LAKE FORK WELCOMES TTBC PROS BACK
What happens when you bring fifty of the best bass pros in the world to one of the best bass lakes in the world? Well, this is what happens...
Fourteen of those pros weigh 30+ pound five-bass limits on Day One of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on the fabled trophy bass factory that is Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas.
Two-time TTBC champ Keith Combs knocks 42 pounds even out of the park.
Russ Lane in 2nd place sacks the best limit of his pro career with 38 pounds 4 ounces, catching and releasing 40 good-sized bass today.
Stetson Blaylock in 3rd has his best day ever. He catches and releases an 11 pounder that anchored Blaylock's 36 pound 8 ounce limit.
Randy Haynes in 4th with 34 pounds 8 ounces is ready to go home already because he's plumb tuckered out from reeling in too many hefty Fork porkers all day.
Luke Clausen in fifth with 33 pounds 12 ounces is the only pro in the TTBC to have won both the Bassmaster Classic and the FLW Forrest Wood Cup - and although Clausen feels it will be tough to make up ground on the likes of Combs and Lane, winning the TTBC and attaining the "triple crown" of bass fishing is not entirely out of Clausen's reach today.
DAY 1:NOTES & QUOTES
Day 1 at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic was nothing short of amazing. The big bass were the story of day one..and they were very big. The event invites the top anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour and Professional Anglers Association and consists of the best in the world who fish for a living across the country. All of these seasoned pros were in disbelief at just how good today was but in the back of their mind - they knew it was possible on famed Lake Fork.
Big Bass Capital
In a state as bass crazy as Texas, it takes a lot for a city to be able to claim the title of big bass capital of Texas. Nearby Quitman, TX has made that claim and can back it up after today’s weigh in. They even have the mural to prove the title and it would be hard to find someone here who disagreed with them.
Notes from the Pros
“I did bad, I only had 26lbs 8oz” overheard from Rathdrum, Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk who sits in 19th place in the 50 angler field. Those words may not ever be said again from a tournament bass fisherman.
“Fun doesn’t even begin to describe my day. We were listening to the radio all day because we were able to hear other judges calling in the weights of each fish. It was entertaining and also pretty scary,” said Guntersville, AL pro Justin Lucas.
LEADERBOARD
1. Keith Combs – 42 lbs.
2. Russ Lane – 38 lbs. 4 oz.
3. Stetson Blaylock – 36 lbs. 8 oz.
4. Randy Haynes – 34 lbs. 8 oz.
5. Luke Clausen – 33 lbs. 12 oz.
ATX Wheels Big Bass Standings:
1. Keith Combs 10lbs. 14 oz.
2. Russ Lane 10lbs. 7oz.
3. Terry Scroggins 10lbs.
4. Kevin VanDam 8lbs. 11oz.
5. John Murray 8lbs. 110oz.
Saturday, May 10
Tournament Day: Round 2
Schedule:
6:00am - 8:00am – Gates Open for Angler Take-Off (SRA)
Free Admission and Parking (Take-Off Only)
7:00am – Anglers Take-Off (SRA)
10:00am – 7:30pm – Event Gates Open (SRA) *Ticket Required*
TPWD Adventures Area, Outdoor Expo, BBQ Cook-Off & BPS Kids Zone
1:00pm- Live Concert: Southern Slang
3:00pm – Live:Ugly Stik® Presents: Backroad Anthem
5:00pm – Weigh-in, BBQ Awards
6:30pm – Headline Concert:Little Big Town