured 48 of the world’s best anglers in a fight to the championship. The best athletes in the sport helped comprise the field, qualifying through the 2010 PAA Tournament Series standings or as special invitees. Up for grabs is $100,000 in cash and a new Nitro Z-8 boat outfitted with a Mercury 225 and T-H Marine Atlas jackplate, along with a Minn Kota Talon shallow water anchor for the tournament’s big bass winner.
Lake Ray Hubbard and the city of Garland welcomed major league fishing here for the week. The no-entry fee All Star Series event is part of the evolution of the sport and something anglers have wanted for years. Bass Pro Shops on I-30 is the site for the morning launches, at 7 a.m., and afternoon weigh-ins, at 3 p.m.
From the field that featured numerous tournament winners, FLW, PAA and B.A.S.S. Anglers of the Year and champions, the final 12 pros sport an impressive resume.
Christie claimed the FLW Tour title at Lake Hartwell in March, while Reed is coming off a Top 12 cut last in the Bassmaster Elite Series at Toledo Bend. Ott Defoe of Tennessee leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings.
Other notables include former Toyota Texas Bass Classic champions Brian Snowden of Missouri and Dave Lefebre of Pennsylvania, former Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Dave Wolak of North Carolina, former B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Aaron Martens and 2002 Bassmaster Classic champion Woo Daves of Virginia. The dozen pros have combined to win nearly $10 million during their careers.
The Top 12 who will fish Saturday:
1. Jason Christie, Oklahoma, 43.58
2. Matt Reed, Texas, 40.26
3. Ott DeFoe, Tennessee, 38.10
4. Brian Snowden, Missouri, 37.73
5. Todd Auten, South Carolina, 36.35
6. Dave Mansue, Texas, 35.79
7. Stephen Johnston, Texas, 34.36
8. Aaron Martens, Alabama, 31.51
9. Dave Lefebre, Pennsylvania, 31.22
10. Dave Wolak, North Carolina, 31.05
11. Woo Daves, Virginia, 31.22
12. Harold Allen, Texas, 30.66
Big fish: Jason Christie, 8.37 pounds
Two-day total fish/weight: 404 fish, 1,187.99 pounds