TBF anglers went into day two of the 2010 TBF Central Division Championship, presented by Evinrude E-TEC in Warsaw, Mo., on Truman Lake, hoping for a second chance to hit ‘em hard, better conditions and maybe a little luck to light the way. What they got deemed tougher than yesterday, as the water continues to rise, shifting the bite tremendously. These anglers must adapt as the fish adapt to the changes in the levels and currents, which is no easy feat. Despite tough conditions, tomorrow will decide our state and overall Central Division champions; it looks like it will come down to ounces as the race is tight and those who triumph will definitely have earned their keeps.
Bringing in another 16lb 3ounces today is, Kerry Milner, from Bono, Ark., that limit of bass makes his total weight 32lb 6ounces.
Milner incorporated the same strategies he did yesterday to help him earn his catch, and facing the same conditions as the other anglers he thought the bite was much tougher today. “Today was a lot, lot tougher; I didn’t catch them early like I hoped,” Milner said. He landed a big and small fish early on, but didn’t complete his limit until later. “It was late afternoon before I got things going; I hit a good school and there I finished up my bag for the day.” Milner has four hot spots he’s rotating through, but he isn’t quite confident in tomorrow’s bite. “I’ll be fishing with another angler who is leading his state, so it might be a little tougher hitting my waters, but hopefully we’ll both be good for each other.” Milner’s grasp on the lead will be hard to crack, and though he’s not completely confident for tomorrow, there is one thing he’s totally confident in. “I’ve got the right bait; I think that’s the key.”
Milner has a sound hold on the top spot, but pushing hard to knock him off are four anglers from the state team of Kansas. Currently, second to fifth are all Kansas anglers separated by ounces, fighting neck and neck for the title, and not to mention, the top spots in their state, which will advance them to the national contest. In second place individually and out in front for Kansas by 6 ounces, is Casey Scanlon, from Lenexa, Kansas, with a total of 23lb 10ounces.
“I’m going to try not to worry about all the guys behind me; I’m just looking ahead,” Scanlon said. Truman Lake is his “home lake” and even so he said the bite is tougher than normal. “It’s a real tough bite; with the water rising daily the fish are kind of in limbo, making the bites real scattered.” Pre-fishing Scanlon found some fish deep but with the changes he’s slightly adjusted his approach. “I’ve got a two technique approach working; I’m just flippin bushes up shallow and Carolina riggin deep.” With the pressure of his teammates right on his heels and the unfamiliarity’s of this ever so familiar lake, Scanlon’s plan for tomorrow remains simple. “I’m just going to go out and do what I got to do to get five; as long as I get five, that’s my plan.”
In the state team standings, Arkansas continued its lead with 138lb 4ounces. But, Missouri made quite a jump today climbing from fourth and is not far behind with 129lb 4ounces. Kansas held tight to third with 118lb 3ounces, and making a drop from second is Nebraska with 95lb. In fifth, is Texas with 39lb 5ounces and then Louisiana with 89lb 15ounces. Seventh and eighth are Missouri with 88lb 13ounces and Oklahoma with 87lb 14ounces, respectively.
Overall, fishing was tougher on everybody today as a mere seven limits of bass were brought to the stage and there is only four anglers in the entire field who have weighed in a limit both days. Tomorrow will be the last chance for these anglers to go out there and give Truman all they’ve got to see which anglers and which state will be crowned 2010 Central Division Champions. It should prove to be quite a day of fishing, as we’ll see which anglers will conquer the bite amidst the pressure, excitement and tough conditions.
Full standings are on the TOURNAMENTS RESULTS PAGE HERE
Final day weighin will start at 2:30 pm at Truman Lakes Long Shoal Marina, it is free to the public.
