6/13/12 –State teams from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas have come to the great hot and humid state of Louisiana to compete on the legendary Red River. After a great welcome banquet, held at the Boosier City Civic Center, all the anglers, their families, staff and volunteers were fed with an awesome catfish dinner. The 96 competitors were ready to start their week in hopes of advancing to the 2013 TBF National Championship to be held next Spring. The weigh-ins this week are taking place at the Red River South Marina near Bossier City. They are free and open to the public.
Local angler Josh Moore of the Louisiana State Team leads after the first day on the Red River for the 2012 Central Division Championship, Presented by Evinrude. Moore is fishing the state team as a non-boater. He set the bar high today with a five bass limit that weighed 15 lbs 7 oz, which was mostly anchored by his 6 lb 10 oz lunker. “That was the biggest bass I’ve ever pulled out of the River,” said Moore. And what a great time to pull one that size. “The day went pretty good, we started out in the pads and it’s where the bigger fish came from. I’ve got several spots and 
hopefully am going to go back to those tomorrow.” Josh leads Louisiana by over 8 lbs over Ross Cagle, who has 7 lbs 5 oz.
For tomorrow, Josh drew boater Jody Linder from the Oklahoma State Team. Jody is no stranger to making the State Team, as this is his 15th state team appearance. He is leading his state with 10 lbs 6 oz. Overall, Linder is sitting in 8th place. “I had my limit by 7:45 this morning, but this afternoon I figured out a pattern, by accident, that should work for me tomorrow. Josh and I are going to put our heads together and hit both of our places,” said Linder.
In second place overall is Texas State Team Member Larry Barnes, who is also fishing as a non-boater this week. He had 12 lbs 13 oz today, which helped out Texas, who is leading in the overall State Team Standings with 66 lbs 3 oz. Right on their tail is Team Arkansas with 65 lbs 8 oz. In 3rd is host state Louisiana not far behind with 61 lbs 11 oz.
In third place overall and leading the state of Mississippi is Brett Thompson of Columbus, MS. Thompson had a limit that weighed 11 lbs 5 oz. Just a slight lead in state standings over fellow state team member Gene Brown who has 10 lbs 8 oz. “Morning bite was good for me today where I had 2 key bites. Later in the day I caught my other 3 and was done by 11 and let my partner have the boat. I believe I can catch what I need tomorrow on the same places,” said Thompson.
There is a slight chance of thunder storms all week, with the best chance this evening. We’ll see if it affects the bite tomorrow. There were all alot of smaller fish caught, the size each have to be is 12″ here on the Red River. Only 13 limits were caught today and 13 blanks.
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